Charlotte (Book 1)

Part 8

Three Weeks Later

The mayor called a town meeting to let us know the investor decided to buy the foster care building, church, and the town mall.

"He is supposed to be here next week although it's been a while since I have last spoken to him." The mayor said.

"But I am confident that he will be keeping the date we agreed to in the beginning.

I say this to say if you notice a man or family that is new to the town, please be polite.

Just in case it is him and that he is hoping with this it will be the beginning to what we all can be."

The mayor stood there looking proud as though this announcement was good news to everyone there.

Uncertainty was in the air.

And it was in the air heavy.

Charlotte still did not really care.

She was just now more anxious than ever to talk with the man about the foster home.

Nothing else really matter to her or affected her in any way.

The mayor went on to say how change was good.

He asked that everyone there give him a chance to bring their town to life.

There were those that clapped but it was not hard to see that majority did not feel the same.

She caught the First Lady looking meanly at the pastor's assistant.

The assistant looked sad and oddly by herself.

The pastor as always was putting on a show.

Once the pastor led us in prayer to close out the meeting.

Those that were protesting begin to block people from leaving.

They were chanting, "No Change!"

"It is perfect to stay the same!"

"No Change!"

"Otherwise, it will never go back to being the same."

"No Change!"

She got up to leave but was surprised when a loud voice called her first name.

"Charlotte."

Turning around I see him run up to me and give me a big hug.

Gasp.

Gasping spread around the entire area as they knew I was not married.

He smiled and said he was taking me to a nice spot.

My pastor intervenes and asks my loud but stupid friend his name.

"Ethan," he responded with a sneaky smile on his face.

What is that about I wonder?

Hmmm.

She never asked him his name before, but she liked it.

Everyone was looking down on him.

Judging him.

Because his appearance always looked like he has been sleeping in his clothes and did not bother to shower.

Which is weird because he always smells so nice, and his teeth are so white.

She even made insults about his look.

But he did not seem to notice or care at all.

A loud screeching sound came from the First Lady.

Everyone turned to her and watched her point her finger at Ethan.

I was totally confused and from the look of things.

Everyone else that has not left was too.

She said, "Ethan, is that you?

Your mother did not say you were already here."

Shock took over everyone as they all knew who he was from the gossip.

He just smiled and walked away.

I decided to follow him but was thrown off when I heard the mayor.

"That is the same name of the guy that's buying up the old buildings here," he mumbled under his breath.

I looked at Ethan but was not sure he was who they said.

I muffled a giggle.

Because the energy shifted and now mystery was in the air.

Charlotte accidentally let small laughter out as she walked him walking away.

It looked like he was switching.

Once they made it to the corner he turned around and asked her what she wanted to eat.

That brought back the response everyone had.

Charlotte was not involved with Ethan so nothing they did was a sin.

She was not being loose or even tempting him in any way.

For the first time, she felt unease and worried about the opinion of others.

Only because she knew from here on out, she may not be able to move about unnoticed like before.

Plus, she was gaining confidence as she cleaned and organize her mother's home.

The more should found answers and there the more questions she had.

Charlotte finally felt like she belongs and was at home when she was in the cottage.

A Few Days Later

Looking out her window she saw Ethan not that far away sitting down on the sidewalk.

Shaking my head, I hurry up and get dressed to go meet him.

He ignored her when she stood in front of him.

She had a clever idea come to her last night.

"Ethan, are you free tomorrow to come to church with me?"

No response.

"Ethan it would be my honor if you accompany me to church tomorrow."

Nothing

"Well, I figure you would want to eat and hear the word of God."

He looked at me and smiled.

"Charlotte, will you be the one preparing this?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Then I will see you there," he said.

As he walked away.

And I smiled as I was ready to get down to solving the mystery of who he was.

She was piecing stuff together and had a hint from her mother's journal that may be of help in finding who he was.

How did he really know that this house was in fact connected to her?

Charlotte wonder what else he knew about her.

Watch the drama unfold in "Charlotte 2," short story...

You can check out Ethan's side in, "Charlotte 2" by Mini Celection Williams.

The initial release will be in May 2022.

You can follow me on social media platforms or google me @Mini Celection Williams.

And do not forget to look for my eBooks on the majority of the platforms and soon paperback books will be available as well.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey of writing.