I Want To Dream Now

Chapter 12

It is a brand new day. Exactly one month until Christmas.

Charlene can't believe how fast the weeks have flown by. She is particularly surprised how her mother has remained so strong, and how she has been so loving and caring. Maybe Christmas this year will be actually good, she realizes. She feels then a great spark of excitement.

She hops of of bed, and smiles when she finds a neatly wrapped parcel by her door. She picks it up, looking to find a tag. There's no tag.

Charlene nods, feeling even more excited.

She rips the glittery paper off. The pieces float to the floor, one by one. She is left with a mysterious, brown paper box. Nothing written on it. Just a brown box.

"OK," Charlene says, giggling lightly.

She places an index finger under the tab, and slowly seals the parcel open.

She gasps suddenly, and lets the parcel drop. It hits the floor in a bang, and she realizes to her horror the glass has been broken. The sparkling liquid encircles slowly around her bare feet.

"Charlene, Charlene!"

Charlene's head bops straight up. Panic begins to ht her. She steps in front of the 6 pack of Vodka, and places her elbow on the wall. Her eyes hover to the ground, where she realizes then there is a tag. It reads "Forgive me."

Charlene narrows her eyes, getting a huge urge to spit on it.

Both her parents are already down the hallway. Their faces ooze concern and worry. They're both panting, like dogs after a big walk.

"What happened?"

"Something's leaking!"

Charlene's eyes widen, but what can she do? 

She scratches her head. "Um.."

"Charlene! There's broken glass on the floor," her mothers gapes, and yanks Charlene's arm.

"Mom!" She shouts, but it is too late.

Their mouths drop wide open, and they stare at each other. 

"It isn't mine," Charlene protests. 

"Then whose is it?" Her father demands.

"I don't know."

"Are you saying someone sneaked into our house and left it there?"

Her mother starts snapping her fingers. "Charles, I seen someone about an hour ago, leaving our house. I just assumed it was the postman?"

"A postman all right," snuffed Charles. 

"I'll call the guards," her mother says very calmly. "Charlene, I'm sorry about pinching you there."

Charlene blinks.

"Why would someone leave a parcel of alcohol outside Charlene's room?" Her dad asks, her tone very shaky. 

"Charlene," her mother says gently. "Would you know?"

"Would I know what, sorry?"

"Who did this and why?"

Charlene rolls her eyes, while shaking her head very slowly. She presses her lips.

 "I don't," she lies. Her eyes float to the ground.

Her mother gives her a hug then. "We'll figure this out. Don't worry."

This time, Charlene hugs her back. She snuggles her head in under her neck, and closes her eyes.