In Charlotte's Eyes

ONE: [P] You're Never Honest

“I'm curious, Audrey.” Parker started. “What did you and Charlotte talk about when she was in jail?”

Another Saturday came. The pair had finished the basic cleaning they needed to do, and they sat down on the couch. Audrey had cooked some tea for both of them. She sighed. “It's been so long, I..” She subtly shook her head. “Give me a moment to think about it.” She muttered, gripping her cup with both hands.

He nodded. “Take your time.” He quietly responded.

A minute of silence passed, each of them sipping on their warm tea. Finally, she spoke up. “I think I already told you she lied to me about moving out of state.”

“I remember that.”

“I wanted to talk to her to see what she got arrested for.” Her expression crumbled. “In hindsight, I could've just asked you or Carlos.” She sat up straight again, shaking her head. “I also was hoping that she'd finally accept my advice and help for her, now that she was at a low point in her life.” She sighed regretfully.

“That didn't work out, huh?” He quietly responded.

“We got way off track. I shouldn't have let her so easily egg me on.” She put her hands on her head. “Sometimes I feel like if she would've just let me be a part of her life, I would've been around to protect her from..” She sniffled, unable to continue.

“It's not your fault.” Parker was quick to respond. “I.. d-don't know what happened to her, but..” He grimaced. “I don't think you would've been able to stop it.”

“...” She didn't look at him.

A moment of awkward silence passed. She grabbed her tea cup and took a sip. Parker hadn't said the right thing. He panicked slightly, anxiety rustling up inside of him. “Uh.. if I may ask..” He shook his head. “I think I asked you this last time, but.. uh, you told me there was a point in time where you felt like Charlotte was changing for the better.” He side eyed her, slightly afraid of a potential glare from her. “Why do you think she went back to being distant?”

She sighed deeply. “I don't know..” She stared down at the table. “I just don't know.”

Parker knew the answer. “You think it happened after she broke up with her boyfriend?”

There was a pause. Audrey froze in thought. “Which one?”

Oh. There was more than one. His face scrunched and he chuckled awkwardly. “Uhh, Jackson was his name, I think?”

“Oh.” She thought deeply for a moment, humming lowly. “Now that you mention it, it does feel like she grew colder after he died.”

“...” Died?

“..I'm surprised you know about him.”

“Ch-Charlotte told me about him, but- did you just say he died?”

“She didn't tell you?” He shook his head in response. She shook her head, rolling her half-lidded eyes. “He died when he was, what.. I think during her junior year?” She sighed. “A bunch of kids he had gotten into trouble with lured him out and beat him up. Left him to die. He didn't survive his injuries.”

“Oh-.. Wow..” His face scrunched in morbid disgust. He remembered Charlotte mentioning Jackson’s death threat problem. “That's.. not what she told me.”

Audrey sighed again, disappointed. “Of course. Always finds a reason to lie about something.” She sarcastically said. She glanced at him. “What did she tell you?”

“Uh.. she told me that- she had broken up with him due to something he said to her.” He looked away, face still scrunched.

She nodded with a hum. “I guess she didn't want to relive his death by telling you.” She muttered.

This didn't make sense. Parker shook his head, leaning forward, hands on his forehead. Jackson’s comment about Audrey looking better than Charlotte was supposed to be the reason she hated Audrey. How could that be the case if he was dead? Charlotte had lied about that? But why? What was the real reason she hated her sister so much? Maybe she wasn't lying about it, and she had planned the beat down that ultimately led to his death? But Charlotte wasn't evil. He knew she wasn't. Flawed, but she cared about people’s lives. And she seemed so upset when she told Parker and Suzuki about it back when she was in jail. And if she was telling the truth, why would she keep that book he made for her if she hated him? None of this made sense.

A breathy huff escaped him involuntarily, and he dug his fingers deeper into his wrapper skin. This must be what the detective investigating Charlotte’s case must be going through. The one that would eventually have no other logical choice but to accuse him of murder. He wouldn't hurt her. He wouldn't touch her that way again. He had done so one time, but that was so long ago. He had no way to prove it, but she had disappeared in front of him.

“Are you okay, Parker?”

He flinched, an audible but quiet gasp escaping him. He leaned himself back just enough for his eyes to peer at her.

She had a concerned frown on. “You seem.. really anxious.”

Parker fell back into his hands. “Yeah..” His voice croaked, suddenly feeling shaky. “I-I've been feeling restless for.. a while.”

She hummed, nodding. “I know how you feel. You can tell me.”

He couldn't tell her the real reason his anxiety spiked recently. He'd have to explain how he saw Charlotte disappear. She'd undoubtedly come to the conclusion he murdered her. “I-I..” His throat felt paralyzed. “I just.. d-don't know what-.. to believe in..”

“Do you feel powerless?”

“Yes.” His lip quivered.

“You seek comfort that you can't find?”

“Yes.” He pushed himself into his hands further.

She looked down at him. There was a pause of silence. “..Are you religious, Parker?”

“Ah.. no..” He slowly slithered to stand up straight. “I.. don't really consider myself an atheist, though.” He confessed, shyly turning to look at her.

She smiled lightly and earnestly. “May I invite you to come to church with me tomorrow?”

“Uh..” He glanced down as he considered the idea. “Church..?” He looked up.

“I feel it'll give you comfort, Parker.” She cooed sweetly. “But if you have plans tomorrow morning, I understand. Either way, I'll pray for you.”

He didn't know much about Christianity. He never really considered any grand beings larger than life. But he needed some comfort. Perhaps Audrey was right. Either way, he seeked some sort of comfort. “Uh.. I'd.. like to.”

“You'll come?”

“Yeah.” He smiled awkwardly. “I would like to go.”

She beamed. “I'm glad to hear that, Parker.” She put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve been using the church as a way to find solace during this period of my life, so.. I hope it ends up helping you persevere, too.”

He smiled genuinely, making eye contact. “Thanks, Audrey.”