Chapter Twenty #2
She’d slept better last night. When she had turned up on Maddie’s doorstep unannounced and sobbing, Dave had taken the kids to his parents’ place and stayed there, so she and Maddie could have some uninterrupted time.
It had been exactly what she needed. Maddie had listened and held her while she cried.
She hadn't tried to offer any advice or opinions, and Charlie was grateful for that.
She needed time to let it all sink in. Her head was still spinning, but the tears had finally stopped.
The initial shock had worn off and she was calmer.
“Thank you,” Charlie said. Maddie placed a plate in front of her with a sandwich and potato chips. Her stomach growled in appreciation. Yum.
“Everything sorted with work?” Maddie asked.
“Yes. I’ll have this and get out of your hair. I need to go home and pack some things before heading to the airport.
“Sounds like a plan Where are you off to this time?”
Charlie’s phone rang, distracting her. She picked it up expecting to see Donnie’s name. Her eyes widened when she saw it was Sophie.
“It’s Sophie. I told you about her and the ladies,” she said to Maddie, putting it on speaker as she answered.
“Hi, Sophie. Is something wrong? Is Donnie OK?” She tried to keep the alarm out of her voice. Damn, she should have listened to his voicemail. What if something happened?
“Hi, Charlie. Donnie is fine. Sorry. Didn’t mean to worry you.”
Her shoulders sagged in relief. “No, it’s fine. I’m not with him and well...”
“I know you’re not. Look. I’m here with Kelly, Mira and Diane.” Hellos echoed through the line. “We were concerned and wanted to talk to you.”
“Oh.” She didn't know what to say. She looked at Maddie who was smiling warmly. “Erm. OK. I’m here with my best friend, Maddie. You’re on speaker.”
More hellos came through the phone.
“I’m glad you’re not alone,” Sophie said. “I don’t know what happened between you and Donnie, and you don't need to tell us. We just wanted to offer our support in any way we could.”
“We did warn you; you were one of us now,” Kelly added.
Charlie had thought she was done with tears, but her eyes brimmed at their concern. These women cared.
“I think Charlie is a little overwhelmed at you calling,” Maddie said softly.
“I know you two have been friends forever, and we don’t want to intrude or overstep. If we are, then just tell us to mind our own business,” Mira said.
“I don’t think a girl can have too many girlfriends,” Maddie said. Charlie smiled, glad she was here and a part of this call.
“I am surprised at the call, but you’re not overstepping. I know how much you care about Donnie,” Charlie said.
“We do. But we also care about you. Are you OK?” Diane asked.
“I will be,” she said honestly. She would get over this. Over him. In time.
“Steve said Donnie knows he messed up and he feels terrible. He’s scared to death that he’s lost you forever. Whatever he did, he’s pretty beaten up about it,” Diane said.
Tears prickled her eyes, but Charlie wasn't going to share what happened. Not this time. It was too personal. Simon had been fooling her, using her all along. It would be embarrassing to admit that to these women she hadn't known very long. She’d already poured her heart out once. That was enough.
“It’s more what he didn't do than what he did. But—” She looked at Maddie. “I am so lucky to have such wonderful women around me. Checking up on me. Thank you.”
“We are very glad to have met you, Charlie. You have Maddie, but you also have us now. I saw Donnie today, and he asked me to tell you he’s sorry. But whatever happens between you and Donnie, we are here for you,” Sophie said.
“That means a lot to me. I am going to call and talk to Donnie at some point to clear the air. Hopefully, we can come out of this friends.” It might be hard, but she wanted to be able to speak to him if they ran into each other in Albany.
“We understand. We were hoping you were going to move here,” Diane said.
“I was considering it. I won’t be now.”
“That’s a shame. It would have been awesome.”
“Awesome for you guys, not for me.” Maddie said, but she was smiling.
“Of course. Sorry. But you could have come visit, and we could have had girls' trips to Albany,” Mira said excitedly.
“Ooh, yes! That would have been really fun. Steve can handle the kids by himself.” Diane agreed.
“OK, OK, calm down. It’s not happening.” Disappointment flooded Charlie. It would have been great; she had no doubt.
“Sorry,” Kelly said. “We’re just sad we may not get to see you again. Maybe we will still come visit you.”
“I would love that.”
“We’ll let you go. Charlie, you have four more friends here. That’s all we wanted you to know.”
Maddie handed her a tissue as the tears fell. “Thank you.”
After a round of goodbyes, Maddie reached out and ended the call.
“Wow. What lovely women,” she said.
“They are. But you know you’ll always be my bestie, right?”
“Charlie, it’s not a competition. It’s wonderful to know they care. If you had moved there, it makes me feel better knowing you would have had good women watching your back.”
Charlie stood up and hugged her oldest friend. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now, are you going to call Donnie before you leave?”
“He left me a voicemail.”
“Saying what?’
“Don’t know. Let's find out, shall we?”
“Charlie, that’s personal. I don’t need to hear.”
She smiled. “Like I’m not going to tell you it all anyway. This just saves me some time.”
She entered her password and hit play, putting it on speaker.
“Charlie. I’m sorry. I know words are easy, but babe, I really am sorry.
I never meant for you to find out about Simon that way.
Truth can be hard, but as I’ve learned, withholding it can be harder.
I should have told you sooner. No excuses.
There is more I need to tell you. I don't want any secrets between us, even if I think they may hurt you. I believe we’re strong enough to get through anything.
Charlie, you mean everything to me, and I am not going to let you walk away from me.
I’m not losing you again. I intend to do whatever it takes, wait however long it takes, until you finally say you’re mine.
I don’t want anyone else. My sight is coming back.
I had a great meeting with Dr. Swanson and Sophie today.
The only downside was that you were not there to hear the good news with me.
I am back at work in a limited capacity. It’s the only reason I am not there in Albany banging on your door. I know you’re probably leaving for an assignment soon, and I hate that we haven’t spoken. This isn't over, Charlie. I won't let it be.
OK. Pretty sure I’ve filled up your voicemail. I’m here, babe. Waiting. Whenever you’re ready. I’m sorry and I miss you.”
Charlie put down her soggy tissue. That had to be the most beautiful thing she had ever heard. Maddie’s eyes were wet, too.
“Wow,” Maddie said quietly. “You have to call him now.”
He had sounded genuinely sorry. Was she overreacting?
“You haven't told me what you think about all this. You let me talk and cry but have been quiet with your opinions.”
“I think maybe I butted in too much already, sending Donnie to Toronto and starting all this.”
“No! I might have been angry at the time, but I was glad Donnie was there. I don't want to think about what Simon might have done if he hadn't been there. I’m also glad we reconnected. This thing with Simon, what’s happened, is not your fault. I hate that I found out like I did, but I needed to know. I could have married that man. You were only looking out for me as you always have.” She stood and hugged her friend.
“I just want you to be happy, Charlie. You deserve to be happy.”
“I know. Now tell me what you think. I want to hear your thoughts.”
Maddie sighed and sat down. “He loves you. You can hear it in his voice. You love him. I think you still want him. You’re scared and angry, and I completely understand both. But I think you need to consider all of this from his point of view.”
“Which is?”
“He was looking out for you. His way of doing it was by trying to protect you. I’m not saying he shouldn't have told you the moment he knew anything about Simon, but I can also understand why he didn’t.”
“I’m a grown up, Maddie. I’m not the bullied schoolgirl needing his protection anymore. I can handle the truth.”
“I know you can, and I don't think Donnie sees you as a bullied schoolgirl either.
Far from it. But when you love someone, care for them as much as Donnie does about you, you don't want to see them hurt. This isn’t like before.
He didn't abandon you. He hasn't run away. He wants to talk and work through this, and I think deep down you do, too.”
Charlie swiped a stray tear from her cheek. “I do love him, but how can I ever trust him if he isn't honest with me?”
“He’s never lied to you. Think about it. He left, he hurt you, he withheld information, but he’s never actually lied to you.”
She sighed. He hadn't lied. When she asked him about the pictures and emails, he’d told her the truth.
“I’m not sure I can be with someone who isn't open with me. Who won't share everything, including the really bad stuff.”
“Then tell him that. Give him a chance. He’s a man. He’s not perfect, He didn’t handle this well, but hell, he got blown up. Lost his sight. He kind of had a lot going on. If things had been different, he may well have told you it all before you slept together.”
Charlie looked away. He had said they needed to talk before she had insisted whatever it was could wait because she had wanted him.
She got up and put her plate in the sink.
She turned, hugging her friend again. “Thank you. I needed to hear that. I’ll call him.
I don’t know what I’ll do yet, but I will talk to him.
” She glanced at the clock. “Right now, I am going to get out of your way as Dave and the kids are due back and I need to pack or I’m going to miss my flight. ”
“Will you call me after, let me know how it went?”