Chapter 11: Charlie

I was mortified at the idea of anyone trying to make her feel bad about what she was going through. This was one of the hardest times of her life; hell, she was lucky to be alive. If I were ever privy to anyone trying to tell her to suck it up, I'd give them a clear message regarding their behavior. I'd be damned if I didn't put them through a window.

"You're not making a scene." I wasn't great with words and even worse at empathy, so I tried to keep my voice gentle. I tended to have a rather deep timbre, and in this stark room, it reverberated rather forcefully. The last thing I wanted to do was come across as patronizing. "You've been through a lot. I think you're entitled to show some emotion." I needed her to look at me, to give me an indication that she heard me, but I got nothing. "Most people would have cracked under the pressure you've been under. You are an incredibly strong woman."