Montana Mansion

Charlene's Secret

Willa's POV:

"Charlie?" I cautiously knocked on her door, careful to keep my expression sympathetic instead of furious.

"Come in," she called, nothing awry about her tone. It didn't hardly sound like she had been crying at all.

I stepped into her room to see her fingers flashing on her keyboard. Horror overtook me and I started to feel lightheaded. "Don't!" I shrieked, diving onto her lap. Shoving her hands off of her keyboard, I deleted the message to the Imagineers.

"You can't resign!" I hollered as I deleted her account. The Imagineers only knew that account and wouldn't trust another one until we got back home. 

"Why not? Maybe my father," Charlene cut herself off with a strangled cry. I clutched her to my chest. 

"Your father didn't know what he was talking about, Char. It doesn't matter. You have done so many things worthy of his praise. He's just an ass."

"No, Willa," Charlene sobbed into my shoulder. "I'll never forget what he said, Willa. Never. His last words to me."

Not many of the things he'd ever said to her were better, but I didn't say so to Charlene. 

Her sobs rattled her entire frame. "He, he said, 'You quit the keepers, Charlene. Medal in the Olympics. Give me one reason to be proud of my own daughter. I wish I could've disowned you before I ended up here'."

I seethed, remembering the moment. I'd heard him say it and from that moment on knew that it would haunt Charlene for the rest of her life.

"It's alright, baby. It's alright." I had hoped that she would be too consumed with her age being revealed to bring this up. 

I heard a loud knock over Charlene's heartbreaking sobs. Who could it be? "Baby, do you want someone else to come in?"

"Who?"

"I'll go check," I said, gently pushing her off of my lap. Her tears finally dried. "Good girl. Don't cry over him. He's not worth it."

I stepped outside and quickly pulled the door shut behind me. Amanda. I pursed my lips.

"I came to check on her."

"No offense, Amanda, but I think she wants you dead."

Amanda sighed, raking her hand through her hair. "The feeling is mutual. But everyone's in the gypsy cove or whatever, planning something for her. They needed you, and no one thinks she should be left alone right now."

"Send someone else. Just not Finn. I'll stay with her for now."

"Who would be best?" Amanda's eyes were bloodshot and tired.

"I'll go ask." Turning, I dashed inside. "Hey, Char?" I asked.

She made her way to bed and had her head buried in her pillow. She said something, but I couldn't tell what it was.

"Everyone is dying to see you. They want to make sure you are OK. Who do you want to come in?"

She raised her head and glared daggers at me. "No one. I want to be alone."

"I can't leave you alone, Char. I'm too worried about you."

"Then stay with me."

"But they're worried about you too, Charlie. Any of them will come in. I'll be back real soon. Who do you want?"

"Manda."

My eyes widened. I was shocked. "You want Amanda to come in?"

"I need to talk to her, so yeah."

Oh dear. "OK, honey. I'll go get her." 

I stepped back out into the hallway. "She wants you."

"Seriously?"

"I wouldn't lie. You're putting your life on the line here, you realize? She's much stronger than you and she knows her way around the house better."

Amanda smirked, thankfully receptive to my attempt to lighten the mood. "I'll be fine. If not, though, tell Finn I love him."

I squinted at her. If looks could kill.

Amanda flinched. "Too soon?"

"No mentioning Finn. Unless she brings it up. And no talking about loving him."

"Got it. I promise. I'll just listen."

"Good." I touched her arm. "Love you, Manda."

She smiled. "Love you too."

I pointed at her. "But if you hurt Char anymore than you already have, you die."

Amanda raised her hands in surrender. "I swear. I love her too." With that, Amanda disappeared into Charlene's room.