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Chapter Fourteen
Charlotte
I’m walking back towards the house with Phoenix in tow when something catches my attention and pulls me up short. Something about our building looks...off. I can’t quite put my finger on it.
“Mommy, why did we stop?” Phoenix asks, practically bumping into me.
“Mummy,” I automatically correct her. I have no idea where she’s picked up the Americanism, but it drives me crazy. “Sorry, baby, I just...never mind.” I continue along the cracked uneven slabs that make the rickety path to the front door and that’s when I see it. A single sheet of white paper taped to my dilapidated door. In bright red writing the notice declares, “eviction notice”, and my whole world crumbles.
“Mommy, why are you crying?” I pull Phoenix close and don’t even bother to correct her speech this time.
Fuck. What am I going to do? Why has this happened now? I’m so close to being paid and making the payment this month. Surely I’m not that far behind? My utilities are still on for christ’s sake! I wrack my brains trying to recall if I’ve had any correspondence or contact from the landlord, but I’m coming up blank.
I’m distracted from my blind panic by my phone ringing. It’s the only small luxury I allow myself and always pay on time because I need that contact with Phoenix’s childminder. There aren’t many people who have the number, but in my distress, I don’t bother to check the caller display.
“Hello?” I say, barely containing my sob.
“Charlotte?” The last person on earth that I want to speak to right now is Charlie. “Are you crying?”
“What? No. What do you want, Charlie? I’ve not heard from you in weeks.” My voice is cold and unwelcoming. I haven’t missed him at all. Why is he suddenly sniffing around me again?
“Watch how you speak to me, Charlotte,” he warns, his voice ice-cold. For some reason I don’t say anything. I know he treats me like shit; I just don’t know why I tolerate his bullshit. Maybe it’s because I don’t actually care about him all that much.
“Sorry,” I sigh. It’s easier to just give in and apologise. I might get rid of him faster that way. “It’s been a long week. What can I do for you, Charlie?”
“I haven’t seen you around campus at all. It’s been ages since we went out. Dad was asking about you. Do you want to come over for a family dinner tonight?”
“Charlie, I don’t think that’s such a good idea. I don’t think we should see each other any more.”
“Oh come on, Charlotte, don’t be like that. I said I was sorry. It was just a joke anyway.”
“You think trying to force yourself on a girl is a joke?”
“If you’d just put out I wouldn’t have to force myself…”
“Goodbye, Charlie…”
“No wait! That was a joke too! I didn’t mean it! Come on Charl, Dad misses you.”
His words have the desired effect; I hesitate. I adore Charles Snr. And it would be nice to see him outside of the classroom again. I wish Charlie could be more like his dad. I sigh, wavering. Charlie must sense my crumbling resolve, but isn’t smart enough to win this round when he adds “And maybe you could stay over at mine after? I bet all that literature talk gets you hot.”
“Goodbye, Charlie. It’s over. Don’t call again, and stop using your dad to manipulate me.”
“Charlotte, wait!” Goddamn him, I do. “Is this because you’re shacked up with those four guys that have been seen on campus, like a dirty little slut? What’s the matter, you’re too tired from all your gang bangs to be intimate with your boyfriend?”
“Fuck you, Charlie!” I angrily cut his call off and quickly apologise to Phoenix before she can chastise me for swearing. When the phone immediately rings again I step away from her, hit answer and whisper-yell into the mouthpiece, “Fuck you Charlie, you don’t get to speak to me like that. Especially as you are NOT my boyfriend. You haven’t been since that night. And if you come anywhere near me I will tell the dean, admin, and your father what you tried to do to me!”
“And what exactly was that?” A new, dangerously low voice growls down the handset. I nearly drop it in shock.
“Shit! Who’s this?”
“Check the caller display, Princess,” As soon as I breathe, I realise it’s Rebel on the line.
“Reb, sorry I thought you were someone else.”
“Evidently. Whose ass do I need to kick?”
“No one’s Reb, I got it.”
