"You don't understand, Daniel!" Charlotte screamed into the phone. She was reminded once again that the sweet big brother she once had is now gone. He proceeded to downplay her concerns, letting her know that all girls want their parents to get back together.
"I would like my parents to get back together. Unfortunately, I only have one left. Whether I like it or not, they were really happy."
"Why were they together anyway?" He questioned. The minute she answered, he sprang into a lecture about not selling out for a car. As if Daniel had a leg to stand on with that argument, she thought. She was already irritated and hung up on her brother. He clearly wasn't planning on helping her. She didn't completely blame him, she knew how toxic their marriage had been. Hell, she knew how toxic both of them could be on their own, let alone when combined together. But when Charlotte saw them together the other day, it pulled at her heart strings. Ever since, she couldn't stop fantasizing about ways to get them back together.
She wished the early November weather was colder. She could have cajoled them into the car and figured out a way to spray water on the door, locking them into the car. But it wasn't cold enough to freeze anything yet. But was it warm enough to lock them, say, on a balcony until they resolved their issues? She smiled to herself, realizing how simple it would be. The way her mother migrated to the balcony, all she'd really need to do is get Conrad there.
It wasn't as simple as she originally thought. Night after night Charlotte tried getting Conrad into her mothers bedroom. She got the feeling that he planned on letting Victoria come to him. She didn't understand why, since no one even came close to her mother on a stubborn scale. She tried to get Conrad to bring Victoria tea but he let Martha do it instead. She tried to get him to go talk to her about school trips, Christmas and parties but Conrad always had an excuse. It took a little over two weeks, but she did it.
"It's getting cold quick." Her father said as he walked into the living room.
"There must be a cold front. I'm actually worried about mom. She's standing on that balcony. She's going to catch pneumonia. I'd go up there but we just had a fight and I don't want to give her the wrong idea."
"What was the fight about this time?"
"Boys. Cell phones. College." Charlotte stammered, panicking. "What I mean is college boys using their cell phones. She started in on this and started lecturing me about sexting..." Charlotte trailed off.
"Perhaps I should go check in on your mother." Conrad finally suggested. He was secretly dreading it. He had laid his heart on the line and Victoria hadn't rejected him but she hadn't agreed. He didn't like her keeping him on her hook. It had been weeks and he knew he couldn't ignore her forever. He kissed his daughter on the top of her head before heading up the stairs.
"I hear you've been educating our daughter on the art of sexting." Victoria jumped, not expecting anyone. She must have been a million miles away, because Conrad's appearance made her aware of the chill in the air.
"Sexting?" She wasn't even sure what that was, but didn't want to let Conrad know. "If Charlotte is talking to anyone about sexting, I can guarantee it wasn't me."
"She just told me about the fight."
"What on Earth are you talking about? We've been getting along splendidly..."
Charlotte appeared in the doorway.
"I lied to you, Dad. But I needed an excuse to get you up here-"
"Why on Earth-" Conrad started. Victoria opened her mouth but Charlotte was too quick.
"I've tried telling both of you that you are in love. Neither of you will take the first step and talk to the other. Now, you're both in time out. Stay up here until you talk it out." Charlotte threw a thick blanket towards them and locked the door before shutting off Victoria's bedroom light and heading down the hall.
Conrad and Victoria stared at each other, both silently expecting the other to be in on this.
"How in the hell are we going to get out of this?" Victoria scoffed, running her hands through her hair.
"I guess we need to follow orders and talk about this." Conrad was secretly thrilled by his daughters plan. He could reap the benefits without Victoria labeling him the bad guy.
Victoria sighed. This was not going to end well...