Chapter 6: Family Outing for Charlene

As John kissed the top of Charlene’s head, she burst into tears. As she sobbed, Vernon stood up and came round. He knelt down in front of her, and she threw her arms around him.

As she sobbed on his shoulder, he just held her in silence, stroking the back of her head. John had taken his arm away, moved away from her, and stood up.

As her sobs started to subside, John said, ‘I’m so sorry Charlene, I wouldn’t upset you for the world.’ ‘You didn’t.’ she said between sobs and stood up. She hugged him and told him, ‘I’m sorry for crying, you were so nice I was just overcome.’ She put her arm out to include Vernon in her hug.

The three of them stood there for a while then Charlene broke away. As John and Vernon stood there not sure what to do, she wiped her eyes. Then she held her hands out to each of them. As they took hold of a hand each, she looked at Vernon and said, ‘You are the first person to show me any affection since my cousin and his wife died.’

Then she looked at John, ‘You are the second one,’ she said, ‘And I feel so happy to have the two of you.’ They moved together and hugged once more. ‘I’m sorry to have been so difficult with you both,’ she said, ‘I’ve just got so used to being hurt.’

‘But I realise now that neither of you would ever hurt me. Or anyone else for that matter.’ she added. They hugged together for a little longer before John said, ‘Why don’t you go up to the bathroom and freshen up. I’ll put the kettle on, and we’ll have another drink.’

They stepped apart then Charlene came up to John and gave him a hug and a kiss on his cheek. Then she went to Vernon and gave him a kiss on his lips and hugged so they were touching all the way down.

After she had gone upstairs John told Vernon, ‘I think we have just seen a major breakthrough. Both of you spend the day with me tomorrow, then take her out on your own for the day on Sunday. Next week I’ll see if I can do anything more to help.’

He went and put the kettle on. Vernon waited in the lounge until Charlene returned. When she came in and saw him waiting, she went straight into his arms, and they kissed. ‘Thank you for being so understanding.’ she said.

They stood kissing until John came in with a tray of coffees and a plate of biscuits. Once he had put them down, she went over to him and hugged him. As she hugged, she gave him a kiss on his cheek. He returned it, then they all sat down to have their coffees.

As they had their coffees John said, ‘Charlene I’m not going to ask you anything about how or why you have been suffering, at least not this weekend. I’m just glad you have now felt able to relax and feel safe with me. This weekend we’ll just enjoy each other’s company.’

‘But next week, or whenever in the future you feel able to try talking to me, please know that you can tell me, in confidence, about all the things that have happened to you. I’m sure that if you do, I can use what I’ve learned from Danny to help you. But if you feel you need someone completely independent, I can arrange for you to see Lewis, the one who taught Danny in the first place.’

‘Whatever you decide it is your choice. I will not mention it again, it’s entirely up to you if and when you decide to try. Whatever you decide, just remember you are always welcome here.’

They sat around the table then and had a game of cards, then Vernon walked Charlene home. They walked arm in arm until they reached Charlene’s building then turned to face each other. Vernon felt a bit unsure at that point until Charlene said, ‘Don’t worry if you get excited. It will still make me feel a little nervous, but now that I am certain in my mind that you will never force yourself on me, I can cope with it.’

They kissed on the lips, Vernon deliberately not pressing close. Then Charlene pressed herself against him. They had a long kiss but although they were making contact all the way down, Vernon’s concern stopped anything happening to him.

After a final kiss Vernon told her, ‘I’ll see you at Johns at ten in the morning.’ He watched her go into the building and walked home. As he walked, he was wondering what terrible experiences she had had to endure and at who’s hands.

When John tucked him in that night he said, ‘I do hope Charlene manages to ask you for help.’ ‘We’ll just have to keep letting her know how much she means to us,’ John said, ‘And wait patiently until she feels ready.’ He kissed his forehead and said, ‘Goodnight.’

The next morning John and Vernon had just finished breakfast when Charlene arrived. After a hug and a kiss for both of them, Charlene joined them for a coffee.

‘Whilst you two are gardening,’ John told them, ‘I’ll go and do my usual shopping. I’ll do some lunch for us all around one o’clock.’ Everyone was happy with that, so Charlene and Vernon went out to start the garden. John washed the cups then went shopping.

When Vernon got the mower out, Charlene said, ‘I haven’t used a mover since I was at school. Can I do it today?’ Vernon handed it over and watched her for a few moments. Seeing she could handle it fine he left her to it. He picked a point to start and began the gardener’s constant task. Weeding.

By the time John called them in for lunch, Charlene had mowed front and back lawns and was well underway around the edges doing the trimming. Vernon had done a considerable length of weeding in the beds.

Over lunch Charlene told him she was loving it. ‘I used to love looking after the allotment at school,’ she told them, ‘But I haven’t been able to do any gardening since.’ When Charlene had gone to the toilet earlier, Vernon had told John she was as good at gardening as he was, and she knew more about the plants.

‘Right,’ John said. ‘This morning you have done three hours. But as there are two of you, that is the equivalent of six man-hours. That’s how many hours Danny used to do and despite interruptions to help people he managed to keep the garden neat and tidy, which is all I ask.’

‘So, every Saturday I will pay you sixty pounds.’ he said putting two twenty-pound notes and two ten-pound notes on the table. ‘How you work it between you in the future I’ll leave to you.’

‘Well, today that’s half each.’ Vernon said passing thirty pounds over to Charlene. ‘But next Saturday I’m working at the garage all day. So, you can come and do the whole six hours and keep it all.’

Seeing Charlene looking a little bothered, John asked her, ‘Is there anything wrong?’ ‘I’m just concerned about having so much money on me.’ she said. Whilst John was thinking how to ask tactfully, Vernon said, ‘Is that because someone will take it off you at home?’

Charlene looked horrified that Vernon had hit the nail on the head. Seeing her look of horror, Vernon told her, ‘Before I moved here, I never saw any of the money I earned, I had to hand it all over to Shirley.’

Charlene was amazed to hear Vernon had suffered some of what she was suffering. She began to wonder if they had any other similarities. ‘I have an idea,’ John said. ‘If you wanted to, you could keep any money you earn in a box here. Then anytime you want to buy something you can just take out what you need.’ Charlene looked really pleased at that idea. ‘Yes please,’ she said, ‘That would be wonderful, then I would always be able to pay my share when we go out anywhere.’

‘Just a sec,’ John said and left the room. He returned soon after with a small cash box and a key. ‘I just remembered I had this,’ he said. ‘I’ve no more use for it.’ He handed it to Charlene who looked really pleased as she put her thirty pounds in it.

‘Go and put it at the back of the cupboard under the sink,’ John told her, ‘Then you’ll always be able to get at it easily anytime you’re here.’ When she returned from the kitchen looking much happier John asked, ‘What are you planning for the rest of the day?’

‘We were thinking of going out for the day tomorrow,’ Vernon said, ‘So can we spend the rest of today with you?’ ‘Of course, you can,’ John said, ‘I’d be delighted, but wouldn’t you rather be alone together?’ ‘We would love to be with you,’ Charlene told him, ‘It would be like we have a family.’