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It’s just after lunch when I see her sneaking out the side exit heading towards the parking lot. I run to catch up with her. Her body stiffens at the sound of my footsteps. She flinches and sucks in a breath when I reach out to touch her shoulder.
“It’s just me.” She’s wide-eyed for a moment until her breath evens out. “I’m sorry. That was stupid on my part, shouldn’t have come up on you like that.”
She squares her shoulders. “No, it’s all right. I’m fine.”
“You’re obviously not fine,” I say, shaking my head. “Yesterday was messed up. I’m still kind of reeling from the whole thing.”
“Rudy’s dead,” she whispers, looking down at her shoes.
“What?”
“The nurse said it was a blood clot. Blunt force trauma to the head caused it.”
“Holy shit.” I move a step closer. I want to hold her but her arms are crossed over her chest like a shield. “I’m sorry, Charlotte. I know you cared about him. You were good to him.”
“Do you know he has family?” I shake my head, silently willing her to go on. “I met his sister at the hospital yesterday.”
“You went to the hospital?”
She looks up at me like I’m dense. “Rudy was beaten to death.” She adds, “He died saving me.” She picks at a loose thread on her sweater. “His sister said he was depressed after serving in Iraq, that he was never the same.” She lets out a heavy breath and shakes her head. “He was homeless by choice. He preferred living on the streets. Turned his sister down every time she offered to take him in and get him help.”
“Everyone has a story.” I feel guilty knowing I never gave Rudy Wallace the benefit of the doubt. “I just thought he was another homeless junkie…Never gave much thought as to how or why he hit bottom.”
“I’m glad I got to tell her.”
“You told his sister what happened?”
Charlotte shoots me a warning look. “Not everything.”
Don’t worry, I want to tell her. I’d never break her confidence. Does she imagine for a minute that I would?
“I did tell her that Rudy was trying to protect me. I want his family to know he died a hero.”
“I’m sure they’re grateful for that.”
“Yeah, I think it gave her some comfort.”
“Is there a service or something?”
I have a sudden urge to attend. I want to make sure Rudy’s sister knows there are good, caring people in this town, people like Charlotte Mason. That while me and just about everyone else walked by Rudy as if he was invisible, Charlotte fed him, made sure he had a warm coat, and slipped him a few singles now and then.
“No service. His sister lives up in Erie and his dad is in a home nearby.” She looks close to tears. “It’s funny, right? There was nothing here for him, but he came back to his hometown anyway.”
“That just proves he wasn’t right in the head.”
“I know,” she says absently. “Once I get out of here, I’m gone for good.”
You’d think I’d be inclined to smile at that, Charlotte being a kindred spirit and all, but the thought of her wanting to leave, to run away, leaves me heavy hearted. She should be happy and she should be safe. Charlotte shouldn’t have to worry about making it into work without some sick fuck assaulting her, and she sure as hell shouldn’t be buying locks to keep someone out of a place they shouldn’t be.
“Were you heading home when I caught up to you?”
“Yeah, my head’s all over the place. I don’t think I heard one word my teachers said today.” She gestures back down the hallway. “Fresh start tomorrow.”
“All right.” Before she makes it out the door, I blurt out what I’m dying to ask. “Is everything all right? I mean, not just about yesterday, but everything else with you?”
If she understands that I’m referring to the lock, she doesn’t let on. “I’m fine, Simon…I promise you I’m fine.”
Chapter Nine
