Sooner or Later.

-forty one-

-james-

As I pulled Charlie from my grip her mum appeared in the room.

"Charlie sweetie are you okay?" Her mum came in and sat down next to us.

She nodded and hugged her mum.

"We have a court hearing about this today." She told Charlie.

She looked down and nodded.

"Charlie as long as I'm there nothing will happen." I told her gently.

I watched as her mom walked out of the room and her dad walked in.

"Hey Lee, how you doing," He dad said walking up to Charlie and touching her cheek.

"I'm good dad." She smiled at him.

"James, can I speak with you?" Her dad asked me.

I nodded and walked towards him.

Charlie looked back at me and I tilted my head to tell her I was okay.

I walked into the back room with him and he shut the door behind us.

He sat down and patted the seat next to him telling me to sit.

"James. What happened?" He calmly asked.

I sighed knowing that I would have to tell this story over and over again through out this day.

"Alex invited Charlie over to discuss their relationship. He tried to take advantage of her because when I lived in New Jersey I had slept with his sister. I know what you're thinking, I'm not the type of guy who sleeps around with girls, I'll admit after my old man died I got into a bad crowd but I've straightened out my life. Alex's sister had told Charlie what he was planning to do and she texted me and as soon as I got there I stopped him." I said.

Her father looked up at me.

"You lost your dad." He said.

I nodded.

"A couple of years ago."

He looked down and shut his eyes.

"I don't like my daughter getting involved with these people." He said simply.

"I know." I said.

"James I know a good guy from a bad one-."

"Before you say anything about me sir, I hope you know that I love your daughter, more than I've loved anyone before. I'd do anything for that girl." I said.

"I know James I know, I need you around her." He said looking down at his hands.

"Dave I-"

"James I'm dying." He said looking up at me.

"What I-"

"I have cancer, it's too far gone."

"Does she know?" I asked.

"No, no not yet." He said laying his head back.

"Well shit," I said.

"You've seen her, she has so much going on now I can't give her anything else to worry about." He said.

"How much longer?" I asked.

"A month, maybe two." He said.

"That's why when I'm gone James, I need you there for her."

I watched as he shut his eyes and let a tear fall down.

"After this all blows over, I'll tell her, but I want you to be there when I do." He asked.