Bradley Point of View
Chapter 14 – "The Letter"
It had been two weeks since Carol Ann had stayed the night with Sam, it had been two weeks since she'd had a good night sleep. The dark circles under her eyes were a dead giveaway she wasn't sleeping.
Sam and Charlie had tried on several occasions to get her to go back to Sam's, at least for one night. Carol Ann insisted she was fine, even though she was barely making it through the day.
Charlie comes by for lunch one day, upon Alan's request. Carol Ann looks up from her computer to her feisty friend.
"Get you purse, it's time to bust out of here Carol Ann." Charlie leans up against the door, twirling her car keys.
Carol grabs her purse, lazily walking towards Charlie. "So, you want to go to the deli or the café?"
Charlie shrugs her shoulders. "Doesn't matter."
They walk down to the corner café, taking a seat. They've eaten here a hundred times and order immediately.
"Carol Ann, I know you're not sleeping. You wake me up every night. You might be getting an hour or two of sleep at the most. Your dad is very worried about you. I think there is more going on here than you taking a break from staying at Sam's. You two still see each other, hell I have to kick him out of our apartment every night. I demand to know what's eating at you Bradley." Charlie takes a sip of her water, her eyes gazing over the glass.
"I can't send Sam the wrong signals. Staying with him does that Charlie. We've gotten close to going pass friend a few times and I can't do that. You're a child of divorce; you know what it's like to watch a relationship fall apart. I know without a doubt that keeping him as a friend is the right thing to do. That next step may be the one that might end us. We both suck at dating and I don't want to hear it, you think we'd be wonderful together. The unknown is what scares me." Carol Ann leans back in her chair, exhaustion hanging off of her.
Charlie takes a deep breathe, rolling her eyes. "Sam loves you Carol Ann and you know it. I'm so tired of the same song and dance out of you. Date Sam, don't date Sam, please just allow yourself to be close to him without freaking out."
"I get you Charlie. You're right; I can be close with Sam without the romantic stuff getting in the way. I do have a confession to make. Not having Sam to snuggle up to has been hard to adjust to and I've been overthinking our relationship. That's not the only reason I'm not sleeping. I've been offered the Lead Programmer position, in New York." Carol slowly gazes up at Charlie, bracing for the worse.
"You're not seriously thinking about taking it. Your friends, your family, your life is here. You are thinking about taking it. Oh my God Carol Ann!" Charlie slams her hands on the table.
Carol Ann hangs her head down, her shoulders slumping. "I want to go Charlie. I need a change."
Charlie almost knocks her chair over as she stands. "Go, leave! I'm glad you've made your mind up without discussing this with me or Sam. Does Alan know?"
Carol Ann looks up to her, her blue eyes looking pale. "Yes, Dad knows. He doesn't want me to go but he said he'd support my choice. I'm sorry Charlie but this is for me and I need this."
Charlie walks away, her body stiff. Carol Ann pays the bill and walks back to ENCOM. She calls her Dad to tell him she's taking the job. They spend the night talking it over, Alan being very supportive.
The next day Alan helps her pack her things while Charlie is at work. Charlie had spent the night and the next morning begging her to stay but gave up, leaving the apartment in tears.
Sam still had now idea that Carol Ann was leaving and she wanted to keep it that way. She wasn't going to say goodbye to Sam, not face to face.
Alan had acquired the company apartment and car. Her belongings had been boxed and were ready to be shipped. Carol had a few things she was taking on the plane with her.
Carol Ann sits down at her desk, taking out a piece of paper. She had thought about sending Sam an email but that seemed too impersonal.
With pen in hand she beings to write.
Dear Sam,
I hope after you read this letter you don't hate me. I couldn't do this face to face, I love you too much. Seeing you and saying goodbye would have killed me.
I'm not leaving because of you, it's because I need some time to be Carol Ann without all the distractions. The job in New York is only for six months then I'll be back.
I need this Sam, so please don't think I'm running from you. I'm hoping to find us. This time apart is going to be hard but we'll both be better for it.
If you're still my friend and you still care for me, call me please. From the moment I walked into Kevin Flynn's house and saw you, I knew we'd be friends for life.
My life changed the first time you held my hand when I was fifteen and when I close my eyes I can still feel our first kiss. My heart will always be yours Sam Flynn. Always.
With All Of My Heart,
Carol Ann
She puts the pen down, her tears falling to the desk. Placing the letter in an envelope, she takes it to her Dad.
"Dad, please give this to Sam. Are you ready to take me to the airport now?" Carol threads her arm through Alan's.
"Sure sweetheart. I've already called Charlie and she'll be waiting at the gate for you. Remember, I'm only a phone call away. I love you sweetheart. I hope you find what you're looking for." Alan kisses the top of her head.
"I do too Dad. This will either be the worst thing I've ever done or the best, either way I'm doing it." Carol Ann opens her locket, looking at the picture of Sam and Charlie.