CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

"So, what is it with your parents and ballet?" Jody asked Charlie as he drove them around Seattle.

"They just hate ballet and any other performing thing. They hate dancing, music, instruments, singing, movies, TV, radio… stuff like that."

Jody's mouth dropped open in shock. "Wow… well, then what do they do in their spare time?"

"Read!" Charlie rolled his eyes. "Oh, don't get me wrong, reading's great. But they've read every book in the library… twice!"

Jody smiled.

After they finished their lunch at the restaurant, Jody opened her purse above the table. "Lunch is on me…" She announced.

Charlie reached up and snapped her purse shut. "I got it."

Jody smiled, wondering if she'd ever pay for another meal again. "Well, then at least let me tip." She said and laid down the money before Charlie could object.

They got up and went over to the doors. Jody pushed as hard as she could for several minutes, but the door wouldn't budge. Charlie saw the "pull" sign and tried not to laugh.

Jody finally gave up and leaned against the door. "Charlie!" She whined helplessly, a smile creeping across her face. "The door won't open!"

Charlie pointed to the sigh and scratched his head. "It, uh, pull Jody." Charlie smiled.

Jody glanced at the sign and closed her eyes. She covered her face with her hands and shook her head. "I'm such an idiot! So embarrassing…"

Charlie smiled and shook his head. "Yeah, but I love you anyway." He said sweetly and pulled open the door.

Jody kissed him and followed him back to the car. A while later Charlie and Jody wandered around a park. Suddenly Charlie stopped dead in his tracks and turned around.

"What's wrong?" Jody asked.

"Nothing… but we should go."

"But I wanna stay. It's so nice out, and what's wrong anyway?"

"Ok… know those letters I get every month and never let you see?"

"The ones you read about 100 times the second you get them and put them away in you special memory box thingy? Yeah, I know those."

"See that girl in the purple tank top over there?"

"Uh huh."

"The letters are all from her."

"So?"

Charlie sighed. "We, uh, kinda swore we'd marry each other if neither of us were married when we were 30. I've known her all my life."

Jody shrugged. "So what? You're still only 26 and you're marrying me."

"Yeah, but we should still leave."

Charlie and Jody started to walk off, but it was too late.

"Charlie? Charlie Simms?" Someone called from behind them.

Charlie sighed and turned around. "SAM!!!" He exclaimed as a brown-haired girl ran towards him and hugged him tightly. "It's great to see you again Sam."

The girl called Sam stepped back and smiled at him. "Oh… my… God! I can't believe it's actually you! It's been like 8 years!" Sam exclaimed happily.

Charlie nodded. "I know."

"Oh! And who's this?" Sam turned to Jody.

"Oh! Sam, this is Jody Sawyer. Jody, Sam Nelson."

Neilson… Nelson… Jody played around with the names as her head as she smiled and shook Sam's hand. "Hi."

"Uh, me and Jody are getting married." Charlie said, putting his arm around Jody.

Sam's mouth dropped open in shock. "No way! Oh my God you guys, that's so great! Congratulations!"

Charlie smiled and held Jody closer as Sam carried on. Awhile later a girl came up and stood next to Sam. She looked a great deal like Jody. Charlie thought she looked familiar, but couldn't quite place her.

"Oh! Charlie, Jody, this is my cousin Ally. She's visiting from New York."

Ally smiled slyly and suddenly Charlie knew who she was. It was the dancer from Sergei's bachelor party.

Charlie groaned and thrust out his hand. "It's nice to meet you… Ally." He said, not daring to look anyone in the eye.

"You too Charlie. You know… you look really familiar. Oh right! You're that guy who was the best fuck I ever had." Ally stated smugly.