Don't Give Up On Me - Unedited

Chapter 7

"He done what!" He seethed.

"He was drunk. I kneed him in the dick. No big deal. He backed off after that." I explained. Geez, calm down. "What's got your knickers in a twist?"

"For fucks sake Charley. That's sexual harassment! He's getting fired for that!'' 

Oh no he's angry. It's actually no big deal. He never tried it again after that.

"Please don't fire him." I begged.

"Why on earth wouldn't I? Why are you defending him?"

"I'm not defending him but if you were to fire him over a drunken mistake, then the world is full of people that needs to be punished. I got over it. He may have an attitude but I just take it with a pinch of salt. He's harmless really. Just remember everybody makes mistakes."

"Fine but if he so much as looks at you in the wrong way, his ass will be on that sidewalk. Got it?"

"Yesh, calm down I got it." He narrows his eyes at me but I turn my heard and stare at a piece of non-existing lint on the floor. He places his hand on my cheek and turns my head to face him.

"I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean to get angry but he has no right to treat anyone like that." By the intent look in his eyes I can tell he genuinely means it. I nod my head.

"Tell me more about you Charley. You don't give much away as I said."

"What do you want to know?" I ask.

"Your family, where you grew up, pet peeves. That sort of stuff." I stiffened when he mentioned family. I don't want to talk about my past. It can stay buried under the rock. I have to say something.

"Okay but you have to do the same. Deal?"

"We seem to be making alot of deals lately" he said smugly. "But deal."

We shook on it and I started. "I'm born and bred in Belfast. My dad left when he found out my mum was pregnant, probably back to Portugal. She met my step dad Kevin when I was 2. She got married less than a year later and fell pregnant with my brother soon after. When Owen was born cracks started to show in the marriage. When I was 5 they divorced. Owen was 2. We still regularly visited my step dad. I still see him as my dad. Mum run her own florist business. 'The Blooming Best' she called. I still remember the day we all sat round the table trying to figure out a name when she blurted that out. Owen clapped to show he liked it and mum decided to name it that. When I turned 13 mum died suddenly from a blood clot in her lung. I was sent to live with my aunt. Owen when to Kevin's because biologically he was his father but because he wasn't mine I was sent to the only living relative. When I was 16 my aunt died of a drug overdose. She was a crack head but you wouldn't think to look at her. She had a large home with no husband or kids. I was then sent to live with Kevin, my dad. It was great being back with Owen. I remember crying the second I saw him. I was only allowed to see him once every 4-6 weeks 'cause my aunt was an evil cunt. When I turned 18 I found out my aunts house was mine and Owens as we're the only living descendants. Mums house and her business was ours also. We sold both homes and the business and divided the money equally.

I bought an apartment, paid for my college fees and bought a run down second hand car. I still have quite a sum left that I use to treat myself with now and again. Owen used his to buy a flash car that he crashed 3 months later, college fees which was a pretty mature decision for him and a shit load of beers and parties, which was immature of him. He's a teacher now so at least college paid off. That's all about my family." I sigh. I gave enough away but not about the life I had with my aunt. "So what's your story?"

"My mum and dad divorced when I was 17. Leanne, Rachel and Paul moved with mum to London. I stayed as I had only 1 year left of school. I didn't want to transfer while I was studying hard and dealing with the up rooting. After my last year at school I went to America as I gained a scholarship. I studied business management as you already no. Got my own place, business and bada bing bada boo here I am." I couldn't help but notice how angry he got when he spoke about his dad. There's more that meets the eye. Looks like I'm not the only one with secrets.