“Nothing is ever perfect. Really,” she promised. She didn’t answer that question. She couldn’t remember the last time she looked at photos. It only reminded her how much had changed. She didn’t want to think about the past, how happy she’d been. “I’ll tell him that…” Her words trailed off. She wouldn’t be able to tell him. When Joey was old enough to talk and walk and comprehend things better, he and Kandace would no longer be a part of her life. They would be living somewhere else surrounded by other people. He would grow up without knowing her. That thought stung a little. She wasn’t sure if Kandace knew it or not, but she was one of her best friends. Of course, she didn’t have anyone trying to take her place. But the girl was still a comforting presence. She’d even grown attached to Joey, albeit unwillingly. She’d gotten them both Christmas gifts. She wasn’t the best when it came to shopping and she didn’t have much money to spend, but she’d found a little donkey stuffed animal that she hoped he might like. She thought he could snuggle with to chase the bad dreams away. For Kandace she’d gotten a Starbucks card for the days she needed a caffeine boost to get through her classes and a super mom pin. “He’ll know you tried,” she eventually replied, changing her sentence. He would, even if Eeyore wasn’t around to tell him so. Kanga wouldn’t make the mistakes her parents had. “Just don’t yell at him too much and he’ll be okay.”
“Try telling that to my family,” Kandace responded dryly, taking a deep exhale through her nose. Christmas time in the Roo household back before the baby debacle had ever happened was something she would easily describe as perfect. Sure, her mother was a vindictive housewife who demanded to live vicariously through her daughter, but Kandace could give her one thing for credit: the woman was meticulous about holidays. Now everything was different, and suddenly she was the one having to carry all that weight on her shoulders. Kandace was preparing herself for some debbie-downer comment, something that she’d just have to brush aside and try to avoid any effects from, but what actually came out was unexpected. He’ll know you tried. Even if Eeyore’s words seemed flippant, a simple warning if anything, Kandace could read between the lines. She’d spent months convincing herself that she wasn’t enough, that she’d done her son a disservice by keeping him instead of giving him up for adoption like everyone had wanted her to. On top of that, she’d spent so much time ruminating over the fact that her parents wanted nothing to do with her that for the first time in her life, she felt truly alone. Well, she would have, at least, if it weren’t for Eeyore. The girl was depressing and negative, but that hadn’t changed the fact that she had somehow managed to become as close of a friend as anyone else in her life. Even though she still missed Christopher dearly as if she’d only seen her best friend yesterday, having her there seemed to take the sting away, and she knew in her heart of hearts that no matter what, she was going to keep the girl close no matter what. It was enough to make a lump form in her throat, the sentimental nature of the conversation and the pent-up frustration of the holiday season finally getting to her emotions. In one quick motion, she pulled the girl into a tight hug, muttering two words after a long pause. “Thank you.” And in truth, that was all that needed to be said; her point was clear. After a long moment, she finally pulled away, allowing Eeyore her personal space as she commented wryly, “Sorry, y’know how the holiday season goes. It’s really great at making people all sentimental and stuff.”