Slip

Chapter Seven

Marc

It soon became eight-thirty which was usually our cut off for drinking. Chip continued while the rest of us sat with glasses of water. Eric and I were quiet for his sake specifically. Leo was giving Charlotte someone to talk to while she filled shot glasses and cleaned her station.

I couldn't quite hear what they were saying but I could hear her giggling. "Look at that," I said, feeling the need to break Chip's silence. "Our boy is finally moving on, huh?"

Chip looked at them then back at his glass of vodka maybe? "He couldn't pick someone a little more his age? She's too young."  I could tell the Jason and Casey situation was still getting to him.

"They're not too far apart in age though."

"I don't care," he groaned. "I need to call in for tomorrow. I can't teach with a hang over. I've tried it before. It's not a good idea.."

While he dialed the school's phone number, I turned in my seat and looked around. I never got a good look of what was behind me while I drank. Simply due to watching the game on the television or being too deep into conversation. There were a trio of women sitting in the corner, gossiping and taking pictures together. They sounded like teenaged girls but they looked like they were in their late thirties. If my wife had any friends at all, that would be them. I could only imagine how annoying movie nights or book club meetings would be. I wasn't even sure that book clubs still existed. They probably didn't.

Closing my eyes, I realized there was music actually playing. It sounded like Nirvana. Smells Like Teen Spirit. Smells like Charlotte's iPod. Turning around, I started to compliment her music choice even thought I didn't mean it.

"Hey, this is Charles Dodge." Chip said into his phone. "I won't make it in tomorrow. Yeah, my Aunt is in the hospital. Right."

I started to gesture Charlotte over to me but her attention was stuck on Chip. She looked like she'd seen a ghost. Dropping a glass, she ran out the back of the bar. Leo looked confused but he knew what was going on.

Chip got off the phone and examined our faces. "Is she okay?"

Leo glanced at the door. "I'm not quite sure."

Charlotte came back in ten minutes later, breathing heavily with a big, bright smile on her face. "Chip, do you know a Cheryl Holloway?"

Chip looked at her with big eyes. His dimples were coming back. "Y-yes! I do! How do you know her?"

Charlotte bit her lip, happily as she came around the counter and hugged him tightly. After a long and awkward embrace, she loosened the hug and set her hands on his shoulders. "You're my father."

"I'm your what?!" Chips mouth fell open. "There has to be some confusion. I'm not- Charlotte and I never had a baby together."

"Yes you did! She never told you because she was afraid you would leave and stay with your girlfriend and not stay and help take care of me," she breathed. "And she didn't want to ruin your future plans. She felt like yours was more important and you were going to make a difference in the world so she left so you could go and do you!"

"Sounds legit." Eric nodded.

At first, it took me a minute to remember who Cheryl was. Chip was cheating on Amy with her when we were in our mid twenties. I wasn't supposed to say anything about it and I always kept my mouth shut about it. I just didn't get why Chip didn't just leave Amy and go to Cheryl. He was in love with Cheryl. I mean absolutely in love with her. He would come to my flat every day after she left his place to tell me how well his night went. I didn't care, but I needed company so I acted like I was listening. He said he was going to marry her one day. It never happened. They broke up before he could even end things with Amy. He was heart broken. This was when Chip actually believed that love wasn't something that just ruined lives. That belief left with Cheryl.

"And here I am, sitting in a bar, drowning myself in alcohol.. I've not made any changes." He shook his head. "How is she doing? Where is she?"

"She's on her way now. She really wants to speak to you." Charlotte said. "If you want to take a blood test, we can definitely get that arranged."

Chip thought about it and nodded. "Yes. That would be good. Marc, will you-"

"Yes, of course." I said.

"Great." Charlotte smiled.

I looked behind them to see Leo smiling and behind him in the mirror stood the "goddess" Cheryl. I was kind of surprised I could see her in the mirror, knowing how short she was. She looked like she only aged about five years. Her hair had grown longer since I saw her last. It dulled from its sleek dark brown.