The Collector.

Charlotte's Favourite Station

Charlotte is unusually quiet as I drive back to her house.For the first time I met her,I hate the silence.I need her to talk,to say something.Just anything at all.

Then I wonder if she needs the same from me.

I glance over at her.She's staring out the passenger window,watching houses blur past us.The sky is overcast,making her sucks-to-be-a-teenager pimples less visible.I open my mouth,then close it.Then I open it again. "Wanna listen to some music?"

Charlotte glances over me like she forgot I as driving this tank.I turn on the stereo and flip through radio channels until I find a Nirvana song.It seems right.Dark,taunting,tortured...something we can lose ourselves in.

"Is this song okay?" I ask,turning it up.

She nods at first.Then decides to be honest and shake her head.I flip to a Rihanna song and pause.

Another small head shake.

"What's your favourite station?" I ask. "Maybe there's something that will get us in the mood for tonight."

Charlotte laughs and lets her head fall back. "You're not going to let it go,don't you?"

"Nope,so you might as well pick out a party dress." I nod towards the radio. "And a party song too."

Charlotte studies me for a minute.She reaches for the radio and flips it off.

"This is my favourite."

"Off?" I ask confusedly.

Charlotte rolls down the window,she lays her head on the open window frame. "I like the sound the world makes."

I shrug,roll my window down,and listen when we come to a red light.I hear a mockingbird singing and a man raking leaves.I hear a dog barking and a plane flying overhead.There's even a low rumble of a lawn mower in the distance,and I somehow hear that too.Personally,I'd take Nirvana.But as I watch Charlotte listen to her favourite station,I realize she has something most never will.And that is peace.