Chapter 12

As Charlie opened his eyes and the sun shone in, he was slightly confused. What? How did I get here? Charlie thought while looking around the room. He couldn't remember how he had gotten into bed. He remembered working in the garage, Terry and Don came in and then her was here. As he gazed around the room again (more awake then the first time) he found Don asleep next to his bed

"Don- Donnie" Charlie said shaking him awake.

"Hey buddy" Don awoke rubbing the sleep out of his eyes

"How did I-?" Charlie started to ask

"I carried you" Don said not looking at Charlie. He hated being treated like a child and the last time Don had to carry him to bed was when Charlie was twelve. (He had fallen asleep waiting for Don to get back from their junior prom)

"How long have I been-?" Charlie started to ask again

"What time is it?" Don asked looking around for Charlie's clock

"Ten to noon" Charlie said looking at his watch

"Oh no work…I'm sorry Charlie I have to go" Don said running downstairs only to be stopped by his dad

"Where are you going?" Alan asked

"To work…if I still have a job" Don said running around the kitchen, gathering food, coffee, and his holster

"Calm down. Terry left you this, said it would explain…" Alan said handing his now frazzled looking son the note. As Don read the note a smile spread across his face "What does it say?" Alan stated wondering what had made his son smile

" 'Dear Sleepyhead, I hope you stay in the house long enough after waking up to get this. I knew when we went upstairs to check on Charlie that you weren't going to go to work the next day. So when you fell asleep, I snuck downstairs, wrote you this note, and called you in sick. Have a good day with your family, give Charlie a hug and kiss for me (I know I'm not Amita but its better then nothing)…Terry…P.S. Thank your father for breakfast (I wound up running late myself). I'll call you at one (my lunch break)'. She slept here?"

"Yes. I felt bad I wasn't going to make her go home at one in the morning when her house is half an hour away and she had work at seven thirty. Anyway, when you talk her, tell her your welcome" Alan said turning to his son

"Will do. I'm going to go back to Charlie's room" Don said standing up

"Don't bother. I've come downstairs" Charlie said padding into the kitchen and sitting down at the table

"You must be hungry" Alan stated rushing off to make lunch. What Charlie didn't notice (but Don did) was that Alan was deliberately standing in front of the back door as often and for as long as possible

"I'm starving thanks dad" Charlie said placing his head down. He felt horrible.

"I hope eggs and bacon are ok" Alan said placing the plate in front of his younger son

"Thanks dad" Charlie said. Don nodded as his father put a plate in front of him and the three sat there in silence not knowing what to say. Don finally chose to break the silence

"Charlie, I don't want to upset you but we're concerned. Why did you go into P vs. NP? What happened on your date?"

Why? Why did he have to ask? "I'd rather just forget about it"

"Charlie you know that won't do any good. You know that it will just get worse with time" Alan said putting a hand on his son's shoulder

Deep breathes, Charlie, just take deep breathes

Ok, not the best way to end a chapter but I have a plan for the next chapter and if I didn't end it now the next one won't work out very well…Amita will be in the next one for those who were wondering)