Chapter 971 - Abstract friendship

~ Los Angeles, Charlie's villa ~

November 17

10:24 AM

Emma is packing up after the treatment.

"Are you leaving already?", Charlie asked timidly.

It's two weeks how Emma moved to the Cliffside villa.

When she thinks that she left Charlie's place after leaving him a note, without saying proper goodbye, she feels bad. It might look like she was sneaking out. But at that time Charlie had guests and when Emma saw that older gentleman and his daughter laughing with Charlie, she didn't feel comfortable interrupting.

Since then, Emma comes to Charlie's villa two times a week, in time for his physiotherapy, and she leaves as soon as they finish.

He never visited her, and this is the first time he showed any signs that he wishes for her to stay longer.

Emma looked at the time. "It's 10:26 AM. In about four minutes Miss Davis will come to visit you, like every Sunday. I can stay until then if you wish."

"Is that why you leave and don't stay longer? Because of her?"

Emma frowned when she heard his questions. Why is he always making it sound like she is the one who leaves and does not want to spend time with him? She decided to point out his behavior. "The fact is that you leave and give her company when she comes. Do you expect me to sit on the side and wait until you two are done socializing?"

"Of course, not." Charlie looked at Emma while trying to find a way to say what is on his mind. "I miss our chats."

"I miss them as well.", Emma said honestly.

"I wish that you didn't move out. When you were here, we spent more time together. Those are good memories for me. How come you don't visit me outside therapy time?"

"How much I know, your social schedule is quite full. But if you have time, how come you didn't visit me?"

Charlie nodded, indicating that she has a point. "Don't you regret? Leaving?"

"Regret?", Emma's confusion was obvious. "Charlie, I was staying here because of your treatment, and I left because someone else needs me."

"Is that how you see me? As a patient?"

Emma didn't understand the point of his question. And decided not to answer it. "How would you like me to see you?"

"How about… a friend?" Charlie squinted slightly and added: "Maybe more than that?"

Emma thought for some time before responding. As much as she wants to say that they are friends, she can't deny that it feels one sided. And she does not want to talk about it, because it will make her appear desperate to spend time with him. However, he asked, so she decided to explain how she feels. "For me, friendship should be mutual in order to work. And unless people treat each other as equals, it won't work. I admit that I enjoy talking to you. But more than once I was reminded that we are not equals. As for more than that… I would not dare think anything like that."

"You think less of yourself."

"I don't. I am realistic."

Charlie frowned. "Are you saying that I put myself above you and that I don't treat you as equal?"

Maid knocked, announcing that Miss Davis arrived.

"Take her to the living room. I will join her shortly.", Charlie told maid and looked at Emma, expecting her answer.

Emma forced a smile. "Your friend is here. I will leave you to her." She started walking out.

"Emma…", Charlie called. "Won't you answer my question?"

Emma stopped. "Which one? Why I don't see myself as your equal?"

Emma saw that Charlie nodded and she exhaled.

She thought for some time if she should tell him what is weighing on her mind or not and decided to speak up: "It's not about how I see myself. It's about how you are treating me, and you are NOT treating me as your equal. Since I moved in, unless it's for a treatment, you are with me only when it's convenient… for you. And I would never ask you to push others away in order to spend time with me, but you are pushing me away whenever someone else comes. Do you understand the difference? A minute ago you expressed your desire for me to stay longer even though you know that you have a guest coming. I know that you don't want to entertain Miss Davis with me around. Do you expect me to sit in one of the guestrooms and wait until Miss Davis leaves so that I can talk to you? Or should I wait in some other room and pretend that I don't exist? Or maybe I can take a walk in the garden and keep myself busy? Miss Davis usually stays for more than one hour. And at noon Miss Thompson will come, and you will have a lunch with her like every Sunday. Do you expect that I will wait on the side in order to fill in gaps between those women? Is that what a friend is for you? Charlie, you need a dog."

Emma felt that she said too much. Her frustration built up and she needs to stop talking before she crosses the line of being polite. He is her patient and that is how things should be. Him asking about friendship when he is treating her like a less worthy person pushed her buttons more than she expected.

She turned to head out.

"Are you just going to leave like that?"

Emma balled her hands into fists. She wanted to snap and ask him what does he expect from her? Why is he acting so ambiguous? But she reminded herself that he is her patient, and even if his behavior is all over the place, she needs to stay professional. "Mr. Smith, I am not your servant. I am your nurse and our treatment for today is over. If this is inconvenient for you, you are welcome to hire someone else."

"Emma…"

Emma heard Charlie grunt and when she turned toward him, she saw him standing and making a small step toward her.

She swiftly went to support him.

"What are you doing?" Emma helped him back into the wheelchair and scolded him: "You are not ready to stand unsupported. If you want to ruin everything we did in the last month, be my guest, but do it when I'm not here."

She saw that he is troubled, but she is troubled as well, and she wants to leave. "What was that about? If you have something to say to me, just say it. Otherwise, I'm heading out. Miss Davis is waiting for you. I don't want her to think that I'm delaying you on purpose."

"Emma, am I really such a bad friend?"

Emma sighed while thinking, why is he so persistent on calling himself her friend? "Friendship happens when two people put an effort and time into it. You can't force it. I can label you as my friend if it will make you feel better, but that would be a lie, because that is not how my friends treat me. More than once I convinced myself that we are friends, because I'm enjoying the time we spend together. But every time you leave me behind in order to be accompany someone else, I'm reminded that you are not treating me as equal…", Emma stopped talking, realizing that she probably said all this and that there is no point in repeating. He just does not get it.

"This afternoon, there is a gathering at Sarah's and Aiden's place. If you want to see how friends treat each other, you are welcome to join."

Charlie frowned. "They are more than patients for you?"

Emma was so irritated that she stopped choosing her words and controlling her tone. "Yes! They don't treat me as a nurse, or as a house staff, or as someone who is there only when it's convenient. With them I don't feel like a lower class citizen who needs to wait for handouts! They treat me as an equal, maybe even as a family. I'm starting to suspect that something is wrong with you. Is it possible that you never had a friend? Even if you had a lifetime of being deprived of friendship, why is that such an abstract concept of you? Look it up in the dictionary! Attend a friend-making seminar! Hire a tutor! It might help you to stop treating me like I'm invisible when anyone else is around, while sending me ambiguous signals when we are by ourselves and then wrapping all that in your twisted idea of a friendship!"

Emma walked out without giving him a chance to respond. 

She passed by the living room, and Miss Davis saw her.

"Is Charlie coming?", Miss Davis' question made Emma halt her steps.

Emma took a deep breath and forced a smile. "His treatment for today ended, and he should be out shortly. Excuse me, my cab is waiting."

Emma left Charlie's villa, convinced that when she calms down she will talk to JoAnna to find him some other physiotherapist. She can't go through this again, and she does not want to.

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