Insomniac

Something like that

Thomas watched out the window as the small town passed by. Everyone who saw the jeep turned and waved, children walking to school running after her. All she could do was wave and smile though. There was no stopping to talk, just not today.

"Riley is a little aggressive at first." Charlie warned. "Just let him come to you and it'll be fine."

"Anything else I should know?" He smiled looking to her. "You know, about this dog?"

Sighing, she turned onto a less populated town street. "Don't touch me until he likes you."

Eventually rolling up to a soft tan house, Thomas smiled at its cute homestead appearance. "What?" She asked seeing his expression. "Not what you expected?"

Once out of the car, they moved towards the house side by side. "It's exactly what I expected."

Getting close to the door, Charlie could make out Riley whines immediately. He heard the jeep, he knows that she is here.

As the front steps got closer, Charlie pulled apart her keys and began unlocking the front door. "Riley buddy" She cooed through the wood. "Be good!"

When the door opened though, there was no containing him. It was like the old four legged companion was a puppy again. Riley was off like a shot, down the steps and around the yard had no affect on him once so ever. "Wirey  guys isn't he?" Thomas crossed his arms and smiled.

Charlie chuckled alongside him. "I think he's been cooped up for a while. He needs to meet you though." Bringing her fingers to her lips, Charlie let out a sharp whistle. Immediately the dog froze in his steps and looked to her. Once recognizing, he dashed towards her side tongue out and eyes wide. "Hey buddy!" She crouched petting him. "Oh I've missed you too!" Charlie muffled between licks and whines.

Feeling the dog wine down, she looked up to Thomas. "Come here." He did as she said and crouched down. "Just let him sniff you at first, he's awfully protective."

Just as she said, Riley was hesitant on meeting the new Comer. However, he had done it before. As time passed, the Brittain was able to pet the German Shepard fully. "There we go." She smiled. Then, sending a kiss to his distracted cheek, she smiled and Rose to her feet. "Already a part of the family. Now come on, I'll give you the grand tour."

Thomas closed the door behind him. Instantly, he was overwhelmed with a warm apple smell. The house was a classic homestead style, pictures lining the walls, wooden furniture and floors around him. The frames however, were his favorite part. "Oh my gosh Charlotte, is this you?" The first was of a little girl in a mud pit. Behind her, a floppy eared German Shepard tugged on her shirt.

"Ohh yeah. Fun fact, my grandfather is a picture hoarder. Living room is off to our right."  Turning, he was able to see the small green sofas around every corner. A warm fire place was the centerfold of the room.

Moving on, the kitchen replicated a warm glow. "He doesn't use it much." She put a pot in the cupboard. "Some of this shit is still where I left it."

"He like tea?" Thomas twisted the old tea pot to get a better look at it.

Charlie just closed the rest of the open cupboards as Riley circled at her feet. "Nah, that was grandma's. Her favorite pot."

Eventually, he nodded and moved towards the staircase with her. "This house used to be a bed and breakfast believe it or not." She used the railing to help her. "So there's plenty of bedrooms."

One by one they worked their way through. Thomas was able to pick up thought that none of them were hers. One was her grandfather's, the rest were guest but really belonged to certain ones. Norman, Chris, Jeremy, and Jennifer all had their own rooms specifically saved for them.

"And where Is yours?" Thomas asked.

"Upstairs. Only one up there."

"Really?"

"Yeah, come on. I'll show you."

Moving to the end of the hall, she reached for a door that Thomas missed completely. It was a smaller frame which is probably why it was hers. "I gotta warn you, it's still under a little bit of construction but it's coming along."

The staircase winded upwards. Once in the room though, he couldn't help but smile. It was so Charlie.

The room was an oval shape. High above, a ladder led to a loft that wrapped entirely around the room. Bookshelves lined beneath the loft all around the walls except for a doorway that led to what he presumed to be her bathroom. There was no closet, so above on the loft she had racks hanging each one. The wooden staircase was lined in Christmas lights while her bed remained next to the windows below. Along the wall, she had plants, props from many of her roles, fan art, and an acoustic guitar. "Wow charlotte..."

"Like it?" She smiled sitting on a step on her elongated ladder like staircase.

He just chuckled and laid on her bed. "It's amazing."

"Been my room since a kid, so I've had time to modify it I guess.."

"Well you have done a great job."

"Glad you like it." Hugging the railing, she sighed. "If you want to shower, feel free to use the one up here or whichever one you want. I'm going to change, then probably head back to see grandpa for a little bit. But then-" She rose to her feet and walked past him throwing a towel over his chest. "We need to arrange your ticket home."

"Want to get rid of me so soon?" Sitting uo, he peeked over his shoulder to find her pushing open the blinds.

"You're family probably misses you like crazy Tommy, I've had my share long enough. But that doesn't mean I'm not going back for ya." With a wink, she moved towards the stairs and scaled them happily. "Now go shower and get cleaned up! I have a feeling grandpa's going to be picking away at you tonight. "

"Scared for his little girl?!"

Chuckling, she rolled her eyes. "Something like that."