I may be jumping the gun...

[cat_mcpherson]

Who: Cat and Jane (via phone)
When: Sometime before Cat's last journal entry
Where: Santa Monica Rehab Center/McPherson House
What: Phone conversation
Rating: PG/PG-13

Apparently spending the summer in rehab was no reason not to complete the summer reading and so Cat was spending her final days at the clinic forcing herself to finish

Comments

[unexpctdjrny]

"Cat? Cat is that you? It's me, Mom," Jane said as she sat down on her bed. She both loved and dreaded her weekily calls to Cat. They always started out so strained.

[cat_mcpherson]

"Hey, Mom." With a smile, Cat closed her book and set it on the nightstand, sitting up so that she was leaning back against the headboard.

Caitlin -1. Dickens - 0.

[unexpctdjrny]

"Oh Cat, it's so good to hear your voice," Jane said, willing back the tears that always sprang to her eyes when she talked to her 'exiled' daughter. "How are things going?" She asked trying to sound normal.

[cat_mcpherson]

Cat frowned as she listened to her mother's voice waiver. That was one of the few downsides of getting clean, you finally begin to realize what your actions did to other people.

"Things are good. I've been trying to finish up my summer reading, but so far Dickens and I have...been in a fight."

[unexpctdjrny]

A burst of happiness bubbled up in Jane. "Mac and cheese it is then. I'm sure Sam will be thrilled. Any other requests? Special desserts? Anything?" Jane was eager make the transaction as smooth as possible.

[cat_mcpherson]

"Ummm...ice cream would be nice. With hot fudge?"

[unexpctdjrny]

"Ice cream and hot fudge...got it...well I'd better let you get back to reading," Jane said, reluctant to sever the phone call, her only connection to her youngest daughter.

[cat_mcpherson]

"You don't have to...I mean...I'm always happy to talk to you. And it certainly beats Dickens." She grinned into the phone.