Chapter 5

Charlie apparated outside the home of his friend and Dragon Preserve co-worker, Mike Hendershot. Mike was a wizard who was married to a muggle. Mike and his wife Lindsey had two children, Trudy and Mike, Jr. and Lindsey was Ingrid's cousin. It was Lindsey who introduced Charlie to Jessica, Ingrid's mother.

"Hi, Charlie," Lindsey said, opening the door for him. "Mike's in the bedroom packing. Go on in."

"I need to talk to you," Charlie said.

Lindsey looked at him expectantly.

"I have a big favor to ask." Now that he was there, he didn't know how to ask Lindsey to take care of Ingrid while he was gone.

"Shoot," she said.

"I, uh, need, I mean, could you keep an eye on Ingrid while I'm gone? I hate to ask, but I don't know what else to do. Minnie will take care of her and help you out."

"Of course I will. Charlie, what happened?" she asked.

"Gretchen moved back to her apartment."

"Oh." She didn't sound very surprised.

"I thought I heard you," Mike said coming out of the bedroom. "Are you ready?"

"Can't wait," Charlie said.

Lindsey looked at Mike and tilted her head toward Charlie quickly. Mike wasn't sure what was going on, but it was clear that Lindsey wanted him to talk to Charlie.

"So," Mike said. "You want a beer?"

"Sure, why not?" he said.

Mike magicked two beers out of the kitchen and he sat down in his favorite chair. Charlie took the beer and seemed to be deciding whether to sit down or not. Finally, he tilted the bottle to his lips and took a long drink. He sat down on the other chair across from Mike.

"So, what did Gretchen say when you told her about the trip?" he asked casually.

"She wasn't very happy. She moved out."

"No kidding?" Mike didn't know what else to say.

"I don't think it was all about me going on the expedition, though," Charlie said finishing off the beer. He played with the empty bottle, scraping off the label.

Mike nodded as he took a drink.

Charlie sat the bottle down on the table next to him and stood up. "Well," he said, "I've got a shitload of stuff to do, so, I guess I'll see you tomorrow. I'm going to be dropping Ingrid off and Minnie'll be helping Lindsey out."

"Charlie," Mike said, standing up, "are you all right?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm good. I'm just trying to reprogram my head."

Mike knew his friend well enough not to pry. He'd talk when he was ready, not before. He was concerned that he might be repressing his actual feelings. After all, he just told him that his wife, the woman that Charlie, the commitment-phobe, married, had moved out of their house. He had said it so matter-of-fact that on the surface it didn't appear that he was all that bothered; inconvenienced, yes, but not broken hearted.

"Okay, then," Mike said. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Charlie smiled and rubbed his hands together. "Can't wait."

He went outside and disapparated with a loud pop and appeared at his back door. Minnie was looking out the kitchen window clutching Hercules tightly. Charlie waved to her and walked inside. Minnie looked worried.

She magicked a beer out of the refrigerator and opened it for him. She looked like she was about to cry.

"Minnie, Ingrid's going to be staying with Lindsey Hendershot while I'm gone. I'm not sure how long I'll be there, but I've got four months before I have to report to training camp."

He knew she wouldn't disobey him, but she looked horrified at the prospect of being away from Ingrid for any amount of time.

"Master Charlie," she began, "Minnie thinks it would be better all around if Minnie kept Ingrid…"

"Don't worry, I want you to go with Ingrid and help Lindsey. It would be kind of awkward if muggles saw Ingrid here without adult supervision."

"Minnie is 128 years old, Master Charlie…"

Charlie grinned. "I don't question your ability and I trust you absolutely, but I'm afraid non-magical people wouldn't understand and I just can't take that chance. You do understand, don't you?"

Minnie sniffled and nodded sadly. "Minnie understands."

"Take care of my girl, Minnie."

"With Minnie's life, Master Charlie," she vowed and Charlie believed her.

"You can bring your demon dog with you, too," Charlie said, referring to Hercules, Minnie's very badly behaved Chihuahua. Minnie burst out crying clutching Hercules to her chest. She was afraid that Hercules wouldn't be welcomed and she was so attached to her that the thought of having to leave her beloved dog alone caused her great anxiety.

Charlie stayed up all night, sitting in his favorite chair, drinking beer. He didn't say a word, but stared out at the Christmas tree that Gretchen and Ingrid had put up. Most of the ornaments were eye level with a growing four year old, but Gretchen allowed her to decorate the tree the way she wanted to. One of the "forever" ornaments was a picture of Charlie and Gretchen holding Ingrid on their wedding day. There weren't any presents under the tree yet, but there were a few small things made by Ingrid for him and Minnie and even a gift for Hercules in their stockings. Gretchen's stocking was missing.

By the time the sun rose the next morning, Charlie knew exactly what he was going to do.