So she’d gotten dressed, fixed up her hair and headed downtown to King Street for some retail therapy.
It was so different being back in this city with money. She felt like she had arrived in a way, and after valeting her car at Charleston Place, she’d walked around for blocks, strutting her stuff in her Givenchy skirt and YSL top, a pair of sensible but stylish Tory Burch flats on her pedicured feet.
Much to her dismay, The Dixie Garden had been replaced by a Starbucks, but everything else looked almost exactly the same. It was a beautiful day, albeit hot as hell, and Charlotte couldn’t help but be temporarily boosted in her mood, swept up in the hustle, bustle, and energy of King Street on a sunny summer afternoon.
Despite the bombshell dropped on her head last night, she could choose to be happy today. After all, she’d come to Charleston to find that place again, the part of her heart and spirit that was capable of joy, even after being hit with life’s worst.
As she walked down the narrow sidewalks of King she noticed a woman walking toward her who looked incredibly familiar. But how? Charlotte barely had any friends or acquaintances when she’d lived here. So how…
Allyn Legare. It was obvious as the woman got closer. It was her old roommate. Damn.
Charlotte was tempted to duck into a store to avoid her. But then part of her wondered if Allyn would even remember her. And another part of her wanted to show her how well she was doing now. She was torn.
Ultimately, the decision was made for her. Allyn locked eyes with her once she was about ten feet away, and though Charlotte felt like she looked different, Allyn recognized her almost immediately.
“Charlotte?” Allyn said, her drawl still as syrupy as it had been ten years ago. “Charlotte Sanders, is that you?”
Charlotte feigned surprise, “Yes! And… Allyn? Is that you?”
Allyn nodded vigorously, a huge smile lighting up her face, something that caught Charlotte off guard. “Yes! Oh my GOD! Charlotte Sanders! What are you doing here? My Lord, I can’t believe it. Where are you going? What are you doing? Do you have a few minutes to catch up?”
So many questions at once, and Charlotte was still in shock to even be standing here talking to Allyn after so long.
“Well, sure,” Charlotte said, smiling. “Want to grab a coffee?”
“Yes! Let’s do it!”
A small coffee and pastry shop was across the street and the two girls sashayed their way around stopped traffic to get to the other side.
“I guess we just jaywalked but to hell with it!” Allyn laughed as they both entered the café. “I just can’t believe I ran into you. Wanna sit down?”
“Um, yes,” Charlotte agreed. “Sounds good.”
The two women, who had only known one another as girls, sat across from each other in a narrow booth, both awkwardly quiet for a time. Neither knew what to say.
“Charlotte,” Allyn finally started. “I’m really glad to see you. What brings you to Charleston?”
Charlotte smiled, “Just a little vacation. I’m the partial owner of a practice in Nashville and I needed a break. A sabbatical.”
“Practice? Are you a doctor?” Allyn asked.
“Yes. An obstetrician.”
“Just like you said you would be,” Allyn said. “Wow. That’s fantastic.”
There was something so different about Allyn Legare now. The condescension was gone, the snobbishness. The grown up Allyn Legare was bright eyed with a kind smile and seemed genuinely interested in how Charlotte was doing. Charlotte had no idea what to make of it.
“And you?” Charlotte asked. “How are things?”
Allyn smiled, “They’re okay. I’m a stay-at-home mom to twin girls. They’re in school right now, but I’ll pick them up in a bit. They go to the Baptist school down on Meeting.”
“Oh, nice.” Charlotte wasn’t sure what else to ask.
“So,” Allyn said. “I should probably say something so it’s not so awkward.”
“Okay…” Charlotte said, suddenly nervous.
“I really need to apologize to you,” Allyn said, somberly. “I was a real shithead to you when we were roommates. And I’ve felt bad about that for a long time. Especially after you ended up leaving town. I felt like I might have had a part in that, and I can look back and really acknowledge what a bitch I was to you.”
Charlotte sat there, shocked. It was the last thing she had expected.
“I tried to look you up online a few times,” Allyn continued. “But girl, you don’t have any social media accounts!”