Unexpected Guest

Charlie stands in the doorway, her expression flat. She’s not wearing her work clothes, instead dressed in a very loose t-shirt and baggy jeans.

“Ethan,” she sighs, her brown eyes oddly serious “We need to talk.”

Ethan’s about to ask what about, but Charlie brushes past him, entering the house without waiting to be invited in. Frowning, Ethan closes the door, knowing better than to argue. At least, she notes, she’s taking her shoes off, setting them off to the side before moving into the house proper.

Walking over to the couch, Charlie drops onto it roughly, as if unloading the weight of the world onto it. “So. I spoke with Layla today…”

“Ah…” Ethan is rocked back on her heels, not expecting that. “You did?” Moving to the couch, he’s uncertain the direction the conversation will take. Does Charlie know about her?

“Mhm, I had to finish trimming her hedge and we got to chatting. Everything seemed to be cool until you came up.” Charlie points at Ethan. “Then things got a little awkward.”

Sighing, Ethan takes a seat. He’s not sure exactly why Charlie is here, but if this is her standing up for Layla then… The thought dies, Ethan blinking a few times. If she was here to yell at him she would have done it by now, so why is she here?

“Uhhhg,” Charlie rubs her eyes, “I was really hoping Layla was going to talk to you about this when you were ready, but now I guess I’ve got to fucking to it.”

“You mean about… her.” Ethan tries to be vague and tactful.

Charlie frowns, dropping her hands. “Not just her, the fucking town.”

“The town?”

“You ever wonder why a little town like this even exists?” Charlie tilts her head, her mouth forming a thin line. “We’re in the middle of nowhere. We’re not a mining town, we’ve not on any major waterways, hell, we don’t even farm. So, why the fuck does a town like ours get built?”

“Uh,” Ethan never thought about it.

“Well, it all started with a fucking perv…”