it turns out that the QB is all right, will you come back?”
“I can’t promise that now,” I said. “You know that.”
“Leslie, we have a problem,” she said.
“Oh? Is there news?” I said.
“Look, Leslie, I can feel it. You’re not attracted to me, physically, when I’m Char.”
“Yes, that’s true. But I do love you.”
“Well, since this is a time for truth telling, I guess you should know I’ve always been happier as a woman.”
“In my heart, I’ve known that for a long time,” I said, knowing this was finally the end of us. “But it’s important for both of us to be happy. Don’t you agree?”
We hugged then and we both choked back tears.
“It’s okay, Charlie. It’s okay.”
“I know I’ve disappointed you,” she said, “and I’m sorry. So damn sorry.”
“Char? It’s okay, baby. Just go be the biggest Char you can be! And I’ll—well, I guess I’ll always be your biggest fan.”
We hugged again until we were both okay and then Char, not Charlie, was out the door. My heart was a little heavy, not too terribly crushed to bits, because being with her during this time had shown me what I already knew on instinct.
Char left to go work on her act with her drama coach and a special production manager from the Divas. Now they were incorporating old film clips of Sonny and Cher behind her as she performed. Her act was growing into something a lot more sensational than any of us had imagined that it might. And quickly. But her new production manager said that Char was taking to the stage like the proverbial duck to water, and he saw no reason not to go all out for Char’s debut. Naturally, Char was thrilled, as we all were.
But I had to get back to Charleston, and forgive me if I sound like Holly, I just had a feeling that the sooner I got home, the better. I just felt a nagging pull, way down inside of my gut. And as any old salt will tell you, when the Lowcountry calls you home? You had better go.
When Suzanne got word we were leaving, she came by. She was very upset, too, so I tried to explain to him the whole story about Holly and the bees and Sharon and Archie and the boys. And about Momma’s health.
“Honey, if you can clean up that mess, you can negotiate lasting peace in the Middle East.” She just shook her head and said, “Where’s your momma? I want to talk to her.”
Momma was in the bedroom, packing. I watched as Suzanne knocked lightly on the door and heard Momma say she should come in. The door was closed for a long time. Meanwhile, I got flights for us for the following day and decided to pack as well.
Suzanne came to my room and said, “I talked to the QB. Get her home and call me, okay? I want to know what’s going on. And if you need me, I’ll come in a heartbeat. You hear what I am telling you? A heartbeat!”
“I promise. I will.”
I looked at her and realized her eyes were filled with tears. When I saw Suzanne upset, I began to choke up.
“I’m scared for her,” she said.
“Me, too,” I said and put my arms around her, giving her a solid hug. Then we sat down together on the end of my bed. “Char’s mad with me for leaving.”
“Oh, she’s a big old brat if ever there was one. Don’t worry about her. I’ll straighten her out.”
“I think we’re all done.”
Suzanne just patted the back of my hand and nodded her head. “It’s all going to be okay. Now, may I drive my favorite ladies to the airport?”
“Oh! That would be so nice,” I said.
“I love you girls, you know? I really do.”
“Oh, Suzanne.”
“I’ll tell you what. You and your momma put on your best dresses and I’ll take you to Morels Steakhouse over at the Venetian for a nice dinner tonight. My treat. Tell Char if she can rip herself away from the full-length mirrors to come and join us.”
I giggled then. It was true. Lately, Char was finding mirrors to be fairly irresistible.
“We might have made a monster,” she said.
“We may have done just that,” I said and thought about Suzanne’s generosity. “This is so nice of you to take us out. I’ll miss you. Momma will miss you more, of course, but I’ll miss you a lot.”