The cool autumn breeze played with Charlie's hair as she walked on the beach in the early morning light. Remembering her first night with Joey in her car and how the early morning rays shined on Joey, giving her this angelic aura all around her. Her angel, her beautiful angel. She sat on the beach and stared out to sea in hopes of seeing the boat that took Joey away make its way back to her. She so wished that she misunderstood three months for three days, that it was just a three day trip. That Joey would be arriving later on in the day and she would be there waiting for her with a smile and her declaration of love for her. Charlie had endured another rough night, with the storm, the worrying, but Joey's text did calm her down and she managed to settle down for a bit. Joey misses her and loves her, too! That brought a smile to her face as she kept staring out to sea. As she starts to walk towards home she notices Aden approaching her looking just as destruct as she feels.
"Hi Charlie, how are you doing?"
"Hi Aden. I'm doing just fine!"
Charlie said those words with so much sarcasm that Aden didn't buy into it and told her that he felt the same way. Charlie felt like she could open up to Aden, he was a good friend to Joey and had helped her throughout the whole Robbo ordeal.
"I just messed up the best thing that ever happened to me, in my life. I single handed sabotaged my chance at true love and happiness!"
"I hear you, I pretty much did the same thing! Have you heard from Joey?"
At hearing Joey's name, Charlie felt her heart twisting and tears began to roll down her cheeks, she couldn't control herself any longer and started to cry. Aden added two and two together and realized that the person that Charlie was crying over had to be Joey.
"It's Joey the love you are obviously crying over, isn't it?"
Shaking her head and trying to composed herself Charlie said.
"Yes. I'm surprised you didn't know about it already. The whole town has been having a field day gossiping about the female cop and her female lover."
"I've been having some love woes of my own, there hasn't been room in my mind for stupid people gossiping about things they have no business talking about, in the first place."
"I wish more people in town shared your point of view."
"Charlie, I know how you are hurting right now, but I'm sure Joey will be back soon and the two of you can have another go at it."
"I don't know Aden. I've given Joey every reason in the world not to trust me ever again. Right now, I'm just trying to win her back one day at a time. The biggest obstacle is me! I'm such a chicken shit for putting people's opinions and judgements ahead of my love for her. I'm hoping that by the time she comes back....by the time she comes back I've faced all the demons and let go of all the fear that's in my heart. I'll be the person that she needs, wants and loves."
"It looks like you are making a lot of progress already. I know it's not easy to open up to people and you are doing it already with me!"
"You're right, Aden. But the road ahead is long and treacherous, I guess I just have to keep focus and not let anything get in my way."
"You can do it, I know you can."
"What about your love woes...can you win back the girl of your dreams?"
"My story is just as complicated as yours, maybe even more so. I broke up with Belle, while she was in rehab, even though I still had feelings for her I cheated on her with Nicole and she showed up yesterday and caught me and Nicole having sex! So, there is no way Belle is going to even consider getting back together with me after what she just witnessed"
"That's a pretty shitty situation to be in. At least you and Belle were on a breakup. I cheated on Joey, while we were together! My situation is just a tad worse than yours!"
"You did?"
"Yeah, and now you know why I'm going insane and drowning in my own self pity!"
"How about we go drown our misery in a few beers?"
"What at eight o'clock in the morning?"
"Now is a good time as ever, come on my treat!"
"In that case by all means lead the way."
As Aden and Charlie walk away from the beach, Charlie's mobile rings. It's a new text message from Joey. LAST NIGHT WAS THE SCARIEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE...WHAT KEPT ME GOING WAS THE THOUGHT OF YOU! THE SEA WAS SO ANGRY LAST NIGHT AND THIS MORNING IT'S PEACEFUL AND CALM. IT'S REFLECTING MY STATE OF MIND AND HEART. I LOVE YOU XOXO.
Charlie had the biggest smile going from ear to ear. Her heart was doing flips and she knew that Joey was going through the same agonizing emotions as she was. This was a crucial time for both of them. They each had to sort out their lives and although being apart was painful, it was also necessary. Joey needed time to mend her broken heart and also to find it in her heart to forgive Charlie. While Charlie had to deal with her fears and accepting herself for who she was. Even though this wasn't the boat she was looking out to sea for, Joey's text message was a positive sign that she needed. She knew that she wasn't the only one suffering. Joey was hurting just as bad. Three months might seem forever, but at this moment in time it might be a blessing in disguise for both of them to start the healing process.