Emotional wreak, sunken hearts. Chapter one.
"So Charlie, what you are saying is that moving in with your boyfriend is not an option, because you are simply not ready?"
Charlie nods slightly, trying hard to convince herself as well as the doctor. Michael sighs and shifts in his chair, leaning forward, closer to the confused woman before him and then slams his hand against the table next to him before quickly getting to his feet and saying,
"Well then Charlie, problem solved, and it only took three sessions. Money well spent." The mocking tone in his voice did not go un-noticed as Charlie slipped her head into her hands and sighed deeply, exasperated by her unwillingness to open up and finally come to a solid conclusion for her commitment phobias.
Michael walks to his desk and takes hold of his stress ball, quickly turning and throwing it in Charlie's direction while shouting, "Think fast." Charlie's head bolts up as the ball contacts her knees and pulses off in an unknown direction. Michael sighs more clearly and walks over to where the ball landed, bending down to pick it up his voice strains as he says,
"Charlie, I can not help you if you are not willing to let go and be honest about how you are feeling, you came to me, remember, which means you know you need to make some serious changes." He walks over to her, placing the stress ball into her open palm before saying,
"Times up." Charlie breaths in deeply and stands, handing the ball to her doctor who smiles and says,
"Keep it. I have plenty." Raising and walking to open the door he says, "Until next time. Oh and by the way, think about what I said about allowing me to talk to those involved in your life. It could help." He smiles again and Charlie manages a weak smile before exiting the room and making her way to her car. Sitting behind the wheel she screams at herself and clenches her fists, smashing them against the wheel she says to herself, "God what is wrong with you woman." She bites her lip and starts the car.
Back in the bay she has only just pulled up at home when she hears the screaming and shouting coming from the kitchen. Quickly adopting police woman mode she jumps from the car and sneaks to the kitchen door. The voices of Leah and Angelo erupt from inside the house as she stands and listens for a short time, wondering what an earth they could be fighting about. It didn't take long before she knew the problem and as the words flew from Leah's mouth she felt her heart pound against her rib cage and a lump shot to her throat.
"You have to tell her Angelo." Leah's voice was emotionally strained and Charlie could tell she was in shock. She heard Angelo now, calm and persuasive, "She doesn't need to know, this way she can just move on, with me." Leah replies with hate and disgust,
"I won't let you do this to her Angelo, you need to tell her." Angelo shouts, "No, I won't" Leah slams her hands down on the table and shouts, desperately trying to get through to him,
"Angelo you have to tell her that Joey's boat has sunk. You have to tell her that Joey is missing."