Charlie

I didn't know what else to do. It's been 3 months since they left and she hasn't been the same. I grab the phone and dial a number I haven't used in a very long time.

"Hello?" My brothers voice comes through the phone.

"Alaric?"

"Charles is that you?" He asks.

"Yes, it's me. How are you?"

"Better than the last time we spoke. How are you and Isabella doing?"

"I'm good, but I could be better. Isabella is the reason I'm calling. I'm hoping you'd do me a favor."

"What happened to Isabella? Is she okay? You need me to do you a favor?"

"You remember that Edwin boy she was dating?"

"I do and I thought it was Edward?"

"Edwin, Edward whatever. The point is he left her. In the middle of the damn woods. It's been three months and she's not herself. It's like she's a shell of her old self. I'm at a loss here and I don't know what to do," I tell him.

"Have you talked to the ex? Maybe she could help Isabella," he says.

"I won't send her to live with Renee. I sent her to live with Renee when she started high school and middle of Junior year she's back here. I won't send her to raise Renee while she's hurting. I was thinking of sending her to you."

"Sending her to me? Charlie, I'm not sure that's the best idea. I'm currently living with my girlfriend and her niece and nephew. I don't have a place of my own. I'm not even the best role model for anyone. I drink a ton, I curse a lot, I tend to let kids be kids and get into trouble, and I don't even know where to start on raising a teenager who is hurting. What about Robert?"

"Ric, we both know Bobby wouldn't take her. Way he talks he's rasing Winchester's boys. John disappeared and hasn't been heard from. I can't help her and a change of scenery may be the best bet for her. Talk to your girlfriend and see what she says. Please, I don't ask for much and I don't know what to do to help her."

Alaric

"Fine, I'll talk to Jenna and let you know," I say.

"Thank you, Ric. Talk to you soon."

I hang up and shake my head. Jenna walks up behind me and asks if everything is okay. I shake my head no and try to think of what that boy could've done to my niece.

"What's wrong?"

"That was my brother calling," I say.

"Which one? I remember you saying you had an older brother and a younger brother."

"Charlie, my younger brother."

"What did he call about? I'm guessing by the look on your face it wasn't good news," she says.

"It's not. Seems the boy my niece was dating left her in the middle of the woods after breaking up with her. It's been three months and she's not herself anymore. My brother wants to send her here but I'm not sure it's the best choice."

"Does she have anywhere else to stay?"

"No, Charlie doesn't want to send her to his ex because Isabella would be the parent. He doesn't want to send her to our older brother because he's got his hands full with a friend's kids. He thinks a change will be good for her, but he doesn't have a place to send her."

"Then tell him to send her here. We've got an empty guest room she could make hers. Sounds like the girl could use a change," Jenna says smiling.

"What about Elena and Jeremy?"

"Don't worry about them. I'll take care of that. Call Charlie and let him know he can send her here," she tells me.

I smile and wonder what I did to get so lucky with Jenna. After she found out about everything I thought she'd run for the hills and never come back. She did however go to the college and stayed there for a few days ignoring me. She came back with a clear mind and asked why we hid it from her. I told her it was for her safety and now we're stronger than ever. I let Jenna know I'm heading to The Grill.

"Ric, what are you doing here?" Damon asks sitting next to me.

"Thinking."

"About?"

The ringing cell phone cut him off and I answer it.

"Charlie," I say.

"Sorry I missed your call. I had to deal with a nightmare. Have you talked to your girlfriend already?"

"A nightmare? She's having nightmares?"

"Yes, and they seem to be getting worse."

"Well, we talked about it and the answer is yes. Let me know the date and I will be there to pick her up."

"Thank you, Ric. I'll call you when I get everything set up. Talk to you soon."

I hang up and look at Damon. I know what he's thinking and I shake my head.

"What was that about?"

Damon

"None of your business Damon now could I possibly enjoy my drink alone?" He asks.

I get up and leave him be, but it doesn't stop me from wondering what he was up to. I didn't know a Charlie and I wasn't aware Ric knew a Charlie either. Who was the she they were talking about? Why would Ric be picking her up? I had to find out what was going on. Maybe Saint Stefan will know something.