Chapter 14

• Charlotte’s POV
• I got out of the car to see that the neighborhood hadn’t changed much. We were still living at the same old house and I could see some advancements which I had not known the people around would be bold to put up.
• For example I found a new Walmart store down the street and a new ice cream bus stationed three blocks away from my house.
• “Welcome home,” my mother said, getting me back to reality as I smiled while walking into the house to see some old friends from college and my extended family smiling and congratulating me for surviving the three year coma.
• “Thank God you woke up,” my uncle, whom everyone knew was a drunk, hiccuped as he patted me on the back. “I was almost certain the Black Plague was coming for us all.”
• “I don't think what got me in that coma was the Black Plague,” I corrected as he shrugged before leaving me at the door to get more drinks.
• I looked around to see more people coming to hug me and thank God that my sleeping tenure was over.
• “I don’t think you'll be sleeping anytime soon,” someone joked as everyone looked back to see my cousin who had his beer belly raising up his tight shirt.
• What he had said got everyone silent as my mother cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention.
• “I am so glad that my daughter is back and she is safe and sound. Now let’s hear the music and let’s party!” she yelled as the crowd whooped, giving me a piercing headache before the bass from the speakers hit my eardrums hard.
• I couldn’t stay with them for long so I headed for my room to rest.
• I saw Cheryl walking towards me when I got to the hallway to the rooms but she didn’t acknowledge me. She had a drink in her hand as she brushed past me, refusing to turn to talk or anything.
• With a shrug, I opened my door to get into it and found a musty smell all around.
• I shut the door behind me to only hear the bass vibrations in my room. It was good to be back, I thought to myself as I paced around the room admiring everything.
• They had all been kept the way I liked everything to be kept, I presumed this was all my mum’s doing.
• She would only allow people to touch things which belonged to any of us if we were around. Knowing I had been in a coma, not knowing if I was going to wake or not must have hurt her.
• I wondered how many times she must have thought of taking out my things and giving it out.
• I took up a book which laid on my table to go through.
• “The great crossing,” I sighed, cleaning the dust from the cover. It used to be my favorite book in college.
• Thinking of college reminded me of Marcus and my chest hurt thinking about him.
• I suddenly had the urge to run after Cheryl and attack her. I needed a drink, a very hard one, but I had just come out of the hospital. It was not a wise decision to make.
• Besides, I already had a plan in motion and I was not about to lose my plan because I was angry that my fiancé had gone ahead to sleep with my sister.
• I took in deep breaths as I sat on the edge of the bed to feel how soft the bed was. It was very welcoming and I was glad I was home.
• Dipping my hand into my shirt pocket, I got out the card Taevon had given to me.
• I had to call him and tell him… no, I would keep my cool and focus on healing and resting for the day. By tomorrow I would go to see him.
• When I had told him of my plan to get married to him, his face had been filled with shock. I had not expected that reaction, but I didn’t even know what I was expecting when I had said that to him.
• Now that I thought back at it, I was pretty sure I sounded crazy as I had told him of my ludacris plan.
• I heard approaching footsteps as I dropped the card in my pocket and waited for my door to open.
• Someone grunted in front of my door before it opened up to reveal my mother struggling with the box she had gotten to the hospital for me.
• “Let me help you with that,” I got to my feet to aid her as she pushed me away gently with her hand.
• “I’ve got it,” she strained, dropping the box in front of my wardrobe. She looked around with a proud look on her face while her hands were on her waist. “I didn’t touch anything here. I didn't let anyone in here either.”
• Without having any control of my body, I drew my mother in for a hug. I had missed her and this was what gave me peace of mind. I loved her and I could see how much she had missed me.
• I didn’t know what she had gone through after finding out that her daughter was going to be in a coma.
• “It’s okay,” she sniffed, hugging me back.
• When I let her go, her eyes were red as she started a slow walk towards the door.
• “Look, I know you don’t want to get down for the welcome back party and I get it, so later on, I’ll get you some chicken and you can eat it in bed.”
• I nodded, “Thank you mum.”
• “You’re welcome,” she smiled ready to go.
• “Mum?” I called, getting her attention.
• “Yes sweetie.”
• “Can I have my phone now?”
• “It’s in the drawer sweetie,” she smiled. “I didn’t disconnect your cell service as I was the one paying for it so I’m sure you have a ton of messages.”