Page 6 of No Fear

“James Donaldson, is that you? Oh my. It is you.”

“Hello Mrs. Weston. How are you? You’re looking as beautiful as ever.”

Donnie smiled, trying to cover the guilt of barely having spoken to his best friend's parents in ten years. The odd times he came home to visit, he tried his best to avoid them.

“It’s so lovely to see you. It’s been too long. Are you here for your mom’s birthday? She didn’t mention you were coming home.” Mrs. Weston smiled at him warmly.

“Yes, ma’am, I am. It’s a surprise. I’m just picking up some flowers on the way.”

“Oh, how lovely! She’s going to be so happy. Your parents are so proud of you, you know. They always talk about you.” She paused and Donnie thought he saw her eyes moisten. “Nate would have been proud, too.”

Donnie swallowed. “Thank you. How is Mr. Weston?”

“Oh, he’s doing just fine. He had a little problem with his heart last year, but it’s all good now. Had to give up work and is taking it easy.”

“I’m sorry. I had no idea. I know I haven’t been good at staying in touch. It’s just...” He felt like shit. He’d turned his back on Albany and everyone in it, but he cared about these people.

Mrs. Weston rested her hand on his arm. “I understand, Donnie. You don’t need to apologize.”

He nodded. “And Charlie? Is she here, in Albany?” His heart squeezed just saying her name. She was never too far from his mind, even if they hadn’t spoken in a decade.

“Oh, no, sweetheart. She’s a city girl now. The Big Apple. Although her job takes her all over the world.”

“It does? I know she was going to study political science. What does she do?” He concealed his relief that she wasn’t in town. He wasn't ready to face that conversation yet. Yep, he was a coward.

“Charlie works for the US government. Supports embassy officials. You know, foreign service officers, ambassadors.” She waved her hand in the air. “She gets sent to all sorts of places. Considering you travel with the Navy, I’m surprised you haven't run into each other.” She gave a small laugh.

“The world’s a big place. It’s great to hear she is doing so well. I’m glad she’s happy.”

“Yes, us, too.” Mrs. Weston patted his arm. “I won’t hold you up any longer. How long are you in town for?”

“A couple of days.”

“If you have time, please stop by. Al would love to see you.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Please give Mr. Weston my best.”

“I will. It was good to see you, Donnie. We miss you around here.”

With a heavy heart, Donnie watched her leave. They were good people. Practically family since he and Nate had been like brothers.

With a dozen pink roses in hand, Donnie headed back to his Mustang. As he drove toward his childhood home, memories he’d been trying to avoid came flooding back. He hadn't seen Charlie since Nate’s funeral. Just nineteen, he and Nate had been in their first year at University at Albany. He had been studying criminology, intending to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the police force. Nate was studying business. They had been living their best lives, enjoying university life, football, and girls.

Charlie was his best friend’s little sister and that meant off limits, even if he did think she was fucking hot. The three of them hung out sometimes through school, but it was always just friends. He hated Charlie had a hard time at school because she carried a little more weight than some of the other girls and was short, only about five feet. Kids could be cruel.

The first time he witnessed her being bullied, he hadn't hesitated to intervene.

Charlie had been at her locker, minding her own business when a group of kids had surrounded her saying ugly things: “Was there a debate on fat versus thin?” “What’s it like to be a fat virgin?” She kept her back to them as she sorted her stuff in her locker. He’d been furious and walked right up to her, deliberately pushing through the group.

“Hey, Charlie, you ready for lunch? Nate’s waiting for us.”

She turned to face him with so much pain and tears in her eyes his anger doubled. He’d shielded her with his body so the others wouldn't see, then faced them.

“I suggest you guys walk away now, while you still can. If I ever see you even look at my friend Charlie, you’ll be dealing with me. Understood?”

The group had split. Yeah, getting on the wrong side of a six feet tall member of the football team was not a good idea and they knew it.

“Are you OK?” He was still shielding her. She nodded.