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I shrug. “Not much. I spent the morning in the park. It’s beautiful out there. I just got back, and I was going to eat.”
She sits up suddenly, foregoing her mission to find a comfortable spot on the bed.
“Oh, good! I didn’t have breakfast, so I’m starving. I can never decide on what I want, which usually leads to me just not eating. I know, I know. It makes no sense.”
She stands and heads over to the food, placing the bag on the small table in the room. She pulls out container after container of food.
“How many people are you planning on feeding here?” I laugh as she turns around and glares.
“A girl’s got to eat,” she mumbles. “Plus, I didn’t know what you like, so I got a little of everything.”
I come to sit down on one of the two little stools in the room, more than ready to dig in. “In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with Mexican food. It’s all good. I haven’t had it in forever, so thanks for bringing it.”
I think back to the last time I had it. It was a lunch date with my sister. I never got to eat Mexican food with Christopher because he hated it. I should have known something was wrong with him then.
We dig in, and I moan over the cheesy deliciousness. “What was up with you when I first got here?” Charlie asks around a mouth full of burrito.
“It’s hard to explain, and I can’t really talk about it.” I sigh with frustration. I wish I could talk to someone, but I’m unwilling to put them at risk. It just isn’t safe.
She grabs my hand from across the small table, squeezing so hard it almost hurts. “I’m here for you, Andi. Whatever you need. I know we still don’t know each other that great, but I instantly felt a connection to you. I can tell you’re a really good person who’s stuck in the middle of something that I don’t understand. I’m worried about you. Please know I’m here for you.”
My eyes water over her display of comfort. I’ve never had someone like her. A person who barely knows me who’s willing to go to bat for me. I’ve only ever had my sister, but she’s blood, so there’s a certain obligation there. Charlie is no one to me outside of a stranger who became a fast friend.
Like the connection she felt when we first met, I immediately felt comfortable around her. She’s unlike anyone I have ever known. I’m immensely grateful for our newfound friendship. Without her knowledge, she helps keep me sane when it feels like I’m on the verge of disintegrating into a million pieces. When the pressure is too much, the anxiety too overwhelming, and the fear crippling.
“Thank you. You don’t know how much I needed to hear that,” I mumble, unable to speak much over a whisper without breaking down.
I wipe under my eye and inhale a sharp breath before holding it. I refuse to fall apart right now. I need to hold on to my anger. It’s what will help see me through taking Christopher down.
He doesn’t get to haveanycontrol over my life. Iwilltake him down if it’s the last thing I do.
Straightening my shoulders and drying my eyes, I decide right then and there that Christopher will pay for what he has done to my sister and me. One way or another.
Charlie is quiet, and I wonder if she sensed I need it. It takes me a few moments to compose myself.
“You’re stronger than whatever it is,” she says fiercely.
I laugh. “Let’s hope so, because that’s my only chance.”
Her eyes fill with worry, silently pleading with me to tell her what I’m going through. I shake my head, and she drops my hand with a soft smile.
She turns and looks over her shoulder, jutting a thumb toward the wall. “By the way, where did you get that painting? It’s breathtaking,”
The change of subject is welcome.
My mood lightens at the compliment. “I painted it this morning in the park.”
She whips around to face me.
“Shut the front door!” Her eyes are wide, and there’s a bright smile to accompany the near squeal she made alongside her question. “Stop it! You really did that?”
I shyly nod, suddenly uncomfortable with how much attention the painting is getting.
“I’ve never seen anything like it, Andi! You’re a genuine artist. Why didn’t you tell me? Is this what you did before you came here?”
I’m a little stunned at her powerful reaction and rapid-fire questions, but I’m also completely elated. I’ve wanted so long for my paintings to be shared with the world, but I’ve been too scared of what Christopher and my family would think.
“The colors are so vivid and unusual. I would never think to use the shades you have in a landscape, but it one hundred percent works here. You need to share this!”
