In Charlotte's Eyes

ONE: [P] Remembering That Woman's Name

The next morning, Parker went to church with Audrey. He met her twelve year old son, Austin. He was a vanilla sandwich cookie. He exceeded Parker’s expectations and was very respectful, polite, and patient sitting in church.

During the service, Parker sat and listened intently to the message the pastor was giving. Something inside of him resonated, and he couldn't explain it. When the pastor began praying, he prayed vigorously for some sort of sign, some sort of blessing for his unresting heart. He prayed that Charlotte would come back and solve all his problems.

He ate breakfast with Audrey after church, as a celebration for his first time, and for hearing the “Good News”. She invited him to come again next week. He accepted. When the opportunity arose, Parker prayed again. He prayed and prayed and prayed for some sort of comfort.

He needed some sort of sign.

Later that day—as the sky was beginning its descent into darkness—Parker’s phone rang while he was out buying groceries for the upcoming week. It was from a number he didn't recognize. “Hello?”

“Hi.” A feminine voice politely—but strangely pensive—greeted him. “Are you busy right now?”

“Uhhh..” He looked down at his bare bones shopping cart. “Not really..? Who is this?”

“Apologies for interrupting, this'll be quick.” The woman on the other side took a breath in. “Just to make sure, you are Parker Robins, correct?”

“Uh- yeah?” His face scrunched. This was concerning. How did this woman know his name? “Who are you? What's going on?” He asked again.

“My name is Ava Ledger, sir. I don't know if you remember me, but I interviewed you about a month ago regarding your friend Charlotte.”

“Oh.” He stopped in his tracks and looked around, his brows furrowing. He needed to hear this. He swiftly began moving to get out of the way of the store’s traffic. “I-I remember that.” He affirmed as he walked.

“Great.” Her tone of voice was not comforting. “I called you because I wanted to inform you that..” He could see the grimacing behind her words. “The case has gone cold.”

Parker’s heart sank, as he hid away in an obscure part of the store. That was the last thing he wanted to hear. Things were doomed. Charlotte wasn't going to be found. But of course she wasn't. They couldn't make her magically appear the same way she had magically disappeared. Parker couldn't muster any words, instead a few defeated and hopeless gasps escaping him. He leaned forward on his shopping cart.

“I feel very sorry that I wasn't able to help you out, sir. The passion you put on display for her was unlike anything I'd seen. I wanted to figure out this case for you and everyone else affected, but there is just.. nothing else I can do.”

“I..” He shook his head, holding back tears. “So she's gone forever..” It was over.

“I'm sorry, Parker. I felt you deserved to know. I'm sorry that I had to give you bad news. It’s as hard for me as it is for you.”

“Ma’am?” His voice broke suddenly, and he forced himself not to break down in public. He gulped. “A-Am I gonna be blamed for her disappearance?” He croaked.

“No. There isn't nearly enough evidence to charge you for her disappearance.”

That.. was comforting, at least. “..I-.. I see..”

“We exhausted all of our leads, and have gone nowhere. And-.. if the story you told us was true, then there's nothing we can do.”

Parker sniffled. “I-I’m surprised you’re even entertaining the idea that my story may be true.” He joked to cope.

She took a big breath. “Considering the circumstances of the case.. it doesn't seem-.. impossible.”

That.. felt oddly reassuring. He wasn't insane. Not completely. Charlotte was still gone, though. And now there was seemingly zero chance she'd ever come back. “Well.. what now? What happens to all of Charlotte’s belongings? Her house? Her car?”

“That, I don't know. I assume the responsibilities would fall onto one of her family members.”

Well, she was certainly right about that. He grimaced at the thought of all the emotional weight Charlotte’s sister beared. “..I see.”

“I promised to make this quick, so I'll let you go now. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to help you out in the end.”

“It's okay.” He muttered.

“I hope that.. if you haven't already, you find the strength to move on; find some sort of solace.”

“Thank you.”

“If anyone asks, tell them I called you to ask a few more questions regarding her case, alright?”

Right, she probably wasn't supposed to disclose any of this info she was telling him. “Right. I will.”

“Thank you. I hope you have a great rest of your day, Parker.”

“Thank you.” He paused. Before he could add, “You too.” The phone hung up.