Charlie Rose

twelve

Brandie runs out of the room. I didn't even see the reaction on her face but I know she is either pissed off or upset. I run after her. I need to talk to her, that prick came on to me and she needs to know that, I can't lose her, I love her. She speeds straight out of the apartment buildings and straight onto the street.
"Brandie, Brandie please stop." I get glares from passing pedestrians but I continue to race after her and call her name.
"It wasn't what it looked like, please let me explain." I know exactly where she is going. Central Park. This is where she always sits if she is in a mood. Brandie takes a seat. I sit next to her.

We sit in complete silence for awhile. I want her to talk first, I am in the wrong and this is her ground now, her territory.
"Why?" It was sudden, it startled me a little.
"It wasn't me I swear, if you are able to let me talk I'll tell you what happened.
She doesn't say anything, I take that as an indication to tell my side.
"Nick had come over and he seemed upset. I let him in and we spoke for awhile. After time, he seemed fine to go home so I asked him to leave, he didn't. He stood up and started roaming around our house. He was acting like a total spastic and I had no idea what he was doing. He then pulled me to the couch and smashed his face against mine. I tried so hard to pull away but had no way of doing so since he was so strong. It was 3 seconds before you walked in I swear."
"Do you know how stupid that sounds? Do you really thing that a right minded person would believe that story?" I don't say anything but a tear falls down my face. We sit again in silence again for about 10 seconds before I spoke again.
"I love you." She looks at me with eyes that say, 'I know'.
She hugs me and bursts out in tears. My face streams with them too.
"I'm so sorry that I didn't believe you. I truly love you and I know you wouldn't kiss him."
"I love you too."

*****

We walk home, her arm around me. I am lucky to have such a wonderful person in my life and I will forever be grateful for her being here. We enter the apartment to find that Nick is still there. I go to say something but Brandie beats me to it.
"What the fuck do you think your doing here?
"I need to talk to Charlie."
"Over my fucking dead body, leave now."
"Just a second please."
"I said no!"
"But.." Nick had no time to finish his before Brandie had enough. Before you could blink, she turned around and punched Nick right between the eyes. He stumbled over and landed on the ground. An instant bruise formed on his face, but I had little sympathy.
"Now get out!" Brandie yelling as she shakes her hand in pain.

Gaynor waits for door to close before he comments.
"Why do all the cute ones have to be assholes?" Brandie give him a look and rolls her eyes. She grabs some ice for her already bruised hand and walks to her room kissing me on the forehead while walking past.

*****

Gaynor and I go and sit on the couch and watch whatever was on.
"Do you know what your in for with Brandie?" He says quietly so she doesn't hear. I don't reply for awhile, I look down at my lap and think about my answer.
"I love her." That's all I can think of at the moment.
"You know she has bipolar right?" I nod
"She isn't your normal victim of bipolar, she has violent mood swings and that is why she hit that guy, he tested her and pushed too far. It's a semi rare case of bipolar. It's called stage 5 bipolar, only about 1 in every 20 bipolar victims have stage 5. I continue to nod.
"You need to be there for her and make sure she is taking her medication, twice everyday. You need to look after her, she is important to me and she needs to be safe, when I go home, she'll need you." It brings a tear to my eye. She means a lot to me, image what she means to Gaynor.
"I promise to keep her safe, I won't let her or you down." He smiles sweetly and I smile back. Gaynor leaves in 2 weeks so he decides to go sight seeing. I gently stand up and tip toe to Brandie's room. As I stand in her door way, I see she watching a movie. Brandie looks over and smiles as she spots me.

"Hi." She greets me, I walk over and sit next to her. We watch the movie, it was one of the Batman movies, Brandie has always loved super hero movies.
"What were you and Gaynor talking about." I look over and hesitate. Will she freak out if I tell her? I won't matter much so I tell her everything.

I'm worried about what she'll think, but she just smiles.
"I am so very grateful for you. Thank you for caring." Brandie opens her arms for me to lay in. We fall asleep, in each others arms.