by Jarica James
“Come in, Cole,” Sophia quietly calls back. I step around the curtain and give a nod in greeting. She's clearly been sleeping with her head on Charlie’s bed. Hesitantly, I look over at Charlie and hold back a mix between a gasp and a sob, my hand flying up to cover my mouth. Her eye is swollen and puffy. Over half of her face is discolored with dark bruising. There's bruising on her arms that disappears under her hospital gown sleeves, so I can’t see how far up they go.
“What happened to her?” I manage to choke out. Looking over at Sophia, I notice the tears running down her cheeks. She just shakes her head, unable to speak. Once her emotions are in check, she takes a deep breath.
“They gave her some kind of overdose of vitamins, and she has awful cuts all over her abdomen too that they had to stitch, so be gentle. I’m going to go get her one of her favorites for breakfasts, so she can eat something when she wakes up. And some decent coffee. Don’t leave her,” she says, clearly needing a moment to herself. I nod and take her place.
I hold Charlie’s hand and sing to her, softly. Hopefully the sound of someone familiar will make the wake up less stressful. My poor Charlie girl needs me, and I won’t leave her side.
Charlie
Before I even open my eyes, I know Cole is near me. I can hear his rich, low voice singing. For a moment I can’t help but wonder if I’m dead, but then the events of the night come flooding back to me. Forcing myself awake, I blink a few times and look around.
I'm in a hospital room now, but my brain is still foggy, so I don't remember anything after Flynn saved me. Cole is holding my hand and singing. His eyes are unfocused, so I don’t think he notices me wake up. When I squeeze his hand, his eyes focus on my face and he lets out a sound of relief, a tear leaking from his eye. My poor boyfriend. Somehow, I manage a soft smile.
“Do you need anything, Charlie girl?” He keeps his voice low and quiet. Something about hospitals just makes people whisper and I almost have to laugh, but the pain makes me second guess that.
“A drink, please,” I reply, with my raspy, damaged voice. But the idea of staying silent isn’t an option for me anymore. I want to heal and embrace my new, raspy voice if the doctors think I can. I want to truly live.
He jumps up and goes to the hallway to find me a drink, quickly returning with a cup of ice water with a straw.. The pain isn’t as bad, but I don’t ask him to sit me up like I want as he puts the straw to my lips, just in case the action opens the wounds again.
“What happened to you, babe?” Cole asks, his voice full of emotion. He looks like he can feel my pain.
“Do I look that awful?” I joke, wincing at the needles in my throat. It falls flat, I know I look awful right now.
“You always look beautiful, now you just look like a beautiful badass,” he teases back. I let a giggle slip out, but it quickly changes to a groan as my abdomen reminds me that I'm too injured for laughter. He gives me an apologetic smile, and we sit and just enjoy the quiet for a moment, while the stinging on my stomach recedes.
We're interrupted by a loud knock on the door and we both turn to see who's joining us. Sophia walks around the curtain with coffee in one hand and a stack of to-go boxes in the other.
“I’m so glad you're awake, honey. I went down to the cafeteria to get you a better breakfast.” Her voice sounds so tired, and she looks disheveled. I hold my arms out for a hug. She smiles, drops the stuff on the tray, and leans down to gently wrap me in her embrace, being careful of my wounds. When she pulls away, she goes to the table and sorts the boxes before handing me a huge cinnamon roll that's the size of my face. It smells amazing. She even brought me a huge cherry soda. I beam up at her before I dig in.
I'm halfway through my cinnamon roll when there's another knock. Sophia pushes the curtain aside so she can let the group in. Abby starts to rush toward me, but Cole stops her with a shout.
“Slow down, her stomach is stitched, don’t put any pressure on it.” He leans over me and makes a cage with his arms. I hold back a laugh, but I secretly love how protective he's being. He presses a quick kiss to my lips and shoots me a wink, before moving away to allow the others a chance to get to me.
Abby approaches again but at a much slower pace this time. She gives me a delicate hug, her eyes filling with tears when she pulls away. She leans forward and brushes a soft kiss on my lips. I kiss her back, reassuring her that I'm fine.
“Glad you're safe now, Charlie,” Adam says in a rough tone, clearly not a fan of having to see me hurt like this. He kisses me as well, before gently running a hand down my cheek. Alice and Trent both give me hugs as well, careful not to put too much pressure on my bruised body. I love that they all came to see me.
“All right, Charlotte, I have the latest lab results,” my doctor says as she walks into the room, staring at the chart in her hands. She glances up, startled at all the people in the room. “How did you all get past the nurses? Would you like me to clear the room before I update you and your mom?” It throws her off enough she seems confused, but I shake my head no. Nothing she could tell me needs to be a secret from this group.
“Go ahead. They’re her close friends,” Sophia encourages as she leans forward, listening intently for the update the doctor has.
“Okay. The vitamin levels are going down, but they are still dangerously high. Anything else they injected you with is already out of your system. I don’t see anything in your blood work to be alarmed about, aside from the high levels I already mentioned. The nurses will be bringing you ice packs for your injuries in a little while. I’ve instructed them to keep you on your pain medicine. I need you to drink a lot of fluids, and hopefully that will help lower the levels as well. You will need to stay for a few more days until I’m certain there aren’t any side effects we haven’t noticed yet. I’ll be honest, I’ve never dealt with this kind of thing and I’ve consulted everyone I could. It’s going to be some trial and error. The fluids and plenty of food will be your best bet,” she finishes and gives me a reassuring smile before walking out. I look around at the others, and their mouths are all hanging open in horror. I feel heat creep into my cheeks and lower my head.
“Charlie’s a badass, right guys?” Cole says, breaking the silence. It was meant to lighten the mood, but I don’t miss the edge to his voice in silent warning.
“Well, we already knew that,” Abby points out, laughing. I smile up at her but my eyes are getting heavy again. I guess the healing my body is doing is making me extra tired. Sophia notices my eyes drooping and ushers the others out. They all say goodbye and leave except Cole and Sophia. Cole leans over and kisses me softly on the forehead.
“I’ll be back after you rest,” he says quietly and pulls my blanket up around me. I smile back and try to keep my eyes open. Once he walks out, I give Sophia a pointed look.
“What? I am not leaving you,” she says, a hysterical edge creeping into her voice. I nod my head yes, encouraging her. “Fine, but I’m just getting a hotel in town and taking a nap. I’ll be back after you rest. Flynn will probably come by soon for answers.”
I nod that I understand and point to the door with a smile. Her eyes soften.
“Fine, you win. When you're out of here, we can talk about how you have two boyfriends and a girlfriend. I love you, Charlie,” she whispers as she hugs me. I snort at her mention of my love life, glad to see she isn't upset with it. The last part has me emotional, though. It's the first time she's said 'I love you.' I squeeze her back.
"Love you, too," I rasp out as my eyes slowly close.
A few hours later, the nurses bring in more ice packs for my face. Since I have to hold it on for twenty minutes, I decide to write down my account of what happened, in detail. I start with the shady school counselor and finish with Timmins cutting me. I include detailed descriptions of the counselor, guards, Timmins, and the boss. I write down exactly what was said and what I observed. I'm finishing up and taking the ice packs off when Flynn walks in.
“Hey, kid. How are
you healing?” he asks as he takes the seat next to my bed. I give him a thumbs up and a small smile. He chuckles darkly; he saw what I endured, he knows exactly how bad it was there. Not to mention he carried my limp, bloody body out of that hellhole.
Knowing why he’s here, I slide my paper toward him, and he reads it over. “Thanks. I think we have Timmins in the group we arrested. The guards were shot when they shot at us, and they didn't survive. The boss wasn’t there.” I wince at the boss not being caught but get a distinct sense of satisfaction that the guards died.
The boss deserves way worse than what prison has to offer, but at least prison would be something. I grab another sheet of paper and tell Flynn to go get some rest. He smiles and takes my statement before he gets up to leave and gives me a tired smile.
"I'll get this to the FBI. Thanks, kid," he says, giving me one more sad look.
“Thank you, old man. You saved me,” I say, sincerely. He just nods and walks out. He was never one for dwelling on gratitude or emotions.
Monday
Morning
Charlie
It's been a few weeks since I was released from the hospital. My elevated vitamin levels went down slowly and somehow I didn’t have lingering effects. I was released before they went back to normal, but at least they were in a 'not life-threatening' range. My stomach does heal faster than usual, but nothing remarkable like Timmins had hoped. They eventually find traces of chemotherapy drugs in my system as well. I guess they thought they could heal anything with chemo and vitamins? Whatever they thought, they could contemplate it in prison.
The trials are scheduled for February, and I'm expected to be at Timmins’s and the counselor's trials to tell my story.
I’ve been working over the last few weeks with a physical therapist and a vocal specialist. Of course, once I told Sophia, she’d found the best ones around and took me herself. I’ve only been a few times but I can already feel the difference. Between that and the medicine I’m on, they think I’ll be able to talk without as much pain pretty soon.
School is now out on winter break, which is nice so everyone doesn’t have to see me looking like a monster.
“Charlie, breakfast!” Sophia’s voice bellows from downstairs. I pull myself out of my musings and finish getting dressed so I can join her. When I step into the foyer, I notice she has luggage by the front door. She didn’t mention a business trip of any kind.
“Good morning!” she sings out as she piles the French toast and bacon on the kitchen island. My stomach rumbles, and I give her a quick smile before filling a plate.
“I have a surprise!” she announces as we both sit down with our food. “We are going to my parents’ cabin in the mountains for a week! I was going to ask my parents to join us if you are ready to meet them?”
I hadn’t even considered that she would have family I would have to meet. It’s been us against the world so far. She must have been waiting for me to adjust, not wanting to overwhelm me. But if she has family, I want to know them too, so I nod my agreement. I wouldn’t deny her family time even though the prospect of meeting new people freaks me out a bit.
“Oh good, I’ll call them in a few minutes. We leave tonight, so pack after breakfast! I also took the liberty of ordering you a few new things, they are on the couch!” She's super chipper today and I can’t help but let it raise my own spirits. We’ve had enough sadness around here.
Wanting to check out my new stuff, I scarf down my food. Before I can jump up, she stops me.
"I just wanted to tell you, Charlie, that I'm okay with your relationship. I'm happy you've found happiness with them, they're good people too. Just be careful with that heart of yours, it's fragile. Either way, I trust you and support you. I just wanted you to know," she says quickly, trying not to make the conversation weird. I'm glad she finally addressed it; I don't want to keep secrets from her.
"Thank you," I rasp out. I'm trying to use my words more and more. The doctors think that it will slowly adjust to the use, and if I can keep my nightmares at a minimum, then I won't keep inflaming it over and over. The meds they give me to help me sleep has brought them down some but I’ve got a ways to go.
She was telling lies when she said she only ordered a few things. The couch is barely visible under all the new stuff. I find packages full of new pants and sweaters, a new coat, two sets of gloves, hats and scarves, a pair of fuzzy lined winter boots, and a new phone. The last one has me excited. I’ve been phone free for a few weeks since mine was left strapped under a sink at the facility. Though it had likely made it to evidence by now.
I load my new stuff into my arms and run upstairs. Dropping it on the bed, I open my closet to pick out a few more things I'll need. I go to reach for my luggage and roll my eyes at a brand-new set sitting in its place. Sophia must have snuck in and replaced it while I was at the hospital or out with the group. She's always sneaking in new things like I won’t say anything if it's hidden. She's sweet like that, still always looking out for me and spoiling me when she can.
The doorbell rings downstairs, and I put the last of my makeup in a smaller bag. I make my way downstairs and am shocked to see my friends filing into the room with their own luggage bags. I shoot a confused look at Sophia.
“I sort of invited all of your friends and their families too,” she says with a sheepish smile. In return I just walk over and give her a huge hug. She knew I’d hate leaving them and it gives me an ally when meeting new family.
"Come on, Charlie! We are going to have so much fun!" Abby says excitedly, following me upstairs to grab my luggage.
"It's supposed to snow, too. How perfect will that be?" Alice adds as she grabs one of the suitcases I packed.
"Especially if there are sleds there!" Trent adds from the doorway. "Let us get these, you aren't fully healed yet," he says with a wink.
"She can't help herself," Adam teases, looking at me pointedly as he takes my suitcase out of my hand.
"Let's go!" Cole ushers us all out, apparently just as excited to get there as Abby.
The drive to the mountains takes about three hours. As we get closer to our destination, snow starts to fall steadily. It makes me nervous, but our procession of cars soothes me a little.
When Sophia said house, I pictured a cozy cabin in the snow. This is not a house, it's a full-blown lodge. It's made of huge gray stones and chunky wooden trim. It has a rustic effect that makes it even more breathtaking. The mountain view behind the house is the icing on the cake. It may have just taken the number one spot on my list of favorite views.
As we all spill out of our cars, the front door opens, and an older couple steps out. The man has silver hair but still has a youthful exuberance I can see from here. He doesn’t appear old enough to be Sophia’s dad. He's dressed in a sweater and slacks and looks like he fits right in in this huge stone mansion. The woman has darker hair pulled up into a curly ponytail. She has a sophisticated air about her too, but a kindness to her features that helps put me at ease. I can see the resemblance between her and Sophia right away which eases my nerves slightly.
Sophia grabs my hand and leads me up the stairs to greet them. I hold my head high and try to pretend it's no big deal. My anxiety is just below the surface, but I want to give them a chance. I have met plenty of my foster family’s parents before, but there was a clear separation between their behavior to me and their behavior to my foster siblings. Something tells me this will be different. I put on my friendliest smile anyway, trying to stay positive.
“I am so happy to finally meet my granddaughter! I’m so glad you are okay. We were so worried.” The woman rushes at me and gives me a bone crushing hug. She is clearly a superhero in disguise; she's a lot stronger than she seems. When she lets go and steps away, the man pulls me into a gentler hug. He smells like peppermint and a hint of cologne. It's what I would expect a fairy tale grandfather to smell like and I relax into his arms immediately.
When he steps back, I turn to a beaming Sophia
. Her parents gather her up into their arms next, and I can almost physically feel the shared love. They pull away and Sophia wipes a few stray tears away, before ushering us all inside.
“Come in, out of that awful cold!” Sophia’s mom raises the volume of her voice so everyone can hear her. Without hesitation the twins run off inside, causing us all to laugh and follow them in. We're quite the group.
Once we've grabbed our luggage and headed inside, Sophia directs us to our rooms. She places my group in a room to share across from hers so she can keep an eye on us. Then she distributes the rooms to the other families and their other kids. The twins are the youngest, and Trent has a little sister that's nine. The other siblings are older and didn’t want to come, even if we were about to spend Christmas in the mountains.
Our room is clearly not for adults. It has two sets of wooden bunk beds and two twin beds. The room is huge, with a rug that spans the middle of the floor and a spacious bathroom attached. The décor fits the theme of the mountain lodge, consisting of pictures of forests and woodsy pieces but it’s cozy.
“I claim top bunk!” Trent yells as he does an impressive high jump, pulling himself up to sit on one of the top beds. Adam throws his bag underneath Trent, and Abby and Alice both throw their bags on the other bunk, leaving the twin beds for me and Cole.
“Would it be inappropriate to ask you to sleep in my bed with me?” Cole whispers in my ear as he wraps his arms around my waist. I twist around so I'm facing him, pressing a soft kiss to his lips and a shrug. He chuckles and throws my bigger luggage next to his.
“Uh, no. You can have one night,” Abby protests, and Adam gives me a wink, telling me he’s going to be claiming his night too. They’re so open and honest with each other and not afraid to call the others out that it makes this relationship so much better.
After a few minutes, we're called down to dinner. The spread is crazy. They made two huge baked pasta dishes. One with alfredo and one with marinara. Aside from pasta, they also set out broccoli, salad with tons of toppings, and two kinds of bread. Their table was made for a crowd and easily seats all of us once a few extra chairs are added.