by M. Sembera
It wouldn't have mattered to him that Charlotte was only seventeen and William was twenty-three but she lied to his brother, hid the fact that she was a minor and Emerson Robert's daughter. Her father was a big deal in town and Will could have gotten in serious trouble. She didn't even try to make things right, she just sent a fake ass apology letter to him that Ren probably made her write.
As he resisted the urge to cuss Sheryl out when he walked back in, Auggie walked straight to William's room.
Closing the door behind himself, Auggie said, "I heard you had a visitor."
William nodded as Auggie walked to his bedside. He hadn't intended on mentioning her at all, but William's room smelled of the same sweetness as when she ran into him in the stairwell. Thinking to himself 'someone like her shouldn't smell good, it's deceiving, she should smell like vinegar or liver and onions', he sat in the chair next to William's bed.
Catching sight of the 'I forgive you' written on Will's board before he wiped it and wrote, 'Don't be mad,' Auggie changed the subject, saying, "How ya feelin' today?"
Pulling his mask down, William wheezed, "Tired."
Nodding, Auggie cleared his throat before offering, "Let's both get some shut eye then."
William placed the mask back to his mouth before shaking his head as he pulled it away, whispering, "I need...you...to do...something...for me."
3
Dinner
Lola stood next to Charlotte in her bathroom watching her carefully applying a thick coat of lipstick to her lips.
"I think you are prettier without it," Lola assured.
Glancing down at Lola, Charlotte winked, saying, "That's why you're my favorite."
With a slight giggle, Lola asked, "Are you going to still be here when we get back?"
"I'll be here for three whole months," she replied.
Charlotte made her way out of the bathroom with Lola close behind her.
Sitting on her bed, Charlotte reached down and slid her high heels on as Lola sat down next to her.
"Are you getting married?"
Charlotte smiled, answering, "That's the rumor but don't say anything. I don't think I'm supposed to know Trace is gonna ask."
"What's he like?"
Taking a breath, Charlotte turned towards Lola, replying, "He's very handsome."
"What does he do?"
Laughing, Charlotte asked, "Alright, what's with all the questions?"
Shrugging, Lola shared, "Silvia won't talk to me about her boyfriend. She says I'm too little and he's none of my business."
"That's because Silvia's a..." Stopping to filter herself, Charlotte continued, "A little on the uppity side."
Lola giggled, "You were gonna say a cuss word."
With a sigh, Charlotte nodded before imparting, "Don't be like that when you grow up. Just because Emerson and Amila have money, that doesn't make you better than anyone. Okay."
"Does Trace have a lot of money?"
Standing up to check herself in the mirror, Charlotte replied, "Yes but its mostly his father's."
"How did you meet him?"
Turning to Lola, still sitting on the bed, she answered, "At a party."
"Do y'all go on dates?"
Leaning down to hug Lola, Charlotte said, "I tell you what, if you let me go get him, you can ask him all the questions you want," and gave her a squeeze.
~
Trace was waiting outside of the Inn when Charlotte pulled up. She rolled her window down, and smiled as he walked to the driver's side.
"Hop in," she suggested.
Looking down at her, he gave her an absurd expression as he said, "I'll drive."
"I want to drive," Charlotte pouted, batting her eyelashes at him.
Trace gave a disapproving glance as he said, "What will it look like if you are driving me."
"It will look like I'm driving."
Taking a step back he, fussed, "You know I do not like being driven."
Charlotte pursed her lips, saying, "You get driven all the time."
"Not by you."
Mentally counting back from ten, Charlotte opened the door and stepped out of the car. This was the last time she would see him until he returned to collect her. She should behave for him.
Inspecting her from head to toe, Trace smiled. She was perfection. Her hair pulled into a perfect knot at the nape of her neck, the lines of her clingy blouse matched up perfectly to her fitted skirt that ended mid-thigh on her flawless legs that were elongated by the heels she wore.
Leaning close to her, he ran his hand down her side before kissing her right below her ear as he whispered, "No one will compare to you while I am away."
His compliment made her feel like he was reminding her, they were not exclusive and he intended on seeing other women while he was away.
"How can you say that, when you have never kissed me?"
Pulling away, Trace questioned, "This is a conversation you would like to have now, before I meet your father?"
It was a conversation, she never thought of before now. Charlotte had not been kissed on her lips since she was fourteen. Seeing William today and remembering how badly he wanted to kiss her properly, suddenly made it an issue. The scar on her mouth took a very long time to heal and when it did, it bothered her so much just the thought of someone kissing her upset her. But shouldn't Trace want to kiss her?
"Do you kiss other women you are with?" she asked.
Serious in expression, he replied, "I have no desire to deny the fact that I see other women. That was made clear to you from the beginning. If you insist on my disclosing every detail, I do many things with other women that I have yet to experience with you."
"I only asked if you kissed them because I was curious if you wanted to kiss me."
Looking down at her as if she was a child, he replied, "You know how I feel about imperfection."
"I'm full of imperfections."
Trace smiled at her, assuring, "And as far as I am concerned, if I cannot see them, they do not exist."
That was something she liked about him. Although she never told him exactly how she got her scars, he didn't care about where she came from, what had happened to her or what she was like before. There was no past with him. All he cared about was enjoying the now and preparing for the future.
~
The formal introductions when they arrived went well except for Lola, who took one look at Trace and practically hid behind Emerson the rest of the time. Charlotte's brothers and sister had been fed already because this was more of a grown up dinner than a family one. Charlotte stood in the kitchen with Amila and Ren while Jackson, Emerson and Trace remained in the living room.
"So, what do y'all think?" Charlotte questioned.
Ren quickly replied, "About what?" before Amila gave a soft smile, answering, "Well, he's very handsome."
"Isn't he," Charlotte agreed.
"He seems very formal, is he like that all of the time?" Amila asked.
"Yea but so is Emerson," Charlotte replied.
With a hint of hidden meaning, Amila shared, "Not all the time."
Ren laughed out loud as Charlotte made a face at her.
"Sorry honey," Amila laughed before saying, "But these are things you should think about if you're getting serious. I mean, do you want a husband that politely asks or one that throws you over his shoulder and..."
Charlotte blurted, "Amila!" as Ren continued to laugh knowing Charlotte was horrified at the thought of Emerson and Amila in that type of situation.
When dinner was ready, the men joined them in the kitchen before heading into the dining room. Everyone settled, in pairs at the dining room table.
Amila started the conversation by asking, "So Trace, you don't have an accent, did you grow up in Spain?"
"I was born in Àlava. I attended American boarding school in Bethesda, Maryland."
With a compassionate expression, Amila said, "That must have been terribly lonely."
Appearing confused he
asked, "Why?"
"It just seems like it would be," she replied.
Changing the subject, Emerson shared, "Dinner is delicious."
"Roasted pork loin is Charlotte's favorite," Amila replied before smiling at Charlotte.
Trace quickly chimed in, "It is exceptional. Who is your cook?"
Ren and Charlotte glanced at each other, trying not to laugh, as Amila gave him an offended expression saying, "You're looking at her."
"I did not mean to offend you," he quickly replied.
Jackson brought the next subject change, asking, "So Trace, do you follow basketball? I hear Spain is giving the European league a run for their money this season."
"I am not a fan of sports in general. The idea of running or sweating doesn't appeal to me."
Trace cleared his throat and adjusted in his seat as dining room went silent.
As Jackson tried to shake off the shock of what he just heard, his cellphone started to ring.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled it out, saying, "It's Penny."
Everyone at the table focused on Jackson as he answered the call.
"I can hardly understand you...She's right here," he said before handing the phone to Ren saying, "She said she's been calling your phone."
Ren quickly put the phone to her ear, saying, "I'm sorry sweetie. Is everything okay?"
Trace leaned to Charlotte, asking, "Penny?"
Before another word was said, Ren stood up and exited the dining room.
Jackson turned in his chair watching for Ren to return as Charlotte explained, "Ren's daughter is married to Ailin, Penny's brother. Ailin and Penny are Jackson's cousins on his mother's side."
Amila cut in saying, "I hope Sophia is okay." When Charlotte glanced at Amila, she shared, "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Sophia's pregnant."
Remembering their names being mentioned at the bar the previous night, Trace started to question, "Are they also..." when Ren stepped back into the room.
With a somber expression on her face and tears in her eyes, Ren stood there quietly for a moment holding Jackson's phone in her hand.
Jackson stood up as Ren informed, "William."
Charlotte sat there frozen as she stared at Ren.
"I'm sorry we need to go," Ren shared before Emerson and Amila stood offering their condolences.
Moments of time spent with William flashed through Charlotte's mind as she watched Ren and Jackson walkout.
Amila and Emerson made their way back to their seats after seeing Ren and Jackson out.
As Charlotte continued to stare at the doorway, Amila asked, "Honey, are you alright?"
She couldn't bring herself to answer.
"Did you know him?" Trace asked, taking note of Charlotte's reaction to the news.
Emerson answered for her, saying, "You know how it is. It's a small town. Everyone knows everyone."
Nodding, Trace replied, "Of course."
Charlotte looked at Emerson, who gave her a slight smile.
~
Sitting in his truck in the hospital parking lot, Auggie stared out of the windshield at the building in front of him. He knew it was getting close but it was still a shock for William to finally be gone. Since Will was five, he had been in and out of the hospital. There was always a concern and he always feared the worst but William always got better. Not this time though.
Forcing himself out of his truck, he headed towards the hospital doors. His last conversation with William was about Charlotte. As much as he hated to admit it, if it wasn't for her showing up there, Auggie wouldn't have been able to talk to his brother before he passed. He had fallen asleep about an hour before Auggie normally would have shown up to visit, and now he knew he never woke up. He had no choice now other than to carry out his brother's dying wish. It was a last request and he gave William his word.
When Auggie reached the third floor of the hospital, it was filled with his family. His brother Ailin was holding Sophia close as she cried into his shoulder. It was clear he had been crying too. His other brother Braden was sitting in a chair against the wall with his arms stretched over his face. His sister Penny was with Ren and Jacks as Ren held her and Jackson patted her back. When he made it into William's hospital room, Jackson's parents, Carenza and JP, were standing with his mom.
JP and Carenza excused themselves from the room as his mom looked at him and said, "He's really gone."
Wrapping his arms around her, he assured, "It's okay, Ma."
She held onto him, mourning the loss of her son.
4
Uncomfortable
Standing in the cemetery, Charlotte stared at William's headstone. Reading the words Beloved Son and Brother over and over again. She could tell the funeral was the previous day, all the flowers that surrounded it were fresh. Her family left that morning to go on vacation for two weeks and it seemed like the perfect time to say everything she needed to, to tell William goodbye.
Crouching down by his grave, Charlotte squeezed the bottle cap he gave her in her hand.
"I know I already said I was sorry and you forgave me but there are some things I should have said when I had the chance. You were the sweetest guy I've ever..." Tears streamed down her face as she continued, "I wish I had loved you and I'm sorry I couldn't."
Opening her hand, Charlotte looked at the bottle cap before placing it on the ground next to his headstone.
Wiping her eyes before lowering her sunglasses, she admitted, "I should have let you kiss me."
Placing her fingers against her lips, Charlotte pressed hard against them before lifting her hand touching it to his name.
~
Walking up to his brother's grave site, Auggie stopped when he saw Charlotte standing at William's headstone. Her blonde hair was swaying against her back with the breeze and she had a light blue sweater on and shorts. Incredibly short, dark blue shorts that showed the entire length of her legs. Looking down at the bottle he brought, he waited a few minutes before continuing on his way.
~
Charlotte turned around just as Auggie walked up. Without the beanie he had on that night at the bar and at the hospital, Auggie's hair and beard had a copper tint to it in the sunlight. He had on the same work boots and Dickie's slacks as that day at the hospital. His shirt was red and blue plaid today and he didn't smell like beer this time either. It was a combination of men's deodorant and soap, but the pleasantness of it caught her off guard as she stared at him.
Pulling his sunglasses down slightly, he griped, "Not a word for five years and now I can't get you to leave him alone."
Giving him a dirty look from behind her sunglasses, she snapped, "Real classy drinking at a cemetery."
"It's for Will," he said twisting off the cap and setting it by the headstone.
Wondering if William truly expected her to keep her promise, she shook her head and stated, "I'm sorry."
"What?"
Holding her head high, and straightening the bottom of her sweater, she repeated, "I said...I'm sorry."
"What the hell are you apologizing to me for?"
"Because, I am a grown up and I felt it was necessary."
Scoffing at her, he replied, "A grown up? What are you like nineteen?"
Making a face at him, she sarcastically replied, "Nice math skills. I'm almost twenty-five, which must seem pretty young to someone as old as you."
Glaring at her, he took a step forward, stating, "I'm thirty-four little girl. That makes me a man, not old."
Auggie caught clear sight of the scar on her mouth as she slowly smiled, saying, "Good thing because it's certainly not your behavior."
"From what I saw the other night in front of my bar, you have no idea how a real man acts."
Charlotte was suddenly speechless recalling the incident in front of The Dog House.
Auggie had no idea why he brought that up or why he needed to defend himself to her. It was irritating that she could incite that type of reaction from him. She reminded him a litt
le of Ren but when they argued it was all in good fun. He didn't like her, he was going to do what William asked but he wasn't going to like it, or her.
"When are you leaving?" he griped.
"Right now," she answered as she turned to walk away.
Hoping that was the case, he would be off the hook.
Making sure, he asked, "And you're not coming back."
"What are you talking about?" Charlotte snapped at him.
"You're leaving town right?"
Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she stated, "Eventually."
"When is that?"
She would have to figure out a way to keep her promise to William while having as little contact with him as possible.
Charlotte replied, "Since neither of us wants to keep running into each other, why don't you just tell me where I can and can't go for the next three months."
Shaking his head, Auggie mentally told William, 'I can't do three months of her'.
When he didn't answer her, Charlotte walked off in a huff. He was impossible. She needed to go somewhere and do something but there was nowhere to go and nothing to do. Reaching her rental car, she stopped and pulled her phone out of her back pocket. There was a text from Trace.
T: Hello lovely.
Recalling the less than enthusiastic send-off she gave him, after finding out William had passed, she quickly typed back.
C: Hey there. Miss me?
T: Always my beauty.
C: Me too.
T: Are you lonely?
C: ♥ YES ♥
T: I told you 3months would be a long time.
C: So make a quick trip down here ;)
T: Tempted. Call when I can.
C: K bye ♥
Sliding her phone back into her pocket, Charlotte looked up to see Auggie standing there staring at her.
He had been watching her for a few minutes, without meaning to.