Charlie froze. What was he meant to say in reply to that? He felt torn, unsure about what to do. His lawyer mind set told him to use his cross examination skills to manipulate Sophie into confessing about her traumatic past, but she wasn't some witness in his courtroom, she was his girlfriend. Here she was, the one girl that he wanted to be with forever, whimpering down the phone and silently begging for comfort. He wanted to ask why Sophie was afraid of her mother but he was scared of causing her further distress. "Sophie" He said softly. "My sweet Sophie, will you tell me why?"
Another stutter from Sophie turned quickly into more heart wrenching sobs. "No" she coughed "I mean ... Oh Charlie I'm sorry. I just can't. No now, not like this. I'm in such a state right now" The sound of her crying echoed around her room as she sat in complete darkness, only small flickers of light were flashing from cars racing past outside. She struggled to see these flickers of light through her blurred tear filled eyes like she was struggling to see the light in her situation right now.
Charlie sighed, he only wanted to help her in anyway that he could. "Of course my dear, you can take your time in telling me. I hope you understand that I only want to help you, I am not being nosy" He said "I love you Sophie Hall" Charlie could feel her pain and sorrow and only wanted her to be happy again. He wished that he could be with her but he knew that is was impossible right now.
"I love you too Charlie Wyman, and I know that you are only trying to help me" Sophie cried. "I'll call you tomorrow, I just need to calm down first. I'm not going to open this horrid letter. Not without you here with me, I can't do this alone" Sophie then threw the letter into a drawer and hung up the phone. Placing it down, she stepped across the room and laid into bed, curling up and sobbing allowing the pain to pour out of her in her tears.
Biting his lip, Charlie put the phone down and put his head in his hands. He knew that he would get to see her soon, flights would be starting up again in the next few days. He had missed her before he had spoken to her but now he was desparate to see her. He felt so bad for her, all alone in her big city with all her memories, fears and worries piled onto top of her and him with his family without a worry. But now he was worried for her.
Claire ran a hand through her hair as she saw her grandson sitting there. With a sigh, she went to him. "Charlie" she said. "What ever is the matter?" She stroked his cheek, looking at him with caring eyes as she sat down beside him gently.
"That was Sophie" he said "She's had a letter from her mother, she hasn't had any contact from her in over ten years. I know that her past must be broken and traumatic. You've seen the way that she reacts whenever her mother is mentioned, it's like she goes into shock. I was stupid and said that maybe her mom just wanted to talk to her again. I want her to tell me about her past but I don't want to upset her. Oh nan, she was crying so hard. She said that when she was a little girl, she wasn't afriad of things that little kids are normally scared of, she was afraid of her mom"
Claire put her hand over her mouth. She knew Sophie's mother left her when she was only nine years old but she had expected it only to be through a bad divorce not nothing more sinisiter then that. To Claire, Sophie was the angel like beautiful girl that had brought them all together and she hated to think of her being hurt. Sophie was Claire's sweet little Juliet. "Oh my" She said. "That poor girl. She should be with us here now, not all alone"
"I know gran, but the flights won't start again for at least two days" Charlie said, despration clear in his speech and in the light blue of his eyes, his forehead wrinkled in worry.
Claire kissed his forehead. "Call her everyday sweetheart" She said. "Don't try to get her to confess, just let her talk to you if she wants too. We will see her soon and maybe once she is comfortable here with us, she will start to tell us about everything she has been through. Has she opened the letter?"
"No" Charlie said shaking his head and standing up "She said she didn't want to open it when she was alone. She wants me to be with her when she opens it"
She nodded. "When she arrives we will both talk to her. Now, darling I know that you are a lawyer, but don't let your mindset tell you to start interrogating her" She said as her grandson nodded. "Good, that's my boy. You're are good to her but she is going to need both of us Charlie'
Claire loved Sophie dearly, like the granddaughter she never got to have. Sophie had instantly developed a close relationship with her and Claire knew that she felt comfortable enough to speak and to cry in her presence. Claire had never felt so close to another women then the time she had brushed Sophie's hair when the young women was upset. She could feel that trust between them then. She knew that when Sophie came in a few days, she would have to sit her down and talk to her. Claire made a silent promise to herself to give Sophie the love and care that she needed, the vital maternal touch that Sophie's life lacked.