Broken and Together

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Final Party

    "Come on, Dad, we're running late," Charlie said. "The party's probably already going."

    "I know," Henry said, turning the car onto another street. "I truly am sorry, Charlotte, but I wasn't counting on having such a long phone call this morning. I didn't know you were so eager to go to Evan's party."

    "He's a sweet kid." She watched the trees blur past the window. "I almost think of him as a little brother, really." She thought this especially, since Michael hadn't been a good brother to him at all recently. The thought depressed her, especially when mixing Sammy into the situation. Siblings meant a lot to her, since she didn't have one anymore. She sighed heavily, pressing her forehead against the glass. "Dad?"

    "Yes, Charlie?"

    "Why do you think Michael's acting like this?"

    "Like what?"

    "Oh, you know." She shut her eyes. "He's acting like such a jerk, just tormenting Evan constantly. I think you've only seen some of it, but I've seen basically all of what he's done." She paused. "Ugh okay, maybe not all, but I hate it."

    Henry breathed a sigh. "Ah, I'm sure. Some people go through phases, Charlie. He's in a confusing time of his life anyway, and some people just change. Sometimes for the better, but a lot of times, it may be for the worse, and you might feel like you barely recognize them anymore." Charlie reopened her eyes and gazed at her father through the rearview mirror. He now had a regretful look, his eyes shifting between the road and his feet. "Some people aren't who you thought they were, or they will become someone you feel you barely know. But don't worry, dear, I'm sure with your influence, Michael will get back on his feet." He caught her looking at him and sent her an assuring smile. "Don't lose faith in him just yet. You two used to be so close, he cares about you enough to respect your advice. And I know my daughter, you can do it."

    She smiled a little. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I just hate seeing my best friend like this." She set her jaw, lifting her head a bit higher. "I'll talk to him, actually talk to him. Or, um, I'll...I'll at least try." After these words, she went back to silently watching the different buildings and trees speed past, till they turned the last corner and neared the diner. She sat up straighter, prepared to have fun and perhaps talk some sense into her best friend. Even as a teenager, she still had an enjoyable time at parties within the diner. Something about them sparked her old, cheerful memories from there, such magical moments of her childhood. She smiled thoughtfully, watching the diner come into view. The moment it did, her smile shattered, and she pressed her hands against the glass of the window. Ambulances and police cars gathered in the parking lot, along with crowds of people standing around, some medics, and others workers or customers, all of which looked panicked, horrified, or a mixture of the two.

    Henry slowed the car, staring at the spectacle with wide eyes. "What the..." He trailed off as he veered into the parking lot and slammed on the breaks.

    "Dad," Charlie said, trying to keep her voice from quavering, "what...what's going on?"

    "I don't know, Charlie," he replied, fumbling with his seatbelt. "Stay here, I'll go find out."

    She shook her head and threw off her seatbelt.

    "Charlotte—" he began, but she didn't stay to hear what he had to say. Flinging open the car door, she tripped out and rushed through the parking lot. The sights around her were so unfamiliar and terrifying in a location from her a childhood, a place so dear and familiar to her. She almost asked several medics passing what had happened, but ultimately chickened out and roamed uselessly, looking for any familiar face she could—Michael, Evan, Elizabeth, an employee she knew well. Heck, even William. But she saw no one.