I do own the copyrights to So Weird.

Scene 7

Home for Good

Birds were chirping in the background and even a few night insects could be heard as Charly sat with her hands in her face. She wasn't even really listening to night sounds, not even the sound of footsteps getting closer. It wasn't until she felt someone sit down did Charly sit up and uncover her face.

"What are you here for?" Charly looked at Elizabeth as she sat straight up. "I put things in order the best I could. As to your mother, I can't fix whatever is wrong with her. "I don't recall anything that removes her out of the equation."

"She passed away." Elizabeth spoke softly and then spoke about the situation which jarred more of Charly's memories." Truly, I am sorry."

"For what?" Charly shook her head. "Clearly, it was me that supposed to save her and then leave you all alone. Not stick around as long as I did."

"There's no way you could save Mother. I was wrong to put that kind of guilt into place. She was too sick, even the doctor you sent for was helpless to keep her alive. So, what made me think a nurse with little experience could have done better than him is beyond me." Elizabeth then apologized for being so stubborn. "You think I'd have conquered my pride after all this time and admit I was wrong on matters long before now." She let out a long sigh. "But I didn't. You are innocent in regard to my mother and certainly for anything involving my father; there was no need for me to expect you to make any departure." Elizabeth left off two other factors knowing her father would surely mention both.

Charly didn't know what to say and so she just sat still as Elizabeth continued to talk for a little while. It wasn't until Thomas walked up did his daughter stand up not attempting to get their friend to talk again.

"Go back to your husband." Thomas nodded towards a carriage that was waiting for Elizabeth. "I'll take over from here."

Thomas sat down as Elizabeth walked away in silence. He did not attempt to speak, but simply watched night birds flying by. Elizabeth's father knew any silence would not take long to be broken even if he did not speak first; the gentleman was right.

"How could I forget so much?" Tears slid down Charly's face.

"Stress, maybe, even extreme shock for Elizabeth let her pride rule her temper more than necessary I dare say." Thomas ignored a past which could be done nothing about and turned his attention to a question which had entrenched itself the moment she's stepped into their dance hall. "Why are those people calling you Charly? Only one person was ever allowed to call you that, and he isn't in, or associated with that band."

"What is it then, and who is the man who called me Charly?" Deep inside the fact was known. However, she still had a strong need to hear it and not just in her head. And so, the lady turned to face Elizabeth's father who reached out to wipe away a few tears.

"Try Charlene." Thomas put his arm around her, drew her close and spoke into her ear. "I was the only one to ever call you Charly, and it wasn't spoken around anyone, not even my family." Mr. Bennet wasn't surprised when Charlene stiffened, and her eyes went wide.

"Elizabeth said she was the force behind me leaving."

"She was adamant you were too young for me. "

"Good heavens, I'm in my twenties."

"I know, Charly, I know." Thomas did not stop her from resting her head on his shoulders.

"What else was she concerned about; I can hardly believe in this society my age was the only thing."

""Personally, I think her pride was hurt. I was turning to you more and more for advice instead of her. And then there is the money issue." Thomas sighed. "She was concerned what you would do when I die. My debts are not small, and Collins will get the house when I pass away for there are no sons to give the place to. She may have been wrong in her actions; however, as to your welfare, her heart was in the right place."

Charly, who could not think of Charlene when it was just her and Thomas, sat up and squirmed just a little. It caused Elizabeth's father's eye muscles to raise up.

"Okay, what is it that you're not telling us."

"I may..." She looked sheepish, "have more money than I let on. Enough to compete with Lady Catherine." Charly looked up at Thomas while biting a fingernail.

"Why would you hide that from anyone?" Thomas was stunned at what he was hearing.

"I got tired of men wanting me for my wealth. So..." She shrugged her shoulders, "I moved away and hid my cash." Carly acknowledged she had no issue with it being in Thomas's hands as long as he drew up papers saying she and Elizabeth had the final say on how things were spent, or at the very least Mr. Darcy.

"You do beat all." Thomas started laughing and pulled her close. "You do beat all."

EPILOUGE

Crisp air bit at everyone's skin as the bus was being loaded. All had found a big breakfast waiting for them with the staff had been extremely kind. However, they'd not seen Charly and that had bothered them.

"Why would she stay here?" Fi asked as she got ready to get into the bus.

"My vote is the man who was reenacting the role of an Englishman." Jack, who had -wisely- opted out of traveling with Troy to the next gig, walked by her and got onto the bus first.

"Maybe, you can ask her yourself." Molly turned and saw their friend walking towards them. "But with the attire she's wearing, my guess is she's worked with these people before and they wanted her to do so again." Ignoring her mother getting her things onto the bus, Fi met Charly halfway.

"Charly, why are you dressed like that?" Fi asked once she and her friend reached each other.

"The name's Charlene. I would appreciate being called by it." The lady spoke gently and then sighed as she spoke low. "This is my home; these are my people. I..." sighing Charlene rubbed her forehead. "...left for private reasons." She may have given a different answer only Jack had gotten off the bus to pick up a few pieces of baggage which hadn't been loaded. "Those obstacles are now out of any picture, so..." Giving a small smile. "I am setting things in order with my own life; and it feels good."

"When will we see you again?" Fi hated to see her new friend go.

"Your family's not likely to. Jack stinks at reading and your mother is buried in her music. I don't know about the rest. You are different; I am sure you will see me."

"What does reading have to do anything to do with seeing you again."

"Go, look on your bed." With that Fi watched Charlene turn and join the gentleman playing Thomas C. Bennet. He put his arm around Charlene's shoulder. They, as others were doing, disappeared into the early morning fog. Fi then climbed onto the bus and went to her room to see if there was any reading material on her bed. Sure enough, there was.

Setting Things in Order was printed on a thin book and Fi picked it up shocked to see a picture of Thomas C. Bennet and her old friend holding a young boy on her lap. Sitting down on the bed Fi began to read.