Chapter 4
I don't really remember what happened after it was all said and done. We were walking out of Emory University Hospital with a piece of us missing. Alice and Hailey drove to our parent's house to help straighten up the place before Charlie walked inside. The dirty dishes were still in the sink, where Renee was standing before collapsing on the floor. On the drive home, Charlie told me to take out my phone and start making a list. At first I thought he meant a list of items we would need to pick up at the store.
"Cancel Renee's cell phone plan." He said first. "Then call the insurance."
"Dad," I began to protest. "This can all wait. Let's just go home-"
"Bella, please add that into the list." Charlie ignored what I said and continued with his list. The rest of the drive was quiet and I didn't know what to say. My friends back at home were texting me, seeing if I was okay. If there was anything they could do for me. Michael said he would be on his way as soon as he could and that I was grateful. I needed him badly.
"When I first met your momma, I thought she was just the prettiest girl I've ever seen." Charlie broke the silence. I wasn't sure why he was telling me this story, I had heard it about a dozen times. But I also knew he needed it. Talk about something good.
"I had a friend I worked with, Laura Dawn, when I pumped gas over at the Shell station. She had a friend that would come over to visit from time to time. And I knew I was in trouble," He smiled slightly, remembering. I couldn't help but smile back. "And she hated me. I kept asking her out on dates and she would turn me down. One night I was out with a girl and we decided to grab something to eat at McDonalds, and low and behold Renee Taylor was working that night. She wouldn't even talk to me. Laura came to the window and told me to leave Renee alone. So when I asked her what her problem was, she pointed to my date. I said 'Laura, tell Renee I'll be back in fifteen minutes'. I took my date home, grabbed some flowers and wrote Renee a letter."
"Made it back fifteen minutes later." I added, remembering my favorite part of their story.
"I did. I begged that woman for a chance and she finally said yes. I was only seventeen and she was turning 20. I had to impress her good." Charlie stayed silent for a moment and reached for my hand.
"You took her to an Aerosmith concert." I finished for him.
Charlie looked at me and smiled widely. "Damn right. She couldn't resist me after that."
A/N: Thank you everyone for your support. I've received so many messages and knew exactly what I'm going through. It's good to know I'm not alone.