Charlie's Story

CHARLIE'S STORY

Henry Lam

"... The wedding gift is our family Bible. It's been in our family since the old country. It has been passed on to every eldest boy when he gets married."

Charlie opened the Bible to find that there was an elegant family tree on the first few pages. Everyone from his great-great-great-great-great grandfather down to his own father and mother were in there.

"Your father would have passed it on to you, but because he's gone now, I had the honour of holding on to it until you planned to get married."

"Thank you, but I ... "

"Don't worry. Be quiet and get some rest. If you really want to go to that wedding, you'd better be well-rested."

His grandfather got up and was about to exit,"Grandpa."

"Yes?"

Happy birthday."

His grandfather simply grinned and stepped out the door.

Charlie thought deeply about his gift. It was strange for him, though. His grandfather knew that Charlie was a strong believer in the power of science and Darwin's new theories of evolution, but he still was willing to impart this Bible to him. There were times when Charlie and father would debate about these new discoveries. His grandfather was witness to many an occassion. It didn't make sense. I guess love never does.

Then these loud and distinct footsteps came marching down the hall. Charlie was looking out the door.

--My goodness! Natassia Armand? What is she doing here? Did she survive the accident too. I've got to ask her some questions.

Charlie promptly got up to chase her, but got tangled in his sheets and fell to the floor.

--Darn, where'd she go?

Charlie wandered the halls for a while, then he heard her voice. He peered into one of the hospital rooms and there she was. She was talking to the person in bed.

"Oh Delilah, get better soon. That wicked Miles did put you through such a trial. His falantin' and all."

--Falantin?

"Don't worry now, we took care of him."

--Took care of him?

"Phil and I knew what to do."

--Phil? What a stupid name. I wonder who would be . . . It can't be. Nah. What are the chances.

"We sent him to a watery death. Rest now, sister. Rest now."

--Yikes! They killed Miles!

Charlie quickly made his way back to his room. -- Dr. Ginko said he was dead and he sounded almost adamant about it. No wonder. He must have heard somehow about what Miles did. If Natassia knows Ginko, then that must be it. My goodness. I should have known that any girl with such a European name couldn't be trusted. Sally has to leave Calgary. She's gonna be next on the Ginko-Armand murder list, but Cassie... If I leave with Sally, I won't see her again. I don't believe what I'm doing, but...

As he entered his room, he said, "...I've gotta tell Sally."

"Tell Sally what?"

"Uh...Phil, no Phillie, I mean Dr. Phillip ... sir ... Ginko?"

"Phillip will be fine. Now, what was that about Sally?"

"Ooooh, nothing really. I was gonna tell Sally that ... um ... you know what I forgot what I was going to tell her."

"Try harder." Phillips eyebrows scowled.

"Oh... just something about I'd like to stay for the wedding, but ... "

"But what?" His look pierced Charlie.

"But I might not be able to make it."

"Really? That's a shame. I really wish more of her friends could come. You know, she doesn't know too many people from around here. It's a real shame Miles couldn't be here."

--Miles...

"I'm sure he would've been a character."

--Sure, I bet you do.

"But from what I've heard, he was a nasty man at times. The young Miss Armand took a liking to him. His arrogant ways."

--His colours are showing now. He really sounded like he didn't like Miles when he said that he was dead.

"So you know the Armand sisters."

"Oh yes, the Armands and Ginkos have known each other since they were in the old country"

"I see, very interesting. I mean, go on"

"His cocky attitude. The way he could handle a rifle."

--Rifle? When did Miles get time to show Delilah his rifle skills?

"Of course, he was an `imperfect' man. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Uh...I've gotta go to the lavatory. Excuse me."

"Of course." The eyebrows really peaked this time, "Oh, Charlie. If you can't come to the wedding, which would be such a huge pity, here's a Havana for your troubles."

"Uh thanks."

Charlie quickly walked away. He had to warn Sally somehow, but where was she?

--Think, Chuckie, think. Oh my goodness, I'm calling myself Chuckie! I know where she is!

Charlie walked into a large room with long tables. All had chairs. Many persons sat around these tables conversing over trays of goodies they had collected. Charlie scanned the room for the largest tray. Sure enough, it was her.

"Sally, I've gotta tell you something."

"Oh hi, Chuckie. Be a dear and let me finish off this meal first."

"We don't have time for this."

She took two spoonfuls of pasta, "I'm finished now."

Charlie rolled his eyes, --Phillie must be paying.

"Well?"

"Your precious Ginko is a murderer."

"Don't be silly, my Phillie. Don't say such cruel things."

"He is. Believe me. I think Miles did survive the crash, but because he showed you how to make babies and because Delilah was mad because he showed you how to make babies and not her they killed Miles."

"I don't understand."

"Come with me. We have to leave Calgary. And we have to leave now."

"Don't be absurd. I love my Phillie. If I leave, who will do my laundry?"

"Your Phillie is a murderer. Now let's go."

Charlie could have cared less about what Sally said, they had to go now. Ginko and Natassia were both in the building. He grabbed her in exited conveniently by a door connecting the large room with long tables with many persons with trays of goodies in front of them to the outside.

--Cassie, I don't want to go, but I can't let Sally marry a murderer. I know, I'll send a letter as soon as we're safe. Mother and Grandfather too.

As they were rounding the corner, they spotted Ginko.

"Quick. Into the bushes. Now you're going to see the truth"

Ginko was standing beside what must have been his car. He had a male companion and Miss Natassia Armand standing beside him. They were within earshot.

"I don't believe you're going to marry her. She's a ditz (I wonder if that word existed back then. Oh well, writer's perogative). And she's not even carrying your child," Natassia sound quite animated.

"Yes, Phillie," spoke the mysterious man, "We could have just lived together in you mountain cabin. But no, you had to have a woman."

"I know she's not much of a woman, but I want babies. I want the two of you tomorrow to create a little accident. We'll call it a natural abortion"

"Charlie, what's an abortion"

"I don't know. Whatever it is it doesn't sound good"

"I thought Phillie liked me." Tears started to fill her eyes. Oh no, there was going to be a repeat of the scene she had in the second chapter. A fountain started flowing from her eyes. Her nose and mouth for that matter.

After what seemed an eternity, Sally had stopped crying and the terrible trio had gone back into the hospital. Obviously, to look for Sally.

"Are you ready to go now, Sally?"

"Charlie, before we get too far here. I'm gonna have to buy you some clothes." Wow, she's gonna pay for something.

Charlie was still in his hospital gown."You know, you've got a nice ..."

"Don't even say it!"

After buying some new clothes for themselves. Charlie and Sally hitched a ride on a horse and carriage of a farmer going east. Sally was quickly asleep on his shoulder.

He had nothing else with him except his new clothes and the gift. He took it out and looked at the aged text. The farmer said that that was a good thing to carry around if that was all you had left. Shows faith, he said. Trust and obey, there is no other way, he said. Charlie looked down at the Bible. He was comforted.

Charlie missed Cassie.

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