Catherine kept her plan secret from her children, she asked Malcolm to be discreet. To get a divorce from someone like Bill Ludlow was going to be messy. She had to gather her strength, administration wise and mentally. She didn’t care about money anymore, she just wanted out. As long as her children were financially secured, she’ll figure out a way for herself.
They went over their strategy before Catherine went back home. She also helped Charlie move some of her stuff to the apartment where she will be staying when school commences. Most importantly, she introduced Charlie to Malcolm before she went.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Charlie,” Malcolm gave her a big warm hug. He always made people feel like they’ve known each other forever, even though they’ve only just met.
“Malcolm is a good friend of your father and I back in college, he’s a prominent lawyer here in Goldstone and he lives not far from here,” Catherine explained.
“Exactly, that’s why you can call me anytime at all if you ever need anything … here’s my number, and let me get your number too … I live about 10 minutes away, I know how hard it is when you first move to another city on your own … so … feel free,” he gave her his card. Blackwell and associates, he had his own law firm.
Charlie accepted it, “Thank you … that’s wonderful, I didn’t know you have friends in Goldstone, mom?”
“Oh … you’ll be surprised at what she has without you knowing.”
Catherine nudged him, “Don’t listen to him, he’s just being silly.”
Charlie found the apartment to be more appealing compared to Tom’s. Apart from her mother’s touch on the place that made it feel more like home, it was in a walking distance from a tram station where she could go anywhere around the city without a car.
They spent the day cleaning the place with Malcom’s help. He was an easy going guy and they got along real quick. The fact that he was still single might have made him easier to talk to, he wasn’t acting like an older figure, which he was, but he talked to her like a friend.
She noticed how he spoke to her mom, kind of playful, he teased her sometimes. He brought out a different side of her. Her mom was always graceful, there’s an elegance in the way she carried herself, but with Malcolm, she seemed more relaxed, less tense than she usually was around her dad. Their friendship must’ve gone way back, she had never heard the mention of his name before, and yet, he and her mom looked like they’ve been best friends all their lives.
Tommy came over later that day to bring some of her other stuff. He became acquainted with Malcolm almost as quick. They even developed a secret handshake at the end of the day, it was too cute.
Charlie decided to stay the night with her mom, it was her last night in Goldstone. Tommy was away for work, she figured she could use some quality time before they separated again for a long time. Malcolm gave them two bottles of wine for a housewarming gift, Charlie poured it both for herself and her mom.
Catherine looked at her peculiarly, “You know … technically … you’re still underage in this city … are you sure you’re allowed to drink that?”
“I’m legal for drinking wine here … with my mom … right?” she was being cheeky.
Catherine took the glass from her hand, raised a brow and took a sip, “Well … if you put it that way … I guess we might as well enjoy it together, I don’t want to drink alone.” They laughed.
“There’s something about Goldstone that loosen you up a lot, mom … you wouldn’t let me drink if we were in Bluebridge.”
She lifted her shoulder, leaned on the kitchen counter, “Maybe I’m just more of myself here … although I still have to get used to seeing you drink, and kissing a boy,” she rolled her eyes. “I know he’s cute and everything, but tone it down a little bit, won’t you?”
Charlie giggled, “I’m sorry … Did it bother you? Were you like that with dad too?”
“Oh … no …” she shook her head, she winced at the sting of her wine. “I was very conventional back then, it was a different time … and your dad is not someone who’s comfortable with showing affection in public … believe it or not … I was also a virgin when I married your dad, I was 26 years old.” There was a faint smile when she said it.
“Really? Wow … that’s actually admirable, mom, so you’ve only been with dad in your entire life? … that’s like … biblical …”
She burst out laughing, “Yeah … you could say that, it was what was expected of women those days, or at least, women in my family.”
“So … there’s never anything going on with Malcolm? I mean … it looked like there was something going on in the past,” Charlie was curious.
“What? Malcolm? No … we were just close friends, we get along very well … that’s all,” she waved a dismissive hand.
“You never wonder what it would like? I mean Malcolm is haaawwwt … mom.”
“Charlene? I would never!” she slapped her daughter’s arm.
“Oh, come on, mom … not even a little bit? You are entitled to flirt with him, you know? With what dad’s been doing …”
Catherine stopped her daughter right there, she pressed Charlie’s cheeks with her hand, “That’s enough young lady … I won’t have that kind of talk from you again … okay? I am still your father’s wife, you have to respect that … and Malcolm is a friend, we’ll leave it at that.”
Charlie grunted, “Fine … but still …”
“No … no … now why don’t you pour that drink on my glass again and let’s watch a movie together … I’m in the mood for a good romance, how about you?”