Chapter 25: Fall from Grace

Charles Bingley gloomily reflected that the grey and cloudy Friday sky uncannily resembled his own dreary thoughts.

Reaching into his pocket, he once again pulled out the engagement ring that he had bought for Jane. Fingering the smooth, slim band, he held it up for closer examination in a maneuver that had quickly become routine. His favorite pet name for Jane had been "angel", and it had inspired what he had ordered engraved on the inside of the band. He ran his pinky along the inner rim to feel the slightly irregular texture of the inscription: "Heaven's lost without you".

The problem was, instead of Heaven, now it was him that was lost without her.

Although the email was concerning in and of itself - so much so that he could not blame Darcy for showing it to him - there was an even deeper reason for his disquiet. What he had not told Darcy prior to the email's discovery was that Jane had already told him about an Andrew: an Andrew who had been her first love and had broken her heart years before in high school. When she had spoken about him he could still see a youthful disappointed hope in her eyes. Of course, he understood; although her heart had healed, it made sense that talking about the situation would remind her of old feelings. The problem was that, even if there was a little emotion when she talked about the break up, Jane had made it very clear that both the individual and the relationship were completely in her past; not sleeping in her apartment during the past week. When he had told his friend this information on Wednesday, Darcy's advice was firm and direct: I would get myself as far away as possible from that situation, Bingley.

Of course, Charlie had done the opposite. His visit to her job was spontaneous; he had not contacted her since Monday, ignoring multiple text messages, phone calls and emails. The reason for his silence was selfish, but defensible; his heart and mind simply had not settled enough from the shock to be able to conduct anything that resembled a conversation with her. However, after previously speaking to or seeing each other almost daily, the separation had become physically impossible to bear, and today his legs had taken on a mind of their own and carried him to her workplace.

Now standing across the street from her school, he still hadn't decided what he was going to say to her. Everything was an option: a spectrum that ranged from telling her that they would not be seeing each other any longer, all the way to proposing on the spot.

A faint ringing inside of the school denoted the sound of the final bell. After a few minutes, the teachers appeared outside with their classrooms to guide the cheerful students to their buses, or to be picked up by their parents. He recognized Jane's fine blonde hair instantly.

Who he didn't recognize was the male standing next to her. Charlie squinted to make out the details on the faces in the distance. The man seemed intent on their conversation, and Jane…well, Jane seemed her usual self.

Compared to his own scruffy and weathered appearance, Jane was still an angel on earth. She even had the ability to tranquilly smile at something the handsome man said. Charlie would recognize that smile anywhere: it was the one that had captured his heart when he had met her at Toshi's.

He hadn't smiled once since Sunday night.

Bingley suddenly felt every ounce of courage desert him. Darcy had been wrong; she wasn't hard to read…there just wasn't anything to read. Obviously, whatever he thought had existed between them had only existed for him. Her motivations and happiness lay elsewhere; most likely, in a man named Andrew. Could that be him?

Defeated, Charlie replaced the ring in his pocket and walked sadly away. He respected her, and he wasn't going burden or embarrass her unfairly with an unrequited proclamation of fervent love. Besides, the dissonance between his own emotions and the laughing voices of the children had become too much to bear. He could no longer endure looking upon the radiant, other-worldly beauty who kept charge of them; it only reinforced how quickly she had spirited herself away.

Lizzy allowed herself no distractions on Friday when she got out of work. Ever since Wednesday, her immediate destination was to home and at her sister's side. All her life, she had thought that Jane's break up with Andrew was the worst thing a woman could go through. She had been wrong.

Her sister was a shell; a robot going through motions with a power source that desperately needed replenishment. Her eyes had no light, no life; and the tears that would escape from their sides and slowly slide down her cheeks came unbidden and unchecked. Although late at night the tears were frantic and distraught, there were also many times when they just were: perpetual glistening streams that curved down Jane's face and pooled underneath her chin.

Jane had not heard from Charlie since seeing him Sunday night. On Monday and Tuesday, although Jane already sensed that something was incredibly wrong, Lizzy had assured her that he must have gotten busy with work and that she would hear from him at any moment. By Wednesday, when there had still been no contact from him, those assurances had become less easy to give. Lizzy asked if something had happened; but Jane had no explanation for the sudden and shocking change.

As Elizabeth swung the door open to their apartment, she could hear the sobs escaping from her sister's bedroom. Throwing her coat and purse on the couch, she entered the room and sat gently by her sister's side. Jane was face down on her bed, her body trembling with grief that she could not control.

Laying beside her sister, Lizzy reached her hand to gently smooth Jane's soft blonde hair and tucked her body into a contour of Jane's side. "My love, I'm here. Please, don't cry. Have you eaten anything?"

Jane only sniffled in response.

"Janey? I can't bear to see you like this. Tell me what I can do to help you."

Jane mumbled an answer directly into her damp comforter.

Lizzy brushed her sister's hair aside and comfortingly rubbed her hand between Jane's shoulder blades. "I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you."

Jane turned her head to face her sister. Her eyes were puffy and swollen, and her creamy complexion was blotchy with patches of dark red. It was obvious that she had been pressing her face hard into her hands. Quietly, Jane whispered, "No one can help me Lizzy. He's gone." Her face crumpled under the sting of more impending tears. Her voice cracked as she continued, "No explanation, no goodbye, nothing. Just…gone."

"Jane, what? What do you mean, 'he's gone'?"

Jane slid a crumpled piece of paper to her sister. It was a printout of Charlie's Facebook page. The most recent status update could not have been highlighted better: Jane had circled it furiously in pen and showered it in tears.

Flying home tomorrow. Can't wait to see old friends. Call me if you want to bum around.

Jane had quietly started sobbing again. If she could know where he was at that moment, Lizzy was certain she physically had it in her to hurt Charles Bingley. Badly. She felt her body trembling with anger. "Jane, if he can do this, you're better off without him. I promise." Lizzy wanted to say more – to tell her that he was no better than his ass wipe of a friend and that they should both be left to rot in hell. However, there was no way that saying those words would help Jane's gentle spirit feel better; although they certainly gave Lizzy a rise of color and a burst of energy.

No…to be completely honest, deep down what Lizzy wanted to do was to take her sister's pain entirely away, just as she had wanted when she was fifteen years old. She had learned then that it was impossible, and now felt at a loss as to how to be useful. The only thing that could truly help Jane was time. She heartbreakingly considered her sister's morose and unmoving form; knowing there was nothing she could say or do to make the situation right, Lizzy offered, "I'm gonna make you some tea, Janey-bear. Please try not to think about him anymore tonight. I'll be back soon." Kissing her sister's hair, Lizzy shut the light and walked down the hall towards the kitchen.

Grabbing the carafe, Lizzy poured some water into the coffee machine and pressed the power button. Taking a moment to breathe, she faintly heard the buzz of her phone vibrating in her purse on the couch.

Walking over, she retrieved her cell and checked her text messages. It was Wickham.

Hey beautiful. Long time, no talk. How are you?

In the drama of the past week, Lizzy hadn't thought about him once. She typed out a short reply. Good. You?

Alright. I'd be better if I could see you again.

She had to give credit where it was due: he was persistent. I just have a lot going on right now.

Well, let good old trusty Greg help. You know I'm always here for you. :) Besides, I have your earrings.

Lizzy furrowed her brow in confusion. What earrings?

The ones you left at the restaurant.

She had no recollection of doing such a thing. I don't think I left any earrings there.

Of course you did. They were bothering you so you took them off. Remember? Here, I'll send you a picture.

Thirty seconds later, a picture message arrived. He did have her earrings: the sterling silver moon and star ones her sister had borrowed for Toshi's.

Wow, I must have forgot. It honestly might be awhile before I can get them. My sister needs me right now...Thanksgiving's next week...Then the holidays...

I understand. If you find that you have a spare moment give me a call. I'll keep these safe for you. After a few moments, another text arrived: I would really like to see you Lizzy.

Lizzy wished that he didn't have her earrings. She wanted nothing more to do with men in general, but particularly, William Darcy and Greg Wickham. They obviously couldn't decide who was guilty in their past relationship, and she had no desire to be the judge. Lizzy knew that her sister was only trying to be helpful that day in the kitchen; however, considering all that had transpired, Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder if her usual antagonism towards men wasn't a more justified approach after all.

I have to have those earrings so you will get to see me. Have a good Thanksgiving Greg.

Thanks Lizzy. You too.

Lizzy tossed her phone on the couch, poured the steaming water into an oversized mug already draped with a chamomile tea bag, and shuffled back down the hall to her sister.