Chapter 4
I have been enjoying the season. It's so close to the end. Here is my continue story of Charlotte.
Disclaimer: I don't own show. If I did I wouldn't have a team member die.
Charlotte woke up early the next morning. She usually did before the other girls at the girls home. This time, however, she was in a different room in a different bed, a bigger bed. She remembered she was staying with Mr. Jane, the psychic. She lifted the covers off and stepped down. She tiptoed out the room. She still could not believe the the size of the room for just her.
She continued down the hall and saw the bedroom next to hers. The door was cracked a bit and she saw in there a pajama clad Mr. Jane laying on the bed, his arm hanging off the edge. She walked past the room and into the den with the tree decorated. She walked around admiring her first Christmas tree.
"You're up early." A voice from behind her sounded. She turned around and saw Mr. Jane.
"I'm used to getting up early." Charlotte admitted.
"So, what do you want for breakfast? What did you usually have at the home?" Mr. Jane asked.
"Something not burnt. Miss Flynn only gave us burnt food. She didn't know how to cook." Charlotte described.
"I think I can manage that. I like eggs normally." Mr. Jane started towards the kitchen.
"Sure. You don't have anyone doing it for you?" Charlotte asked.
"No, I do my own cooking." Patrick headed to the kitchen. Charlotte followed. She noticed a table inside the kitchen. She had noticed a larger table in the dining room. "I'm not that priveleged. The only two employees I have are Teresa and Mr. Minelli."
Mr. Jane grabbed a pan hanging on a rack and then went to the refrigerator and grabbed a couple eggs and cracked them in the pan.
"So, how did you sleep?" Patrick asked.
"Really good." Charlotte said.
After finishing up the eggs and getting them on plates and getting forks, he set them on the small table. Charlotte took a bite of the scrambled eggs. He sat down across from her.
"Do you approve?" Patrick asked watching Charlotte take a bite.
"Mmm, yes I do." Charlotte grinned and then ate another mouthful of eggs.
Patrick continued eating his eggs and Charlotte did as well.
"Teresa said you work with the police?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes, I help out with some of their cases." Patrick admitted.
"Do you like it?" Charlotte asked.
Patrick thought about if he should tell the reason. Of course, since he decided to take on this girl he should expect questions. He had to tell her some things even if it was difficult. She was bound to ask sooner or later about his wedding ring he still wore and why there was no pictures up in the house when she wondered last night. It was going to be difficult to talk about Angela but he knew he had to say some things. He had never been good about talking about his past. He managed to hide the fact from clients and other people that he grew up in the least desired circumstances in the carnival.
"Sometimes I do." Patrick finally said. He might as well tell the truth now. "There's an underlying reason I do it." He paused. "My wife was killed in a hit and run accident involving a drunk driver and I've been trying to find out who did it. She went missing as well. I'm helping them so they will help me." He breathed a sigh of relief that he said it.
"I'm sorry." Charlotte said sadly.
"I know. I don't tell too many people about what happened. You now and Teresa are the only ones that know." Patrick admitted.
"Oh." Charlotte responded. She did not want to ask too many questions involving this. She could see it was not an easy thing for him to talk about. She wondered if she should say anything about finding her parents. Maybe she could have him help her like Lily said. It would be worth a try. Having someone else help her and maybe the police. She took her locket out from under her clothes and held it. "I want to find my parents."
"Do you think they're still alive?" Patrick asked. This girl wanted her parents. He would not blame her. His life with his father was not perfect.
"I was found with this locket and left at the home. I know they cared about me but maybe weren't able to do it. Yes, I think they are alive. They are going to look for me." Charlotte anticipatedly said.
"Well, I hope they do. If they do that would be good." Patrick said. He did not want to give false hope but more than likely it was not going to happen.
"What's going on today?" Charlotte asked.
"I have to go to work. I have clients today and am meeting a friend for lunch. Teresa's going to take you shopping for clothes." Patrick explained.
Teresa prepared to get ready for her day with Charlotte. She wondered how the girl's night went in a different location. She decided to call Mr. Minelli to pick her up at her house.
Teresa arrived at Patrick's house and knocked on the door. Patrick answered dressed in his suit.
"Hey, I'm guessing you're here for the girl of the hour?" Patrick asked grinning.
"Yes, I am. How is she and you?" Teresa asked
"She's good. She got to taste the delightful food I myself cooked instead of burnt a la king of Miss Flynn. We had a good talk as well."
"Don't be too sure of yourself." Teresa teased.
"She liked my eggs. I'll call her. Charlotte!" Patrick explained and called. Charlotte came instantly.
"Hi, Teresa." Charlotte grinned.
"How was your night?"
"Good. You're going to take me shopping?" Charlotte excitedly asked.
"Yes."
"Well, I'll see you girls later. Enjoy your day." Patrick said. "Here's my card." Patrick handed Teresa a credit card.
Teresa and Charlotte went in the car and arrived at the mall. Charlotte and Teresa walked through the mall. Christmas music sounded through the area and the place was quite busy with shoppers trying to find the perfect gift for loved ones. A Santa was seated in an elaborate chair along with elf in the middle with children lined up to tell them their wishes for Christmas. They went to several stores for girls and Charlotte found several outfits she liked and finally ended up sitting at a table in the food court having ice cream. Their bags set around the table.
"Thank you for taking me shopping. This is the first time to get new clothes." Charlotte gratefully said.
"You're welcome. You can thank Mr. Jane." Teresa stated.
"How long have you known him?" Charlotte asked.
"Well, five years." Teresa admitted. She remembered the first time she met Patrick. She never expected to decide to take a job such as this, being someone's assistant in their life, but she was intrigued by the had decided she needed to get on with a different life than being caregiver to her brothers. She loved them but she needed to really spread her wings more.
Five Years Before
Teresa Lisbon checked through the newspaper for the help wanted ads. She needed to find something to get by on for money. She had moved from Chicago after she got her youngest brother graduated from high school. She was ready to be on her own and have her own life. She just moved in her apartment in Sacramento. She saved up some money from working at a diner in Chicago and then when she arrived in California she worked some in a resturant but wanted something more.
She soon read an announcement of Psychic Patrick Jane needing an assistant. It seemed like a interesting job. She read the description and she called the number.
She knocked on the white office door in the building downtown Sacramento.
At that moment, the blonde man in an expensive suit opened the door.
"Hello, welcome. You must be here for the assistant interview." The man said looking at her.
"Yes, I am. You must be Mr. Jane." Teresa said.
"You can call me Patrick. You are?" He grinned.
"Teresa Lisbon." Teresa answered and held out her hand and he shook it.
"Nice to meet you. Teresa Lisbon. That's a nice name." Mr. Jane responded. He looked at her a moment. "You're hired."
"Excuse me!" Teresa said surprised. "You hired me based on that I have a nice name? You haven't talked to me yet." Teresa reminded.
"No need, Teresa. I can tell you're hard working and dedicated. You've been playing parent role for a few years. I can tell from that you're reliable." Jane admitted.
"You're really psychic. I had to raise my three brothers." Teresa admitted. How he knew that was beyond her.
"I read people very well. I like you. You haven't been like the others. You're a good person and you seem trustworthy." Mr. Jane explained.
"How do you know that without actually interviewing me?" Teresa wondered. They were still standing in the doorway. They had not even sat down.
"You want me to hire you or not?" Mr. Jane asked.
"Yes, but I would feel better if you would actually ask me some questions." Teresa confessed.
"Alright, fine. Have a seat." Mr. Jane said leading her to his desk. He sat behind it. She sat in the chair in front. "What is your interest in being my assistant?"
"Well, I saw your ad in the paper. I need a better paying job than a waitress job."
"Yes. Indeed, it is a better paying job, Teresa."
"Why did you decide to interview with me specifically?" He grinned expectantly.
"I don't know. It was the first job I saw that wasn't a waitress job. It seemed like something different to try." Teresa admitted.
"You can start as soon as possible." Mr. Jane declared.
"Thank you." Teresa stated.
"Teresa. Charlotte. It's great to see you." A familiar but new voice sounded. Teresa looked up as well as Charlotte and saw Grace Rigsby, Mr. Jane's neighbor across the street. The red haired woman also had a girl with her. Their hands were filled with shopping bags.
"Oh, hello. We're shopping for clothes." Teresa responded.
"This is my daughter, Maddie." Grace introduced the girl. "Maddie, this is Charlotte. She's our neighbor across the street."
"Hi." Maddie said shyly. "
"Hello." Charlotte said.
"Oh, my husband, Wayne is somewhere around here. I'll have to introduce you to him."Grace told. "He's probably getting a taco. I really wish hewould get here. It's getting late."
Soon a short haired, well built tall man came up to Grace, half eaten taco in hand.
"Oh, Wayne. This is Teresa and Charlotte." Grace announced going to the man touching his shoulder. He looked towards Teresa
"Oh, hello." Wayne said with a full mouth. He swallowed. "You're the psychic's assistant. I've seen you."
"Yes, I am Mr. Jane's assistant. Charlotte here is staying with him for the holidays." Teresa placed her hand on Charlotte's shoulder.
"I really should have him read me. Maybe he will tell our future." Wayne stated.
"I will have to check his schedule." Teresa admitted leerily. She really doubted Jane was that good. He mostly read people very good. She had to admit she did not believe everything.
"We really have to get together if that would be alright with him." Grace said. "You know have dinner. I'm sure Maddie and Charlotte would enjoy that too. Maddie, as you can see is a little shy. She needs a friend. She doesn't have too many."
"I'm sure we work it in." Teresa admitted.
"We wish we could talk longer, but we have somewhere we need to be."Grace notified looking at her watch.
"It's great to see you again. Bye." Teresa finally said. Soon Grace, Wayne and Maddie grabbed their bags and walked away.
Patrick finished with his clients for the morning and left his office to go to lunch with one of his friends, the mayor of Sacramento, Walter Mashburn. He was a suave, cool, confident, smooth ladies man that enjoyed the luxuries of life. Patrick arrived at the restaurant and saw the man was waiting for him. He had already started on a glass of wine. The hostess went up to him, "May I help you, sir?"
"Yes, I'm meeting a friend, Mayor Mashburn."
"Oh, yes." The hostess reacted. "I'll take you over there." The hostess led him to the table. "Sir, your friend." She set a menu on the empty place setting on the table.
"Oh, yes, thank you, Daphne." Walter reacted flirtily. "You're very lovely."
"Thank you." Patrick said. "Walter." The hostess blushed at Walter's comment and left.
"Patrick, so how's life been for you? I enjoy seeing you." Mayor Walter Mashburn turned his head and noticed him.
"I've taken on a child, an orphan." Patrick admitted spreading his menu out looking at it.
"You're taking on a child! I never thought you to do that with your schedule!. In fact, I never thought you do something like that ever!" Walter stated surprised.
"It's for a couple of weeks for Christmas and New Year's." Patrick confessed.
"But why?" Walter questioned. "You are willing to do that taking care of a kid you don't know?"
"I wanted to do it. She's 11 years old and her name's Charlotte." Patrick confessed. "I thought it would be a nice thing to do."
"I'm glad you don't have to change diapers or anything." Walter stuck his nose up and wrinkled it. "11 year olds practically take care of themselves. My sister's kid is like that, though he don't like me very much."
"Imagine that, someone not liking you." Patrick grinned.
"Patrick, this could be very good for dating prospects. Women love men with kids. They're magnets to them. I could hook you up." Walter grinned having a lightbulb go off in his head.
"No, thank you. Especially not with the women who you would hook me up with." Patrick refused.
"But, Patrick, you haven't dated in years!"Walter exclaimed. " So, where is this kid you delightfully decided to take in?"
"She's shopping for clothes with Teresa." Patrick admitted.
"Oh, Teresa. Such a wonderful girl you have helping you." Walter admitted perking his eyes up.
"Yes, she is." Patrick smiled.
"Are you planning to attend my Christmas party? The kid can come. I know a few people bringing their kids." Walter questioned.
"Yes, we plan to come." Patrick stated.
"Great, Patrick. I really need to get an appointment to have you read me. I think it's fascinating what you do."
"Let's order."Patrick finally put down his menu. The two men ordered and the waitress left.
"Walter, Charlotte wants to find her missing parents." Patrick
"Maybe I can help her." Walter suggested. "Since I have such influence."
"There's no need, Walter." Patrick unwillingly stated.
"I insist on it." Walter declared.
"I'll think about it." Patrick finally said.
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