Page 58 of Love By The Falls

By the time Charlie returns, there’s a tension at the table that is palpable. I regret saying anything to Jason, as I should have known I would have bruised his ego. But, just as I’d nearly given up on him, he asks Charlie about school.

That’s all it takes for Charlie to go on a twenty-minute rant about every classmate, bully, annoying subject, and dance trend happening in the schoolyard.

I get a little emotional watching his face become animated as he tells Jason about himself. He’s growing up so fast, and soon he’ll be in high school and then off to college… tears threaten to fall, and I clear my throat before excusing myself to cool off in the bathroom.

When I return, Jason and Charlie are talking about the New York Lions and catching a baseball game this summer. My heart stops and I force a breath through my tight throat.

Conversation flows throughout dinner, but there’s a nausea in the pit of my stomach I can’t shake and barely touch my salad, choosing two bread rolls instead.

Finally, after dessert, I thank Jason for dinner and tell him it’s time for us to head back home. I’m exhausted and not feeling a hundred percent.

Sage is awake when I open the front door. She turns off the television and sits up higher on the couch. She pulled her long hair into a topknot.

“So, how did it go?”

“Fine.”

She stares at me and then turns her attention to Charlie. “How about you? Did you have a good time?”

“Yeah. Mom’s friend is nice. He said he’ll take me to a baseball game this summer. Cool, right?”

“Cool.” Sage looks at me again, pressing her lips together.

I drop onto the couch next to Sage. “Wash up, Charlie. It’s almost time for bed.”

“Can I play a video game before bed?”

“Just one. I’ll be in to say good night in about half an hour.”

He runs to the bathroom, not wasting any play time.

“So, how did it go, really?”

“Honestly, it was fine. A little shaky at first, but Charlie seemed happy talking about himself, and Jason was content to listen.”

“Was it awkward?”

“A little, but when I came back from the bathroom and saw just the two of them talking, my heart stopped. I never thought I’d see the day. I even got a little emotional about it.”

“Really?”

“I know. Strange, huh?”

Sage stares at me, her eyes roaming across my body. “What did you have for dinner?”

Exhausted, I drop my head back onto the couch and close my eyes. “Ugh. I ordered a Cobb salad but finished the breadbasket instead.”

“Charlotte…”

“Mmm?” I ask, not opening my eyes.

When Sage doesn’t continue, I peek over at her. She’s staring at me and biting her lip.

“You’ve been back a month and have hardly eaten anything. You’re exhausted all the time and tonight you even got emotional. It’s understandable with everything that’s going on, but, maybe…”

She leans forward with her head tilted, as though she is urging me to figure something out.

Then it hits me.

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