𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒆 | ✔

9 | Just the Right Person

IN HER OVERSIZED COAT, Lottie stared down at her hammock, now apart on one side, and huffed. Moments later, she came forward, grabbed at the rope, and began tying it to a tree. It had come down last night. With all said and done, she stepped back and looked it over. 

She gave a small smile, but then it disappeared. Maybe now she could read outside, despite winter coming around the corner. It could keep her mind off of just yesterday. 

That was when she shivered, remembering his message:

 You're right, this won't work. I wish I had realized it before, but at least I do now: you've never been anything like a sister to me. I won't make that mistake again. Don't you ever come back.

Lottie had memorized every word since yesterday. Last night, they haunted her in her sleep and she was exhausted for work, but she needed the money. And Hazel was still giving her the cold shoulder, which only had things worse. 

"Maybe," she began, hugging herself, "I should just tell her..."

"Charlotte!"

Lottie flinched, lost her balance, and fell forward. Before turning, she stood and dusted herself off. "Penny! Long time, no see."

"You'd think I was a ghost!" Standing short and hunched, Penny lingered in her gateway, fence in hand, before leaving it open and trudging over. "It's been a while... and I heard you out here, so I thought now was as good a time as any."

"Oh, yeah, yeah, I don't mind."

For a moment, her dark grey eyes searched hers. "Did you even sleep?"

Lottie stiffened but smiled. "Yes, of course, I did. Why else would I have gone to work? I mean, I'm sure you know that because you keep close tabs on me, right?"

Penny closed her hanging mouth, raising a finger. "You remember our stalker, yes? Your brother? I know you were just as scared as me, even if you don't like admitting stuff like that. You've always wanted to be portrayed as the mature, independent adult, anyway."

"Penny," Lottie said, resisting choice words, "he's gone. Eliott isn't coming back anymore."

"Well, when you first heard my voice, Charlotte, you fell. Now, why is that?" Penny pressed on, leaning her face in. "Perhaps, this whole stalker thing isn't over and you're still looking out for him? Right?"

"Penny, you know I'm clumsy!" Lottie scowled but stepped back, regaining her composure. "You know I've always been clumsy. It's one of the things I haven't been able to overcome with age. My obsessive cleaning is the same way. In fact, I should probably go in now because I just fixed my hammock... and now my hands are filthy."

"Listen, just," Penny said and sighed, looking down, "just let me know if you need anything, okay? I'm old and my daughter, Silvia, is dead. I've got no more living relatives, so I like to talk from time to time, but I can respect that you've got things to do."

"Good, thank you." This time, Lottie gave a genuine smile. "You've always been a good neighbor, you know. If not, a bit obsessive!"

Penny smiled but straightened. "If there's something you're not telling me, Charlotte, now's the time. From what you've told me, your brother was sweet at times, but other times... Well, you get the point."

"Goodbye, Penny."

"Goodbye, dear."

-

Suddenly, there was a gentle knock at the door. And then another. 

She peered down at her phone, saw that it was 8:06 PM, and huffed. Soon enough, she had dragged herself from bed and stumbled to the door. Before answering, she checked her wrists, making sure they were covered. 

When the door opened, Joseph smiled down at her, suddenly stiff. 

"What are you doing here, you big dummy?" she teased, mustering her own smile.

His brown eyes sparkled, looking into hers. "I just... Could I come in?"

"Come on, we're past this." Lottie stepped aside, gesturing him in. "We even kissed... You don't need to act shy anymore."

"Lottie, I have something to tell you."

She was ready to shut the door, waiting off to the side, but he lingered in the doorway. "Joseph, what are you doing? Come inside! You'll let bugs in."

He faltered, still looking at her, but nodded and slowly proceeded into the house. "You sound chirpy and everything, but... I don't know. There's something different in your eyes." He was staring now, lips drawn. 

"What do you mean?" Lottie looked around, suddenly shifting. 

"Look at me. What's wrong?"

It was her turn to falter. Those were the same words Eliott had said all those years ago. In response, she had admitted that she wanted to die-

"Lottie?"

"Huh?" Looking up, she met his gaze again. Only, now hers held back tears. "What did you say?"

"I'm asking you what's wrong." Then, with an exhale, he came forward and wrapped her into a hug. 

Despite the situation, she stayed still for a moment, letting it happen, before pulling back. "I-I'm really fine, Joseph. Don't worry about me. Please."

"You were awfully quiet at work again today." Suddenly, his face hardened and he searched her. "This isn't about when we went to the park, is it?"

"No, no," she returned, holding up a hand. "That was... well, that was wonderful, actually."

Joseph shifted, looked around the room, then back at her. "Lottie?"

"Yeah?"

Slowly, the man averted his gaze and nodded. "Why are you playing with that bracelet?"

"Wh-"

"I mean, you've only been wearing it recently, but it seems to mean a lot to you these days." Joseph gave a small sigh, still looking her over. "I often see you fidgeting with it... like right now. Is it... Is it about him?"

"You know, I think I like the old you better." Lottie gave him a side-glare, ready to defend herself, but looked down instead. 

"I'm only this way because I can see how much you're hurting."

After a moment, she finally looked him in the eye, holding in a thousand words. "Joseph?"

"Yeah, Lottie?"

"There's a lot you don't know about me, but... I think I'm ready to open up." Lottie gestured to the couch, offering a smile. "But first, would you like some coffee?"

Hey there! This chapter was meant to be entirely different, but then I realized that these scenes fit in nicely. So, instead, what should have taken place here will be in the next chapter. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it! Suggestions of any kind are welcome.

Well, time for some questions! Here they are:

1) Does your family know about your Wattpad account?

2) What are your favorite genres?

3) Lastly, what are your favorite television shows?

Well, that's everything. I hope you're well and God bless. <3