It was 8 months ago, when Charlotte got a distraught call from Veronica Hastings. All she really heard, from the normally calm collected woman, was that Spencer wasn't coming home and Radley. It took her by surprise to even hear the institution come up. Radley, that is were they took the locals for mental problems and self harm patients. None of that seemed like the over achiever, she knew as Spencer. Aunt Roni collected herself and spoke again.
"I just don't understand how this could have happened. How did we not see her downward spiral?"
"No offense here, Veronica. I have seen it coming for a long time. It's not normal for a girl her age to see or been the through. I mean how many people do you know who have seen two friends and a brother in law die in less than 4 years. I have been in war and not seen that." Charlotte said it simply.
"I still don't see how I missed it."
Charlotte thought that she was joking but this woman was being serious. How did she miss it. Hello, maybe the trips between Philly and New York did the trick. Charlotte shook her head of that as she came back to the present.
Charlotte thought that she was joking but this woman was being serious. How did she miss it. Hello, maybe the trips between Philly and New York did the trick. Charlotte shook her head of that as she came back to the present.
Spencer had told Charlotte about A and how they had come back worse than ever. She went the through the gut wrenching story of Maya and Emily. The teen told her about Emily killing Nate ,or was it Landon. Apparently, quirky Aria was dating a teacher. The same guy had a seven year old kid. Formerly known as Hefty Hanna had been ran over by the Vanderwaal girl. She had also sank a Rosewood patrol unit in the lake by Nanna's lake house. Spencer's eye lit up like Christmas tree ,when it came to Toby. They immediately darken ,when she went to detail about the fake death. She turned into a clam ,when Alison became the topic.
"She treated us so horrible and we just let her. We never knew her at all." The youngest Hastings finished.
"Teenage girls are shady as fuck. I should know I dated some of the most crazies in Rosewood." Charlotte joked. "But was never able to grow out of that stage. If she wasn't murder. Alison would have grown out of it, burp just like you and the rest of your friends were robbed of a normal high school experience." Charlotte took a large gulp of her coffee. "I never went through or thought anyone I knew would go through what you have. Your stronger than I was. When I lost Katie the only thing that got me through the day was cups of codeine and handfuls of bars. You Have been through more than i have. You can and will get through anything else." She downed the rest if her cup, stood up and kissed Spencer on top of the head. "Your not the first Hastings to go mental nor will you be the last."
"You know your the first person to ever just out right say I lost it. Everyone else just beats around the bush. Even Melissa, and we all know how much she likes to spare my feelings." Spencer said with a grunt, as she looked at the ground.
"I have been in your boat. Maybe not Radley, but we both know I've been in a very dark place. Rehab is very similar, I would think. You know talking, finding out who you are or in my case finding out your not chemically balanced" the older Hastings said, while she was leaned against the knotted wood railing.
"How did you know you were ok again?" The future UPenn student asked.
"I'm not. There are days where all I can think of is being vacant. I did some much stuff in high school that I don't remember. My whole junior year is a big blurry. I don't remember winning the state titles for water polo, track or soccer. The things I do remember aren't great at all."
"When did it all start the using?
"
"That's the easy!" Charlie laughed. She turned her back to Spencer and looking out in to the flat land." After the accident, I lost it. Just my thoughts drove me insane. Katie was everywhere in Rosewood. I couldn't look at a tree in that town and not think of her. I went to the lake house and I got hammered alone and I still ended up at her grave in tears. The next night, I went to a party at Sarah Vaughn's. Someone had some weed. We smoked it. This guy next to me was drinking out of a styrofoam cup. I chugged half of it. I was hooked from one sip. It changed my whole mood. From that moment I couldn't sleep without it." She shook her head of that old memories. "That's enough about me. We are here to talk about you." She changed the subject.
"I told you everything." Spencer said confused on what she meant.
"Sure, you have. Your still hiding something." Spencer tried to protest that comment ,but the MP stopped her. "I am trained in reading people remember. Your not ready to talk yet. That's fine. I won't push yet. I will get you to tell me. Not now but I will."
"I will.I promise. I'm still not where I can talk about it, and not have a break down."
At the moment, Henry decided to busy through the door. "Sorry I wasn't interrupting was I?"
"No, I was just going shower. I think I could smell myself." Spencer said. Charlie leaned in and took a sniff.
"Oh God, you do need to shower. I think you made my eyes water. Your mom would have a cow if she knew you smelled like that" She said dabbing away the fake tears.
"Your an asshole. You know that. And you." She said pointing at Henry, who was doubled over in laughter, "You are not helping this situation." She briskly walked inside and up the stairs, to her room and slammed the door in fake anger.
The two friends walked into the the large spacious living room that was covered in family photographs and awards. They saw Gala putting the finishing touches on dinner. The 65 year old Russian could run circle around a woman half her age. She looked nothing like a woman ,who have been around for more than a half century. Hell, her hair just started to turn gray. On a good day she stood at a whopping 4'6 feet tall. Charlotte had planned on having the kitchen redone. Gala had none of it. Stubborn old woman throw a fit, when she saw a step latter appear at the house. After that Charlotte and Henry stopped trying to help her.
"What did you two do her? Never had anyone slam a door in this house like that." She asked confused.
Henry spoke first,"I didn't do anything she did."
"Thanks for throwing me under the bus. Jackass. OUCH! What was that for? Charlie asked rubbing the back of her head.
"I told you. That language not allowed in my house."
"Sorry, Gala!" She said kicking an invisible pebble on the floor like a three year old.
"You go get ready once your cousin is back down. We will be having dinner." Gala informed, as she started to set up the table.
They sat around the dinner table like they have done every night since Spencer gotten there and played high low. Charlie claimed old habit die hard. Henry just got done say that his high was pinning Charlotte was his high and falling down the front steps after getting lunch was the low.
"So that's why the sandwiches were smushed and the potato salad was stuck to the top of the container." Spencer chuckled as she put a good helping of bacon wrapped green been on her plate.
"Your turn Spencer." Henry directed. He scooped up a couple of slices of pork loin and passed it to Charlie.
"My high was our talk in the porch. The low was not being ready to go into more detail than what I had." The youngest at the table admitted.
Charlie smiled reached across the table and just patted her hand." In time you will let me more in. Oh, I am going into town after dinner if any of you want to come."
"I am in. I would like to get some junk food before the girls get here. Maybe some movies that aren't all about car explosions and half naked women." She giggled as Gala gave a disappointed look at the only two women lovers at the table.
"I am surrounded by these sex crazed loonies all the time. Finally another woman ,who can understand my pain." The Russian said than let out hearty laugh.
"We are not sex crazed. I maybe be a loony but not sex crazed." Charlotte defended.
Spencer and Charlotte made their way into town. Charlotte pulled up to the St. John's Episcopal.
"Okay kid, I am going to a meeting. It shouldn't run longer than an hour or so. If it does over I will text you." The recovering drug addict said and got out the car.
"You know for a NA meeting your really dressed up." The teen said. She looked at her cousin. Charlotte could still cleanup nice. The Diesel Jeans went great with her pink and purple tailored Isaac Mizrahi button down. The Bed Stu Astral Boots were the icing on the cake.
"I was to taught over dress for any occasion. I let it slide ,when it comes to work. For all we know I could meet my next wife at this meeting" Charlie shot back. "The general store will close in like 30 minutes. Go straight and turn left at the thrift light. Than park in front of the Daylight Diner. It's across the street. Ms. Minnie will help you out. It's an old school store ,like they get everything for you. Add whatever you get to the ranch's tab."
"Wow, I never knew you could sound so adult. It's kinda weird to hear." Spencer said.
Charlie laughed waved to Spencer indicating to leave.
The ride back home was quiet. The only sound that came out of the cab was when Thrift Shop by Macklemore. Charlie confessed that Otherside and Starting Over by him help her through a lot of her bad days. Spencer confesses that she wished she had never been picked by Alison. Charlotte knew from that moment Spencer is one step closer to telling her what had really that summer all those years ago.