Defenseless

Chapter 1

The day Charley moved out of the small craftsman bungalow she shared with her sister was a rough one. Bree was furious. Her big sister had initially been supportive. But as the relationship progressed at an alarming rate Bree’s enthusiasm for this “great guy” began to drastically decrease. When Charley told her they were moving in together after only three months Bree did her best to convince her it was a terrible idea. The typical reaction ensued. The harder Bree fought it, the more Charley fought with her. Eventually, Bree let it drop. Until moving day. She had never hidden her dislike of the situation around Chris Brady. He had hired a moving company and was there that day to oversee the process. Portland was cloud covered and a late spring mist was clinging to everything in its path, leaving a wake of glistening moisture. Bree leaned against the side of the house under the roof of their small porch and watched the movers file in and out with boxes and her sister’s furniture. She sipped her hot chamomile tea and, at regular intervals, would glare daggers at Chris as he directed the movers to and from the truck.

“If looks could kill,” Charley smirked at her sister and snuggled in close to her, wrapping her arms around her waist and laying her head on Bree’s shoulder. Bree sighed and looked away from Chris, into the foggy mist that seemed to suspend itself making the air heavy and hard to swallow. Or maybe that was just the tears she was fighting back.

“I don’t like this.” Bree murmured. Her throat was thick and her voice was brittle.
Charley looked at up at her sister from her position and perched her chin on Bree’s shoulder.

“I know.” They had been tense with each other for weeks. Charley just wanted it to stop. There were only a year and a few months that separated them. Charley had been Bree’s shadow since she could crawl. So, naturally, when Bree got into a program in Portland, Charley came with her. Where Bree went, Charley would follow. But now it was Charley that was leaving. They had never been apart and Bree was having a hard time letting go of that. Not to mention that she was still trying to figure out how she was going to afford this house on her own. They shared everything; food, bills, clothes. It wasn’t just the emotional and monetary issues that were gnawing at Bree. There had just always been something about Chris that never sat right with her. The way her stomach knotted and twisted anytime he was around made her uneasy. The thought of her sister, her best friend, moving in with this man that neither of them really even knew, was overwhelming. Bree had tried to recruit their older brother, Dison, to help her convince Charley that this was a horrible idea but he basically told her to mind her own business. He was of no use.

******

“Dison, you don’t understand. This is serious and important. Our little sister is making a huge mistake. Would you PLEASE just come out here? Just for a few days. Meet this guy and make the judgment for yourself. I know you will agree with me. Ugh, Dison, he is exactly the kind of guy you would hate. Trust me.”

“Bree, would you relax? She is an adult. It’s about time she met a serious guy. This is her life. She’s 24 now. She’s not our baby sister. And so what if it’s a mistake. It’s good to make mistakes and learn from them. Besides, do I need to remind you about Gary?” Bree pulled her phone away from her ear and glared hard at the screen as she switched it to speakerphone.

“Shut up. This isn’t about me and my dating history. I’m serious, Dison. I’m not overreacting here. There is just something way off about this guy.”

“I dunno. I’ve talked to him a couple times. I’ve checked out his online profile. I mean besides being the exact opposite of Charley’s normal type, which is NOT a bad thing, he seems like a decent guy. Great corporate job, solid education. I mean he can support her and he is crazy about her. Maybe this is going to be the guy that settles her down. That’s a good thing, Bree. Charley’s always been a little wild. Maybe this guy will get her to wash those pastel colors out the ends of her hair.”

“Really!? That’s what you’re concerned about. Her hair. You need to just meet this guy. In person. I know you will get the same vibe.” Bree was leaning back against the kitchen counter. It was early spring and the first nice day of the year. The sun was filtering through the open windows and a crisp, cool breeze drifted through the house. The sound of the heavy garage door being lifted signaled that Charley was home and putting her bike away.
“Look, we are running out of time, Dison. She moves at the end of the month. Please just try to come out. You are only a 3-hour flight away. Ok? Will you try?”

“Ok. Ok! Bree, just calm down. I will see what I can do.”

“That’s all I ask.”

*******

Bree sipped her tea and swallowed hard.

“I’m… I’m gonna miss this.” Bree’s voice was strangled as she lay her head on top of Charley’s. The sisters could have been twins and were often mistaken as such. Bree was only about an inch or so taller than her sister at 5’6. They shared the same shade of ashy blonde hair and similar chestnut brown eyes with shimmering flecks of gold and emerald. Bree had most of her long hair pulled up into a red, knit beanie with a few loose tendrils framing her face and around her neck. She shivered in the cool, wet air and pulled her heavy, oversized knit cardigan tighter around her, covering Charley’s arm with it.

“Me too.” Charley sighed. “But I’m still in the city. I am only minutes away.” She tried to comfort her sister and herself.
Charley was still looking at Bree, studying her face, when the last of the boxes were loaded and the scraping sound of the flimsy, aluminum truck door was being slid shut. Bree watched with wild eyes as Chris shook hands with some of the guys and began to head their way, to the porch. Suddenly she turned to Charley, looking her straight in the eyes. Her beautiful and flawless face was creased with an expression of concern. She knew her time was up and she needed to get this out, now.

“I am worried about you.” Bree’s voice was low but fierce and her words were rushed.
“Do you understand? I am not ok with this, Charlotte. I know it’s your life which is why I am not doing anything to stop you. But I need it to really sink in for you that you are making a terrible choice.” Tears had begun to flood Charley’s eyes. She felt every emotion; betrayal, anger, sadness, hurt. She pulled away from Bree, jerking her arm away from her sisters grasp, just as Chris ducked on to the bungalow’s porch.

“Stop it!” Charley growled. “Jesus! Why can’t you just be happy for me? What has he ever done to you? Huh? Nothing! Chris has been nothing but generous and kind to both of us and you have to ruin everything because you have this stupid ‘gut feeling’.” Charley threw up her hand in sarcastic and overdramatic air quotations. “It’s just nonsense, Briana.” Both sisters were breathless. Chris looked amused.

“I love you. That’s all. I’m just looking out for you.” Bree breathed.

“Look,” Chris interjected. “We appreciate your concern. I get that you don’t know me very well. We gave you a key to the apartment. You know right where we are. You are welcome to visit, anytime.” The look of contempt that flitted across Bree’s face before she could control it was one that would give any normal person chills. Not Chris. Either he honestly didn’t notice it or he pretended, but in either case, he smiled pleasantly. Charley reacted.

“Oh put your claws away, Mamma Bear. Honestly. You are being ridiculous.” Charley huffed. She rolled her eyes and pulled Bree into her for a hug. “I’ll call you later.” Without waiting for a response Charley turned on her heel and stormed to Chris’ car. Somehow Chris managed to beat her to the door and he held it open for her as she slid into the passenger seat. She rested her arm against the cool glass and put her head against it, watching Bree standing alone on the porch. At the last minute, as they began to pull away from the curb, Charley pushed the button to roll down her window before shouting:

“I love you, too!” She saw a faint but recognizable smile barely reach her sister's cheeks before she was out of sight.