AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER SEVEN
With her heart pounding, Charlotte approached the security checkpoint. The airport's familiar hum of announcements and distant chatter did nothing to quell her nerves as the line inched forward. She held her ID tightly in her shaky hands, her artist's fingers more accustomed to gripping a paintbrush than navigating the complexities of air travel.
"Next," called out the security officer, his expression bored yet attentive.
"Hello," Charlotte managed, swallowing hard as she handed over her documents.
"Charlotte Moore?" he asked, studying her ID and then looking up at her with scrutinizing eyes.
"Yes," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.Anderson, she wanted to say, but that would come soon enough.
"Place your items in the bin and step through the scanner, please," he instructed, handing back her documents.
Charlotte complied, placing her purse and cell phone into one of the gray bins and removing her shoes – a pair of well-worn flats. As she stepped through the scanner, she felt exposed, every inch of her being examined by the unseen inner workings of the machine. When the scanner beeped its approval, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"Thank you," she mumbled, gathering her belongings and slipping her feet back into her shoes. The security checkpoint now behind her, Charlotte focused on finding her gate amidst the maze of airport corridors.
"Gate B22," she muttered under her breath, scanning the signs overhead before spotting her destination. Her steps became more confident as she weaved through the bustling crowd.
When she reached the departure gate, she stood at the window, her heart pounding in sync with the rhythmic ticking of the airport's massive clock. The bustling crowd of travelers around her blurred into a cacophony of noise as she stared at her phone, the barcode of her digital boarding pass to London, the device feeling foreign in her trembling hands. She exhaled slowly, her breath fogging up the glass window that separated her from the airplane on the tarmac. Her chest tightened with uncertainty, and she contemplated whether to turn back.
She glanced down at her suddenly buzzing phone. It was Amelia.
Oh, shoot.Before the whole drama with Daniel, Charlotte had told her daughter she would call—and she hadn’t. She answered, trying to sound cheerful.
"What's going on? Where are you?"
"Hi, sweetie," Charlotte said, trying to steady her voice. "I'm... I'm at the airport."
"Airport?" Amelia sounded surprised. "You never told me you were going anywhere. What's happening? You said you would call yesterday after the swap meet."
Charlotte hesitated, gripping the phone tightly. "The swap meet was good. I sold two paintings.” She hesitated. “I'm going to London," she finally revealed.
"London?" Amelia exclaimed, excitement bubbling through the line. "That's amazing, Mom! But why? Is this a spontaneous trip or something?"
"Something like that," Charlotte replied quietly, glancing around the busy terminal. The truth felt too heavy to unload onto Amelia just yet. And obviously Daniel hadn’t bothered to tell their daughter, yet. "It's been a long time since I've had an adventure. And I think it's time for a new one. Besides, I’m bored without you around, kiddo."
"Wow," Amelia marveled, her voice full of enthusiasm. "This is so unexpected, but I'm so excited for you, Mom. You deserve this!"
Charlotte's eyes welled up with tears, touched by her daughter's excitement. She knew Amelia was right; she did deserve this. And with her daughter's voice in her ear, the uncertainty that had gripped her heart began to fade.
"Thank you, sweetie," Charlotte whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. "I'll call you as soon as I land, okay?"
"Sounds good," Amelia chirped. "Have a safe flight, Mom. Love you!"
"Love you too, Amelia." Charlotte took a deep breath and clutched her phone tighter. Taking a deep breath, Charlotte hesitated for a moment before deciding to open up to Amelia. "Wait. Don’t hang up. Honey, there's something I need to tell you before I go," she said softly, her voice wavering with the weight of the news. "Your father... he left me."
"Wait, what?!" Amelia's shock was palpable, and Charlotte could practically see her daughter's wide blue eyes through the phone.
"Daniel took all our money and left," Charlotte continued, trying to keep her composure. "But don't worry. I made sure your college savings are safe." She hoped that small reassurance would be enough to alleviate some of Amelia's concern.
"Mom, that's... that's awful," Amelia stammered, clearly taken aback by the unexpected revelation. "Dad is so wrong for doing this to you. Does he—is there some other woman?”
Charlotte pinched the bridge of her nose. “I don’t think so, honey.”
“He didn’t answer my call a few minutes ago. I bet he’s avoiding me. How could he do this? I swear, I’m going to blow up his phone and texts until he explains—”
The reflection of the departure gate lights shimmered in the pools of tears that clung to Charlotte’s eyelashes, even as she laughed at her daughter’s vehemence.
