Chapter 42

Mickey and Leigh sat outside Lucas' room. Mickey says "Did you know? Did she tell you?"
Leigh says "No, but you know Charlie keeps a lot to herself."
Mickey says "She usually tells you stuff."
Leigh says "Not this time. I don't know what to tell you."
Charlie says "I do. I'm sorry. I didn't know you knew Louisa."
Louisa says "Would it have made a difference?"
Charlie says "Yes."
Louisa says "How would it, CJ?" Louisa starts crying and hitting Charlie. "You left me."
Charlie holds Louisa's arms and says "I know, creeper, but I sent you letters, birthday and christmas cards. When I got no reply, I figured what she told me was true."
Louisa says "I never got anything. I thought you were dead."
Charlie let's go of Louisa's arms and says "What did she do with them?"
Louisa says "Who? Mum? Why would she do anything with them?"
Charlie says "She told you I was dead and you think she didn't do something with them?"
Louisa says "Why would she?"
Charlie says "Because she's evil?"
Katrina says "Already trying to poison my daughter against me?"
Charlie says "My letters, what did you do with them?"
Katrina says "Opened them, took out anything that could be used then burned them."
Shannon says "How can you says that like you're giving directions?"
Katrina says "Stay out of this you w***e. This is a family matter."
Charlie says "Don't talk to her like that. She'll be family as soon as the baby's born. In fact, to me, she's already family."
Katrina says "You never treated me like family."
Charlie says "Spin that on yourself and then you'll be at the truth."
Katrina says "Really?"
Charlie says "Yeah."
Katrina says "If you've got something to say, say it. Your father's not even cold yet but , go on, attack his wife."
Charlie says "Attack? I'm not going to attack you. I don't have the energy and you're not worth it."
Charlie starts to walk away. Louisa says "CJ, wait." Charlie stops. "Where are you going?"
Charlie says "For now, I'm going home."
Louisa says "You're coming back?"
Charlie says "See you around, creeper."
Charlie walks away. Louisa turns to Mickey and says "Are you leaving too?"
Mickey says "Not if you want me to stay."
Louisa nods. Leigh says "We'd better find Charlie. I'm sorry for your loss."
Shannon says "Louisa, if you need anything you know where I am."
Katrina says "If she needs anything, she has me. You're not needed."
Louisa says "Thanks."
Shannon and Leigh walk away. Katrina says "What did you thank her for?"
Louisa says "Shut up, mother."