Free Finding Kylie by Kimberly McKay

there?” 
                  She heard her friend sniffling and kept talking to keep herself from tearing up as well. “Hey, I know you just got in but are you free? I can be over in about an hour.  I have to check on my manager, at the café ... make sure he’s still pulling his weight, and then I’ll come straight over.  Sound good?”
                  “Yeah, I need to talk to you.  I have no idea what to do next.”  Chastity was going downhill fast, and needed her friend to help sort out her options.
                  “K, I’ll see you in a bit.  Want anything from the kitchen?  When was the last time you ate?”  Anne was already texting an order to Jim, her manager. 
                  “Yeah, make me one of those sandwiches I like so much.  The one with that special sauce and shredded chicken.” Her stomach was already growling in anticipation. 
                  Anne texted the final items over. “Done. See you in a little bit.” 
                  Forty-five minutes later, Chastity was finished unpacking her car.  She loaded everything that held her mom’s belongings, into her study. 
                  I’ll find a place for all of it later, after I unpack my things , she decided. 
                  One thing that definitely needed a place now - was her mom’s beanbag chair.  She tossed it in the corner of her great room, near the TV. 
                  Her open floor plan allowed access to the living room, study, and kitchen all in one.  She nudged the beanbag with her foot.
                  This fits well into my pad.  It’s still in pretty good shape too.
                  She noticed an area toward the bottom, which had been patched up with electrical tape.  I remember when that happened. I’ll just have to remember to sit in it carefully.
                  As a rough kid, she loved to jump around on different furniture throughout her house.  She remembered falling onto the beanbag little too hard, causing a small tear, which sent Styrofoam beans spraying through the air.  Kylie scooped up as many as she could to put them back inside, before vigorously taping over the hole.  She slapped the tape on with a big X formation, to secure them in place.
                  “Calm down Chastity.  You need to be careful.”  She frowned down to her daughter.
                  Looking back, Chastity now knew her mother wasn’t angry with her - just distressed over the situation.
                  Mom, that was your favorite word ... careful.  You wanted me to be careful with everything.  I never understood until now. 
                  So much became clear to Chastity.
                  It was your fear talking ... you were afraid to let go and have some fun, because it might turn into something you didn’t bargain for. 
                  Chastity started tearing up and said aloud, “Oh mom, I am so sorry.”
                  Just then Anne tapped on the door and walked in.
                  “Hey, I come bearing munchies.  Your favorite sandwich, and I brought dessert.  How does a piece of chocolate pie sound?” 
                  Chastity quickly dried her eyes, crossed the floor, and reached for one of the bags from Anne.
                  “Mmmm, this is exactly what I needed.” 
                  Anne gave her a quick hug, with her free arm. “Welcome home.”
                  She pulled out the chairs from Chastity’s small table, and motioned for her friend to sit down.  Chastity absentmindedly sat, and focused on the amount of food Anne was unpacking in front of her. 
                  “Good, you brought it for two.  I didn’t want to eat by myself.” 
                  “Not only that, but I