Carolina Rodriguez

I put my hand over my stomach absentmindedly. "Not far. Just... a couple months I think it would be now."

"You've been through a lot haven't you? I know you were once married to Blake Kyle and then you lost your new husband while escaping. It was brave what you did...coming out here not knowing what to expect."

"I didn't have a choice. I had to keep Logan safe. How do you know so much about me?"

"My Dad told me about you before I came out here. He was just filling me in, ya know? So I could start helping you."

"Oh okay. Sorry, I... I didn't mean to sound so paranoid. Tell me more about you. Your family."

"You don't want to hear our horror story, I promise."

"I do though. I want to know all about you."

"Let's see. I told you about my Mom, what Asher went through over the years, and I told you about Feeny. She was the girl who passed away this winter. My Dad married his long time friend, Darlene. Her daughters were already like sisters to us anyway. You know Ezra, right? Her beating was shown live to the whole nation. Just because her and Caleb were dating and he was District 1. They beat him too though." I sighed "See? It's all mostly ugly. You don't want to hear it."

"I'm listening aren't I?" I said as I checked on the stew. "I remember when that happened. I didn't go to the square like I was supposed to. I started to watch it on tv and... I had to turn it off."

"Yeah...it was hard to watch. I was really surprised when my brother didn't kill them for that but I guess he knew it would just make matters worse. He took care of her though afterwards. We all did of course but he didn't leave her the whole time."

"That was really sweet of him. I've seen them around a little, they seem really close. I couldn't believe when that happened. It was the most ridiculous excuse too. Just because they were from different districts and dating each other."

I nodded "It was frowned upon, that's for sure."

"Yeah I remember the rules. I just never agreed with most of them. I'm so sorry your family's been through so much. At least you're all away from it though right?"

"Yeah, that's a plus."

"I bet. I can imagine how much better things are for you all out here. It's really different for me too, but in different ways."

"Yeah, I get that. We all have our stories, don't we?" I asked as I got up and checked the stew again. "Almost done."

"Yeah we do. I've done my fair share of bad things though, just like everyone else."

"None of us are perfect. You couldn't have done anything that bad."

"I don't know about that. How bad is cheating on your husband? In his own house?" I asked as I checked the stew again. "The food is ready."

"How bad is cheating on your girlfriend during a deadly snow storm? I guess not that bad considering she cheated too. See? No one is perfect."

"I guess not. It's funny how things work out though isn't it? I broke my family apart for a man that's dead now, all because of selfish reasons, and my son almost died today. How's that for not that bad," I said and sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound like I was snapping or anything. I've just been starting to get hormonal lately. And I'm sure you don't want to hear that," I said and smiled a little at him then got us both a bowl.

"My brother got two girls pregnant at the same time along with my stepmother being pregnant. I promise that I can handle the hormones."

I couldn't help but laugh a little. "Sounds like it. That's good to know."

"Were you afraid I wouldn't be able to handle you?"

"I don't know," I said and shrugged. "Maybe a little."