Second Chances

Chapter 7-Charlie's

Chapter 7-Charlie’s

The moment I laid eyes on her was a moment that I will never forget.  It’s difficult to forget the first person that you fall in love with.  You’re still young and you might not have experienced it yet but trust me when I say that you will never forget no matter how much you try.

Diane Fernwood was across the street from where I perched on an apartment stoop.  She was hailing a cab and her fiery red hair was what caught my attention.  I’d never seen hair as wild and colorful as hers and I wanted to get closer to see the beautiful stranger in front of me.  Immediately, I stood up from my seat and walked forward, unknowingly to her eyes.  I walked through the cab that had stopped in front of her, taking a seat behind the driver.  Diane settled in the backseat next to me and says, “Take me to Charlie’s.”

The cab driver turned around and looked at her with a questioning gaze.  “Ma’am?  You sure?  Charlie’s ain’t a place for a little lady like yourself.  ‘Specially at this time of night.”

“Just drive.”

The cab driver muttered something underneath his breath and began to drive without another word.  I found it odd that Diane needed to get to Charlie’s in a rush.  There was an urgent need to get there immediately as I watched her idly play with her hands; a sign of nervousness. She stared out the window the entire cab drive, absentmindedly tapping her foot against the car door. 

As the car came to a stop, Diane paid the driver the fare and quickly got out.  She stared at the red neon sign of Charlie’s and took a deep breath, hoping to calm down.  There was definitely something wrong.  I sensed that she was afraid of something or someone inside of that club.  I got out of the car and followed her through the empty club.  There was absolutely no one around, except for the bartender who was putting up chairs on top of the tables.  The entire place had an eerie vibe. 

What would you think if you walked into a club and it was empty?  Your first thought would be that it was closed for the night, wouldn’t it.  The shake of your head was all I needed.  You are right.  It was closed for the night to the public, but not for Diane.  The bartender who waved her on was proof enough that she was supposed to be there.

 I became cautious of Diane’s safety as we walked towards the back.  The entire event felt wrong, and I soon discovered that it was. – She walked to the back of the club and lifted a deep red velvet curtain that made me think of blood as we passed through the opening.

Walking into the room I was awed by its immense up keep.  The room was furnished with rich furs for carpets, two leather couches, and a black cherry wood desk.  There were animal heads decorating the walls, and it made me wonder if they were the same animals that offered their fur to decorate the floor.  Paintings adorned the walls and I couldn’t help but notice that one of the paintings was a Van Gogh masterpiece. 

Finally, I set my eyes on the two men in the room smoking cigars.  They both were wearing expensive dress suits with their jackets discarded on one of the couches.  Whoever was the owner of this club was the one who lavished in wealth.  Bringing my attention back to Diane I suddenly realized what this was and it was not looking good for her.  I noticed the half filled bottle of vodka on the desk, and smelled alcohol in the air, recognizing the sign of a drunk before my eyes.  If Diane was trying to get out of a deal with them then it was not a night to her favor judging by their character.

“Why if it isn’t the lovely Diane  Fernwood!  Come to put on a show, love?”

“I’m here to tell you I quit.  I can’t do this anymore Thomas.  It’s a new era and I’m tired of being your rag doll.”  Her voice didn’t shake but I saw that her hands were.  She was putting up a front for them in hopes that they’d let her walk out on whatever business they had together.