CHARITY REMEMBERS

It seemed like an eternity for Miguel since he was able to really talk to Charity.  Even to hold her hand, just for a moment without her pulling away would have meant the world to him.  He couldn't stop remembering the way she used to smile at him with her sparkling blue eyes, as blue as the ocean sky over Harmony Bay.  He sat by the telescope at Lighthouse Park looking out over the water, wishing that it could somehow wash away all the terrible things that had happened and bring back the girl he loved.  It was peaceful there, trees swaying in the ocean breeze, seagulls swooping down to the smooth water with just the sound a few little waves gently reaching up to meet the shore.  His heart seemed to pull away with the tide reaching out for some kind of consolation, some kind of an answer.

  "Why God, why did this have to happen to Charity and me?  We were so right for each other.  I know I can make her happy.  Please dear Lord, please give me the chance to make Charity happy again.  She needs me.  I know it inside.  Why can't she remember the way she felt about me.  We were so perfect together.  Oh please God, there must be an answer out there somewhere, a way to bring Charity back to me."

He looked through the telescope at the tiny island remembering  how much fun they had that day in the park, how excited she was to do every little thing with him, how she laughed with him, talked with him, trusted him.  Looking out across the sea, he imagined her standing next to him, her beautiful long blond hair touching his face as they snuggled together taking turns looking out at the island, the birds, the water.  He tried to imagine her next to him, softly holding his hand, the scent of her skin, her hair, her breath on his neck standing so close.   How could it be so different now.  He turned to leave hoping that somehow he would think of a way to get her to remember the way they were.  Maybe he could get her to come to the park. "Yes, that's a great idea.  If only I can get her to come here with me alone.  Maybe she'll remember that day.  It was so great.  I know it meant as much to her as it did to me.  She's got to remember what a great time we had here. "  He remembered telling her about his father and how understanding she was, how they really opened up to each other and shared their hopes and dreams that day. He had to get back and somehow convince her .  Maybe she would trust him for just a short ride.  He would tell her about what a great time  they had there and how it would surely help her remember, maybe be just the key to unlock everything. He locked his mind  into the ocean view hoping and praying one last time,   "Dear Lord, I have so much to be thankful for, this beautiful place, that perfect day.  I don't want to seem selfish, but please, God, please, I know I can make Charity happy.  She's all alone now, and she needs me.  She's been through so much, and she didn't deserve any of it.  I know you work in mysterious ways, and who am I to question what's happened.  It's just that I want to help her, and I love her so much.  I promise I'll never let anything happen to her again.  Please, God, just give me the chance to be with Charity again and show her how much I love her. I need your help." 

He walked away, hoping and planning, wishing and hurrying.   Riding his motorcycle back to the Bennett house, he was oblivious to the cold wind on his face.  He tried to imagine Charity holding on, riding along with  him like she had loved  to do before the terrible fire.   He had so much hope!   All he could think about was telling Kay and Jessica about his plan.  He would need their help convincing Charity to go with him anywhere alone.  He just wanted it to  be soon! 

When he got to the Bennett house everyone was getting ready for dinner, and Mrs. Bennett invited him to stay.   Kay got him to help her in the kitchen while Charity was setting the dining room table, so he was able to tell her along with Jessica and Simone about his plan.  "I'm so excited about this.  I just know Charity will remember me when she gets to the park.  We had such a great day there.  It was the most special time ever.  We shared our feelings about everything, and we spent the whole day talking about how happy we were  to have each other.  You guys have got to help me convince her to go there with me.  I just hope she's not too afraid to go with me alone."

"You're right about that, Miguel," Kay broke in.  "I don't think Charity's ready to go any where like that yet.  She won't even let you touch her.  How's she gonna ride on your motorcycle with you if she won't even let you touch her hand? " 

"Don't worry, Miguel,"  Jessica chirped, "I'm going out there myself with some of the other kids, so I can talk to Charity for you ahead of time.  We're doing a cleanup committee thing, so there'll be lots of us there.  I'm sure I can convince her she won't be alone.  And if you can't get her to ride with you, she can come with me.  That way she'll be there and you can just walk her over to that special place you were telling us about."

"Wow, that sounds great Jessica.  You're such a great pal!"  He reached out and gave Jessica a big hug, while Kay muttered to Simone, "I'm gonna kill that brat!" 

Miguel took some food into the dining room where Charity was working, and the kitchen  conniving began.  "I've got to find a way to keep her from going to that park, Simone."  Kay vowed.

"I hope you're not thinking of tampering with his motorcycle again, Kay," Simone warned.  "Remember what happened the last time, both of you could have been killed."

"No, I'm through playing mechanic, but I am certainly going to fix her wagon.  Miguel is going to be mine, and I've got the perfect plan.   I came up with it this afternoon when Charity was showing me her clothes school, like I would never want to wear anything with her little coodies all over it, ugh!  Anyway, half of those outfits my mother bought Charity don't fit her, so I'm going to tell Miguel that I need him to take me shopping for Charity...that I want to surprise her with some great  new outfits, and I need his opinion on what she should wear.  I know he'll fall for it."

"Kay you are a genius!" Simone exclaimed. 

"Once Miguel sees me in all the sexy outfits I plan to model for him, he'll realize what a real woman is like.  Plus the fact that I plan to accidentally on purpose let the curtain come open a few times, let's just say he'll get to see a lot more than he plans on seeing."  Kay laughed wickedly and squeezed Simone's hand. "He won't be able to stop thinking about what he's gonna see, Simone.  I plan to give him a real eye full!  He's gonna forget he ever heard the name Charity.  Then, on the way back I'll tell him we should stop off at the baseball park, you know just to see if they need to send that stupid committee over there for cleanup or whatever, and of course by that time I will have been rubbing my body all over him, the body he can't stop thinking about.  The dugouts are right there.  Miguel's a healthy boy.  I'm sure I can get my point across once I have him alone.  I'll be wearing some very sexy lingerie under my jacket, and while I'm changing back into my clothes at the shop, I'll make sure Miguel sees what I'm wearing underneath my jacket, and I plan to forget the blouse! 

 Simone interrupted,  "Ok, I've heard more than I need to know.  Kay Bennett, you're gonna get yourself in trouble for sure...the dugouts! That's gross!  And besides, what if Jessica shows up. 

"She won't because she'll be at the park already.  I'll tell him we have to go there right after school, and that Charity will want to have something to wear if she's gonna meet him there, you know some jeans or something.  She can't always wear that same outfit my mother bought her, God, it makes me so mad when I think about how she gets everything I want....my room, my clothes, well  she's not gonna get Miguel.  I know it's drastic, Simone, but drastic times call for drastic measures.  You know that yourself.  The dugouts aren't any more gross than that pool hall where Chad hangs out with all those sleazy  weirdos. " 

"He's not a weirdo, Kay, and he's not sleazy either.  You're mean!"  Simone was hurt.

"I'm sorry, Simone."  Kay apologized.  "I know he's not, but those other guys were freaks.  You saw them.  Personally I couldn't wait to get out of there.  Whitney was right about that place, but you're right about Chad.  He's different.  Hopefully, he'll stay busy with his new job at the school and stay away from places like that.  Maybe then your parents won't be so against your seeing him.  But at least he's not interested in someone else.  At least he doesn't think he's in love with some little twit with the personality of a dial tone!" 

"Ahh, Chad," Simone sighed dreamily thinking about her dream man.  "You're right, Kay, I would die if I thought some other girl was after him!"

Jessica was in the dining room with Miguel and Charity, and they had finalized plans for going to the park.  Charity had agreed to ride with Miguel after Jessica assured her that it was a short trip and one she'd enjoyed so many times in the past, something that could help her remember maybe.  Charity said that she needed to make herself do the things that might trigger her memory, and that sealed the deal.  Miguel was grinning from ear to ear, chatting with the girls and arranging the food that Jessica was bringing in. 

"Let's go eat, Simone", Kay said leading her friend into the dining room. "And remember, friends share the same enemies, so watch out what you say in there, and don't give Miguel or Charity any bright ideas."  Simone gave Kay a peculiar look and headed past her into the dining room.

 Just then, Jessica inched up beside Kay on the way in, "Eat your heart out, you mean, don't you, Kay, or maybe I shouldn't say that to you.  With a heart like yours, its so hard you'd probably break a tooth,"  she laughed.  "Miguel and Charity are all set for a romantic day in the park tomorrow, and there's nothing you can do about it, so you might as well give up."

Mr. Bennett got home, and Mrs. Bennett came in from the shop for  the dinner which was quite the discussion group.  Jessica and her mom and dad were all excited about Miguel and Charity's plans for the following day, and afterwards, Kay took Miguel aside.

"Miguel, I need a favor, actually it's for Charity.  I know she wants to meet you tomorrow, but all the clothes my mom bought  for her are too big.  She needs something to wear, and I don't want to embarrass her, plus I'm sure she'll have lots of homework to do right after school while her mind is still fresh, you know.  I want to surprise her and pick out a complete wardrobe, take back the stuff that's too big, and I need you to tell me what's right for Charity, what you think she'd look good in!"

"Oh, I don't know Kay," Miguel mildly objected.  "I'm not very good at picking out girls' clothes, and besides I think Charity might like to pick out her own clothes.  She likes to wear things that are a little different from what I've seen on the other girls I've noticed, you know, more conservative. "

 Kay cut in, "Which is exactly why you should be the one to help me get those clothes, Miguel.  You know how Charity dressed better than anyone.  She doesn't even remember herself, and if you help, maybe you can pick out something that will kind of jog her memory, you know, remind her of who she was. You're the perfect one to do it, and you just said yourself, I don't even dress like her, so I'm no good at it. She'd probably hate everything I picked, and then she'd be even more depressed."

"Uh, you might be right, Kay," Miguel changed his mind.  "I guess I do know Charity better than anyone else, at least the old Charity."  His eyes drifted off, then back.  "Yea, I guess, you're right as usual, Kay.  We can go tomorrow right after school, but I don't want to spend a whole lot of time there, okay.  Maybe you can just get her a couple of things to tide her over until she gets back to herself. "  Miguel started thinking about his plans again, "  I'm hoping that after tomorrow at the park, she'll remember everything.  And I want to be able to spend as much time as possible showing her the places we went before it gets dark.  I can't wait to see what happens when she looks through that telescope."  He came out of his trance and turned to his so called friend. "You're the best, Kay, always thinking of everyone else.  Charity's lucky to have such a great cousin who really cares about her and wants her to look right."

"Yea, well, thanks, Miguel. It shouldn't take too long.  You can pick me up here right after school.  I'll tell Charity and Jessica that I have to run an errand, and that you're taking me.  That way it'll be a surprise.  Besides, Jessica will be leaving then too for her park cleanup committee work, and Charity can have some privacy before you guys leave.  She probably needs a nap or something after all that time she spent sleeping in the hospital."

"Are  you sure it's okay to leave Charity alone like that."  Miguel was concerned.  "I mean she might wander off again or something, you know, like she did from the hospital."

"She won't be alone, Miguel," Kay assured him, lightly touching his shoulder, "My mom will be right next door, and I can tell her what we're doing so she can keep an eye on Charity.  She won't let anything happen.  I'm sure of that." 

"Yea, that's true," Miguel was relieved.  "Your mom is pretty protective about Charity since that hospital incident."  

They finalized their plans for the shopping trip, and Kay was in seventh heaven finally having some hope of getting Miguel alone  and having her chance at him.  She and Simone sat plotting and planning, reveling in the idea that tomorrow, there was a chance that Miguel would forget all about his date with Charity.  Jessica had suggested that Miguel and Charity tour the neighborhood, and there was nothing Kay could do to stop it this time, so all she could do was console herself with the hope of tomorrow. 

When Charity and Jessica and Miguel got back from the neighborhood tour, it had been decided that Charity would ride home with Miguel from school the next day.  "They have the last class together, in fact they have all their classes together," Jessica chirped, "so Charity is going to take a test drive on Miguel's bike before their trip tomorrow.  That was she won't be so nervous later."

"You're still taking me on that errand, aren't you, Miguel?" Kay asked in a tone Miguel seemed to dismiss as okay, but everyone else noticed seemed rather desperate.

"Sure, Kay."  Miguel answered right away.  "I'll just take you where you need to go  while Charity's doing her homework."  He smiled warmly at Charity, and she returned the friendly expression. 

"I'm a little bit afraid of riding the motorcycle, but Jessica says I loved it, so I'm willing to give it a try."  Charity looked hopeful about the adventure. 

"I can't wait to show you the park, Charity.  As much fun as we had the last time, you're sure to remember something.  I just know it."  Miguel started to reach out for Charity's hand but remembered her reaction from before, and held back.  He wanted her to be as comfortable as possible after agreeing to be alone with him, and he didn't want to do anything to scare her.  He said goodnight to everyone, feeling like the day had gone well, and looking forward to tomorrow more than ever, hoping it would be his lucky day.

As soon as Miguel and Charity pulled up in the Bennett driveway, Kay and Simone were outside waiting.  Kay was wearing her leather jacket, jeans, and that was about it except for her special lingerie which only she and Simone knew about.  "There they are, finally," Kay told Simone.  "Hi, Miguel, Hi, Charity."  Kay greeted them wearing her sweetest fake smile.    Jessica came out of the house when she heard them arrive. 

Miguel and Charity climbed down, and removed their helmets.  "I just want to check on one thing before we go Kay," Miguel said reaching for his repair kit.  'I need to tighten this up and then, we can go.  I just hope I have what I need here, or we might have to do everything tomorrow."   He was working on the bike, but couldn't find what he needed. "You don't have that washer from the other night still, do you Kay?  You know, the one we found on the ground.  I could really use that now."  He was nervous, and he didn't want to say where the washer had been for fear of upsetting Charity with talk about her old house and what happened. 

Kay reached in her pocket, "You mean this?"  When she pulled it out, it dropped on the cement, and Charity bent over to pick it up. 

"I know this"  Charity looked as if a giant cloud had lifted as she spoke, holding the washer and spinning it around with her fingers until she put it on her ring finger. 

Miguel was standing in front of her gazing hopefully, "Could it be true, he wondered,  Was it possible?  Was she remembering something?"  He stood close, silently watching and listening.

"Yes, I know this, I know this!"  Charity squealed with excitement.  Suddenly she threw her arms around Miguel's neck.  "Oh Miguel, I remember.  I remember you."   She pulled away and smiled up at him, her  bright blue eyes glistening with tears of joy.

Miguel was in heaven.  "You remember this, the ring, I mean the washer," he laughed.

"I called it a ring.  I remember.  It's like a ring, and I kept it to remind me of you when I thought I was going to leave Harmony forever."  Miguel reached out and held Charity's hands, and they looked at each other like they had never been apart, and knew they never would be."

"Oh my God, I don't believe this.  I must be cursed or something!"  Kay looked ready to explode as she cried to  Simone , her plastic smile glued numbly holding her two faced head together.

"It's all because of you Kay,"  Charity beamed.  " If Miguel hadn't needed to take you on your errand, and fix the bike first, I never would have seen the ring, I mean the washer," she giggled, and they both touched the finger where she wore the cherished "ring'.  I was just about to chicken out on our trip to the park.  I guess all the excitement was good, wasn't it."   Charity  looked around at everyone, and then back at Miguel who was smiling at her with stars in his eyes and love in his heart glowing warm in the afternoon sun.  He picked Charity Up in his arms and spun her around, both of them laughing wildly. "What do you mean, chicken out.  Not the Charity I know" he stopped and gave her a naughty grin, then spun her back around and onto the bike, and plopped the helmet on her head, while she giggled hysterically.  "Goodbye, you guys, we're going on a love run!  Don't wait up for us!"

"Where are you going, Miguel, wait, what are you doing! " Kay screamed,   contorting as the truth hit her  square in the face.  Miguel was leaving, and there was nothing she could do.

   Miguel pulled the strap on his helmet, Charity held tight, "Back to the future" he yelled out,  and they sped away both laughing deliriously, headed into the future that they both  could finally see. 

I hope you liked it!

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