Page 56 of Claimed By my Father's Enemies
Two miles later I let one tear go. Just one.
20
WILLIAM
I see the party going around me. People laughing and enjoying themselves. And I do the proper motions, the proper smiles. But, I’m not reallyinthe party. And that's the way I prefer it.
Charlotte is on the sofa with her arm in a sling, leg tucked under her the same way she has been doing since she was a kid, talking to three of her colleagues at once without effort. She has color on her cheeks again. She's home.
Keith is on the windowsill across the room.
Charlotte spotted it, tucked carefully in the backseat of my car, when I picked her up from the hospital this morning. And the teasing began immediately.
"Oh, you put it in a tote bag with bubble wrap. You care! Did you talk to it?" she asked in an annoying voice.
She got my glare for an answer.
She laughed the whole way out of the parking structure.
I turn the beer bottle in my hand and look around the room.
About twelve people. Lia Alvarez, the colleague I met at the hospital, brought enough food for thirty. Someone's husbandsits in the armchair not sure where he belongs. Two of her friends from the academy are here. The balloon says GET WELL SOON in letters you could read from the street.
Charlotte has a full room.
I think about who would show up if it were me.
Carter. Adrian. Charlotte. That's the list.
I don’t doubt for a moment that it is a solid list. Better to have few but good. Still, I wonder if all these years that I focused on “making it” were worth the consequent isolation.
Most days that's enough.
Watching Charlotte now, surrounded by people who simply showed up on a Sunday to bring her joy and make sure she is ok, I'm less certain.
"Need a fresh one? You've been nursing that one so long it must be warm by now."
I look to my left and I see a woman talking to me. I think she is Charlotte’s colleague. I’m sure I have seen her before, but I just can’t recall her name.
I take a look at the forgotten beer bottle in my hand then back at her. "I'm fine," I say. "Thanks."
She doesn't move. Tilts her head and gives me a large smile.
"I've heard that the nights at Vanta are crazy awesome," she says. "I've been trying to get in for months. Maybe you can invite me one night?" A pause. "I'd make it worth your while."
I look at her properly. Blonde with blue eyes. Plum lips. Generous neckline. Attractive and aware of it. Maybe I should flirt back. I could give her my number. See where things lead. But I’m already bored—
The room erupts in a cheerful welcome and when I turn to see who just walked in I see her.
Sienna.
In a white and bright pink sun dress, that accentuates her tanned skin. She is wearing her hair down, and the small waves cascade pass her shoulders.
She is saying hello to everyone and it’s obvious that they all know each other.
I don’t know why but that makes me jealous. And I’m moving even before I know what I’m doing.
I throw over my shoulder to the blonde, “Sure, give me your name and I will make sure to put it on the list so they can let you in at the door.
