In Charlotte's Eyes

ONE: Let's Go On a Cruise, Parker!

Parker would do anything to have her back. He'd give up his job just to see her again. The immense amount of shame he felt for being there with Charlotte before she vanished was too much to bear. He was powerless to bring her back, and powerless to bring closure to the other people who knew her. He had nothing.

Two months passed. Parker continued to visit with Audrey every weekend: for housekeeping and church. He frequently met with Rebecca after work, Aaron appearing about half the time with her. He began getting addicted to the various amenities she would bring. It was a guilty pleasure for him now. He would vent to his sister Peni about his regrets relating to Charlotte and his growing addiction. He just couldn't get that damn woman off of his mind.

That damn woman. His friend. His..

Parker’s life was mundane, and his negative emotions overwhelmed him. And it was becoming more of a problem each day. He felt like nobody noticed—truly noticed—his diminishing mental state.

His phone rang while he was driving to work one morning. He glanced at his phone stand, finding out that Peni was calling him. “Uh- hello?” Her voice cut in.

“Yeah, hi, Peni.” He focused on the road.

“Hey!” He could hear the raised brow grin on her. “How are you doing, Parker?”

“Uhhh, fine.” He glanced at his phone. “Did you need something?”

“Uh, yeah, kinda. Y'know, I was thinkiiiing, and,” She paused. “It's been a long time since I came back to Georgia with you and Mom and Dad.”

He smiled, stifling a laugh. “Yeah?” He chuckled awkwardly. “I mean, I haven't talked to Mom and Dad in a while, either.”

“We could all get together and.. y'know. Do something together over the summer.”

“What, go on a vacation or something?” His face scrunched.

“Yeah! Why not?”

He grimaced. “..I don't know, Peni.”

“Come on, it'll be fun. I think it'd be good for us to get together and catch up.”

“We got together on Christmas. We don't really need to all see each other again.”

“Yeah, but it's been, like,” She paused. “Almost half a year since then. A lot has changed.”

Well, she was right about that. Lots of things have changed. “I-I don't know, man..” He felt pressured to agree, but didn't want to.

“How about just you and I, instead? Have some good ole sibling bonding time?”

He let out a sigh through his nose. “And do what?”

“Hmmmm..”

It took her half a minute to think about a suggestion. Parker sat silently, finding a parking spot after pulling into his work’s parking lot.

“What about a cruise? I've always wanted to go on one.” She suggested excitedly as he put his car into park.

His face softened. The idea sounded appealing to him. “Oh. That doesn't sound.. terrible.”

“Yeah! Week long cruise. Let's do it!”

He shook his head, grabbing the phone from its stand. “But when? And how much is it going to cost?”

“Don't stress it, Parker. I'll figure it out.”

“What-? Why would I let you do all the planning?”

“Look, I don't want to stress you out more. I know you've had a lot on your mind recently.”

“..Are you sure?”

“Yep! You sit tight. I'll let you know the plan later, okay?”

“Oh.” He didn't know how to feel. “Alright.”

“Okay. Thank you. Anyways, I need to go—I know you need to, too.”

“Yeah.” He stifled a chuckle. “Work.”

“Right. Good luck at work today, Parker.”

“Thanks, Peni.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”