Chapter 4 - Perfect All of these stars

Christmas week was very difficult for Charlie and Julie. The grandmother's absence was felt strongly in the house. He felt an immense void, since her death.

It was difficult to see her things around the house without feeling immense sadness. But it had to be done, even with him all stuck in the accident. He went to her room. Her bed was made, her slippers placed in front of the bed.

Charlie looked around. Her dressing table had her hairbrush, her necklaces, her perfumes, and some medicine and she opened the second drawer, where her grandmother kept her pajamas. He closed his eyes and inhaled the smell of the clothes, trying to rescue his grandmother a little more and Charlie loved her perfume.

He opened the wardrobe and there were dresses, coats, boxes, and more boxes.

Charlie saw a box with his name on it and decided to open it. There were lots of pictures of him: from when he was a baby to his senior year graduation, and they were hugging and smiling. He saved the photos again and left the room, closing the door as carefully as when Grandma Hawkins didn't wake up. Sometimes he had the impression that she was still alive and cooking, talking to him, and preparing dinner as he does every day.

- Charles you have to forgive your mother, my love! - Grandma Hawkins insisted with her grandson and was furious, sitting with her hand in his - You are such a good boy! So beautiful, so special! Don't let that bad feeling spoil your true beauty which is your heart. Stop blaming her and stop taking it out on Julie she is not to blame!

- I know grandma, but it is very difficult to forget what my mother did! - He was frustrated with the anger he felt and saddened him - I will never forget the day she left us here - Charlie admitted upset - When you grow old to know what abandonment is, it sucks because it crosses your mind like a horror movie! I will never forget that day when she abandoned her children to go after another man - Charlie was holding back the crying and his voice was choked. How can a mother break her own child's heart?

- But you stayed with me! - she shook Charlie's hand - You were my children and grew up protected, my love! Nobody would hurt you again, and I wouldn't let that happen!

When your mom left you here, I made a promise: that I wouldn't let anyone hurt you again Charlie - she stood up and hugged her grandson who closed his eyes and was silent, feeling loved and protected by the brave grandma Eveline Hawkins.

A few days ago:

Charlie arrived after his grandmother's funeral and tried to organize the house and even vacuuming the carpet had already tried to clean the carpet when sadness fell on the sofa, inert and windowless, holding the vacuum cleaner tightly between his fingers, desperate with the emptiness and he felt sad for knowing that afternoon was the last time he was close to his grandmother. And so he and Julie grew more and more distant.

He spent his days inert, barely ate, and had no desire to do anything.

Present-day:

He looked at his phone and there was a message from Deanna: 🙂

It was New Year's week and Charlie thought she was probably going to spend the holiday with the family, but he was tempted to speak to Deanna.

" Charlie stay with me!" - He remembered the day of the accident and had to admit that he had never dealt with a woman with energy like hers. She was very strong, perhaps because of her profession but her firmness in holding his hand, even without knowing him, showed Charlie one thing: Deanna was just fantastic. So Charlie decided to try his luck: he called her.

- Hi? - Deanna took the call.

- You still want those

twelve dollars? -he asked and could hear her laugh on the other end of the line.

- Charlie Hawkins! I thought you wouldn't meet us at the cinema!

- I would never let this go, for nothing in the world! Are you going to travel in the new year?

-No, I will stay here in New Jersey because it will be my duty on New Year's Eve ", she said hoping he wouldn't give up. She pressed her lips together, anxious.

- No problem, I also work on New Year's Eve ... What time will you be available? - He was anxiously waiting for her answer.

"I leave at 11 pm" she replied.

- What do you think about coming to Selene? - Charlie invited her - I'll love having you here - he said and Deanna almost screamed in happiness. She turned to her sisters with the thumbs up.

- Okay - she replied - I'll be there! But I must warn you that my costume can be a little disappointing, like hospital pajamas ...

- I think it's original! I bet it will be cute! - Now Charlie spoke in a slightly lower and seductive voice.

- Then we'll meet on New Year's Eve - she said - Bye Charlie! Be careful and don't crash the car again!

Charlie laughed at Deanna's joke - Ok "my hero" - he said goodbye and was satisfied with the conversation between them.

It was 10:45 pm and Charlie was looking at the barn door. He stopped working at 10:30 pm and asked his friend to exchange shifts, so he could better enjoy the night with Deanna.

It was 11:15 pm when Deanna passed Selene's door leaving Charlie relieved. He thought she had given up, but luckily he was wrong.

He stood up, smiling and Deanna went to him. They didn't know how to say hello and then gave an awkward hug, where a hair of his matted her earring. They laughed at it and sat down.

"I'm glad you came," said Charlie sincerely and Deanna smiled at his joy of seeing her.

"I'm glad you invited me, Charlie "She replied smiling at him and he realized how beautiful she was.

Charlie felt that News year's eve would be special, fun, and unforgettable.