Please Don't Forget About Me

Just One Drink

Anna sits on the edge of her, and Pale's bed lost in deep thought. Is it about time they found out who Charity's biological father is? Burton is curious, but he gave Anna assurances that he wouldn't contact Charity or try to get involved in any way, shape or form. For years both she and Pale have tried to convince themselves that Charity is Pale's daughter. However, physically she looks nothing like him with her natural golden blonde hair and dark blue eyes. You could say that she takes after her mother but Burton has similar light features, a huge contrast to Pale's dark defining complexion. In Anna's mind, now that Charity knows that there could be a possibility that someone else could be her father it is solely up to her what she does with that information, and if she wants to pursue a DNA test, then Anna will support her every step of the way.

"Baby, are you okay?" Pale stands tall in the doorway, his presence taking up the whole space. "As okay as can be, has everyone left now?" She asks, crossing the bedroom to open her wardrobe. "Yeah, except for Larry he's hiding out in his bedroom. Seriously though, it's about time that guy found a place of his own and gave us some space. It's almost like having a fourth kid around here," Pale moans as he starts to unbutton his shirt. "Do you know how hard it is to find a decent place in New York? I can't just throw him out on the street or demand that he look elsewhere. He pays a good part of our rent, you know," Anna sighs, looking at Pale, waiting for his reaction. "True, but it would be nice to have you all to myself for a change. Maybe we could go away some place nice for a week. How about Brazil, or Hawaii?" He asks as he comes up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You never change, do you? A vacation is always your ticket out of our problems, instead of staying and addressing them," She replies, untangling herself from his embrace. "What problems, we don't have any?" He asks curiously. "We have an abundance of issues that desperately need to be addressed, but you're either too busy at the bar or planning some next trip," She sighs, loosening her hair clip. "What's going on with you and Bruce then?" He glares, placing his hands on his hips. "Pour l'amour de la merde, son nom est Burton!" Anna exclaims. Pale giggles, "I love it when you talk french to me, it's so damn sexy. Envie d'un shag?" He asks seductively, loosening the belt around Anna's dress. "That's your answer for everything you creep!" Anna hisses, storming out of the bedroom. Pale slumps down on the bed in defeat. He turns on the radio full blast, "And if this world runs out of lovers,  we'll still have each other, nothings gonna stop us now," He murmurs softly to himself, he was so lost in the song that he didn't hear Anna leave the apartment.

*********

Bar Goto,

Lower East Manhattan

"Okay, two Sakura Martini's. I'm going to make a conscious effort not to spill this one," Adam grins as he hands Charity a glass and takes the seat opposite her in the booth. Taking a casual sip, she asks, "Mmm, what's in this daring concoction?" Picking up the menu Adam replies, "That would be Sake, Gin, Maraschino and Cherry Blossom, why don't you like it?" Shaking her head Charity responds, "Not at all, it's refreshing. I've never actually been here before, to tell you the truth. I lived in the lower east side my entire life and I've never come across it, Japanese, huh?" Looking around at the Japanese feature wall behind him, Adam nods in acknowledgement. "So, what do you do then?" He asks, taking his first sip of the martini. "I'm a music teacher, I work in a high school," She responds proudly. "Oh, really? That's amazing, I could tell you were a musical person," He smiles warmly at her. "Really? I look like I'm into music?" She giggles. "You just have that aura about you, I work with musicians you see so I kinda know one when I see one," He replies sitting back in his seat. "What do you do?" She asks. "I'm an administrator, but I do a lot of other jobs on the side as well. I'm a Jack of all trades," He chuckles, throwing his hands in the air. "So, what brings you to New York then?" He asks, swiftly moving the conversation on to a different topic. She sighs heavily rolling her eyes, "My dad's sixtieth birthday party."
"Hey, that sounds nice. I'm guessing it wasn't a pleasant affair then?" He beams as Charity shifts uncomfortably in her seat as a stray tear falls down her cheek. "Umm, you could say that. I basically found out that the man I've always believed was my dad might not be, and the man who my mom left by father for could be," She mumbles as she takes another sip of her drink. "So, how's that for a royally fucked up day?" She continues, wiping the tears off of her cheek. "Jesus and I thought I had troubles," He says as his eyes widen. "I know, right? My family has never been the conventional type, so I really shouldn't be shocked by the sudden revelation. However, the way they were all so blasé about the whole thing and expected me to be just except it for what it is makes my blood boil," She says, running her fingertips along the rim of the glass. "Well, I guess things could be worse. You see that guy out there?" Adam points out the window to an elderly man with a long white beard who is hunched over by the bins. He continues, "He is an ex veteran who gave up his life to fight. He got discharged on medical grounds due to his heart troubles, and when he came back here to New York, he found himself penniless and homeless. To add insult to injury, when he went to get help he got turned away. So, like I said, things could be a lot worse for you." Charity looks into his eyes. They are a lovely chocolate brown colour, very similar to Ezra's. He seems like a genuine, nice, sympathetic guy, she thinks to herself. Again, very similar to Ezra's personality. "Yeah, you're right. It's just now I'm not sure what I should do," She says, her eyes drifting down. "Do you want to get a DNA test, maybe it will put your mind at rest?" He asks optimistically. "I could do, but my dad is adamant that I'm his and I know if it got proven otherwise it would break his heart. I suppose it doesn't matter, he's the one who raised me and I love him unconditionally, he's always going to be my father no matter what. I don't know this is just one big clusterfuck," She says, rolling her eyes and running her fingers through her hair. "I know, since you've confessed something to me, do you find if I do the same?" He asks as he finishes his martini. "Please do, I'm all ears," She smiles, sitting upright to listen. "I'm having a picnic with this girl I work with tomorrow, and I really like her as more than a friend. I just don't know if I should take the plunge and tell her how I feel, I'm just scared that I'll freak her out or she won't like me in that way," He says nervously. "Why wouldn't she like you? You seem like you've got a good head on your shoulders, you're a good listener and know where to take a girl for a good cocktail. She'd be crazy not to like you," Charity beams as she too finishes her drink. "Are you flirting with me?" He grins cheekily. "Don't flatter yourself, I was only trying to make you feel better don't start getting all cocky on me," She chuckles to herself. "Hey, I ain't no cock. Well, I can be sometimes but you're right, who could possibly resist this masterpiece?" He laughs as he makes a hand gesture towards his face. "Wow, conceited. I should have known," She smiles. "Nah, I'm only messing with you. You can tell me to mind my own business if you want, but do you write music at all?" He asks, staring deep into her eyes. "Yeah, it so happens that I do. I used to be in a band with my friends and Ezra. We were going to make it big but then our lives took a different direction," She replies with a shrug. "Ah fair enough. Who is Ezra?" He asks. "A friend of mine," She replies hastily. "It's never too late to pursue your dreams you know, like I said I work for a music company and I know some people I could always...." Charity raises her hand, cutting him off before he can respond. "Thank you very much, but I've got my life and a different career now. I'm happy and I don't need to pursue anything." Adam frowns and nods quickly, "Sure thing, it was only a suggestion. I'm not exactly putting a gun to your bed am I?" He chuckles at his quick wittedness. "Well, you could hold me to ransom, demand my songs in return for my life. I'm not blowing my own trumpet here but they are pretty good," She says, flouncing back in her seat in satisfaction. "Holy shit, I've just planned and plotted my own death haven't I?" She giggles, waiting for Adam to catch on. "I've made a mental note to raid your hotel room when you sleep," He chuckles.

"Hey stranger, didn't expect to see you in here." A young leggy blonde girl in a white floral play suit comes over to their booth. "Hi, did you just get off work?" He asks, checking her out. "Yeah, all closed up and cleaned out. What a day, who is this?" She asks, looking Charity up and down. "This is Charity Engle. We met after an unfortunate incident with me splattering my coffee all over her. So, I took her for a drink to make it up to her," He says breathlessly, like a naughty boy who has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Hi Chasity, I'm Adele," She replies, looking Charity up and down again with disdain. "Uh Adele, it's Charity..." Adam says as Charity cuts him off abruptly. "Nah, it's all good. It was nice meeting you, Adam. Thanks for the drink," She says as she buttons up her coat. "No problem, nice meeting you too, and if you ever change your mind about the music career, you know where I am," He tilts his head playfully. "We'll see, take care," She grins at Adam, totally ignoring Adele and walks out of the bar.

The night air is soothing for Charity and her heavy head. What a day and an evening. To see her bed in the hotel is going to be heaven when she gets there. As luck would have it, a cab pulls up at her side and she quickly gets in.

Charity carefully places the key in the lock and the door swings open, hoping that Ezra is there she switches on the light and finds him sprawled out on the bed like a starfish. For a Hilton the room is pretty sparse and basic, a double bed with an old-fashioned TV and matted cream carpet. That said, the views are nothing short of spectacular. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, One World Trade Center, and Wall Street, all in full view from the window. "Well, look who it is. Miss Engle, how was your day?" Ezra grins as he sits upright on the bed, resting his head on the headboard. His beautiful smile and warmth, especially after the horrendous day that she's had to endure, makes Charity fall onto the bed and she starts sobbing uncontrollably. "I know, it's okay. Don't worry, I'm here and I'll never leave you. I promise." He whispers softly, gently stroking her hair. "I wish you could have been there today, I felt so alone. It's so unfair, they're meant to be my family and I feel totally betrayed by every single one of them," She says through the tears. "I wish I was there too, I should have been. I'm really sorry, babe," He replies, rubbing her back. For Charity it's not even the trauma of what happened this afternoon with her family that is causing her such heartache, it's her little rendezvous with this Adam guy. Lying about Ezra, what the fuck is wrong with me, she thinks to herself shamefully. Why couldn't I just be honest? Although, at the end of the day it was just a drink, an innocent cocktail with a kind stranger who spilt some coffee over her. It wasn't a date, she didn't cheat, so why all the guilty thoughts? Exhausted, and all cried out, she slowly falls into a deep sleep in Ezra's arms.