Maripolite

Untitled Part 5

Standing over Jessie's bed Nathalie could see that Charles was disturbed by what he saw. She took the chair from the corner and placed it by her daughters' bed and sat allowing Charles to read the scene as he would placing her focus only on Jessie.

She observed Charles looking at the bands around her wrists and taking in their sickly daughter that she had run out of options to help.

"I have to step outside," He said

Shortly after he came back in "I called a good friend of mine Dr. James Archer and asked him to look in on her to see how he could help."

Charles placed his hand on her shoulder as he spoke and she felt instantly relieved. Her trip to the museum had brought the relief that Jessie needed and the care that she could no longer afford.

"I don't think we should stay here. I can see that this burdens you"

"It does" Nathalie agreed and they left

"I'll have her moved to a private room and we will check on her after Dr. Archer reviews her case. I'm certain she'll be better soon and I will get to meet my daughter on her feet" he rolled his lips into a thin line then pulled his cheeks up towards his eyes in a weak smile but his jet black pools where stagnant.

Nathalie nodded in agreement but could not respond. She felt gratitude  for his ability to take control of the situation and make it better she'd always loved that about him in college.

"Where do you live?"

"Thirty minutes away on Borde street"

They drove in silence the events of the day had exhausted her and she could not wait to get to the safety of her home.

When he pulled up in front of her apartments she could not help but notice how he looked it over. It was old and she could tell that he noticed. The disdane on his face said more than words ever could.

Nathalie helped herself out of his car and got her things from the back seat. Charles came out and walked her to the door which she opened deftly slipped inside and stood in the doorway blocking his entrance as she said goodnight.

"I just promised to never leave you again and that also means taking care of you, don't push me away I know this seems like a lot but let me in, let me take care of you in a way I couldn't have done before, you need company tonight, I can see the disquiet on your face and I think we should finish our conversation... calmly"

He paused and Nathalie searched for every reason to keep him out "You don't have to trust me right away but let me provide for you, let me console you and let me be there for you" he paused "you and Jessie in a way that comes easy for me and the rest we can sort out with time." there was a long pause between them, then "I'm coming up with you!" 

Charles caught her eye and did not look away his stare pushed down any resolve she had made while he spoke and she backed away from the door feeling that if she did not let him in willingly he would force his way in without apologies. She stepped back to let him in and walked towards the elevator she heard him lock the door behind them both and follow.

Nathalie's' apartment was poorly lit at best at the entrance was a coat rack to the left and a kitchen to the right. The kitchen was small, one counter that separated the small round dining table from the kitchen, a fridge to his immediate right just behind the door and a stove to the end of the narrow kitchen walkway against a wall.

Charles's eyes roamed the small space and she could see him judging it the same way his mother judged her fifteen years ago. She needed a shower so she left him to it.