Chapter 64

Louisa walks into the waiting area to find Leigh and Winnie. Leigh says "Hey, how's it going in there?"
Louisa says "Slowly. Where's Mickey?"
Leigh says "Not here yet. Yvette's going to bring them up as soon as they arrive."
Louisa says "What's taking them so long?"
Winnie says "I'm sure they'll be here soon."
Leigh says "Ten minutes max. The roads were pretty clear."
Louisa says "How did you see anything other than a blur?"
Leigh says "I didn't."
Louisa says "Where did she learn to drive like that?"
Leigh says "I don't know, but it's probably the reason she hasn't got a license."
Louisa says "Is that why she called, erm, Cheif Mac before we left?"
Leigh says "Cheif MacNell? Yeah. Charlie has to let hI'm know if she's needed to drive and it has to be a good reason."
Louisa says "Why doesn't she just get her license?"
Winnie says "Why do you keep refering to Charlotte as 'she', dear?"
Louisa says "I'm not sure what to call her."
Leigh says "Why not?"
Louisa says "I spent six years thinking my sister was dead. To find out I'd been lied to only to have her disappear again. I don't know the person in there with Shannon, so I don't know what to call her."
Leigh says "She's still your sister and I know she never stopped thinking about you. She found a way to shut off a part of herself. Mom, do you remember when Charlie first moved in?"
Winnie says "Yes I do. So much pain on a young face. I could see she was trying to deal with something and not coping with it. Charlotte looked a lot like you do right now, confused and depressed. It took time for her to speak to anyone except Beverleigh. Michaela tried every day."
Leigh says "Hasn't stooped bugging her since."
Louisa says "What are you getting at?"
Leigh says "If anyone knows what you're dealing with, it's Charlie. You two are so much alike it's scary. Only you two can work this out."
Louisa says "Why are you people so good at this stuff?"
Mickey runs up to them and says "Has she had it yet?"
Louisa says "She hadn't when I came out. I'm going back in, find out what's going on."
Leigh says "Talk to her?"
Louisa says "Later. Thank you."
Louisa leaves the waiting area. Mickey says "Talk to who about what?"
Leigh says "None of your business."
Mickey says "Must be a Charlie thing."
Leigh says "Why?"
Mickey says "Always is when you tell me that."
Winnie says "Where's your sister?" Mickey points at Leigh. "The other one."
Mickey says "She's sat in the car in the parking lot. Yvette went to get her."
Leigh says "Why is she sat in the car?"
Mickey says "She's waiting for you. I can't believe she doesn't know Charlie drives like she's in NASCAR."
Leigh says "Why didn't you tell her?"
Mickey says "Where's the fun in that?"