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The next morning, Charlotte awoke to the aroma of coffee. Smiling with anticipation, she threw on a pair of shorts, straightened her cami, and went into the kitchen.
Shane was sitting at the small round table in the kitchen dressed in a dark suit.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Charlotte said. “You’re supposed to be resting, not going into work.”
“I have to meet with Elijah’s principal at his school. We’re working on a plan to get him into a charter school out of the neighborhood. I won’t disappoint him.”
“No, of course not. Do you want me to drive you? I can do that for you.”
He shook his head. “No need to disturb your day. I promise to come home right after the meeting. I asked Sarita to send any messages at the office here, but Jed has already told me he vetoed that idea. Everyone wants me to get some rest, and it’s driving me crazy.”
“We all want you better,” Charlotte said, wondering if she should mention the idea of talking to a counselor about his visions.
He grinned up at her. “I’ve called Dr. Gleason, my old counselor. She’ll see me at three.”
Charlotte gave him a quick squeeze. “I’m sure you’ll feel better about things after you talk with her.”
She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat at the table opposite him. “I’m glad you’re helping Elijah. Just having your support must mean a lot to him.”
“I sometimes think it’s the people outside your family who can give you the most help,” said Shane. “But, as I mentioned, Granny Liz is the one who supported Austin and me when we needed it. I’ll never forget it.”
Charlotte gave him a thoughtful look. “That’s why I think it’s important for you to agree to go back to Sanderling Cove for more days of rest. The longer you’re away, the more Granny Liz will worry. I understand both points of view, but she asked me to help convince you to do it.”
He stirred restlessly in his seat.
Charlotte held up a hand. “That’s all I’m going to say about it.”
Shane grew still. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”
They sipped their coffee quietly, then Shane rose. “I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later. I’ll stop and get a few things to eat. My cupboards are bare, and the refrigerator isn’t much better.”
“If you want me to cook, I’ll try. But, I’m not like Livy, who can create a feast out of nothing.”
“No problem. I’ll grill up some chicken. Then, you can fix a salad. All right?”
“Okay. I make a great salad.”
Shane laughed. “Then, we’re good to go. See you later.”
Charlotte waved to him, finished her coffee, and, restless, walked through the condo studying each room.
In the den, Charlotte found a framed photo of Shane, Austin, and Granny Liz smiling. In another, a man Charlotte recognized as Shane’s father posed with a pretty woman and two young children. Still another showed a woman sitting in a chair by a window, her back straight, and her face turned toward the photographer with a smile that looked forced. Studying it, Charlotte almost shivered at the lack of warmth. Years ago, she’d seen Shane’s father at the cove, even his step-family, because he was close to Granny Liz, his mother. But she couldn’t remember ever seeing his mother there. No doubt she wasn’t welcome at the cove after she and Shane’s father had finally divorced.
Understanding the family history, seeing more than just pictures of people in the photos, Charlotte realized the damage parents could do, even unwittingly. She and her mother had danced around the issue of David’s death without discussing how it had affected each of them. Maybe, next time she had a chance to talk to her mother about it, she would.
When Shane came home at noon with groceries, Charlotte took one look at him and saw how exhausted he seemed. “Let me help you with these. I’ll put them away.”
Expecting a bit of a pushback, she was surprised when he sighed and said, “Thanks. I’m going to change.”
“Can I fix you a sandwich?” she said, eying the Jewish Rye bread and sliced ham he’d bought.
“Sure, thanks.” He turned and headed out of the room.
Charlotte fixed sandwiches for both of them. Hopefully, after lunch, Shane would take the time for a short nap. She was worried about him.
During lunch, she asked Shane about his meeting for Elijah.
He smiled and leaned forward. “It went well. Next fall, he’ll be attending a charter school that specializes in musically gifted kids. He plays the piano and sings.”
