Akeelah and Carlin (2)

She bows respectfully and I take the elevator straight up.

The doors open later to the OR hallway or waiting hall.

And there sits Carlin, lost in thoughts.

Although there's a measure of sadness on her face, there's another feeling and expression I cannot describe.

She just has a torn between expression on her face.

I walk to her and sit beside her.

She is startled and jumps.

"Whoa. Scaredy cat." I comment and drop my bag on the cold chair beside me.

She calms down and gives me a speculative look.

"What do you want? There's a restraining order between us remember?"

"You obviously didn't listen well in school. A restraining order is meant for one party not to visit or go close to the other, it does not apply to the one who issues it. And I issued it so I can come close to you but you can't do otherwise."

"Yeah, right. What do you want?"