CHAPTER 41

For Charlotte, the days that followed were difficult. She had some time to reflect, though. She had to admit that John might be right. Things had happened so fast between them that maybe they needed this time apart to test if what they were feeling was real.

Or if it was just hot sex.

Hot sex was great, of course, but she was fighting for it all. She went over her goals for the future. She thought it was pitiful that she had never had any up until now. She came to the conclusion that she wanted to teach because she liked children. The kids in Horseshoe had shown her that. She signed up for classes to get her teaching certificate.

July faded into August and she was eager to go back to school and do something productive. She didn't wait for the phone to ring, because she knew it wouldn't. She called Alice and Hae, though, and talking to them sustained her.

She'd found an apartment and was eager to move out on her own. Her mother had other ideas.

"There's no need for you to move," Charlene said early one morning, sniffing the air. "Do I smell coffee?"

"Yes. I made a pot. Want a cup?"

"I thought you only drank lattes with caramel and nutmeg and whatever. I didn't know you even knew how to make coffee."

"Oh, Mom. I learned a lot of things in Horseshoe."

"So you keep telling me." Charlene inhaled the alluring scent once more. "I think I'll have a cup." Charlene went to the breakfast table after getting her coffee. "I need to talk to you."

Charlotte sighed. "I'm moving out. No discussion."

"That's what I'm trying to tell you. You don't have to. Lewis and I are moving."

That was a surprise. "Why?"

"He's not comfortable living in Malcolm's house, and I see his point." Charlene looked at Charlotte as she took a sip of her coffee. "He's bought this lavish house on Lake Austin with a spectacular view, and we'll be spending a lot of time in Dallas at his home, too."

"What about your job?"

"I am planning to take a part-time job. I'll eventually retire."

"Wow." Charlotte ran her thumb over the handle of the china cup. "I never thought I'd hear that."

"Me, neither." Charlene turned her hair back. "But I really love Lewis and want to spend as much time with him as possible."

"I understand that." Charlotte took her cup to the washbasin and washed it.

"What are you doing?"

She cast a sidelong glance towards her mom. "Washing my cup."

"When Rebecca gets here, darling, she will do it. There's no---"

"I don't mind." It made her think of John and Alice and Haetel and---

"Charlotte, are you okay? You're not yourself."

Before she could answer, Henry came through the French doors. "Good morning, ladies" he said, kissing Charlotte and then their mother.

"What are you doing here so early?" Charlotte inquired, and then she noticed the exchange of glances between mother and son. "Oh, I get it. Mom thought I was going to throw another hissy fit about her moving and she called in reinforcements." Charlotte tilted her head. "Sorry. No problem here."

Her mother and Henry exchanged another look, then Henry said, "Charlotte, you're not yourself."

She placed her hands on her hips, getting angry for the first time. "Well, maybe if being spoiled, impulsive, willful and inconsiderate of others is me, then I don't want to be that person anymore. No--- " she held up a finger "—-I am not that person anymore. I've grown up and I wish you two would stop thinking something is wrong with me."

Her mother and Henry just stared at her.

"What did those people do to you?" Henry inquired at last.

"They let me be me with all my faults. I didn't have to be perfect, but I did have to have respect for myself and others. I found out that I can be a useful, productive human being, and it made me feel good about myself. If you think there's something wrong with that, then I'm not the one with the problem."

When they remained silent, she added, "And I am moving out."

Her mother was the first to react. "There's no need for that now. This house belongs to you and Henry. Your father stated that in his will."

"All this is my childhood, and I need to leave my childhood behind." Charlotte waved a hand around the room, hardly believing what she was saying but saying it with all her heart. This wasn't home anymore. She glanced at her brother. "You can have the house."

"Charlotte, you don't just give away a house like this." There was a hint of irritation in Henry's voice.

"Fine, then, you can buy my half, but I would like some of Dad's books from the library."

"Of course, but take some time so you'll be sure. There's no rush."

"I agree with Henry," her mother said. "There's no rush, but...heavens, I have to get to work. 'Bye, darlings."

Henry stared at Charlotte. "You really have grown up."

She turned in a circle. "The new and improved version."

"Just take life slow and easy and be very sure of what you're doing."

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life, brother dear."

He smiled. "We'll talk about the house again in a few months."

"Whatever."

"I'm really proud of the way you're handling the mom-and-Lewis thing."

"Thank you. And thank you for leaving me in Horseshoe, Texas."

"The jury is still out on that one?" He kissed her cheek. "When Mom heard, she gave me a tongue-lashing I won't forget anytime soon. A man my age shouldn't hear those kinds of words from his mother."

"Poor baby." She made a pout, knowing Henry could hold his own with Charlene Lily Thompson. Tongue in cheek, she asked, "How's Aliyah?"

A frown inched across his handsome features. "Don't ask." She laughed as he walked out. She didn't mean to, but some old habits were unbreakable.

In the Charlotte stayed in the house because she didn't plan to stay that long. Her goal now was to get her teaching certificate, and the house provided peace and quiet to study.

Brielle called and wanted to go clubbing on Sixth Street. Charlotte declined. Her friend called two more times and finally gave up, saying Charlotte was no longer fun. In fact, Charlotte knew, her fun was picking out school clothes for Alice and mailing them with a note.

It was then that Charlotte realized she didn't need the test of time. She knew that what she felt for John was real—more real than anything she'd ever felt before.

Her days were busy, but her nights were hell. When she closed her eyes, she could feel John's naked body against hers. She could hear his laugh, his sigh, and she wondered if he missed her at all.

Or if he was just marking time again.