Page 29

Charlie

“W hy are you so much smaller than your brother? Aren’t twins supposed to look alike? What’s wrong with you?” Ashley laughs along with her group of stuck-up friends. I feel my face burning as I try to get as small as I can at the lunch table.

“You’re such a loser!“

“Nobody likes your shitty art!”

“It’s a shame Benji’s related to you. He doesn’t deserve to be dragged down by you!”

“Why don’t you just drop out so he doesn’t have to be humiliated by you anymore?”

“You should just leave Charlie…LEAVE!”

I wake with my heart beating loudly in my ears as I blink away the memories from high school. Fucking Ashley and her damn bully squad. I wipe sweat from my chest as I sit up and scrub my hand roughly through my tangled hair.

Reaching for my phone, I see that it’s only five-thirty.

Today is going to be a long day.

I’ll be expected for breakfast at eight but then I won’t have to be accounted for again until later.

With nothing to do for the next couple ofhours, I grab my sketchbook out of my bag and start sketching out Shane’s sleeping face from last night.

A few hours later I’m about to step out of my room right as someone knocks. I open it to Jeffery still holding his fist up.

“I’m on my way down now.” He nods and steps to the side.

I’m the first to arrive at the table, which never happens, so I quickly add scrambled eggs and some strawberries to my plate. Benji walks in a minute later followed by our parents.

We all wait for Father to fill his plate before we’re allowed to start eating. I squirt some ketchup on my eggs, feeling hungry for once. But as I’m bringing the first bite to my mouth, my mother gasps. I look up and see her looking at me, clutching invisible pearls.

I look down to make sure I didn’t put Shane’s hoodie on by mistake, then over to Benji but he’s texting while shoveling food into his mouth. I skip over Father and land back on her horrified face.

“You are not about to eat that, are you? All that processed sugar does not belong in this house! Gloria!” She shouts. “Gloria, come here right now!”

I hear a commotion in the kitchen before the doors open and Gloria steps through.

“Yes, ma’am,” she says with a slight Spanish accent.

My mother points at me before glaring at Gloria. “What is that doing on my table?”

Gloria looks at me, confused before returning to her. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand. That’s your son, Charles.”

“Not him. That disgusting red sugar he has all over his plate! I did not approve of anything processed to be set on my table! Get rid of it!” She tilts her nose up so she can look down at Gloria.

Gloria raises a brow before walking over to me and grabbing the bottle of ketchup.

“Take his plate too and bring a new one. He won’t be eating that mess.”

Gloria stalls for a second before taking my plate. She drops my fork and bends down to grab it.

“Tengo una botella en mi cocina para ti,” she quickly whispers.

Our eyes connect for a split second before she stands up and walks back into the kitchen.

“Seriously Charles. Why must you test my patience so early in the day?” She rubs a golden manicured finger into her temple. “We have a long day ahead of us and I will not tolerate your insufferable need to make everything so difficult.”

I look down at the empty spot on the table where my plate was.

I don’t even know what I did. I haven’t even talked to anyone.

“You will look at your mother when she’s speaking to you.” My father’s stern voice has my head jerking up to meet my mother’s green eyes.

“I-I won’t make today any more difficult for you. S-Sorry.”

She waves her hand like she’s shooing away a fly, adding an eye roll. I quickly look back down at the table, which now has a clean plate on it.

Too bad I’ve lost my appetite.

I sit with my hands in my lap and trace the ugly pattern on the tablecloth with my eyes until they’re finished.

The second Benji tosses his napkin on his plate, I’m up and walking away.

I spend a few hours in my room until my stomach cramps and I can’t stand the grumbling anymore. I run into Simon, one of the housekeepers, on my way outside and he tells me Gloria has food for me at their house. So I spend the rest of the afternoon eating delicious food while catching up with everyone.

At a quarter to four, I step into the dressing room that’s designated for me and Benji.

David, my mother’s stylist, is in a deep purple suit that stops above his ankles with a light blue shirt underneath, the first few buttons open. His brown skin is almost glowing as he turns his head towards me. His gold contacts catching the light. A big smile crosses his face as he opens his arms, walking to me.

“O-M-G! I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve seen you!” He holds onto my shoulders and air kisses my cheeks. “I have the perfect suit for you but I’m dreading that it might not fit your narrow waist.” He pouts before spinning around. “Follow me.” He raises his right arm in the air, waving me forward.

Releasing a slow breath, I approach a navy blue Tom Ford suit with a white button-up shirt. Three ties are hanging next to it. The first one is all red with that weird floral design most ties have, the second is light orange with tiny white polka dots, and the last one is solid magenta.

“I’m thinking the orange or magenta.” David takes them off their hangers and drapes them over each shoulder of the jacket. He tilts his head before grabbing the orange one and dramatically tosses it over his shoulder. “Yes! This color will make the gold in your eyes pop.” He tucks the magenta tie in the collar of the shirt before stepping back. “What do you think, sweetness?”

It doesn’t matter what I think so I smile and nod.

“Perfect! Sasha is waiting for you then.” He holds out his hand to the other side of the room where Sasha’s waiting. She’s standing with her hand on her popped-out hip, eyes squinting at me. I raise my shoulders to my ears and quickly walk over to where she’s standing next to all her hair stuff.

“Charlie.” She points to the salon chair with a comb.

I make my way onto it and look down. She spins me so I’m facing the room instead of the huge mirror. She runs her fingers through my hair, catching on a few knots.

“Hmm. I think a trim on the sides and a little shaping on the top will do.” She lifts my chin up with a questioning arched brow.

I nod.

“Good. Keep your head up for me.” She takes out the clippers and starts on the back of my head. I fall into a numb state at the buzzing through my head. I close my eyes as she works through the rest of my hair.

“All done. I used the light styling gel so you can still run your fingers through your hair. Try not to do it too much though,” she winks spinning me around to face the mirror.

The sight of my pale face has me cringing.

“Thank you, Sasha.”

I walk back over to where David is adjusting Benji’s green floral tie. Grabbing my suit, I walk behind the pop-up wall David has set up. I quickly change into the suit, my heart sinking at how loose the pants are and how much room I have in the jacket.

Shit. It’s been awhile since I was measured but I didn’t think I was this small.

I tighten the belt and ditch the jacket. The waist of the pants is slightly bunched but it’s not too noticeable. I tie the tie into a perfect full Windsor knot with a dimple and step into dark brown Oxfords. I drape the jacket over my arm and walk out from behind the wall. David is leaning against the back of the plush couch, looking like a cover model for Vogue.

I nervously adjust my tie and run my hand through my hair as I get closer to him. He stands up to his full height as he looks at me from head to toe then back up again, tilting his head with his finger on his chin.

“Drop the jacket, sweetness. I need the full effect.”

I slowly lower my arm and chew anxiously on my lip.

He sees how much you’ve let yourself go!

He’s disgusted by you!

Now he has to fix this mess so Mother won’t fire him!

I start shaking so I tighten my muscles, trying to stop. But then my teeth start chattering the longer he doesn’t say anything.

“Damn, Charlie. I knew you were smaller than me but shit, you’re like a fucking toothpick now,” Benji laughs from beside David.

“Hush you,” David snaps. “You’re finished. Be gone.” He shoos Benji out of the room along with Sasha.

I feel like I’m choking on my tongue as he walks up to me. His eyes are gentle as he grabs my hands and pulls me into his hard, flat chest. He smells like sweet vanilla. He strokes one hand over the back of my head and the other up and down my back. His rings hit the nobs of my spine, making me bury my face even deeper into his chest.

“Sweet child. I don’t know what you’re going through but whatever it is, it’s not worth your life. I hear the way you’re treated around here and I want nothing more than to put these people in their place. Believe me when I say your mother needs to be taken down a peg or five,” he chuckles. He picks my head up and smooths my hair back into place. “Don’t worry about anyone but you.” He bops me on the nose. “I’ve gone through a lot to get where I am. I had to build walls to keep the haters out and protect those who stood next to me. This world is full of ignorance. Don’t let them dull your light, sweetness.”

He steps back and wipes away the tears that fell down my cheek.

“Now, let me get a better look at what I’m working with here.”

He spends the next twenty minutes adjusting the sides of my pants so they’re no longer bunched. When I put the jacket on, he almost rips it as he pulls it off just as quickly.

“I have something better.”

He walks over to the wall with elegant gowns hanging up, moving them around until he finds a black garment bag. Unzipping it, he pulls out another navy blue jacket. This one has a subtle swirl design on it in the same color as the jacket so it doesn’t stand out too much. He walks up behind me and helps me into it.

“Oh yes. This is it! We have a winner!” He nods enthusiastically with a proud smile. “Want to see?” He guides me over to the full-length mirror.

Looking at my reflection, I start at my shoes and slowly make my way up, stopping below my chin. The dark blue suit and magenta tie work well together. The jacket’s detail adds a bit of elegancy I normally don’t go for but the whole outfit works.

“It looks great. Thank you, David.” I give him a small smile as I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

Blue: Where are my sexy selfies?? I swear I’ll blow up your phone all night if you don’t send me at least one! Pleeeaassseee praying hands emoji

I snort as I read Shane’s text.

“Oh? Who has my sweetness smiling like this?” David points to my lips, his own grin lighting up his face.

I contemplate telling him about Shane. Knowing he works closely with my mother has my guard up but then I remember how he just comforted me.

No one in this house does that.

“My boyfriend,” I whisper.

He holds his hand around his ear and leans down. “Your what now? Say it proudly, baby!”

I clear my throat and repeat myself but with my head held up this time. “My boyfriend, Shane.”

“That’s what I thought I heard. He better be treating my sweetness like the king he is!” He crosses his arms and tries to look tough but fails a second later when he starts laughing. “Do we have a pic of this Shane?” He stands next to me as I show him my background picture of us. “Dayum, he’s fine! And those eyes! Yes, I approve! As long as he’s treating you right of course.”

“He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” I say softly as I look at our picture.

I wonder if…

“Can you do me a favor?”

“Anything for you, sweetness.”

Opening the camera, I hand him my phone. “Can you take a picture of me, please? Shane wants to see me in a suit, but I don’t know how to take a selfie without missing half my face.”

He laughs. “Oh, sweet baby child, the things I need to teach you! Of course. Go stand over by the window.”

I walk over to the window and stand feeling awkward, not sure what to do.

“Relax, baby. Look out the window. Okay now put your hands on the windowsill.” I hear the fake shutter sound a few times. “Alright, now stay in that position but look at me. Oh my God! Yes! He’s gonna love that one! Now stand facing me and put your hands in your pockets. Perfect!” He does a few more poses before handing my phone back. “If those don’t get him hard he’s not worth keeping.” David laughs to himself as my mother comes storming in.

She’s in a floor-length cream-colored gown with gold accents and jewelry. Her hair is pinned to the side with blonde waves cascading down her shoulder. Her makeup is dramatic but not overly done.

She’s beautiful.

But I could never say that to her. She’d think I was mocking her then she would make David and Sasha redo everything.

“Charles, Ashley will be here any minute. You need to be downstairs to greet her and her parents. Benjamin is already here with his girlfriend, so I need you standing next to him as guests arrive.” She opens the door and motions for me to leave. “And no phones.”

I look back at David and mouth ‘thank you’ to which he winks. Moving quickly past my mother, I rush up the stairs to put my phone in my bag after sending the photos to Shane. I hurry back downstairs and down the hall where I can hear voices. As I get closer, I see my father at the start of the “greeting” line, my mother next to him, and then Benji with Katie on his arm. I huff as I take my spot next to her.

“Fancy meeting you here,” she says with a fake smile. She leans back and looks around. “Where’s your boyfriend? Didn’t want daddy finding out about him?” She has an evil glint in her eye.

I ignore her and focus on the door. A few minutes later a tall brunette in a form-fitting dark blue dress walks in. She smiles as my father hugs her. I see him whisper something in her ear that has her eyes shooting to mine. I swallow hard as I turn my head forward and wait for her to approach me.

She walks past me but does a spin and ends up right next to me. Her perfume causes me to cough at the strong scent.

“Nice to see you again, Charlie.” She turns to look at me, but I keep my head forward. “Your father tells me I need to keep you busy tonight. Any ideas on what we could possibly do?” She runs her fingers over my belt, causing my stomach to flip.

I grab her hand and look in her dark brown eyes. “Don’t fucking touch me,” I seethe quietly. “I’ll introduce you to all the big shots and dance with you until dinner, then you’re on your own.” She raises a sculpted brow. “I don’t give a fuck what you do afterward, just leave me alone.” Dropping her hand, I turn and face forward once more.

“I’ll take that deal but if you’re caught doing something you’re not supposed to, that’s not on me.” She turns, whipping my arm with her hair.

I’m so ready for this to be over.

I lead Ashley around the room, her arm through mine, as I introduce her to anyone who might take an interest in her modeling career.

By the time dinner is being served, I’m five drinks in. I need some food before I drink anymore or I’m going to pass out.

The servers come out with trays loaded with plates with traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I lick my lips and place a napkin on my lap as I wait for my plate.

Only it doesn’t come.

Benji and two other guys with their dates are sitting with us as plates are set in front of them. I look around at the other tables and notice a handful of us don’t have plates. Another wave of servers comes out but I can’t tell what’s on the plates only that it’s not the same food.

My appetite goes out the window as one of the servers sets my plate down in front of me. A deep pink piece of meat with a bone sticking out is sitting on top of yellow potatoes.

I poke the meat, but I have no idea what kind it is. I push it off the potatoes but see that the juice from the meat has covered them. Picking up a baby carrot coated in some glaze, I take a small bite and immediately fight the urge to gag. I use my napkin to discreetly spit it out. The lingering heat from the spices makes my tongue numb.

When I can feel my tongue again, I notice everyone at the table is staring at me.

“What?” I look around the table at their stares.

They shake their heads and go back to eating. Except for Benji.

“Why do you get lamb chops? I’d rather have that than this.” He points to his half-finished plate with his fork.

I shrug. “I don’t know. I don’t even eat meat. I could eat more from your plate than I can from mine.”

He reaches over and stabs the lamb chop, bringing it to his plate. I look down at my pathetically small plate and push the potatoes around. The smell of freshly made bread taunts me as Ashley rips her roll in half.

“Can I have the other half of your roll,” I ask her.

She gives me a look like I’m crazy before ignoring me and continuing to eat. Looking over at Benji’s plate, I see that he hasn’t touched his mashed potatoes and somehow has two rolls.

I nudge his elbow with mine to get his attention. “Are you going to eat both rolls? Or your mashed potatoes?”

He picks up one roll and takes a massive bite out of it. “Sorry, I love these things,” he mumbles around a mouth full of bread.

My heart sinks as I point to his mashed potatoes. “I gave you my lamb chop. Can I have half your potatoes?” A desperate plea evident in my voice.

Benji licks the back of his fork before running it across his potatoes.

“I don’t care about a little bit of your spit. Please, Benji.”

He picks up the lamb chop that’s dripping red juice all over his plate, and I watch in shock as he sets it on top of the mashed potatoes knowing I won’t eat it now.

I stare at his plate as I hear the others snickering around me.

Why did he do that?

What did I ever do to him to make him hate me so much?

The back of my eyes start to sting as I stand up and make my way to the bathroom. I slam and lock the door before sliding down to the floor. I hug my knees to my chest as the first tears fall. I thought my father would be the one to cause this reaction in me, not my brother.

I grip my knees tighter as I bang my head back against the door.

So. Fucking. Stupid!

I don’t belong here.

I’ll never be one of them.

I wish Shane was here.

“Get out of there Charles!” My father’s voice booms through the door.

I scurry to my feet as I hear a key sliding into the lock. I step back as my red-faced father comes through the door and charges at me. He grabs me around the throat and pins me to the wall.

“Why must you always cause a scene? Hm? It’s bad enough that Ashley and Katie have brought it to my attention the way you keep looking at Grayson. And now you want to storm out of dinner when everyone is trying to enjoy their Thanksgiving meal? Your little fit had eyes judging me. Making me look like I can’t control my children.”

I try to pull his hand from my throat, but he swats my hand away and squeezes harder.

“I think it’s time for me to take back control of you.” His face is inches from mine, showing me the hatred in his eyes.

My body starts to go limp from lack of oxygen. Giving my neck one more squeeze, he lets me go. I collapse into a heap on the floor, coughing and wheezing.

He grabs my hair and yanks my head back at a sharp angle.

“Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back for you.”

He pushes my head forward as he stands up and walks out of the bathroom. I hear the lock before something hard hits the door.

I crawl to the door and try the handle. It won’t move. I pull down on it with all my weight, but it still won’t budge. A whimper leaves my lips as I realize that he propped a chair under the handle.

I curl into a ball and silently cry into the cold tiled floor.

I don’t want to be here.

I hate this.

Why me?

Is it because I’m a bad person?

I don’t mean to be difficult.

I’m so tired of everything.

So fucking tired.

A key sliding in the lock has me hurrying into the corner and covering my head.

“Get up Charles,” My father demands.

I slowly get to my feet as my entire body vibrates in fear.

I’m roughly grabbed by my bicep and pulled from the bathroom. I can still hear music and laughter coming from the dining hall as we turn and go up the staircase.When we get to the top, I’m shoved into his office.

I stand in the middle of the room shaking like a leaf as he removes his suit jacket, places it over the back of his chair, and rolls up the sleeves of his dress shirt.

“Why do you think it’s okay to act like a rebellious teen, Charles?”

He doesn’t look at me as he pours himself three fingers of whiskey from the decanter in the corner. He tosses it back like it’s water then slams his glass down, making me jump.

“I asked you a question and I expect an answer!” He yells.

“I-I don’t-”

His empty whiskey glass shatters as it connects with my head. Warm blood drips down the side of my face as I cry out and I shield my head from anything else he might throw. When nothing happens, I slowly open my eyes and jump back when he’s standing right in front of me.

“I thought we took care of the stuttering problem. I paid good money for those therapists to fix you. Seems like even that wasn’t good enough to fix your fucked up head.” His spit hits my face a second before he punches me below my ribs.

Red hot pain has me falling to the floor, doubled over.

“P-please. I-I’m sorry,” I gasp through the pain.

“P-P-P,” he mocks before kicking me in the ribs on the other side.

Air rushes out of my lungs and I struggle to take a breath. I make loud sucking noises as I beg my lungs to work.

“Pathetic piece of shit,” he spits on me before he grabs my arm and twists it behind my back. I cry out in pain as he pulls up until I’m standing.

“I won’t be embarrassed like I was tonight. Ever. Again. Keep this locked in your memory for the next time you want to act out.”

He spins me around quickly and the second I’m facing him, his left fist connects with my face. My head jerks back and I fall backwards landing on the broken pieces of the whiskey glass. Sharp pain slices through my back causing me to cry out again.

With tears blurring my vision and my head ringing, I try to roll out of the glass, but he pushes me back down with his foot, sending the shards of glass deeper into my skin.

He shakes his head as he walks to the chair and puts his suit jacket back on.

“I hope you’ve learned your lesson, Charles.” He straightens his tie and smooths back his greying dark hair before walking away.

Leaving me bleeding on his office floor.

I try to get up but I don’t have any strength left. With the adrenaline quickly leaving my body, I close my stinging eyes.

The sun is beginning to rise when I wake up. Rolling to my side, I whimper at the intense pain all over my body. My head spins as I slowly sit up.

Fuck it hurts to breathe.

I look down at my ruined suit covered in blood.

Sorry, David.

It takes me forever to get to my feet, having to pause a few times to stop the world from spinning. I can only see out of one eye as I slowly shuffle across the room and down the hallway. I take as deep of a breath as I can before climbing up the stairs one at a time, holding back a sob on every step. I make it to my room with tears streaming down my face as my exhausted body tries to crumble.

Grabbing Shane’s hoodie from under my pillow, I shove it in my bag, making sure I don’t get any blood on it.

A sudden wave of dizziness hits me, forcing me to sit down on my bed. I grab my head with both hands and breathe through the pain as best I can. I start to doze off but jerk upright when I start to lean to the side.

No.

I need to keep moving.

I have to get away.

Looking around my room, I make sure I can live without what’s being left behind. Because I’m not coming back here. Ever.

When I’m satisfied that I don’t need anything, I slowly descend the back stairs. I sigh in relief as fresh air hits my skin when I finally make it outside. Wiping away the fresh tears, I force my heavy legs to the two-story house Gloria lives in.

Thankfully she sees me coming before I get to the door. She rushes up to me.

“Mijo mio, que te paso? Venir. Dejame Limpiarte.” Her worried eyes scan over my face as she places her hand on my back.

I let out a painful cry causing her to jump back.

“I need my key Gloria. Please,” I pant through the pain.

She scrunches her face in worry before nodding.

“Si. But please let me help you first. Come inside. Por favor, Charlie.” She takes my hand, gently urging me to follow her inside.

I hold her hand as I hobble over the threshold of her back door.

“I’m fine Gloria. I just need my key so I can go home.”

Her brow quirks as she pulls down a container labeled lima beans. She pulls out a bag of large white beans before pulling out my car key. Walking over to where I’m leaning against the wall, she takes my hand and places my key in my palm, and wraps my cold fingers in her warm hands as she looks me in the eye.

“Eres un buen hombre, Charlie. Recuerda eso.” She rubs my cheek. “Please be safe.”

I nod even though I don’t believe her. Jeffery walks around the corner with misty eyes holding up his car keys.

“Let’s go before I’m summoned.” He pats Gloria on the shoulder as he walks past and opens the door for me.

I look back at Gloria one more time. “Gracias por todo lo que has hecho por mi. Nunca te olvidare.”

A tear slips down her cheek as I turn and walk out the door.

I carefully sit in the back seat of Jeffery’s black Bentley as he climbs in the front.

“We’ll be there in about twenty minutes.” He backs out of his spot and heads down the driveway. He looks at me in the rearview mirror. “Why don’t you lay down for the ride, Charlie. I’ll let you know when we’re close.”

Laying on my stomach, I close my eyes and let the white noise of the car fill my head.

“We’re pulling in now Charlie. What number spot is it in?”

Slowly sitting up, I take in the dark parking garage I haven’t been to since I started college. I look down at the keychain attached to my key.

“It’s in stall seventy-seven,” I rasp.

He drives up a few floors and comes to a stop in front of a car with a black cover over it and seventy-seven marked on the ground. Jeffery helps me out of the car and then helps uncover my baby.

My midnight blue Mustang Dark Horse comes into view. I smile at how pristine she still is.

“Thank you, Jeffery. For everything.” I shake his hand before unlocking my baby.

She roars to life as I press the start button, feeling the power under me.

As Jeffery pulls away, I tun the opposite way and head back home to Shane.