Black Diamond Steakhouse:
Charlotte arrived early at the restaurant and requested a table away from the general public. Her brothers were supposed to show up at one o’clock. She checks the time on her cell phone and notices it is just twelve-forty.

The hostess escorts Charlotte to a private area. Charlotte let the hostess know she was expecting two others to join her. She informs her that her waitress will be with her in a minute.

Charlotte sits down and waits for her waitress to arrive. When the waitress shows up, she orders a rum and coke. It doesn’t take her waitress long to bring the mixed drink back to her.

While Charlotte is waiting for her brothers to show up, she gets a text from a member of the Manics. A smile appears on her face as she looks at the insane picture Nicky sent her. He had just jumped out of an airplane and was parachuting down towards the ground.

Charlotte shakes her head because Nicky is the adventurist in the group. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to get a rush. “You are so crazy, Nicky.”

“Who is so crazy, sis?” Sebastian had heard Charlotte’s comment.

Mark looks at the auburn-haired woman he saw at his parents’ house. According to his older brother, the woman was his younger brother who
had left seven years ago.

Charlotte looks at her older brother who had come dressed in a three-piece suit. She directs her gaze to her next older brother who is wearing a dress shirt, dress slacks, and a tie. He was also wearing a nice heavy sweater that she hadn’t seen before.

“The guitar player from my band. He’s an adrenaline junkie.” Charlotte looked at her younger brother and could tell he was feeling a little uncomfortable.

“I don’t bite, Mark.”

“So, it’s true. You’re my little brother?” Mark sits down at the table, while still maintaining eye contact with Charlotte.

“I used to be your little brother Mark. Now, I’m your little sister.” Charlotte takes a sip from her drink.

When the waitress arrived everyone was deciding what they wanted. Charlotte looks at her two older brothers “Order what you want. This is on me.”

“Really?” Sebastian looks towards Charlotte when she says that.

“Yes really. I’ve eaten at places that would cost you a week’s worth of pay or more.” Charlotte remembers some of the places she and the band ate at.

“If you say so.” Sebastian already knows what he is going to order.

When the waitress comes back over to take their order. Sebastian gets the surf and turf special and a rare bourbon that costs one hundred, twenty-five dollars per shot. Mark on the other hand orders a Tbone steak, cooked medium well with a loaded baked potato and macaroni and cheese as a side.

Charlotte didn’t want anything too heavy, but she did like a good steak. So, she orders one, cooked well done. She also gets a baked potato, but instead of macaroni and cheese. She gets a chef's salad with Italian dressing.

When the waitress leaves, Mark looks at Charlotte “So, what happened that caused you to run away and turn mom and dad against you?” Mark wanted to know the truth.

Charlotte takes a breath and looks directly towards her brother, Mark. “Here’s what happened that night and why Mom and Dad have declared me dead.”

Charlotte tells her brother what happened that night and why their mom and dad have declared her dead. She also tells him about what happened during the seven years and shows a picture of her wife. She could tell her little brother was listening to her and mentally going over everything she said.

“Here’s a question I have for you, Mark. What would you do if one of your kids had been in the same situation as me?” Charlotte knew it was a loaded question, but Mark was a father and hoped he was different than their father.

“That’s playing dirty, Charlotte.” Sebastian couldn’t believe his sister asked that question.

“No, it's all right, Sebastian. I’m not our father and I would never turn against my children like him and mom did you, sis. My wife faced some push back from her parents when she told them she was pregnant. They almost sent her to live with her grandmother in Ohio. However, I stood up to them and told them I would take care of her and the babies. So, I understand what you did.”

“Thanks.” Tears were starting to leak from her eyes.

Charlotte wipes the tears away and takes a sip from her glass. When their food is delivered, she orders a second round of drinks. She and her brothers catch up on what happened to them during her absence and how she should approach their parents.

Charlotte’s brothers couldn’t believe she was a bass guitar player in a popular band in Europe. Even after she showed them a video of her performing on stage.

“When did you learn how to play?” Mark was learning more and more about his sister.

“My second year out. I first learned from some of the truckers I used to hang out with. Then, when I became a roadie, I started hanging out with professional guitar players and learned from them.”

“Man, it sounds like you have had an interesting life so far.” Mark wonders what his life would have been like if he hadn’t become a father.

“It’s had its moments. I’m just glad you have accepted me. Now, I have to work on Mom and Dad.” Charlotte knew that might be impossible.

“Good luck, sis. Mom and Dad are set in their ways. But at least you have us, now.”

“Which I am happy.” Charlotte meant what she was saying to her brothers.