Seasons of Sorrow Read Online Free PDF Page A

them past her lips because, as much as she wanted to believe it, the small voice of logic in her mind argued that she was wrong. Still, as irrational as she knew it was, she couldn’t stop the what if ‘s from invading her every waking moment.
    Brandy caught her as her legs gave out. “Oh, sweetie. You know that’s not true. There’s nothing you could have done. And no way to know what might have happened. Greg wants to help you and he’s hurting too. He loved Adam. Neither of you should go through this alone.”
    Charlotte sobbed. “I know it’s not true. But, if it’s not his fault, it’s mine. I’m to blame. I didn’t save my baby. I didn’t save him.”
    She cried so long and hard that her throat was raw and her eyes burned. It seemed as though she cried for an eternity. Brandy simply held her and stroked her hair until the storm of grief passed.
    When Charlotte finally calmed, Brandy snagged a paper napkin off the table and gently wiped her face and eyes.
    “I think you need to see a grief counselor, Charlie. Or at the very least join a group,” Brandy stated. “You need to deal with this and you’ll need more help than Greg or I can give you.”
    “It’s only been eleven days, Brandy,” Charlotte said.
    “I know, sweetie. I just mean that you need help processing your emotions. You’re on a rollercoaster right now and you need someone who’s been there or at least with experience in helping people who have lost children. I’m worried you’ll never heal otherwise.”
    Charlotte nodded. “I’ll do it.”
    Brandy sighed. “Good. I brought over a list of grief counselors and meetings in the area.”
    She couldn’t stop the small laugh. Leave it to Brandy to decide a course of action, research it, and maybe even begin implementation before she discussed it with anyone else.
    “Did you make the appointment already?” Charlotte asked.
    “Nah. I thought you should probably pick your own, though I did look up the credentials of all the counselors on the list to weed out possible quacks.”
    Charlotte leaned her forehead to Brandy’s shoulder. “Thank you,” she whispered.
    “I would do anything for you, Charlie. You’re the sister I never had and I love you.”
    Brandy stood and helped her up.
    “Will you be mad if I tell you I’m not hungry?” Charlotte asked.
    Brandy just shook her head with a sigh. “I’ll put it in the fridge. You can eat it later.”
    Charlotte hugged her friend tightly. “Thank you.” She leaned back. “For everything, okay? I wouldn’t be doing nearly as well if it weren’t for you.”
    Her friend smiled. “Thank me by calling Greg.”
    Charlotte hesitated and Brandy rolled her eyes.
    “Fine. At least text the poor guy. He thinks that you hate him.”
    “Okay, Mother. I’ll make up with my friend.”
    Brandy squeezed her hand. “You know it’s for the best.”
    Charlotte nodded and headed toward the stairs. She went into her bedroom and picked up her phone. She wanted to call Gregory like Brandy suggested but she didn’t know what to say. It felt as though a space had developed between them and she didn’t know how to bridge the gap. Charlotte always considered Greg to be Derek’s friend, though he had become hers as well during the time he dated Brandy in college. It was just that Greg and Derek’s fathers had been friends and owned their company together. The two men had raised their boys together, more like family than friends. Charlotte always assumed that Greg’s loyalty would lie with her husband more so than with her.
    She opened the messaging center on her phone and selected Greg’s name. After staring at the blank screen for several seconds, she decided to be honest.
    Taking a deep breath, she began to type.
    I miss you and I’m sorry for yelling at you.
    Almost immediately, he responded.
    I miss u 2. How are u doing?
    Charlotte hated that question. She’d heard it at least twelve times a day since Adam passed. She decided to be honest.