Johnny Castle's Second Chance (COMPLETED)

Chapter 17

After dinner with her parents Char went up to her apartment. Looking around she was deciding on where to start packing.Giving up for the day she flopped down on the couch. Tucking her feet under her and grabbed the book she had been reading. The night flew by as she turned the pages. Sleep came upon her and she slunk off to bed. Traveling had done her in.
In the morning she felt completely refreshed. And starving. Deciding breakfast would be the thing to have she chose to go to the diner to also speak with her boss. Luckily her boss lady was in, so they went to one of the corner booths to talk.
" How are you feeling since the robbery?" Her Mrs.Holmes asked.
" Much better thank you, rest did me good. I have something big to tell you, I'm afraid you'll be mad. " Char wrapped her hands around her coffee mug but made full eye contact with her boss. Her nerves were making her feel all shakey inside.
" What is it?"
" I am leaving. Not just the job, but town and moving to the Catskills...For a singing job."
" Oh my. Well that certainly is big!"
" I'm kind of nervous, but really excited."
" Oh! That'll be a very different job indeed. "
" I've needed a change for some time, I've just finally figured out what I needed. "
" Well. Charlotte, I'm going to miss you, very much. But I wish you all the luck in the world. "
" Thank you. You're not mad?"
" Oh goodness no! Sad perhaps,you've been here a long time, but I've heard you when you sing in the kitchen, you've got a lovely voice and you're gorgeous! So I can only imagine you'll do very well."
" Thank you so much. I'm sorry to do this to you. "
" We'll get by. You go take care of you. "
" Thank you. I Will be in town from time to time. "
" Be sure you stop in then. Oh, and breakfast is on me."
" Thank you."
Her boss was called to the back for a business call. Char finished her  breakfast and coffee then left to go to the grocery store to see about some empty boxes to pack some of her things. Getting lucky she was able to take a pile of them home.
The afternoon was wasted on packing the things that she wanted to take with her. Late in the day Veronica called her.
" Hey! You're back?" Veronica asked.
" Yeah! I'm packing."
" Well, take a break and come over for dinner. I want to hear about things and talk about the going away party."
" All right. I could use a break, can I bring anything?"
" How about some wine?"
" You got it! I just gotta clean up a little and I'll be over."
" Great! Joe's working late so it'll just be us."
" All right! See you shortly."
Char was excited for the girl time, knowing it could be the last time she and Veronica got to spend time together.  Char grabbed a bottle of wine that she had in her pantry and took it with her to Veronica's.
Arriving she hurried into her friends house out of the cold.
" Hello?" She hollered out.
" Kitchen!"
" 'Kay!" Shrugging off her coat and hanging it on a coat rack she smelled pork chops and potatoes cooking.
" Hey! I'm so glad you came here! I'm so bored tonight! Joe won't be home til much later."
" Well it may be our last chance to hang out alone before I leave."
Veronica opened the wine and served up dinner. They ate quickly but savored the wine. Then they drank more wine until they were shit-faced. Both women had rosy red cheeks and were giggling so hard. It was much needed quality time.
" Awe, Char! I'm going to miss you so much! "
" I'm going to miss you too!"
" So tell me about this guy Johnny."
" Oh lord, he's gorgeous! And he's got moves. He's going to be teaching me how to dance better. He's a fox! Dirty blond , almost light brown hair, and these gorgeous blue eyes. Then these muscles...oh Veronica...he's dreamy." She let out a giggle and covered her mouth.
" So what about Mike?"
" I warned him not to get attached. " Char sounded so indifferent about it.
" Joe saw him out with that girl...the other night."
" Well, we're not together, so he can do whatever he wants."
" Okay. " Veronica shrugged.
" I told him I'd likely be  leaving. I've been nothing but clear with him."
" Just seemed like you two were hitting it off is all. "
" I mean we went through something terrifying together, we were there for eachother for sure. I'm glad he was there. I needed him, but it's time for me to move on."
" All right then. So you won't care if I invite him to your going away party then?"
" That's fine." Char shrugged.
" All right."
The women spent the night planning  the going away party. Char was too tipsy to drive so she crashed on Veronica and Joe's couch. In the morning they ate breakfast together then she got on her way. She took a quick visit to the grocery store before she went home for a few supplies. Once she was home she popped in to visit with her parents.
" I can't believe you're going to be gone so soon!"
" I know! But, mom, I'm so excited. This might be just the thing I needed. I've been feeling line all I do is go through the motions of life lately. There's been no spice to life. I've been getting a little down, but now I have something big to look forward to."
" Well Honey, as much as I don't want you to go, I need you to do what's best for you. I want my baby girl to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you."
" Awe thanks mom! God, I'm going to miss you and dad."
" He's not really thrilled with you going, but he does understand."
Char sipped her coffee. " I feel kind of bad for going. But I just need this!"
" You better call me twice a week!"
Char smiled and nodded, agreeing to her mother's terms.
" Now, I have something for you. Your dad insisted, and I couldn't disagree with him. But here, take this and keep it somewhere safe. Use it if you need to." Mrs.Adams took an envelope out of her house coat pocket and pushed it across the table to Char.
" Ma? What's this?"
Mrs.Adams drank from her own coffee mug, then answered." just a little something for you incase you run into trouble or your car breaks down or something. All right? It's non-negotiable. Dad insisted. So just say thank you and put it in your pocket book for emergencies."
" How much?" Char asked softly, nearly ready to cry.
" $2,000."
A gasp escaped Char's lips." Ma! That's too much!"
Putting up her hand to hault Char," Dad insisted. He wanted to make sure you were taken care of. It's his way.  You let him do it. All right?"
Nodding, Char tucked away the envelope. " Well, I've gotta go finish up some stuff. I'm almost packed. I've got a U-haul ordered. I just have to go pick it up in a couple days."
" Wow, this is just so much to take in kiddo. I'm so proud of you." Mrs.Adams now seemed like she was ready to cry.
" Give me a hug ma." Char stood up, and they embraced in a tear filled hug. They both broke apart, then each woman wiped her eyes gently.
" Ohhh! Touch smudged your mascara!" Mrs.Adams said.
" I'll fix it upstairs. I need to finish up. Veronica has a big going away party planned for Friday at night. I need to figure out what the Hell I'm wearing."
" Oh, you'll look fabulous no matter what you wear. All right sweetie. Get yourself all ready. I'll be here if you need any help."
" Thanks Mom. " Char put away her dirty dishes and went back up to her apartment to finish packing.
All after noon she did her work. Then she played fashion show with herself trying to figure out what to wear. Opting for a short skirt and a cute creamy colored top that had flowy sleeves, it sat off her shoulders. For her feet she chose some wedge platform dress shoes in shiny black patent leather. Pleased with the outfit, she set it aside for the party. She was finally all packed and ready for her new life.
Sitting down she sighed as she looked around all the boxes in her apartment. This was one of the last nights she'd be spending there. All her last minute essentials were ready to  be packed at the last moment. Feeling satisfied with her work she suddenly was very bored. She decided it was late enough, she called Mike.