This is the twentieth part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI, Part XII, Part XIII, Part XIV, Part XV, Part XVI, Part XVII, Part XVIII, and Part XIX before continuing.
Charles was happy to get out of jail, even if he didn’t have anywhere to go. He didn’t think it would be right to go back to his spot under the bridge, but the cops had also warned him against going too far in case they had more questions for him. He didn’t see what else he could do to help, but he figured they had to say that to everyone.
As he started to make his way to the street, Sam got out of his car and made a beeline for him.
Charles stopped, not knowing what to expect.
Despite the determined way in which she had marched up to him, she stopped a few feet away and seemed to hesitate.
Charles had no idea what to say, so he just waited for her to start.
“I’m sorry I accused you,” she said.
Charles had to suppress a relieved chuckle. “I don’t blame you. If I had been in your shoes, I probably would have thought I was guilty.”
A small laugh escaped from Sam. It seemed to surprise her and then make her feel guilty. “It was just so awful. I couldn’t think straight.”
“Of course, you couldn’t. Heck, I couldn’t think straight. I had his blood all over me because I was trying to wake him up, even though it was obvious that wasn’t going to happen. I just couldn’t believe it.”
Sam started to cry. Charles wanted to wrap his arms around her, but he didn’t know her well enough to know if that would be welcome or not.
Instead, he said, “I never got a chance to offer my condolences.”
Sam cried harder, and Charles figured he had nothing to lose. “I am very sorry for your loss. He was a very special boy.”
Sam nodded through her tears. In between sobs she managed to say, “He was, wasn’t he?”
Charles nodded, and Sam finally gave in to her sobs, holding her face with both hands as she did so.
Charles found himself tearing up. He hadn’t known Michael long, but it had been clear to him that Michael was special. He was unfailingly kind and thoughtful towards Charles, and Charles couldn’t stand the thought of anyone hurting him.
Charles decided to take a chance and wrapped his arms around Sam. She cried into his shoulder, and he cried into her hair.
They stood like that for a long time, sharing their grief.
The end.