Maya Jones

Thursday, July 18

Grocery

...

It was already 2 days ago when I finally saw Charlie and I haven't heard from him since then. I don't mind actually, I understand that he's very busy at the station. Especially since Mir had been complaining about how much work she's handling in just 2 days of being on duty again. It appears that the station has a lot of cases they need to handle.

But I also need a rest from the complaints, so to shut her up for tonight I planned to make her favorite lasagna and vanilla apple pie. Hopefully, that'll make her happy. Because a happy and satisfied Mir means a quiet and restful place for me.

So, here I am at the largest and only grocery in Forks to shop not only for the ingredients but also for the other stuff we needed at home. We did buy some stuff on our 2nd day back but that was just a little. Now, I plan to stock up on the foods and essentials that Mir and I needed. And also some other nonessential stuff that I and Mir think we needed.

What? As I said money is no problem with our family. With my line of work as a chemist and botanist earning money isn't a problem for me. And Mir may be a Police Captain but with her inheritance that she got from our grandparents she has invested it in a lot of accomplishing and well-known companies so even if she quit her work she will still get money from those companies that she has invested in. I also have some investments that helped me earn millions of dollars without working so even without taking or working on a project earning money isn't a problem. Though, even without my work or Mira's and those investments we still have our family who will back us up.

From the canned goods, frozen goods, condiments, drinks, and other more. I was so focused on my shopping and I'm even already in my 3rd cart when someone called my name.

"Maya? You're Maya Jones, right?" She asked.

I stared at the brunette lady who called me. She's a little familiar.

"Ahm... Yes, I am. Who's asking?" I asked because I can't seem to remember who she is. But she's a little familiar I just can't grasp why.

"It's Diana. Diana Underwood." And with that, memories flashed inside my mind. A shy and cute little brunette girl. Ever since I was a kid I wasn't very fond of mingling with girls around me I'm more comfortable talking and hanging out with boys especially Charlie's line of friends. But I remember that I had one girl who was an exception that I befriended because she's the only one who can follow through my line of thoughts. "Though it's no longer Underwood, I go with Weber now." she followed up showing me her ring.

"Oh, my Gahd! First, congratulations. Second, I'm very happy to see you again, Di." I said smiling at the friend that I also had to left behind at that time.

"Oh, Maya! I missed you so much," she exclaimed before pulling me into a hug. I let her and hugged her back because I also missed her so much. Our friendship was also one of those I regret losing when we left Forks. If only it was that easy to stay close with one another it could have helped maintain the connection we had.

Yes, we could have sent letters for one another or called through telephones but where we were at it was hard to do that. Our family living in Forks wasn't just a simple migration to another country. It was a lot more complicated than that.

"Please tell me that you're not just having a vacation here." She begged.

I chuckled at that. "No, Di. Mir and I are staying here for good."

She squealed with happiness and tackle me into another hug. I laughed at her enthusiast because I'm also happy that I could stay here again.

I needed to cut my shopping for the meantime though I can just continue this shopping at home because the grocery also takes home orders. And I think that's convenient especially with me ordering a lot of stuff.

After the grocery I and Di found ourselves sitting at a cafe not far from the grocery. This cafe is new to me because I remember that this place was just a house before.

"I'm glad that you're not angry with me," I said.

"Oh, Maya. I was at first you know. You were the only friend I had and it saddened me that your leaving ended that friendship. But then I realize that the friendship didn't end it was just the connection. You were always going to be my best friend and always will be, Maya." She said with so much emotion that it almost led me to cry.

"I'm sorry for being a lousy friend and not trying enough to connect with you even from afar. I can't explain to you why because it's a secret I can't tell to anyone. But I promise I'm going to make it up to you." I promised wholeheartedly.

We both held hands and smiled at each other. From there on we talked and catches up with the life of one another.

I found out that she married a pastor named, Oliver Weber and they already have 3 children. One 9 years old girl named, Angela, and 1-year-old twins, Isaac and Joshua. Diana is a novel writer and because she can just work her novels at home she still considers herself a full-time housewife. Besides, she considers her novel writing just a hobby taking care of her family is her number one priority now.

And I told her how I gave all my time and attention to my work. That I'm a certified Chemist and Botanist now.

"And you're single? Why's that, Maya?" She asked.

I shrugged and took a sip of my coffee. "It just didn't interest me that's all."

"Or it's because you still love Charlie." She declared knowingly making me choked for a second.

This girl.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Yes, I do. I still love him. Got a problem with that?"

"Great! Charlie deserves love and happiness."

"What?" I asked a little lost with what she said.

"Come on. Everyone here in Forks wants him to be happy and loved again. Granted that we do love him and respect him but it's different when he has someone who could truly love and make him happy." She explained.

"What? What are you talking about, Diana? Charlie has a family of his own. Why does he need someone to love and make him happy?" She asked confused and worry creep to me.

And then I remembered how he looks that time when I saw him. His thin and gaunt body. The sadness in his eyes that he tries to hide with a smile and laughter. Then and there did it hit me that Charlie is suffering. My Charlie is suffering inside and I still don't know why.

"You don't know?" She asked shock written on her face. "Charlie and his wife divorced almost 7 years ago and his wife has gotten the custody of their daughter. Charlie has been alone ever since, Maya."

My grip on the cup slowly tightened with each word she says.

"No. I-I saw them. Charlie was happy. He was so happy that time." I said convincing myself that what she's saying isn't the truth.

"What do you mean, Maya?" She asked.

"I saw them, Diana! I saw him! He's so happy that time. I saw it with my own eyes!" I murmured almost hysterically.

"Maya," Diana slowly took my hands and stared at my eyes. "Maya, calm down. We can talk about it slowly." She coaxed me.

"What's going on, Diana? What happened to him?" I asked begging for answers.

"Okay, Maya." She said. "But first, what did you exactly saw?"

"I came back 10 years ago, Diana. And I saw Charlie with his wife." I told her. "I saw them happily embracing each other in front of a house."

She sighed letting go of my hands in the process. "Then you saw them in their best days." She commented. "Renée was just a visitor here, a traveler. She and Charlie met in First Beach and they hit it off quite nicely. She left but then came back a month after and then got married to Charlie. She was charming but flighty. Though I never got the chance to befriend her because well I was busy trying to find work at that time. Trying to earn money to help out with my family. But I still saw how she got along pretty well with people. They were a lovely couple." She took a sip of her drink before continuing. "But almost a year passed with their marriage we started noticing the difference in Renée with every passing day. Though the life and happiness we first saw in them came back when they found out that she's pregnant. Charlie was so happy that time and every one of us congratulated him and Renée. We thought everything was going fine between them but we got shocked to know that a year after their daughter was born the two of them divorce. And since then Charlie gave all of his time and attention to his work. Consider that after that he also lost his parents from sickness."

"Charlie," I whispered painfully, and this time not even stopping the tears from falling.

Poor, Charlie. He must have felt so alone that time. I should have been there for him.

"I-I have to go," I said firmly before standing and taking out my wallet to get the payment for our drinks but Diana stops me from doing so.

"Go. I'll handle the bill." She said. "Just don't forget to contact me okay? If you don't, I'll go to your house and I'll demand some explanation in the process." She threatened that made me laughed after.

"Thanks, Di. I'll call you. No worries." I told her and kissed her cheeks before finally living and heading straight to my car.

I need to find Charlie. I don't think I can last without seeing him and confirming that he's doing okay.