"You've been out a lot lately, sweetheart," Mom remarked, blowing on her spoonful of steaming hot soup.
Charlie momentarily froze at her words, immediately lowering his eyes. "Oh, yeah," He mumbled. "I guess."
"It's not a bad thing," Dad jumped in to say, reassuringly.
"Oh, no," Mom shook her head. "Of course. We're just-"
She looked towards her husband for the right words to say. He remembered when he first came to live with them. Back then, he'd been a mere foster kid. She'd been overly worried about saying something that would upset him. It wasn't so bad now. He was glad for that. It'd been a bit annoying to deal with.
"Surprised," Dad finished for her. "That's all. You don't usually go out that much."
He shrugged, not wanting to get into the topic of Stephanie with them. He wanted to leave that alone.
"Is it with that girl again?" Mom asked with hope in her voice. "You know, dear, you never did tell us anything about her."
She was trying to hint, to initiate the conversation.
"There's nothing to say," Charlie said.
"Sure there is," Dad said. "Her name, her age and how you know her." His face softened. "We just want to know you're safe when you're gone. Your mother and I trust you but as parents we need to know these things."
Charlie needlessly stirred his soup, his appetite vanishing. He should be grateful they care. That's what he'd be told by his former social worker. Or anyone else, too. His real dad didn't care about him. That was why he ended up in foster care and subsequently adopted in the first place.
He knew he ought to be thankful for what he had now. But it was difficult to accept some days. For so long, he hadn't had a concerned parent ask him questions about his whereabouts or telling him to be safe. It was suffocating sometimes. He just wanted to be left alone. He could handle stuff himself. He'd survived eleven, nearly twelve years without adequate parental guidance. He wasn't inept or something.
With his elbow on the table, he propped his face in his palm, covering a small part of his mouth. "Her name's Stephanie. We went to elementary school together. She's in the same grade as me."
"Oh, how nice," Mom exclaimed. "She can show you around the high school in the fall."
He didn't say anything, remembering that Stephanie offered to do just that. Even with how he'd treated her back in fifth grade.
She only feels sorry for you
She probably feels like she has to be nice to you
You know, after everything
What if she was faking? There was no way she was happy to see him. She couldn't be. Why would she be? It was just his imagination. That was all. He'd wanted to believe that she was.
"Charlie, sweetheart? Are you alright?"
He jerked. "Yeah, why?"
Mom looked a little worried. "You've been staring down at your soup. Are you sure you're alright? Is there anything you need to tell us?"
"Rae, don't push him," Dad told her.
Charlie blushed. "No. No. Everything's fine."
Mom didn't believe him. She looked like she was going to protest but Dad shot her down. "Well, just remember you can always talk to us if you need to."
"Right," Charlie had no intention of taking them up on that offer. If he didn't willingly talk in therapy, what made them think he'd want to spill his guts to them?
Like, they weren't terrible. Honestly, he owed a lot to them-but there were some things he just wouldn't do. Heck, he didn't even start calling them mom and dad until a couple of months ago-and they'd been in his life since was eleven. It was just..hard. They couldn't expect him to be all affectionate and happy and gushy like one of the Brady Bunch kids. That wasn't him. And they should know that. They couldn't expect him to be someone he wasn't.
And what he wasn't was-
Normal.
A normal person his age who didn't have all these complicated feelings and second guesses and things that simply made him want to scream.
He should be over this by now! It's been years since he was taken-rescued, saved-by child protective services. Six years since he last lived with his dad. Five years since he last saw his face at his trial that Charlie had to testify at. Six years since he'd felt his dad's hand.
And the nightmares were still fresh, burdening him as if it all just happened yesterday.
/
Charlie dug his hands into his jean pockets. He walked alongside his Mom as they made their way through the grocery store. He was bored out of his mind but made to go along because his parents didn't just want him staying behind at the house alone. Besides, they'd said, it would be good to get out for a while. He hadn't gone to the burger joint for a few days, mostly keeping himself shut in his bedroom. This prompted them to ask if anything was wrong, if he and Stephanie had a fight. He'd only muttered a no and left it at that.
He was probably overreacting. He was just...embarrassed, maybe? He didn't really know. Only that he just needed to stay away for a bit. And maybe...maybe the milkshake didn't even matter! Maybe it was really because Stephanie brought back unwanted memories that couldn't be forgotten.
"Do we need butter?" Mom's voice broke through his hazy thoughts.
"I guess," He shrugged.
"You're supposed to be on top of this," She joked, gently nudging him. She was simultaneously pushing the cart and reading through her scribbled handwriting on the list she'd made. "Well, I suppose we'll get some anyway."
Rounding the corner, the two of them walked in silence. It was a welcomed change of pace compared to the other times when she would talk to fill in the silence. Charlie would stop every so often when she did as she threw a few more items into the cart. Occasionally, she would ask him if he wanted anything. He'd shrug or mumble his answer.
If he was with his dad-his real dad-he wouldn't tolerate like his adoptive mother was doing. He'd be grabbed by the scruff of his neck or his wrist would be twisted painfully or he would give him that look. The look that caused Charlie to feel as though he were doused in icy water.
Just wait until we get home, it would convey. That tiny smirk on his lips. Charlie's stomach would plunge all the way to the floor, knowing what was coming next.
"Charlie, watch out-!"
He hadn't been paying attention as to where he was going. As a result, he nearly walked right into someone's cart. The words got caught in his throat. Some people stared and then went on their way. He stood there, rigid as a board. He heard his mom come beside him.
"Are you alright?" She asked before turning to the stranger, who hadn't gotten angry like most people would. "I'm terribly sorry about that."
"Oh, no. Don't worry about it," An oddly familiar voice said. "No harm done."
Charlie frowned, trying to place a name to it.
A tall, thin man with neatly combed brown hair came into view. Charlie froze.
He remembered him.
He'd insulted him.
Stephanie's dad.
Oh, what were the odds? Why did this have to happen now? He was cursed. There was no other explanation for it. Why else would he run into Mr. Tanner at the grocery store? It was completely ridiculous.
Mr. Tanner looked his way. His face had a funny expression for a moment, but it didn't last long. He seemed to recognize Charlie, who quickly lowered his eyes. "Charles! Wow, it's great to see you. You've grown since the time I saw you."
"Just Charlie is fine," He mumbled.
Mom watched their exchange with interest. "You know this man?"
Mr. Tanner extended his hand towards Mom. "Danny Tanner. My daughter knows Charlie here. They were partners in fifth grade, when...you know-"
Mom suddenly had recognition flashing across her face. "Oh, yes of course!" And then she let out a gasp. Charlie almost groaned. "That's the Stephanie you've been seeing lately?"
"Seeing?" Mr. Tanner repeated with that funny look again. He glanced at Charlie, silently wanting an explanation. He'd obviously misinterpreted, probably thinking when she'd said seeing, she'd meant dating.
"I saw her at the burger place a few times," Charlie said awkwardly. "We, uh...we just talked and caught up. That's it."
Mr. Tanner suddenly relaxed. "Oh, I see."
Charlie blushed.
"I didn't realize you were back. Jesse, my brother-in-law, told me about the whole thing and that you were taken out of school and your home, but Steph never told me you were back here."
"We just moved back," Mom said with a friendly smile. "My husband's jb relocated him here."
"That's nice," Mr. Tanner smiled as well. He then said to Charlie, "Are you going to Bayview in the fall?"
"Uh, yeah"
"Steph could probably show you around," Mr. Tanner said.
"I said the same thing," Mom chirped. "It's so nice that they know each other. I was a bit worried that when we came here he wouldn't have any friends-" Charlie wished she could voice her thoughts in private instead of out in the grocery store where prying ears would hear everything. "It's such a relief that he has your daughter, Mr. Tanner."
"Call me Danny," Mr. Tanner said warmly. His face brightened up. "Say, are you guys busy on Friday around five? You could come over for dinner. I'm sure Stephanie would love that."
Mom looked excited. Charlie felt his heart sink. That was the last thing he wanted to do. "Oh, that would be lovely! I would love to have some people to talk to. I need to discuss this with my husband but I could give you a call either way."
"Sounds good," Mr. Tanner produced a small pencil and a scrap of paper from his shirt pocket, writing down a number on it. He gave it to Charlie's mother. "If the line is busy, feel free to leave a message. My youngest daughter feels the need to live and breathe on the phone."
Mom laughed. "I'll do just that. Thank you, Danny."
Mr. Tanner grinned. "Alright, I'll see you, then."
Mom cheerfully told him goodbye. All the while, as Mr. Tanner walked away, Charlie shut his eyes defeatedly.
/
Much to Charlie's dismay, his dad thought it was a great idea to go. They would leave as soon as he returned home from work that day. Charlie had been hoping to hear otherwise; if his dad declined, then maybe he, too, could stay behind while his mom went ahead by herself. Unfortunately, that wouldn't be happening. He'd never get permission to stay home if they both went. Especially considering now they were aware of Stephanie; they'd want him to go so he could socialize with her.
And not be at home like a hermit.
Well, maybe that's what he wanted! He scowled. He was dreading this dinner. He didn't want to see any of them. It was going to be so embarrassing; the last time he'd been around those people, he'd insulted them and acted like a jerk. He imagined they probably wouldn't want to see him either. That is, if Mr. Tanner told them he and his family were coming.
"Oh, sweetheart-" Mom was simultaneously looking over some paperwork and tending to Margi, their wailing kitten that was demanding her food. "Could you phone the Tanners and tell them we'll make it on Friday?"
Charlie's mouth was dry. "Uh-"
"I meant to do it yesterday and I completely forgot."
Why did it have to be him? Couldn't she do it when she had some free time?
He gestured away from him in the opposite direction. "I have to-"
"Please?" She said to him, "I'd really appreciate it."
He groaned. "Fine."
This had to be considered emotional manipulation.
He picked up the landline, dialing the number on the scrap piece of paper she'd tossed to him. While he waited for someone to pick up, his heart started to speed up a little.
Maybe he'd get lucky and no one would pick up. Maybe Stephanie's sister-whatever her name was, he couldn't remember right now-was using it. Or maybe Mr. Tanner would answer. Anyone was better than-
"Hello?"
Stephanie
Crap, crap, crap!
"Oh, uh, hi," he said.
"Charlie!" Stephanie said happily. "Hey!"
"Hey..."
"Not to be rude or anything," She said with amusement lacing her words, how'd you get our number? I didn't give it to you."
Charlie rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, your dad did."
"My dad?" She repeated in confusion. "You saw my dad?"
"Uh, yeah. At the grocery store."
Stephanie was quiet and then she let out an "Oh." He wasn't sure what she meant by that, if anything. Was it a good oh or a bad oh? "Did Dad invite you and your family to come over on Friday?"
So she did know about it.
"Yeah," he mumbled.
"That's cool," She said. Charlie must have been hearing things because she sounded shy for some reason. And he didn't remember Stephanie Tanner as being shy in elementary school. "So, are you guys able to come?"
"Yeah. That's actually why I called. Mom wanted me to tell we can make it."
"Great!" Stephanie exclaimed. She toned down her enthusiasm-which had made a small come on his face. He didn't even know why. "Great. I'll try to get Dad to order pizza. Michelle's been begging for some."
"Isn't that-"
"The half a person?" Stephanie teased. Charlie remembered that and he let out a bit of a snort. Somehow, she was making him feel relaxed. It was kind of nice. "Yeah."
"Still not funny," He told her.
"Denial isn't just a river."
"In this case it is," He retorted.
"You'll have to admit it someday."
"Someday's not today ba-Tanner," he quickly covered his almost slip up. He would rather die than call her babe in front of his mother.
"I told you not to call me that," She mock scolded him.
"So sorry."
"Somehow, I doubt that."
He could feel his mother's eyes boring into his back. "Seems like a you problem." He added the babe part in his mind.
He ignored the way his mother sent him a one of those really annoying knowing smile as she grabbed a pen from beside him.
"Can I ask you something?" Stephanie said abruptly.
"Sure..."
"Is everything okay?" Not her too. He got enough of that question from his mom and dad.
"Yeah, why?"
Stephanie sounded embarrassed. "You haven't stopped by lately."
Oh, that.
"Been busy," He lied easily.
"Oh," She said quietly. "Okay. That's fine. I just didn't know if you still felt bad about the shake thing. I really wasn't upset with you."
But he'd been with himself.
"No, no," he said. "It's fine. I'm over it."
He practically murmured that last part so it wouldn't be heard by anyone but Stephanie.
"Okay, great," She was relieved. "Cool."
"Yeah," He said awkwardly.
There came a pause.
"Charlie?"
"What?"
"Don't laugh at me, okay?" She warned.
"No promises," He said.
He was pretty sure she must have rolled her eyes.
"Can I have your number so we can talk?"
He almost dropped the phone. "Huh?"
"If you want to," She added hurriedly. "I don't know-I just thought...more privacy, you know? Kinda hard to talk when I'm standing in the kitchen."
He knew how that was.
"But yeah, if you want to," She continued, attempting to sound casual but failing.
Charlie had to admit this was kind of amusing. He decided to take pity on her. He glanced downward at the floor. "Sure, Tanner."
"Really?" She was surprised and then recovered, trying to act casual again. "Cool." She gave him her number. He wrote it down, nodding in spite of her not being able to see him.
"Yeah, cool," He echoed.
"So, I guess I'll see you on Friday?"
"Yeah," He said. "Friday."
"Okay," She chirped. "Bye, Charlie."
She hung up.
He put the phone back down, subtly sliding the piece of paper that continued her cell phone number in his pocket, so his mother didn't see it when he faced her again.
"What?" He was a bit irritable at the sight of her grin.
"That was longer than I thought it would be," She remarked. "Were you, by chance, talking to Stephanie?"
He should have never told them her name.
"Yeah," He crossed his arms.
There was that smile again!
"That's nice," She said.
He rolled his eyes.
"I'm glad you have someone to talk to."
And next she would say he needed the interaction.
"You need that interaction."
Just as he thought; predictable.