"I should eat here more often," Lucy blurted.
Sally walked in the door, "I smell something good… what is she doing here‽"
"We have guest, Sal"
"I see that, but why is Violet here?"
"She's a guest, dear."
"No she's not, she almost cost Charlie his life, and she's in my seat," she walked over to Violet.
"I'm s-sorry, I'll move."
"Move right back home," she threw her thumb out and made Violet flinch.
"Sally stop it! You're scaring her!"
"Well, she's in our house, eating our food and after nearly killing him. She shouldn't even be here, especially in my seat. Sit on the floor, or something!"
"Sally Merideth Brown, pick another seat, or go to your room and eat! You will not disrespect this girl after what she's been through, this isn't how you were raised," Jennifer roared with a look that would cut stone.
"Fine," she took another seat.
Jennifer sat her a plate down, "I apologize for my rude daughter. Don't worry about her, she's all bark, she wouldn't hurt a fly."
"It's not her fault Sally, jeez, did you not watch the livestream? I would've done that for anybody.
"I did watch it. Maybe if she didn't fight Charlotte they wouldn't have tried to jump her… actions have consequences, right Violet? You can't always do things and get away with it."
"You fought somebody, why," Jennifer asked.
"I messed up. I got drunk and I went to get food and she was there. I saw her and thought about how she jumped Lucy with her friends… I got mad. I messed up. I drank something of my parents, I wanted the pain to stop and my dad when he comes home angry, has a drink and is fine afterwards."
"Violet, alcohol doesn't really work that way, most of the time it brings out the worst in people. Drinking on negative emotions is a bad thing," Jennifer explained.
"Maybe Sally should have consequences for her actions," Lucy mumbled.
"What was that, Lucy," Jennifer asked.
"I was just saying-"
"Lu, it's fine. It wasn't a big deal, she was just in shock," Violet interrupted.
"Who was in shock?"
"N-nobody," Violet glanced at Sally staring daggers at her.
"Sally," Lucy said after a bite.
"Did Sally do something to you," he asked.
Violet didn't say anything, just played with what was left of her food.
"I thought that too, but now I'm not so sure now."
"Please don't."
"I didn't do anything to her Lucy, right Violet?"
"Shut your mouth," Jennifer growled.
"Actions have consequences, right? I know you watched that stream, and this is how you treat her? I'm just going to say it; you hurt her. You know what happened, you know what we're going through, I'm thankful we can be friends, but she's my friend too. I chocked it up to the heat of the moment, but Linus had to yank you off and hold you after you shoved her into the side of her own car, pulled her hair and screamed at her. Sally I know you're better than that. You're still being cruel to her, but she doesn't deserve it."
"Sal… you can't blame her for that, it was my choice."
"Lucy! How could you just rat me out‽ Both of you should leave," she jumped up.
"You called me your big sister, I'm being big sister, and do you really think you can get us both out," she replied with her 'I dare you face', "you were wrong to do that to her and you know you're wrong. I thought it was just some knee jerk reaction, but now… I think you just hate her."
"I agree Lucy. You owe her an apology. We're going to have a talk when your dad gets home, take your food to your room."
"This isn't fair!"
"The way you treating her isn't fair."
"She's the one that's been evil to me and Charlie!"
"Does she look evil, or does she look scared? Obviously Charlie is more concerned about her wellbeing than her past actions. If she's afraid of your scrawny butt, then I know you haven't been kind to her. We're done here, go upstairs and that's final."
With a huff, Sally took her plate to her room.
"Thank you for saying something Lucy. I know you girls have a not so great past with my son, but if he can look past it, then I will. Relax Violet, my daughter is a brat."
"I'm sorry for causing all of this trouble, Misses Brown."
"It's no trouble Violet! I'm sorry for Sally."
"I do care about Charlie, I regret how I treated him, honest. He was there for me when nobody else was, I wouldn't have Lu or Pat if it weren't for him. I'd be…"
"Shhh… it's fine. I'm not mad at you, you seem like you have a big heart to share. If you're still hungry, you can get more- but tell me about yourself."
"It's okay Violet, don't let my sister get to you."
The mood lightened again and Jennifer had Violet prattling on while Lucy and Charlie just listened. Violet warmed up to Jennifer pretty quick. Finally his dad came home.
"There's a slick BMW parked outside, who do we know with one of those?"
"That's mine, sir."
"How does a young lady like you have something like that, you'd hafta be crazy rich or something," he laughed, "seriously, who's could it be?"
"We're not rich, but we are pretty wealthy."
"Dad, this is our friend Violet Gray."
"Violet Gray… Gray."
"Gray Industries, dad."
"So it's your dads car?"
"He drives a Bentley. My mom drives a Land Rover."
"Well it's nice to meet you Violet," he shook her hand, "Charlie, you sure have some exquisite taste in girls."
"Dad…"
"All the Brown men have great taste in women, good show," he went to the kitchen.
"Dad we aren't dating."
"Not yet! Wait till you lay down that charm!"
"He's already done that," she blushed and covered her mouth.
"Hey, what if it's me he's charming," Lucy asked.
"Lucy, you might be too much woman for him. Brown men are strong, but we're only mortals."
"He handles me just-," she gasped and covered her mouth.
"Charlie, is there something you're not telling me," Jennifer asked.
"Why there's nothing but scraps left," he walked back to the dining room, "I was looking forward to a bite, but not literally."
Violet looked at her plate, "I'm sorry, I must have took more than my share, I didn't mean to, sir."
"Don't worry about it, Violet, ya must've been hungry! There's still food in the kitchen. Real home cookin'll do that to ya, Jenny's a helluva cook, ain't she?"
"She is, it was really good."
"Relax, any friend of Charlie is welcome here, and welcome to our food. Eat all you want, I know your good for it."
"Sure, I can replace it, it's no trouble!"
"Reggie stop messing with the poor girl, she's been through enough."
"You're the girl good 'ol Charlie Brown saved, right?"
"Yes sir."
"I'll make a deal with you, how about I whip up a doggybag for you and you're welcome to have dinner any time you want? Sound like a plan?"
"It does," she smiled.
"I'm proud of you, son. I can't think of a faster way to a girls heart, than saving her life."
"Dad, c'mon!"
"All in good fun," he chuckled, "I'm glad you and Charlie are friends now, you won't regret it."
"He is a great guy, I really like him. I'm happy to finally be his friend."
"Violet, I'm happy to be your friend, too."
"Violet, Charlie told us the situation at the hospital, we feel for you, and if there's a way we can help, we would. You're welcome here if you need a place to breathe. He's a good judge of character," Reginald explained.
"Thank you sir."
They talked another thirty minutes learning more about Violet before the two girls were ready to go.
"Charlie dear, see the girls out, Reggie… we need to have a word with Sally about her actions tonight."
Charlie walked both girls to the door, "this was fun, I'll see yall later, yeah?"
"I wouldn't mind hanging out… you could come over to my house if you want," Violet said.
"Maybe I will."
"Not without me and Pat, you're not, mister," Lucy said.
"Of course I don't mind spending my day with the terrible trio," he smirked.
Charlie gave Lucy and Violet both a hug, "get home safe Violet."
"What about me?"
"I'll walk you to your door," he rolled his eyes.
"Hold it," Reginald walked up, "don't forget your doggybag, Violet."
"Thanks."
Charlie grabbed her free hand, walked her to her car, gave her a hug, "get home safe."
"Good night Charlie," she got in her car.
He watched her drive away, turned and looked at Lucy standing on the sidewalk, "c'mon you jealous baby," he held out his hand.
"Am not," she took it.
"You are, and it's kinda cute. But you don't need to be, I plan on getting close to the three of you," he walked her to the door.
"Not jealous."
"Mm'kay," he chuckled and gave her a hug, then tickled her a little.
"St-stop," she giggled, "okay, okay, I'm sorry, so I was a little bit jealous. Just a little. See you tomorrow, yeah?"
"Yeah."