Plus One. How to Catch a Cloud - xiii

She felt a hand gently shaking her awake.
"Ara," Charlie whispered.
She shifted upright rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"Are you coming home with me? Or are you going to run to the nearest station the minute I turn around?"
She smiled weakly at him, "Can I still hitch a ride with you?"
"Of course. Get ready, I have to be in town for 5PM."
"Why? What time is it now?"
"It's 8AM right now. I made plans last night to meet up with a few old friends."
"OK. Just let me get dressed and packed. I'll be down in about a half hour."

With two minutes to spare she was downstairs and ready to go. Ara had hoped they would get more time in Marsdale. Everything seemed to stand still when they were here. She tucked away the wedding planning moments she had with Charlie.
Hugging Georgia and Phoenix goodbye she promised to be a call away should either of the two need her for anything.
Buckled in the car, the two drove off.
Charlie begged off stopping at any rest stops. He was in a real rush, she thought sarcastically and shrugged. The songs on the radio were lulling her to sleep.

For the second time today Charlie found himself waking her up from a deep sleep. Words weren't strong enough to rouse her. He gently shook her shoulder and stopped as her eyes slowly opened and adjusted to see his face clearly. He thought her so peaceful when she was asleep, if only he could help her find that when she was awake.

"We're here already?" Ara asked, disoriented.
"Not yet. We got here a bit early so I thought maybe we could get a bite to eat at Jan's. What do you say?"
"Yes, please! I'm so hungry. Besides it'll be good to check up on the diner."
"Let's go."

Walking into the diner she caught sight of Freddie at the cash, Emma taking an order down and by the looks of the food on people's tables, the cooks were in too.

"Relax, Ara. You're here as a customer, not their manager."
"I can't help it," she blushed and flipped open a menu.
She didn't really need to look at the menu, it was memorized; the action just gave her something to do.

During their meal they talked about the new things they had to check out on their free time. As much as Ara wanted to take up more tasks, she already found it hard to a lot time for meeting the baker for the cake testing. So the seating arrangements would be left to Charlie.

"Maybe we can meet up for a weekend and figure it out together?"
"Sure, we'll have to try to settle a day."
"Sounds good," he replied
"Oh shoot," he continued, "I forgot the time! Let's get going, the person I'm meeting would never approve if I were late."
"Oh..well... you go on ahead. I'll stick around here."
"What? No, I'm driving you home."
"No need. Go on, Charlie. Thanks for the lift!"
Taking a good look at her to see if she was just testing him, he found only sincerity. Saying he'd see her later, he left the diner paying for the whole meal.

Freddie plopped down in front of Ara wiggling her eyebrows.
"So? Who was that??!"
"Who? Charlie?"
"That's his name? Where'd you meet him?"
"Fred, he's no one. Just my brother's Best Man."
"He's cute. Are you sure that's all he is?"
"Fredddd, that's all. Anyway, I'm surprised you're in such a jolly mood. What's going on?"
"Nothing. I guess I'm on a roll because I haven't mixed up an order or dropped a plate, dish or glass all weekend long!"
"That's awesome, Freddie! Keep it up!"
"Thanks, I can't wait to find out if this is final or just a fluke."
"You're getting a handle on things. It's definitely a great sign."

Charlie's date was waiting in her rocking chair.
"Granny, what do you think?"
"About what, deary?"
"Would you believe me if I told you I'm starting to dream of having a family of my own?"
"What's the big deal about that?"
"Well, I never thought I'd want such a thing."
"Oh don't be ridiculous. You've always wanted a family. You may have forgotten it once but now you remember."
"Oh Granny," he cooed as he scooped her into a big hug.
She gave a weak throaty laugh and said, "My baby... You should believe that you're worth a future with all the trimmings of a family life. Don't forget who you are underneath. Be that person. You have a good heart, my boy."
"Isn't it too late? Everyone thinks the worst of me."
"Is this true? Everyone, Charlie?"

With hesitation bloomed images of Georgia and Ara.

"Not everyone Granny. There are a few who think there's something good in me."
"Well you can count me as part of that team," she winked at him.
Sighing, he gave his grandmother a kiss.
"Who are you taking to the wedding?" she asked.
"Do you want to go, Granny? You can be my 'plus one'."
"I'm too old for things like that," she replied.
"No you're not. Come with me."
"No baby, it's time to find your 'plus one' out there."

"I think I found her, Granny but it's like chasing a cloud. It's so unpredictable a chase. You never know when it'll just turn on you and throw thunder and rain in your direction."
"She sounds like a handful."
"She is."
"She sounds worth it."
"She is."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"We can't be friends."
"Says who?"
"She told me."
"And you agreed with it?"

"I walked out."
"Go back, honey. Tell her how you feel."
"And then what? No, Granny I can't. What if it backfires? We still have five months until the wedding. Everything has to go like clockwork, especially since Georgia and Phoenix just found out that they're expecting a baby early next year."
"Just promise you'll introduce me to this lady of yours."
"She's not mine, Gran."
"Not yet," she teased.
"Aren't you too old to tease?"
"No one's ever too old."

And that was how he spent the rest of his Sunday evening.

It warmed Granny's heart to know her grandchild hadn't fully given up on family life. Knowing how hard he had it growing up, she figured it would challenge him a bit making him wonder if he was worth a family portrait kind of life.

Her son had abandoned his wife and child. Her daughter in law decided it was best if she worked abroad to earn money for her only child's future. In the end, she was killed in some sketchy political scheme in some foreign country. This left Charlie and his Granny the only family the other had.

She sent out a silent prayer to the angels who watched over her baby boy, that they guide him to the woman who can show him how it feels to be loved and to be part of a real family.