The Art of Attraction

Chapter 7

Roger woke up alone in bed feeling rested and relaxed. He rolled over and saw it was almost 9. He smiled and enjoyed sleeping in. After reaching for his phone he saw there were a few notifications. One was a news update and the other was a text from Brian. His smile widened as he read the brief request to give Brian a call when he had the chance.

Before he could hit the dial option for Brian there was a light knock on his bedroom door. He knew it had to be one of his kids. Unexpectedly at home.

"It's me Dad..." came the sound of Charlotte's voice.

"Come in..." Roger responded as his door opened and Charlotte lingered in his doorway. "What are you doing here?" he questioned. "I thought you had plans with your friends..." he remarked.

"I do have plans...but I wanted to check in on you..." Charlotte advised. Giving him a concerned look as she walked in and planted herself on the end of his bed. Playing with her hair in her usual manner as she got comfortable.

"That was sweet of you..." Roger told her as they shared a warm smile. "I'm okay..." he said as she laid across his bed and looked at him.

"I have to admit I thought I would find you looking rather dreary based on our last conversation..." she remarked. "But you do seem okay..." Charlotte observed. "Have you talked to Mum yet?" she inquired.

"I have actually..." Roger answered as he leaned against his pillows. "She surprised me by popping back home a few days ago..." he revealed. Making Charlotte sit back up with alarm.

"She did?" she said with disbelief. "Did you say anything to her?" Charlotte asked him. Curious what had transpired.

"She had something to say to me..." he informed her. "Let's say we've talked and when you and your brother are back home after New Years we will all have a talk together..." Roger explained.

"You're getting a divorce aren't you?" Charlotte asked him plainly. Roger wanted to not say anything yet since it was something Audra and him both should say together. But he knew Charlotte could already see how things were.

"Promise me you will act a bit surprised when we say it..." Roger requested. Charlotte nodded understanding and then crawled up the bed towards her father. He opened his arms to her as she wrapped him in a hug. It felt good to be comforted and he realized things had to have been bad for his daughter to know this was coming.

"I love you Dad...and I'm sorry this is happening to you..." Charlotte told him in a touching manner. Roger squeezed her tighter.

"Thank you..." he replied. "I'm sorry it is happening to you as well..." he said and kept hold of her as they sat there for a while saying nothing but conveying support through their hold on each other.

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"Are you sure you don't want to join us?" John asked Roger again on the telephone.

"I'm good....thanks..." Roger assured him. Declining his offer to spend New Years Eve with John and Veronica. They had called as Charlotte was preparing to leave to go back to her friends place. "You both have a marvelous time and I will see you at the gym..." Roger advised.

"Alright...see you then..." John replied and they hung up. Roger sighed and walked back to the foyer to verify Charlotte had locked the door as she left. He then went to the kitchen. Thirsty and starting to get hungry. As he put on the kettle and heated up a breakfast roll he dialed his phone. Finally alone so he could call Brian.

"Roger...hey..." Brian answered. Instantly making Roger smile at the sound of his voice.

"Hi...how are you today?" Roger asked as he removed his roll from the microwave.