friends in low places

Chapter Eight

As they pulled into Charlie's home, he was very relieved to see that neither of his parent's cars were in the driveway. He heavily sighed as he sat up and got out of the car. 

"Can we come in?" Phoebe asked cautiously, not wanting to overstep any invisible boundaries. 

"Yeah, I think that would help a lot." Charlie said as he dug out the spare key from a box hidden behind the porch steps. The house was nice, a two story with a double garage, a decent sized kitchen with granite counter tops. He felt numb as he entered the house, preparing himself to say goodbye to his childhood room, not knowing when he would ever be allowed back in here again. He nodded in the direction of his room to the boys, and started up the stairs. 

He first peeked in his brother's room, and was both saddened and happy that he wasn't there. His brother not being there made it much easier, but part of him wished he could have said goodbye. No use in crying over spilled milk though. Charlie made his way to his bedroom, and slowly opened the door. 

It was just as he left it, old tapestries and posters hanging off his walls, bed pushed up against the left corner, disheveled and unmade; random articles of clothing strewn about, and lastly, his first guitar, leaning against a wall across from his dresser. That was the thing he was most worried about, and he was glad to see it hasn't been touched during his time away. 

The boys were silent during this, taking in what remnants of Charlie was left in this room. A superman comforter, blue curtains, a huge stereo with a large selection of CDs, and the acoustic guitar, leaning against a wall. They could tell it was a nice guitar, maybe even vintage. They assumed that was an important part of Charlie's childhood; maybe a gift from a relative or the first thing he bought with his own money. They questioned nothing, just stood behind him, waiting for him to need them. 

"Well, I guess I better start packing my bags haha" Charlie said, faking a laugh. He was trying to appear like it wasn't affecting him as much anymore, but it was no use. He was broken and numb, he felt awful. He wanted it all to be over. The boys said nothing, Phoebe picked up a bag that was laying on the floor, and put it on his bed. Charlie looked at Phoebe and smiled. He was grateful that she was trying to hurry him along and get them all out of here. 

Charlie went through his dresser and his closet, taking any article of clothing he cared about. A lot of his clothes were too feminine for him now, but there were a few sweatshirts and many beanies he still liked and wanted to bring with him. He swung the bag over his should, picked up the guitar, and looked at the boys. 

"Well that is everything I care about. Let's get the fuck out of here." Charlie said, resentment seeping into his voice. 

"Agreed." All three of the boys said at the same time. That was something Charlie was still getting used to, how do they do that?

Charlie led the way out of his room, through the small hallway and down the stairs. He opened the door to let the boys out first when he heard a voice call his name. 

"Charlie!" The voice yelled, almost out of urgency. Charlie whipped his head around, already shaking, thinking he was caught by his father. The boys rushed back into the house, ready to shield Charlie from whatever it was that was waiting for them.

When Charlie realized who it was, he almost burst into tears. It was his little brother, with tears streaming down his face. Charlie's heart was breaking. 

"Tommy, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at grams?" Charlie asked, dropping his things and walking over to his little brother. 

"Well I was, but I overheard daddy talking to you, so I told gram I had to get something when I saw you pull in." Tommy said through sniffles. "I don't want you to leave Charlie! You didn't do anything wrong! Please don't go!" Tommy dropped to his knees as Charlie developed him in his arms. It was taking everything Charlie had to not start bawling with Tommy. He knew he had to be strong for him.