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Chapter 109: Penitents, Part 4
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Mastering Charlotte Chapter 110: Penitents, Part 5
MichaelCharlotte stirs, rubbing her neck and grumbling under her breath. Eyes still closed, she groans and straightens up, then blinking open, she startles before........ What's that expression?.... It's not pleasure at seeing us...."Sleep well?" I ask, not troubling to hide my irritation.She's still kneading at her stiff neck. "No, not really. What are you two doing here?""What are we doing here?" says James. "What are you doing here? You scared the hell out of us this morning. Where d'you think you're going?""Home. Well, back to college anyway.""Like this? Walking?""Only to the station." She drips sarcasm. "They have trains there, you know.""For God's sake," he snaps. "Get in the car. We can talk back at the house."She huffs. "No, we can't. I'm done with talking.""Charlotte," hisses James. "I'm telling you. Get in the car, and we'll talk about last night, back at the house, where we have some privacy." Her face blanks, but there's steel in her e
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 111: Penitents, Part 6
MichaelI've nothing better to do with my time, so I join her on the next machine, jogging along to keep her company. I'm out of condition. Five minutes and I'm tired, with a weariness that penetrates through to the bone. Nonetheless, I keep going, staying with her.After a few minutes, panting and sweating, she knocks down to a cool-off sequence, dropping from a hard cross-country pounding to a jog, to a walk and then, done. Grabbing a bottle of water, she splashes a handful over her face, then glugs down a dozen swallows.Leaning against the wall, she looks up, peering into my face. "Michael. You look like hell. What's wrong?"Where do I begin…?Lost for words. I shake my head."Come on," she says, "We're old friends, aren't we? What's the matter?" She gulps down some more water, waiting for my reply, then, "Is it that girl you got involved with last year?"Sick at heart, I simply nod.Her head tilts, her expression softening. "Want to talk about it?" she offers. "C'm
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 112: Penitents, Part 7
JamesMichael's right. In my room I regard the image in the mirror, trying to be honest with myself. I'm okay looking; nothing spectacular, not compared to a man like Michael, blessed with spectacular good looks.But good looks per se were what never drew women to me. Always they were attracted to what they could read in my face. Those who were interested, always knew when they saw me. I'm a thorough going Dom. I never had problems getting women of the right inclinations....But now....I've not bathed or showered in weeks or changed my clothes in almost as long. Unshaven, dirty........ and Michael was dropping some heavy hints that I don't smell too good either… I disgust myself....This is no way for a man to behave.Michael has the right of it........ Let's go find her....We'll settle anything else between ourselves later....Standing under the shower, I set the temperature way up beyond what I normally would, as hot as I can bear it. The shower is an ex
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 113: Penitents, Part 8
MichaelThe cafe stinks. A miasma of rancid grease hangs in the air, and as we sit at a table, my hand sticks to the vinyl surface.The customers aren't much better. They're not the addicts and the drunks we passed along the way, but they are the poorest of the poor, the lost and the lonely. The have-nots and the never-hads. Louts and boors who think that a girl who serves coffee might deliver more.What the fuck's she doing working in a place like this?Then I realise I spoke out loud. James nods, his lips pressed white.We take a table, and now closer to her, we can see. Charlotte moves slowly, with a weary air that speaks of exhaustion and hopelessness. She's lost weight. Her skin is sallow and her hair dark with grease. There are deep shadows under her eyes, but more than that, her sparkle is gone.... When did you last have a good night's sleep?.... and I don't care for the way some of the clientele are looking at her.She wipes down a counter. As we sit, glancing
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 114: Penitents, Part 9
James"And working in that dump of a café," adds Michael. "Why?" There is no compromise to her angry tone, "A girl's gotta eat and pay rent. And to do that, she has to work.""In this miserable place?" I say. "What happened to the money you had? And the money I sent you?"Her voice rising, "The money I had, I still have, because I am going to need it to fund the next year or so. And I don't know anything about any money that you sent me.""I paid it to your bank, to see you alright," I say. She just stares at me. "You haven't checked your account recently?""No need. I'm living on my earnings. And if you sent money, I'll damn well send it back. I am not available for purchase!"Michael, arms folded, drops his head, turns his face away. No........ I didn't mean...."Charlotte, I didn't mean it like that...."Jade… I'm not trying to buy you....".... I just want to know that you're okay. Not living like…" Helplessly, I gesture around the rancid flat. ".... not
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 115: Penitents, Part 10
Michael"What do we need to watch for?" asks James."You can expect her to have a headache, Perhaps some short-term memory loss. She may not remember what happened this evening. The headache should fade within a few days. Should you find she suffers from dizziness, blurred vision, noise or light sensitivity.…"James cuts her short. "I'd like a medic on hand to keep an eye on her.""Mr.…" The doctor pauses, her expression sour...."Alexanders.... James Alexanders.""Mr Alexanders. This is a public service. We do not have the staff to send them haring off after every case that comes in here. If a case is serious enough to merit that, the patient should remain with us. We can keep her overnight....""No," he says curtly. "She leaves with us. Put me in contact with whoever I need to speak to provide her with medical support...." James' glance strays to a large poster.... "I see you're looking to raise funds for a new scanner...." He pulls out his wallet and holds it, apparent
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 116: Penitents, Part 11
James"She's fine," says the doctor. "Just keep her in bed. Keep her warm, well fed and plenty of fluids. "Is there someone to keep an eye on her for a few days?""Yes.""Yes.""Fine. I'll be back tomorrow." She hands Michael a card. "Call this number if there's any problems in the meantime." Michael follows to show her out.Charlotte, sitting up in bed now, cradling a glass of lemonade, watches me, her eyes wary.How the hell do I handle this…?I sit, keeping my distance from her. There is no compromise in her eyes."You were right," I begin. "I've surrendered my right to have any say in what you do now. But you can't go anywhere until you are back to full health. After that....""After that?" She drips suspicion.".... after that, I ask that you remain here until we can sort out your situation. If you insist on leaving, it's your choice, but neither of us wants to see you return to that place, that area, that job.... You're better than that, and you deserve more."
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 117: Penitents, Part 12
JamesI sinned against you…...and I owe you my penance....I want you to have a good life, Jade. Even if I am no longer part of it.How do I make that happen?"You have a lot of work to do," I say. "You do realise that for engineering qualifications, you will need practical experience to be certificated?" She's nodding.... ".... You will be required to work in some relevant industry. Typically, it extends a Bachelor of Science course from three years to four."You've lost her as a lover….... Try to keep her as a friend........ so be a friend....… Help her....She's all little-girl enthusiasm. "Oh, yes… In fact that's one of the things I'm doing now." She picks up a thick sheaf of papers, waving them at me. "I'm applying to various firms to see if I can get sponsorship of some kind, someone who would employ me for the work experience during vacations, perhaps even pay me something…"Sensible girl........ selling yourself for what you're really worth...."G
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