Sister Charlotte Is A Liar

The following is written in the voice of Charlotte Kelly. She is a 30-year-old Christian. She sings in the choir and is very active in her church The House Of Peace. She is an executive assistant at a public relations firm. I have introduced Penelope, Jasmine, Denae and now here is the final character in "Choosing Mr. Wrong."

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The coffee shop is about to close, so the crowd is thinning and I’m tired even though I’ve had plenty of mocha swirls.

I bid my friends goodbye and head to my car. I adjust the volume and check the rearview mirror before pulling out of the parking space. Yolanda Adams’ “I’m Gonna Be Ready” is booming from my speakers.

I can’t help but think of another failed night out. Yea, I had fun but I have no prospects. Why can’t I get a date?

Before I get home, I stop at Speedway to fill up my Audi’s tank. My car is paid off so the least I can do is keep the tank full. When I get back in my car, I notice that I have a missed call on my cell phone.

This must be Theresa’s new cell number, so I hit send.

“Hello,” a deep, masculine voice answers.

“Hello,” I respond. “I’m sorry, I have the wrong number. I thought you were my girlfriend.”

“Is this Charlotte?”

“Yes, this is Charlotte.”

“This is Peter. I am a Member of Men At The Cross. You just left our performance at The House Of Job and Java.”

“Yes.”

“And I wanted to talk to you before you left but you slipped out before I could get over to you.”

“Yes.”

“I was wondering if you would be interested in going out some time.”

“Yes,” I said like I was in a yes trance. “Ummm, which one of the members are you Peter? I mean, what were you wearing tonight?”

“I was wearing a blue shirt and I sing lead,” he says.

“Yippee,” I think and then I realize I wasn’t just thinking it, I actually said it.

“Charlotte?”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I say.

I know I’m not supposed to lie but I try to cover by saying, “a place where I wanted to grab a bite to eat is still open. I’m sorry.”

“What place is that?”

“Ummm, ummmmm, The Wing Spot on 152nd Street.”

“Oh, well do you mind if I meet you there. I’m nearby.”

“Ummmm, ummm, sure, but how did you get my number again?”

“I got it from one of the ladies you were with tonight. She thought I was interested in her but I told her that I wanted to get in touch with you.”

“Oh, OK. Well, I’ll see you at the Wing Spot.”

“I’ll be there in 10 minutes,” he says and ends the call.

I am not near 152nd Street. I just lied. Oh Lord, I know I am not supposed to bear false witness but I was trying to figure out a way to get out of the yippee slip.

Lord, so please let me get to The Wing Spot before him and please let the place still be open. Please Lord. It is 1:30!! Oh, Lord, please let it still be open.

I do a U-turn and begin breaking speed barriers to see Mr. Peter. I’m excited but I’m more nervous about him finding out that I have started out lying.

“Oh, Lord. Please let me beat him there.”

The Wing Spot is finally within view. I’ve driven what typically takes 15 minutes in 5 minutes. Whew!

I pull in the parking lot on the side of the building and jump out the car.

“Oh Lord, please let me have beat him here.”

As I dash through the door, to my right, I see that royal blue shirt I had given so much attention earlier in the evening.

“Hi, Charlotte,” he says.

My heart is beating like I’ve been on the elliptical for an hour.

“Hi, Peter.”

“I thought you said you were near here,” he says.

“I was but then I realized I didn’t have any more cash on me so I ran to the ATM.”

“Oh, I was going to buy your food. After all, this is our first date.”

“OK,” I say while hoping that my smile isn’t too big because that was sooooo sweet.”

“Thanks, Peter. I really do appreciate that.”

“What would you like?”

“A polish boy, two wings and some fries with sauce,” I respond.

“So are the polish boys really good?”

“Yes, I love them.”

We grab the food and decide to go to his place to eat and continue talking.

I am really enjoying the conversation so I do not want the night to end. He works as a library administrator. He has two brothers. His parents are still living. He likes to golf, swim, shoot pool and play racquetball. He loves to watch movies and of course he likes to read. He attends the Make A Joyful Noise Church.

We’ve talked incessantly about our interests, our likes and dislikes for the pass 3 hours. I can’t believe that we really have so much in common. And that he is so easy to talk to.

I look down at my watch and he notices that I have started watching the clock. It’s Friday so neither of us have to get up for work in the morning but it is getting late.

“Charlotte, would you like to stay with me tonight?”

Yes, I say in my mind. But this time it is not verbalized. “Peter, stop playing.”

“I’m not playing. I don’t want you to have to drive home because it’s so late or so early,” he says and laughs. “I have a spare bedroom so you can sleep there.”

“Are you serious?”

“I’m dead serious. You shouldn’t be driving by yourself this late.”

I wondered for a second why he offered me the spare bedroom, and then it dawned on me, duh, I told him I’m celibate.

“Whew! Maybe I should not have talked so much, dang.”

He grabs my hand and leads me upstairs.

“This is where I’ll be sleeping,” he says as he points to the first bedroom we approached. “And this is where you will be sleeping,” he says as he points to a bedroom down the hall.

He hands me a pair of his shorts and a white T-shirt to sleep in. I can’t bring myself to tell him that I sleep in the nude.

“Good night, Charlotte.”

I close the door and get undressed. All the way undressed and get in the bed. The bed was comfortable and the room smelled so good.

I sure hope he knocks before he comes in, I think to myself.

I may have been sleep for about an hour before I felt Peter’s presence beside the bed.

“What’s wrong Peter?” I say as I look up at him standing in his boxers.

“I can’t stop thinking about you? And it seems so wrong to have you down the hall and I not be able to be closer to you.”

He continues, “I respect that you are celibate. I just want to hold you.”

“Peter, I didn’t actually put on the T-shirt and shorts you gave me,” I say and point to a chair in the room where I placed his items.

“Can you hand me the T-shirt?”

“You don’t need the shirt. I told you I respect that you are celibate,” he says as he climbs in my bed. Well, it’s actually his bed.

What do you think of this character? Is she interesting or boring?