The Moonwalkers

Outburst

Charles
Christie stood before me as my opponent, what I've seen her as ever since I first found of her beastly heritage. This was the most determinate I've ever seen of her, other than the time she went to give Charlene's bully a piece of her mind back when she was in high school.
But this time, I was her opponent, not the stubborn girl that bullied Charlene. She must hate me so bad, she even turned down child support from me.
And I don't blame her. I don't blame her one bit.
It must've really pained her, how much I... I abused her upon finding out that she was a werewolf. Was it because I was mad at her for keeping something like that from me? Or was it because I was so scared of her and our children? Was it my cowardice towards werewolves that made me act that way?
I called her a monster, a person I've loved dearly for more than two decades. A monster.
And now she was refusing child support too. Despite how horrible I've been to her and the kids, they still showed me mercy, they helped me when I was in trouble, they forgave me even though it was my actions that got Charlotte kidnapped yesterday. They still avenged me, they made Freddy Thomas pay.
"No," I said. I can't just not do anything, after I've done so much damage. "I disagree. I agree that Christie has been doing a great job managing the kids, she is a great mom and a great wife." The judge looked surprised. "But I feel the need to pay her for all the things I've done to her and the children."
I can't do this, this is bad. My eyes are already tearing up, but I don't want to break down here. I buried my face in my hands and turned away. This is embarrassing.
"Mr Charles, it was you who applied for this divorce. Do you still agree to proceed with it?"
I turned back to the judge, nodding. "Yes. I do. I have done lots of things for them to hate me. I don't want them to put up with it anymore." I had to force those words out, like I was puking them out.
"What say you?" The judge asked Christie.
"No comment," Christie simply said as she shook her head, crossing her arms. "It wasn't me who filed for this divorce, but there isn't anyone else who wants it more than I do now."
She was right about that. I've been thinking that marrying her was the worst thing I've ever done, forgetting how it was actually the best. Even after how I treated her, she still treated me with such care and gentleness though she was a hairy beast with sharp teeth and claws.
I don't remember much, but feeling her presence beside me was all the comfort I needed that night. I guess, I knew better when I was half-asleep than I when I was wide awake. I think I held onto her at some point, I found a few strands of short brown hair between my fingers when I woke up.
Christie didn't even want to look at me now as she turned her stoic expression towards the judge as he declared an hour of recess for us to collect ourselves. This was directed towards me, no doubt.
The court was dismissed for now and I watched as Christie made a beeline directly for the children, taking Charlotte by the arm as soon as she reached the three. They were in matching clothes too, the two of them. Wonder if they planned it. Then again, maybe not.
I dragged myself off the dock and watched them leave the room, leaving me behind, standing alone. What do I get from this divorce if I win? Is it even called winning? I don't think I could ever find a woman better than Christie, nor could I ask for better children than the ones I already have. I don't need anything else, other than what I already have. And it's slipping away now because of my own actions. Who is to blame but myself?
I turned to judge's podium. There is still time. I still have a chance to save it.
I ran out the courtroom and looked around for Christie and the kids. They were nowhere to be seen, how did they leave so fast?
Just then, I spotted the back of Christie's head. It was her, I'm sure of it. She always leaves a small part of her hair untucked for style, kinda like a tail to her coiled bun. I spotted the others too, right beside her.
I ran towards them, reaching them right before they got into the car. They all looked so shocked, seeing how they stared at me with wide eyes.
"Christie," I began.
"What are you thinking?!" Christie shouted in surprise. "You chased us?"
This must seem strange to them. "Christie, I know what this looks like, but please. I surrender."
"Surrender? For what?" Christie scrunched her face up in disgust. "You're the one who started all of this."
"You refused to accept who we truly are," Charlene piped up. "That's the main reason we didn't tell you anything about it earlier. What we feared turned out to be true."
I shook my head. "No, Char. I was a fool. I did know who you truly are, all of you. And that's all beyond the canine features you have."
The four of them exchanged looks.
"And you're telling us this because...?" Chris chimed in.
I decided to say it out, tell them what I came to tell them. "Because I didn't know what I had. I didn't see the treasure I had in my hand just because it... it was packed differently than it usually was. It was the same thing on the inside as it was before, it had always been the same and I didn't see it just because the exterior changed." Saying all of that left me breathless as I stared at all of them for a reaction, to which they gave me none. "There, I said it."
"Okay," Christie simply nodded and proceeded to unlock the car. "Get in, kids. We can't be here loitering until two."
What? They're going? "No! Christie, please. Hear me out!"
Christie turned to me, annoyance written all over her face. "What do you want?"
"To call off this divorce," I said it directly. "I know, it was me who started all of it, I am at fault, I wasted your time, money, but I just can't let this happen. You guys are all I have, the best things I'll ever have."
Charlene stepped forward and put an arm around Christie. "Why the sudden change now? Did you suddenly come across some insurance policy?"
"What?" Is she implying that I'm planning to kill them for money? "Charlene, no! Why would I?"
"Then why?" Charlotte stepped up. "You disowned us. Why want us back now? Out of the blue, during the hearing?"
It stung, realising that she was right. I didn't see what I had till it was threatened to be taken away from me. I guess it's true what they say, you don't know what you have until it's gone.
"I didn't know what I had till it was threatened," I softly said. "Maybe I didn't see how much I cared about you until what happened yesterday. I didn't see how great a team you guys make, I didn't see the gold in your hearts."
A moment of silence passes before anyone spoke.
"Have you been reading nineteenth-century literature recently?" Christie looked at me strangely. "Because where is this poetic language coming from?"
I sighed. "I read Frankenstein recently." I admitted. "But whatever I'm saying is indeed coming from my heart."
Christie looked at me and smirked slightly. "I suppose you didn't even finish that book."
"How did you know?" I couldn't help but groan. "But please, guys. Please. I'm begging you. I don't want this divorce anymore. I'm sorry for calling you a monster, all of you. I didn't see it at first, but I do see it now. You guys are anything but monsters, I was the one who acted like one."
Christie turned to the children, then closed her eyes as she took a deep breath before turning back to me. "Charles. Go have your lunch. We'll meet you back at the courtroom at two."
With that, they got into the car and drove off, leaving me on the grassy pavement beside where the car once stood. I can't keep up with this, but I guess I deserve it.
They're only doing what I did to them.
I abandoned them no matter how much Christie begged.