Part 10 / Holiday spirit.
"I would totally be Gryffindor."
"Oh please. You're straight up Slytherin."
Tuesday night,November 21st,we're sitting in a booth at a Chinese place Charlie obviously picked,since she was so sick of burgers and fries,so we agreed.
"You would be one of the wizards that works for Voldemort." Uriah says smiling as Charlie throws a chopstick at him.
"What do you think Hufflepuff?" Charlie asks me with a smile.
"Slithering. Definitely. "
"Okay,enough of Harry Potter. Tell me what you guys are gonna do through thanksgiving break?" Lilly says louder so we stop the over hour banter we have been having.
"I don't know. It's my first time not going home. I let Charlie be in charge of what we're gonna do." I shrug as she smiles.
"Why aren't you going home again?" I ask as the smile on her face fades.
"I always run into your dad. And he always asks me why you won't come home. Come on Charlie,stop being stubborn and just..."
"Lilly."Uriah says looking at her as she lowers her head and stops talking.
"Sorry,I just..."
"Its fine. My dad and I just don't get along. Besides,I couldn't leave Stefan alone. "
I smile "Yeah. And we're gonna use the time to study."
"Okay.But my mom is gonna kill me because I didn't bring you. Just saying." Uriah says as Charlie hugs him.
"You exited to se Zoe and Anthony?" Charlie asks Lilly as she nods.
"Yes. They're my sister's kids." She explains to me as I nod "Rose said they have been asking for me since summer."
"What about you Uri? Exited to see your brand new nephew?" I ask as he also grins.
"I honestly can't wait. Me and Lilly bought him some clothes a couple of days ago."
"Nephews are great. Mine are probably the only thing I'm gonna miss this year."
"I didn't even know you had siblings. Let alone nephews?" Lilly says.
"Me neither." Charlie says raising her eyebrows.
"I have two older brothers. James and Tyler. James has two sons: Joe and Duncan.They adore me."
"I'm sorry dude." Uriah says sincerely.
"It's fine."
After an hour or so,Lilly and Uriah go back to their place since they have to pack before leaving tomorrow morning,so we said our goodbyes.
Charlie and I decided to walk back home and not take a cab,because why stay warm?
"Movie that scared you shitless when you were little?"
"IT."
"That movie scares me,why the hell did you watch it when you were little?" She asks laughing.
"My brothers made me watch it. Cold?"
"No. For some strange reason I was terrified of Pinocchio. That lying fuck scared the shit out of me."
"Thank you for ruining Disney for me Charlotte." Immediately she scrunches her nose in disgust.
"Don't. Ever. Call me that."
"Sorry."
"It's nothing. I just don't like it. You can make me a grilled cheese when we get home, Stefan Mason Finn."
"We get it. You read my police file. Tell my your middle name so we can be even."
"Nope."
***
Slowly.
Must not make a sound so the devil woman doesn't kill me.
Be careful.
I literally just lift the covers up and she hits me with a pillow.
"What the fuck do you think you are doing Bigfoot?" She days in her sleepy voice,as her hair is scattered in every direction.
"I'm sorry,I..."
I sigh and just decide to tell her the truth.
"My back is fucking killing me Charlie. That sofa spring is gonna be imbedded in my back. So I figured If I sleep here for a couple of nights,It might get better?" I ask as she looks at me with a bored expression.
"Fine." She says as I widen my eyes.
"Fine?"
"Yes. That's your side. If you touch me or pull my blanket,I cut off a finger. Capiche?" I nod and she turns her back towards me and falls asleep almost immediately.
I slowly lay down on the soft mattress
and pull the blanket on top before I close my eyes and drift off into a more peaceful state.
The pillow smells like her.
***
"Where are we?" I look down at a more than usually enthusiastic Charlie in a scarf and hat.
I haven't had my coffee or breakfast yet,and she looks like she's had three Monster energy drinks.
"Come on. Today's gonna be great."
"We both don't have a family to go to on thanksgiving day and it's cold as fuck. What are you talking about."
"You're an ass." She says before walking into the huge building as I walk behind her.
I see maybe twenty cafeteria tables,all filled with people eating food,and being looked at by doctors.
We're at a homeless shelter.
"What are we doing here?" I ask as she just walks up to a couple of people.
"Hi sweetheart! You finally made it! You look so beautiful." A nun says hugging Charlie?
Am I in an alternate universe or something?
"I did. I also brought a friend with me. I hope you don't mind." She says pointing to me as the nun and a pastor look at me and smile.
"Of course not. Bless your hearts. You can go over there and get an apron and gloves." She says to Charlie who grabs my hand and walks us over there.
I don't say anything,and suddenly we're in a line,serving food to people.
"You come here often? They seem to like you a lot." I ask.
She shrugs "Whenever I can."
"I wouldn't have picked you as a religious person."
"I'm not. I gave up on God a long time ago. But the work those people do is amazing. So I try to help as much as I can."
"How come?" I ask about the religion part again.
She sighs "Because what kind of God takes a nine year old's mother away from her?"
***
I saw a different part of Charlotte Reynolds today.
She wasn't her usual selfish,crazy,mean,drunk self.
Even tho she is very amusing,today,I saw a kinder part of her.
She served food with a smile on her face,as if there wasn't any place she'd rather be.
She bandaged and helped little kids.
She made sure that everyone there was fully eaten and just a little bit happier than before.
I refuse to believe that the only thing that she is,is...cold.
"Fun fact; heart attacks are more likely to happen on a Monday."
"I just told you that my uncle had a stroke,and you tell me a fun fact?" I ask laughing as she smiles.
"Where are we going now?" I ask as she takes another turn on the one hour drive we have been on.
"I am visiting someone. And you just happen to be here because I'm babysitting you."
"Your dealer?"
"Unfortunately,no.But don't worry. He sends me a present every year on Christmas."
I smile and shake my head ad we stop in front of a mote fancy looking building.
I wait for Charlie in one of the chairs in the hall as she talks to a receptionist.
"C'mon." She says walking through the halls as I follow her.
I see a lot of nurses and maybe even doctors,and It finally dawns on me that this is a retirement home.
Charlie had a friend that works in a retirement home?
Do they kill people or something?
She taps on a old mans shoulder who is playing pool with some other friends,I assume,before turning back.
"Good to know you still got it." She says before wrapping his arms around his neck.
He also says something but I cant quite hear it since they're a little far away.
Are they related?
He turns and hits the white ball,aiming it to another,but accidentally hits the eight ball,loosing the game immediately.
"Motherfucker!" He says slamming his hand against the pool table.
Yep,they're definitely related.
"Stefan this is my grandfather. Grandpa,this is Stefan. He's my roommate." She says introducing us.
Oh,grandfather.
"Nice to meet you sir." I say politely.
"Roommate huh?" He says looking at me up and down almost disapprovingly.
"Is that what the kids are saying these days? What happened to the old fashioned "fuck buddies" ?"
"Oh...No,we're not...we're just..."
I stop when I hear Charlie laugh.
"Calm down. He's kidding."
"Kind of. I really was hoping you to were together. It would be a good icebreaker to tell you I'm sleeping with Sharon." He points to a lady playing cards in a corner.
"Grandpa. Ew."
***
"Your dad's an asshole."
"Gramps." Charlie scolds him but still smiles.
"It's okay. He is." I reassure her as she nods in appreciation.
"What kind of fucker refuses to believe climate change is real? I can't believe I almost lost my life fighting for this shit country." He snorts.
"He's not the only one who doesn't exactly have the best father."
" Oh,right. How is that disappointment I call a son." He says as Charlie chuckles.
"He's fine. They were just in Hawaii. Loraine posted some lovely photos on Facebook." She rolls her eyes.
"I miss Mahalia everyday you know." He says as Charlie smiles sadly.
"Any who,I should go and see what Sharon is up to. She would love to meet my coffee colored grandchild."
"Sure." She kisses his cheek before he gets up and walks inside.
"That's an interesting nickname." I brake the silence,causing her to stop gazing into nothing and slightly smile at me.
"After the Vietnam war,he had a mission in the Philippines. That's where he met my mom, Mahalia. She was seventeen.He says that they clicked instantly since she spoke English perfectly and was so smart.
"But she was desperate. So desperate that she trusted a man who she didn't know to get her out of there and to the US. And he did. He got her out,got her a place to stay. Fed her,and took care of her like she was his own daughter,without ever asking for something in return."
"That is...amazing."
"Yeah. Then my dad came back from collage for summer brake,and fell in love with my mom. My grandfather was so happy when they got married. Her death hurt him as much as it hurt me."
"I'm so sorry Charlie..."
"That's kind of why he moved to New York. He had an army buddy here,and wanted to stay further away from my dad."
"You must have missed him a lot."I ask as she nods.
"He means everything to me. You know that he taught me how to fight off bullies? " She turns to me again "Yeah. Growing up in a white neighborhood and in a white school,you get used to the little racist shits. But he never wanted me to get used to it,he always told me to be proud of who I am and fight for everything I believed in. He did."
"I'm really glad you have someone like him in your life."
"Me too."
"Who's Lorraine?" I ask after a few minutes.
She sighs "Just a gold digging,home wrecking whore.Stepmom." She clarifies.
December 25th.
"Santa wants to know If you've been a good boy,or a bad boy?"
"The fuck..." I mutter and open my eyes before Charlie,who is on top of me,hits me with a pillow.
"Morning Mrs.Claus." She says and hits me again before I push her off,laughing.
"Fuck ,sweetness.I was having a good dream." I sit up straight and swallow slowly when I see her.
She's sitting on her knees,with a sweater,but she's wearing a pair of shorts that have recently become my favorite.
Velvet- as i have been informed its called,does wonders.
"Merry Christmas dumbass. I made breakfast. But first,presents." She says walking out of her- well our bedroom,and into the small living area.
I see her sited by the Christmas tree with a box that's honestly wrapped like shit,but she has a smile on her face,so I'm exited.
"You got me a present?" I ask sitting next to her.
"Yeah. It's your first Christmas ever alone. And I know you're used to big,expensive gifts. But this is all I can give you. So I hope you like it." She says slowly as I unwrap it.
"Shut the fuck up." Is the only thing that escapes my mouth as I lookup at her.
"Is this...real? You got me Highway To Hell and Back in Black? My favorite albums by AC/DC?"
"Yeah. I got them from this guy who owns a cd shop,so these were from when they first came out in the 80's."
"These are the original albums.Are you for real?" I stare at her as she shrugs before I hug her.
"You like it?" She asks as I nod.
"Sweetness,this must have cost a fortune."
"Not as much as you think." She says smiling "Merry Christmas."
"Okay,my turn." I get up and take out the two gifts I hid in the closet behind the boxes.
One is obviously a table,the wrapping paper doesn't hide anything.
But I hope she likes the other one.
"Merry Christmas Charlie." I place both of the items in front of her as she stares as them in confusion.
"I know what this is,but what is it?" She asks ad i smile.
"Open it."
She bites her lip as she rips the paper like a child,as her eyes widen.
"You made me a bedside table?" She says in an awe voice.
"I had some extra parts from my classes,so I thought why not. You like it?"
"Stefan,It's beautiful. You didn't have to go through all the trouble." She days opening and closing the drawer.
"I love it. It's so vintage looking,and it's absolutely gorgeous." The smile on her face makes all the cuts and splinters fucking worth it.
"What's that though?" She points to the smaller gift.
I toss it to her and she quickly catches it then proceeds to open it.
"Is it a ring? Are you proposing? I don't accept." I laugh as she carefully opens it frowns.
"What?" She raises an eyebrow at me.
"It's a necklace. Those are black angel wings ." I point to it.
"Why?"
"You don't like it?"
She shakes her head "It's beautiful.But,why?"
I shrug "You're my guardian angel. Yes,you're a dark angel. But are still mine." Her eyes catch mine for a minute before looking down at it again and smiles.
"Thank you. You didn't have to."
"Let me help you put it on." I kneel behind her and carefully place the metal over her neck,before putting it on .
My eyes brush over her shoulder,but I just place a kiss on her cheek as she smiles.
"I can never thank you for what you've done for me. "
She smiles "I can." I raise an eyebrow at her ad she clears her throat.
"You're gonna be my plus one at my cousins weeding. It's a New Years eve wedding. Hope you like freezing cabins and snow."