Charthur: Part II

Arthur nodded to Olivia, able to sympathize with her worries. He could see it, especially with how closed off Chardonnay was, that her parents would fear her not making suitable connections with anyone other than them. He felt awful seeing Olivia cry, though. He knew Chardonnay would hate to see her mother so devastated over this anxiety. He’d say anything to appease her, to make her feel happy. He knew Chardonnay would want to make her worries ease too, though accepting anyone else into her life was a different story entirely.

Arthur closed his eyes when she couldn’t promise he wouldn’t be hurt and apologized. ”Relationships aren’t easy. I never expected not to be hurt,” he said, though he did expect a more unconditional promise and love. He knew he didn’t have either with Chardonnay now, and that worried him.

When Olivia mentioned he had to have some ounce of Chardonnay’s trust for her to have slept with him he was somewhat skeptical. Olivia didn’t know just how their initial… relationship started (thank God), but Arthur always assumed it was because of a mutual curiosity. Neither of them had had sex before, and both of them were attracted to one another. But, he knew how closed off Chardonnay was. So did that mean, even back then, she’d had some kind of respect for him? Some kind of trust? He knew he was her first lay, and he was certain he was her only because of what she’d told him when he stupidly asked if she was pregnant with his kid.

So why him? Why, from the very beginning, would Chardonnay have trusted him to be her first? He didn’t get it. He couldn’t wrap his mind around it. He didn’t know what she saw in him back then, and he couldn’t fathom how she trusted him.

”I… yeah, I think you’re right,” He laughed somewhat nervously, still stood beside Olivia. ”I don’t really know. When we were in school, we were more like rivals. I guess maybe there was respect there,” though it was hard to imagine her respecting anything about him back then, but maybe she had. He didn’t know. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Susan lurking by the entryway of Denny’s, lightly conversing with a waitress in some ploy to give them more time. Arthur’s brows rose, but he said nothing. ”It’s just difficult to suddenly go from the physical to the emotional, I guess.”

His face suddenly flushed as he realized what he’d just implied to her mother of all people, but he had a feeling she already knew that just from their attitudes. ”But she promised to try,” he murmured softly – and whether his mumble was directed more towards Olivia or himself was up for interpretation.

Arthur looked over at Olivia when she spoke with a hand on his shoulder. She looked so serious, so determined, and he believed her. He didn’t know if he’d feel comfortable going to her about somethings but there were issues — perhaps related to Chardonnay — that he knew Susan would be zero help with. If he could go to Olivia for help with those issues, then…

He smiled back. ”Thanks,” he said, and he meant it. He’d always thought Chardonnay was spoiled, but in that moment he thought she was lucky. She was lucky enough to have such a caring, loving mother and father. Arthur often wondered what his parents would be like had they survived. Susan always said their father was like her, goofy and fun, and loving. Proud. Determined to keep the family.

Arthur glanced to the door, where Susan was feigning ignorance. ”Ugh, yeah. She definitely is,” he said, turning fully to face the door. He stared at Susan until she made eyecontact, and then beckoned her over. She smiled and exited the building, her skirt swishing around her thighs.

”All right! Are we ready to go visit Chardonnay?” she asked, arms folded behind her back as she smiled between the two. Something in her smile made Arthur raise his brows. She looked indescribably happy.

”I think so,” Arthur said, unlocking the doors to the car then as he headed towards the drivers side.

Susan giggled and hopped into the car, getting comfortable in the seat behind her brother. She looked out the window, watching as people passed by and the clouds moved in the sky. Early mornings – when she was up for them – were always so lovely.

The drive to the hospital wasn’t too long, as it was only a few minutes away from Denny’s. Arthur didn’t even have to go onto the highway. They arrived at the hospital’s parking lot around 7:30, and Arthur parked his Jeep and locked it once they were all out of the car. He put his hands into his pockets and followed Susan and Olivia inside, lingering behind them just slightly.

Now that he wasn’t frantic, he could focus on the area. The hospital was clean, and there was a sterile scent in the air that he hated. When Susan stepped forward to check in, Arthur followed. They were told Chardonnay’s new room number, and then, Arthur stepped ahead of the women to approach her room. When they reached her floor and rounded the corner, they could see the nurses in the hallway delivering food. Arthur blinked, before he walked closer to the door and knocked politely on the side of it.

Inside the room he could see two beds, though the other woman was hidden behind a curtain. Chardonnay was frowning at a plate of food, and she looked terrible. She had a bruise on the side of her face and was terribly pale. Arthur blinked. ”Uh… morning.” He said, and from behind him, Susan bounced.

”Hello! Oh, you’re getting breakfast too? I wish we could have brought our meals here, then it’d be like we were all out to eat!” She said, warm. She pushed Arthur farther into the room to get in. ”How are you feeling?”

Susan stepped aside to let Olivia into the room, giving Chardonnay a tired smile as Olivia fluffed her pillows and straightened her bed out. The Summers stood back for a moment, giving Olivia a moment with Chardonnay to hug her and talk. After the moment, Arthur slipped around to the other side of the bed, grabbing the second chair. There was the third one against the wall but Susan didn’t move to grab it, she instead opted to stand behind Arthur.

Arthur was, unfortunately, on the side closest to her bruise. He looked at her swollen stomach and her hurt side then, wondering how had the fall must have been to leave such a nasty bruising. Had it been down stairs? Had it been down a slope? He knew it was in a hotel lobby. He clenched his fists on his knees at the thought, feeling guilt at not being there or finding her quick enough. Apparently Dr. Marshall was coming later, and Arthur remembered what he’d said. She may have to stay at the hospital longer.

He looked at the food in front of Chardonnay. He knew she was being difficult about eating it, as per the nurse’s comments before she left.

”Maybe if the hospital had a professional chef, she’d eat.” He said dryly, frowning in Chardonnay’s direction. The baby wasn’t getting enough nutrients and Chardonnay likely just didn’t want to eat. It was a bad combination. Susan laughed at Arthur’s comment but he wasn’t laughing, instead fixating a tired look on Chardonnay. ”What a diva.” he said, though his tone was more teasing than serious.

Arthur frowned, arms folded across his chest as he listened to Olivia speak. So she was spoiled to the point she’d get sick if she ate something low quality. Arthur couldn’t relate, having grown up on a diet of leftovers, ramen, and cheap TV dinners. He looked at the dinner in front of Chardonnay.

What the fuck would she eat, then? He’d go out and fucking buy it if he needed to. She could just tell him a restaurant or chef, and he’d contact them immediately to get her something to eat. He didn’t like the way she looked, so pale and undernourished. He was about to speak up when Chardonnay took a bite of the fruit, biting into one melon. He rose his eyebrows at Chardonnay.

”Temporarily,” Arthur replied, leaning forward slightly. He examined the food: nothing about it looked bad to him. Sure, it was mediocre hospital food, but it wasn’t the worst looking meal he’d ever seen. Back when Susan was in the hospital, she’d eaten way worse. He glanced back up at Chardonnay’s face. ”I know it’s not the best food, and I know you’re not happy eating it. Believe me, if I could get a personal chef for you at this point, I would,” he frowned, looking down at the bed sheets rather than at Chardonnay’s face. ”I’m just worried about you. After you’re out of here, you can eat better food. It’s just… temporary.”

Susan leaned back slightly, eyes looking out the window at the parking lot below. They were quite a few floors up – this was quite the fancy hospital! As expected of Chardonnay to go to an upscale one. ”Maybe as a celebration for when you’re released, we can get a nice, fancy dinner for Chardonnay!”

Arthur glanced back at Chardonnay, unable to hide the worry from his expression even as she ate the fruit. Olivia made a suggestion that she could bring food, and he had to admit that sounded like the most reasonable solution. He frowned slightly when she corrected them and said if she got out. He repeated, a little more firmly, ”when,” but didn’t comment on it more. He hoped she’d get out of here: Chardonnay wouldn’t want to stay here for any longer than she needed. Hell, she was miserable here now.
He kept his eyes on her most of the time, as conversation got a little easier. Susan chattered and kept her attitude bright despite the fact she knew Chardonnay was more sullen. She was trying to keep things cheerful as best she could. She could see Arthur’s eyes constantly flickering back over at Chardonnay, she could see the gears turning in his head as he debated reaching out for her. She hummed softly to herself, and was about to speak again when the door opened.

Susan turned to look at the doctor who walked in, her eyes widening when she saw the most handsome man she’d ever seen step in, wearing scrubs and a lab coat. His smile was warm and inviting, and he shook Olivia’s hand. Susan bit her lower lip, placing one of her fingers on her chin as she appraised him. When he parted from Olivia and turned to her Susan’s body posture shifted, she bat her eyes and she leaned forward at a flattering angle.

”Hello! Nice to meet you, I'm Arthur’s sister.” She didn’t have to mention she was older; why should she! She looked so young. ”It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Marshall. My name is Susan Summers,” of course, she emphasized her last name, to reiterate the fact she wasn’t married!

When Susan introduced herself, Arthur turned to look at his sister. He recognized her body language and the batting of her eyelashes. He gave her an exasperated stare, but decided not to comment and prayed Dr. Marshall didn’t notice.

”Morning, Dr. Marshall.” Arthur said, shooting his sister a glare in lieu of a comment.