Chapter 75: Chapter 75
Planning and printing everything needed for the petition took Charlie all night. For which, if she was honest, she was even grateful. It wasn't like she was going to get much sleep, being agitated and upset like that, anyway.
Fortunately, Morgan seemed to be as busy as she was and, also thanks to her efforts to avoid him, Charlie had managed to get away from him even when her husband returned home and, even though she asked him not to, left a plate of fresh food and hot outside your room. And as much as that care still made her heart melt, now a part of her felt nauseous. Not because Morgan was always ready to help her, but because she always needed something. When, in all the time they'd known each other, had she helped him with anything or given him anything? She had never paid for his college, offered him a roof over his head, or set up a sham marriage just so he wouldn't lose out on an inheritance. Morgan, on the other hand...
That was why she would do anything to make that petition work! So that, for the first time, she could solve her own problems without creating new ones and without upsetting anyone, especially Morgan. After all, she believed in herself. Charlotte Foster was perfectly capable of handling this all on her own, no doubt about it! I mean, maybe... With luck...
Suppressing an insecure groan, Charlie shoved the folder where she had kept the papers inside her backpack and checked the feed bowls and water troughs for Sawyer and Matilda, who had decided to take a nap on the sunny part of the porch, before heading out. Luckily for her that day, Morgan had left earlier than usual after getting a call from Hiroshi that seemed to alarm him, so she didn't have to explain that she was about to skip class that morning so she could walk around in circles around the house. neighborhood where the shelter was located, to collect signatures. She needed at least 100 to make a difference, although she didn't even know if there were that many houses in a neighborhood as humble as this one.
As she put her hand on the doorknob, she found herself pausing for a moment as she remembered what Morgan had said that day before heading to work to sort out the emergency. Because she'd used the shower as an excuse to skip breakfast with him, Morgan had knocked on the door to let her know he was leaving pancakes and orange juice for her on the dining table.
“I just found out about something I can ignore. “He had told her through the closed door and she could almost see the sad smile in her voice “But, Charlie… Regardless of how things turn out… I want you to know that it's going to be okay. “ that soft and gentle voice had made her want to cry “ Just promise me that you'll remember that, everything I do, I do thinking about you.
So, before she could even think of something to reply, he was gone, leaving her alone in the apartment with her anguish and her desire to get the petition started as soon as possible. And that's what she was ready to do, when she locked the door behind her and set off for the shelter, feeling as if the gray, rainy day outside was reflecting her somber mood. So much so that, when finally entering the place that meant the world to her, Charlie barely stopped to talk to Jack, going straight to Vivian's office, who was sitting at her desk, staring thoughtfully at her cell phone screen.
" Vivian! “ Charlie called her, pulling the folder out of her backpack and throwing it on the table, so that her friend could see it “ I have an idea that can help us!
“That's great, Charlie…” Vivian smiled, and a part of Charlie was happy to see her looking so peaceful again, “But, shouldn't you be in college?
" Does not matter! Look, let me speak first, please... " she begged, at the same time that Jack entered the office, probably to find out why Charlie looked so rushed " I know the lawyers said it was a useless idea, but it's ours best option now. “ Taking out the sheaf of papers where the petition would be made, she eagerly showed them to them “ I spent the whole night researching how to make a petition that would be taken seriously and get it here. They say responses are often better when it's done with real signatures rather than something online, because it demonstrates people's commitment to helping that cause and that it matters to the surrounding community...
"That sounds good, Charlie, but…" Jack started to argue, looking fearful and, afraid that they were going to refuse her idea, she cut him off, starting to plead.
“Please let me try this. “Her choked voice made both of them stop immediately, full of concern, but Charlie no longer able to disguise her despair “I know I can't promise this will work for sure, but… Just… Let me try to do something for our animals, please…” she lowered her head to hide her tears. that were starting to ooze “ I won't be able to forgive myself if I don't at least try.
“So, you want to go around the neighborhood collecting signatures? Vivian asked, with an unreadable expression.
" That! You've been here for five. I'm sure the neighbors will want to help, as well as people from the surrounding neighborhoods who've had their animals cared for here or who have adopted with us…” Charlie kept talking on and on, eager to find an argument that would finally get her started. Vivian would let her sign the petition “I promise that I will take care of absolutely everything necessary and even go to the bank and give this to the manager, but... Please, Vivian, let me at least try. “ she sniffled, not knowing what else to say.
"Charlie..." Jack started to speak, but Vivian cut him off by raising her hand, still staring at Charlie in that enigmatic way.
“You would do anything to save this place, wouldn't you? “Her friend opened a sweet smile as she stared at her.
“Anything really. Charlie nodded vehemently, feeling more hot tears stain her cheeks.
" Then it's fine. “ Vivian agreed, making Charlie's legs go wobbly with relief. “ But remember Charlie: regardless of how we manage to solve this problem, your love and devotion for our shelter and the animals can never be questioned, okay? “Standing up, Vivian went over to place her hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Now go sign the petition, Charlie, if that's what you really want. You've been up all night preparing it, and I know how awful you'll feel if I don't let you and you start thinking you didn't do anything to help.
“Thank you, Vivian. “ Giving her friend a hug, Charlie immediately gathered the folder full of papers and started to leave the office, but not before hearing a whispered conversation between Jack and Vivian.
“Don't you think it would be better to tell her everything before she leaves? Jack questioned, sounding worried.
“Let her do what will make her feel better about it all. “Was all Vivian replied and Charlie could hear the pride in her voice, which only spurred her on to the street even more, willing to run across town if need be.
And that was, in fact, pretty much what she had to do, all morning and afternoon. For hours and hours, she walked alone through the neighborhood, knocking on every door she could find and pestering relentlessly until the person answering her either signed or kicked her out, whichever came first. It was undoubtedly an exhausting process, especially since she couldn't even remember that she needed to eat.
However, whenever sweat ran down her face or her legs threatened to give out from exhaustion, Charlie would remember the poor animals waiting for her at the shelter and Samantha's words the day before. The first reminded her of the great responsibility she had to make it work and the second gave her the strength to move forward knowing that she didn't want to be that person. She didn't want to be the weak link in the relationship, the one who would always depend on him, never giving anything back.
Finally, when the sun was threatening to set and her legs didn't seem to be able to walk another meter, she got her hundredth signature from the hand of a nice old lady who was mowing the lawn... And she lived two blocks over from the shelter. With a sigh of sheer relief, Charlie sat down on the curb and almost dropped, to give her exhausted body a chance to recover before having to walk back to the shelter after so many hours without rest. She could just as well use the card Morgan had given her after they were married to order a cab, but… Damn it, the less she used his money, the better it would be.
The sound of her cell phone ringing brought her out of her reverie, and with her heart in her mouth, Charlie pulled it out of her bag, afraid it might be Vivian with some bad news. But luckily it was just Morgan. Though her relief wasn't real, as she still didn't feel ready to talk to him without spilling everything that was going on or simply crying and begging him to come get her. Taking a deep breath to try to appear as calm as possible, she finally answered, proud of herself to note that her voice sounded steady.
" Hey. “Was all she said, trying to sound as warm as she always was when he called her.
" Hello dear. “ he greeted her back, sounding as loving as ever “ Are you feeling better?