[h1][center][color=f7941d]Location: 92.9 The Bull: Caroline's office[/color][/center][/h1]

[h2][center][color=662d91]Caroline Dawson[/color][/center][/h2]


Caroline sat in her office at 92.9 for the first time in three weeks sipping on a chai-latte while reading a stack of cards and letters. It had been about six weeks since the explosion ripped through the city, and the city was moving on in it's own way. The police were still investigating. businesses and community leaders were showing signs of working together to rebuild but that unity was showing signs of cracking, and the conspiracy nuts were still rambling on about what "really" happened. For Caroline though it was the roughest times in her life. Amy and Scott, two friends and co-workers, were caught in the blast and Caroline felt responsible for their deaths. She was the one who not only helped Amy and Scott finally go out on a date, but she suggested the club as place to go. 

It all came to ahead for her three weeks ago when she had a nervous breakdown. Caroline was doing everything she could to try and hold her career together. After all, she was in the top five for ratings in the market and number one in her time slot. Caroline couldn't let the station down or her loyal listeners which led her to taking a few uppers to try and keep her image up. Bob-O, the program director and her mentor, saw what was going on and he did an intervention. Caroline insisted that she was fine, and could do her show without the drugs. Caroline was wrong and to make it worse Caroline was on the air at the time that everything began to unravel, and Caroline knew what was about to happen. Luckily for her she was able to play an audio file which Bob-O always insisted they have ready to go. A file that contained an entire on-air shift with generic comments and songs set to go. Caroline was also lucky that Bob-O was listening and he got down to the studio seconds before Caroline was going to chug a bottle of cleaning fluid. Many in the station were wondering if Caroline was going to get fired, but Bob-O was a recovering alcoholic and he knew that with the right help Caroline would recover. The station paid for her to go to rehab and everyone supported her and visited as often as they could. Even rivals from other stations came to see her and wished her well. 

That was all in the past through, at least that was what Caroline was hoping. She took another sip of her drink as there was a knock on the door. Caroline let out a small exhale and said with a small smile while reading through another card, "[color=2e3192]It's open[/color]."

The door opened and standing there was Darlene Popkin the station owner with a dozen roses. She rarely came to the station as she was inclined to trust Eddie Burton the G-M and Bob-O to run the place. but just because she didn't come to the station all the time didn't mean Darlene didn't care. She was an extremely wealthy woman who always took care of her employees.

Caroline stood up and almost spilled her drink as she said, "[color=2e3192]Hi Mrs. Popkin[/color]." 

Darlene handed the flowers to Caroline and said, "Welcome back Caroline. It's so wonderful to see you again. How are you feeling?"

Taking the flowers and laying them in her desk Caroline replied, "[color=2e3192]I'm feeling much better ma'am thank you for the lovely flowers.[/color]" 

Darlene smiled and said, "You're welcome Caroline. I'm just glad you're back we got along without, but..." shaking her head Darlene said, "without you here something was missing. More importantly, I was so worried about you." Darlene reached out and took her hand and said, "One of the last things my dear Harold did before he passed one was to insist we bring you on board. You have been a wonderful addition to our station, and you're an even better person. If you need anything please let me know." 

Caroline smiled and said, "[color=2e3192]Thank you ma'am. I'll remember that[/color]."

Darlene pulled out of her pocket a silver chip with blue trim and showed it to Caroline. Caroline's mouth slowly dropped open as she just stared at the chip and then she looked at Darlene who said, "I know what you're going through dear. You got the same chip when you left rehab as I did. I don't talk about it much, but you and I were walking the same road one step at a time." 

Caroline came around the desk and without thinking threw her arms around Darlene and began to shed a tear. Darlene said, "You're not alone dear Caroline. I'll be with you every step of the way."

Caroline broke the embrace and asked, "[color=2e3192]If you don't mind me asking, how long?[/color]"

Darlene replied, "I've been clean for the last 18 years. My addiction was heroin. Having to be in the spotlight all the time or being Harold's wife was pretty demanding and yeah I needed something to help cope with it all. Bob-O though knew and he got me into the same program you went through." She shook her head slowly and said, "You and him are the only two people here who know about this. I'd prefer it stays that way."

Nodding slowly Caroline replied, "[color=2e3192]Understood ma'am. Well if you'll excuse me I have to go to production and cut a new 'CYA' file since I used mine about three weeks ago. Thanks again for the flowers and for the shoulder to lean on ma'am[/color]."

Darlene said, "Of course Caroline, and please if we're going to be helping each other ma'am ain't gonna cut it. It's Darlene to you."

Caroline smiled and the two embraced one more time.