CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
He woke up a bit later, just as they were being told to put their seats up. He snapped his chair up and looked out the window as the plane landed.
A few minutes later he stood in front of the baggage claim conveyor belt. He grabbed up the bag he had packed earlier that day. He had spent the night before in a hotel. He came back to his apartment when he knew no one would be there and packed a suitcase full of clothes to last him a few days.
He left the airport and managed to get a taxi. Half an hour later, he appeared at the front of his parent's huge house. He put his bag down and rang the doorbell. His mother opened the door and smiled as she hugged him.
"Charlie!! It's so good to see you again, and so soon! What are you doing here?"
Charlie stepped back and looked at his mom. "Uh, I just came for a few days, that's it…"
Mrs. Sims nodded. "Well, where is that fiancee of yours? Did she come?"
"Um… no, Mom, she didn't. We, uh, broke-up yesterday." Charlie explained sadly.
"Oh dear." She wasn't at all disappointed, and Charlie could tell. "What happened?"
"You and Dad screwed me up so bad I don't know what family is. I don't want kids. I'll never know that happiness you always talk about. I'll never know what it's like to raise kids and have that stupid crap you always talk about. I'll never have it. I just wanted to say thanks for ruining my life and breaking me up with the only person I'll ever love. Bye."
Charlie picked up his bag and walked back to the cab he had told to wait a minute. Mrs. Sims watched, speechless, as the taxi drove away.
~~***~~***~~***~~
Charlie buzzed up to Todd Bennett and Brian Forson's apartment. A minute later, he appeared at the door of his apartment. He knocked and braced himself. Todd opened the door and looked over Charlie.
"Hey Charlie!! What… what the hell happened to you?"
Charlie smiled slightly and shook his head. "Yeah, nice to see you too."
Todd laughed and picked up Charlie's bag. He threw it across the room, and it hit a door. "Hope nothing valuable was in that."
Charlie smiled again, glad he was here with his best friends, and saw Brian open the door his bag had hit. He walked over to Charlie and smiled.
"Hey, long time no see. What's it been now… a week and a half? I'm still recovering from the last time I saw you. Engaged and all that. So, where's the lucky lady?"
Charlie sighed and shook his head. "Back in New York. We broke up yesterday… so I came here to see you guys for a few days. So, you know, I don't go completely insane."
Todd glanced at Brian and then back at Charlie. "You're kidding, right?"
"No." Charlie shook his head. "But… I don't wanna make an ass of myself. So, can we just not talk about it?"
Brian stared at Charlie in disbelief. "No, no, Charlie. We don't care if you make an ass out of yourself. We're your best friends, that's what we're here for. What happened?"
Charlie sighed and looked down. "God, here we go again." He walked over and sat on the couch. He rested his head in his hands and sighed.
Todd and Brian looked at each other and had a small conversation with their eyes. They sat down on opposite sides of Charlie and watched him breakdown.
"Charlie… what… how… what happened?" Brian asked.
Charlie shook his head and sighed again. "My parents… you know exactly what they all did to me… that messed me up… and now she's gone." Charlie sat up and stared straight ahead. "Ok! Can we please not talk about it anymore??"
Todd scratched his eyebrow and shrugged. "Whatever you want Charlie. Then… what do you wanna talk about?"
Charlie shrugged. "Whatever… I don't care. I couldn't care less. I don't know. Whatever you say, I'll go along with. I don't know shit and my life is more screwed up than you can imagine. What do you guys wanna talk about?"
Brian thought about that for a second. "Well… I get back on the road in 2 weeks."
Charlie shook his head and stood up. "I'll see you guys later." He picked up his bag and left.
Todd punched Brian's arm. "Good going ass-hole."
Brian held his arm and glared at his best friend. "Watch it or I'll come have the bearded lady beat you up."
Todd threw his hands up in the air. "What the hell is that gonna do?"
"Maybe she'll go out with you." Brian teased.
Todd shook his head and smiled. "You know, I haven't had my girlfriend over here in a month thanks to you. You think the bearded lady… I… urg! I can't think of a good joke. Damn."
Brian cracked up. "You're such an idiot. But speaking of… when do I get to meet this Ally?"
"I dunno. She's in New York. She's packing all her stuff up and she's coming back next week."
~~***~~***~~***~~
Charlie knocked on the door to Sam's apartment. She opened the door and smiled.
"Hey Charlie!!" She hugged him hello. Charlie held her closed though, and didn't let her pull back at first. When he finally let go, Sam knew something was wrong. "Charlie… what's up. What happened? Is something wrong?"
"I'm here to see you. I love Jody… but we broke up yesterday. I got here an hour ago."
Sam picked up his bag and led him inside. They sat on the couch and she turned to face him.
"What happened?"
"Well, you know how my parents have always been, especially to me. They don't care about anything. They are happy, but they never smile. They show no love and they treat me like shit. They love my other brothers and sister… they love me, sure. But that doesn't mean they like me. I dance ballet, I embarrass them. They hate me. I don't know how to be a family. Jody wants kids someday… I can't give her that. I don't know how to do any of that stuff. It just… my parents screwed me up so bad… but I love her so much. I don't know how to… to…" Charlie shook his head and wiped his eyes. "I'm so stupid… to give her up like that. I don't know what to do. I have nothing left. She's my whole life. Sam… what do I do next? I mean… my life is practically over. You're the only person I can talk to. Todd and Brian would think I was so stupid if I said any of this to them. Please, Sam, help me."
Sam stared at Charlie in disbelief. She hugged him tightly and they started to kiss. Neither was sure who started the kiss, had it been both of them? Sam had always known she loved Charlie, she just never was going to let that out. Especially not now. Charlie was heart-broken. Then why was he kissing her back…?
