Infinity || Dan Smith

Thirty.

   The hospital appointment went really well.

   The midwife, sister Abbie-Lorraine, reassured both Charlie and Dan that they are most definitely expecting. However, because Charlie is extremely early on in her pregnancy there's not much she can do except telling Charlie to listen to her body. If Charlie's tired then she must rest, if she feels like staying in bed then she must get out and exercise.

   Sister Abbie-Lorraine also sensed Dan's nerves and gave him a note which had a few things scribbled on it, one of those things is pills to help with anxiety. At the very bottom of the note there's there's a book title, the book itself is about and for new expectant fathers. Which could come resourceful for Dan and his many questions...

   Charlie however is thrilled, and has booked several follow up appointment in a couple of months at her private hospital. Both Charlie and Dan agree that they want the best for their child, and private hospital is definitely the way to go for their fame status.

   "What are you looking at?" Charlie quietly sniggers while they stand in the maternity section of their local book shop.

   "Looking at a porno, innit." Dan nervously laughs, while blushing red in his cheeks. Charlie looks over his shoulder before she immediately squeals with laughter, reverting everyone's attention towards them.

   "Sorry..." she apologies in a nervous laugh while Dan tries hiding the book under his arm. He isn't going to buy it, he's just embarrassed to be caught. As soon as the people turn away Dan then quickly puts it back on the shelf and stands with his hands in his pockets.

   "You're meant to be finding that book..." Charlie taps Dan's list.

   Dan throws his eyes back before shrugging. He know's that it'll be a waste of money, since he has a hard time remembering the books that he's previously read. Charlie, however, carries around several heavy books. All of which are nothing to do with pregnancy. They're the newest graphic novels in the Lady Luck and Illusion saga.

   "Find it. Now." Charlie demands while Dan runs his index finger over the books.

   "I literally can't see it..."

   Charlie is not impressed by Dan's attitude. She knows that he needs this book to help him understand what she's going through. Everything from unpredictable mood swings, to feeling tired...Charlie has it much harder than Dan.

   "Go and ask someone if they have it in the back? You heard what the midwife said...you need answers to your twenty thousand questions. The book has those questions."

   While Charlie and Dan talk about the importance of the informative book, the owner of the book shop overhears them. She stands opposite the couple pretending to rearrange the books, almost immediately she sees the book that they're on about, which was left in the section besides maternity. "Excuse me..." she shyly says with a smile in her voice.

   Neither Charlie or Dan notice, since they're now talking about the film again. "I think I've found the book that you're looking for." She says a little louder, and sweeter. As soon as Charlie turns around her eyes widen and jaw drops.

   "Ah, thank you. I don't think my girlfriend was going to let me go without it." Dan laughs for conversation, but the book shop owner in shock too as the memories come flooding back in.

   Her name is Tiffany Snow and she is Charlie's deadbeat mother...

   "Pregnancy can make a woman stubborn..." Tiffany almost whispers while tears fill up in Charlie's eyes. She hasn't seen her since she was fourteen years old.

   The last time Charlie ever laid her eyes upon her mother was the night she ran away. Her mother was completely naked while lying on the bed with a needle sticking out of her arm, a strange man with beady eyes was sitting opposite the bed. He too was naked.

   Dan nudges Charlie on her arm with a soppy smile on his face, "how true is that." Charlie falsely smiles and nods her head a little feeling uncomfortable by her mother's presence.

"I feel sick. Let's just buy these and get out of here." Dan nods his head in agreement.

"If you would like to follow me to the counter..." Dan knows what there's something wrong but he doesn't say anything. He doesn't want to make it obvious. So instead he closely follows behind Charlie towards the counter.

"You're nineteen now, right?" Tiffany asks her daughter, not really sure of her age because of the drugs.

"I turned twenty-seven in January." Charlie's mother's eyes widen in shock.

"You look...good." Tiffany's voice trails off while Charlie closes her eyes feeling every single emotion. Mainly anger, frustration...and sadness.

Dan on the other hand has a good guess who this woman is, so he keeps out of their way. "How many months are you?" Tiffany asks while deliberately packing the books into bags the slowest she can.

   "I'm not obliged to tell you anything." Tiffany smiles a little before looking away, she knows that asking about her grandchild is too much to ask.

   "So you like this Lady Luck character then?" Her mother says trying to make conversation. But Charlie doesn't  speak. She doesn't want her mother finding out about her job...what she likes and what so doesn't.

   "Are you married then?" Standing behind Charlie, Dan shakes his head.

   "What it to you if I'm married or not." Once again Dan shakes his head while Tiffany stops looking at her daughter and then towards Dan, although not obviously.

   "Is this your first child?" Dan nods his head while Charlie almost growls.

   "I'm clearly never going to let you know. You was a lousy mother who loves drugs and money more than your own daughter!" Charlie angrily screams while Dan then tells himself that Charlie is right. Her mother doesn't deserve any answers.

   "Charlotte. Charlotte look at me now." Tiffany sternly says under her breath. She's embarrassed...but she deserves it. She knows she does.

   But Charlie doesn't look at her mother. Instead she opens her purse and takes out two fifty pound notes and puts them down on the counter. "No...Charlotte. They're on me. Just look at me please." Charlie then pushes the money forwards, regardless of what she's just said and then takes the bags. Without looking Tiffany in the eye she then walks off while Tiffany calls out of her.

   Both Dan and Charlie leave the shop in a uncomfortable silence. When they get down the road...Charlie bursts into tears. Something of which Dan hasn't really seen Charlie do before...so he knows that her mother has negatively affected her.