Page 51 of Buying Time

She’s far too similar to Char. No wonder they get along so well.

Of course, if they met eight years ago, I struggled to think he was taking advantage of them. That would have meant for a very long con, and I couldn’t believe Claire or the others here had enough money to make that worth it.

“So how did you meet, then?”

“He came by here to ask questions about the person who ran this place. I don’t know what brought his attention to it, why he set his sights on that, but he started coming in to visit at that time. He got to know me and a few others, and what can I say? I’m a sucker for a brilliant man. I could tell he was smart, but there was this wall there, this darkness in his eyes, and I guess when you get to my age, you want to help those who are going to still be here after you’re gone.”

“What happened with the person who ran the place?”

“Now that, I’m not sure about. That’s the thing with Char—if you want details, you’re probably out of luck. He isn’t the type to say more than he has to. What I know is that after about a month of him stopping by, the old manager quit without a word. After that, this place got better. The prices for things went down, our fees went down, the food got better. Rumors are that the manager had been skimming money and pocketing the extras.”

I frowned as the pieces of information came together. It suresoundedlike the way Char would work, didn’t it? I could almost see him finding the evidence needed to get the manager to leave, working behind the scenes then pretending as though he’d done nothing at all.

But why? What did he get out of it? Maybe he hadn’t given a damn about Claire or the other people here, but had done it only because he’d extorted something from the manager at the same time? Perhaps helping the home out was nothing more than a side effect?

Why would he still be visiting, then?

“So he just stops by now?” I asked.

“Yes. Usually once a week or so he’ll stop in. He might not be my grandson, but I’m pretty sure he’s gained a whole host of grandparents here. I swear, I think a few of us have his picture in our wallets and we show them off to anyone who comes by.” Claire’s smile showed exactly how fond of Char she was, and the way Frank had spoken to him said she wasn’t the only one.

I knew he showed people his best side, gave them what they wanted to make them pliable, but this felt different.

“What if he wasn’t what you think he is?” I asked softly. Unable to help it, I went on. “What if what he shows you isn’t real? What if he isn’t the good person you think he is?”

Claire pressed her lips together then sighed. “Everyone has a darker side. They have parts of themselves they hide because they don’t think other people can accept those parts. Char, he has more of those than most. I worry about him, you know? I wonder if he’s shown anyone the real him, if he’s let down that guard he’s got for anyone. Life is long and it is lonely if you can’t rely on others. Char hides behind what he thinks people want, and I’ve found that when people do that, it’s because they don’t think anyone could love the real them. After eight years, though, I’ve gotten glimpses. I’veseenwhat he does, how he comes here week after week and does what he can. I guarantee you that by next week, Frank will have the medication he needs one way or another. Whether it gets approved by his insurance or the pharmacy claims it’s cheaper or the home here starts supplying it—it’ll work out. That’s the Char I know, the one he doesn’t show enough people, the one who does whatever it takes to make things work out and never once asks for anything back, never even takes credit for it.”

I thought about the way Char had gotten Mr. James to pay that amount to a random bank account, and I struggled to believe Claire. It all sounded good, but how could I accept it after all I’d seen? Maybe Claire just wanted to see him the easiest way for her.

“I’ll help you with the puzzle,” I said when I couldn’t think of a way to continue our conversation.

“Don’t go too fast,” Claire said.

“Why not?”

“Because the best way to ensure you’ve got another day is to leave things undone. Unfinished business will always keep a person going.”

“Well, that’s fine,” I answered. “If we finish this, we’ll just start another one today.”

Claire smirked, as though thoroughly pleased. “Well, now I’m sure of it. You’re a good match for Char, just as long as you both stop pretending to be people you aren’t.” With that, she picked up a piece and fit it into the puzzle.

I felt like this had been a glimpse into the man I couldn’t understand, but I wasn’t sure I was any clearer than I’d been before.

He was like trying to put a puzzle together upside down, and I had no idea what the real picture really was.

* * * *

“Kenz?” A hand on my shoulder shook me gently as the familiar voice drew me awake.

Which surprised me as I didn’t recall falling asleep.

When I opened my eyes, I found Char’s face close to mine, his red hair bright in the sun that cascaded in through the large windows. I had a moment of thinking what it would be like to wake up like this in bed with him. Would he speak to me this sweetly? Wake me with a gentle kiss to my lips?

No, he’s more likely to pinch me if no one else is here to see.

And yet, my cheek twitched as a strange fondness filled my chest at the notion of his surly, sleepy voice, the not-so-likable part of him only I got to see.

What is wrong with me that I’d like that?

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