The boys were away for the day in Washington, and Charlie decided that she needed to get out. So she called Johanna Timonen and suggested a few of them go out for lunch and watch the game at Buffalo Wild Wings. There ended up being six of them total: Charlie, Johanna, Janine, TJ (Hartsy’s girlfriend), Amanda (Claude’s girlfriend), and Brianne (Matt Read’s fiancee). They sat at a high-top by the bar and instantly started talking about how Reader had proposed to Brianne over the Olympic break. Charlie could tell they were so in love, it was heart-warming.

The game started and conversation turned to the recent rivalry between their men and the Capitals. The ladies were worried, not just for the score of the game, but also for the safety of the guys on the ice.
“I swear, when Wilson had that hit on Brayden I thought his career was going to be over.” Janine said. “Maybe that was a little over dramatic, but I thought for sure his season would be ruined. We’re so lucky he didn’t even get a concussion.” The women nodded their heads.
“That was so dirty.” Amanda agreed. “I’m surprised he didn’t even get a fine. I thought for sure he would be suspended a couple games.”
“I mean, the fact that Brayden couldn’t even make it to the bench by himself? That right there should have at least warranted one game.” Charlie chimed in.
“Let’s just hope no funny business happens today.” Johanna smiled, and raised her glass. Charlie noticed that TJ was the only one without a drink, and apparently wasn’t the only one.
“TJ, why are you drinking water?” Amanda asked.
“Oh, um... Well, we were going to wait to tell all of you guys together. But... Scott and I are having a baby!” TJ responded with a big smile.
The five other women exploded into exclamations of “Oh my gosh!” and “Congratulations!”
“Thank you so much!” TJ said with tears in her eyes. “I know we’re not engaged or anything, which probably looks bad after his whole ex wife thing. But we’re so excited. I just love him so much and I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather have a child with.”
“Honey, we know you love him” Johanna said. “You’re not Lisa. We can all see that much.” The older woman said exactly what all the others were thinking, and they voiced their agreements.
“Oh my god, do you remember that tweet he sent in April?” Amanda asked. Charlie looked at her, confused. She had a twitter, but rarely looked at it. “What are you talking about?”
“I forgot about that! It was when you were in Afghanistan, Charlie. He basically called her out for being a gold-digger.” Janine laughed.
“Hold on, I saved it somewhere...” Brianne said, grabbing her phone. “@Hartsy19: Let’s welcome @lisarenkeykey to the REAL WORLD. #paymentsover #powerballwinner #longhairdontcare” She read from the screen. The women burst into laughter.
“I can’t believe he did that!” Charlie said with tears in her eyes.
“The best part is, Mike Richards jumped right on it and backed him up.”
“Wait! I saved that one too. Hold on.” Brianne said. “@MRichie_10: @Hartsy19 @lisarenkeykey Welcome, real world 101. 1)get a job 2)pay for your own things 3)stop taking money from people... good luck.” Charlie couldn’t contain the laughter building inside of her.

The women continued chatting and laughing while watching the game. they were down 2-1 by the end of the first period, but Charlie was proud because Sean had the assist on G’s goal. A couple of the girls excused themselves to go to the bathroom, and Johanna went outside to check in on her babysitter leaving Charlie and Janine at the table.
“Don’t look now, but there’s an older woman practically staring into your soul a couple tables behind you. She definitely knows who you are.” Janine said in a low voice as the girls returned from the bathroom. Charlie straightened up and looked at Janine.
“I have to go to the bathroom now.” Charlie said and got up.
“Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.” Janine agreed.
Charlie turned towards the bathroom and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the woman Janine had told her about. It had been many years, but Charlie definitely recognized her. They quickly headed to the back of the restaurant, aware of the woman following them.
“You know she’s right behind us?” Janine asked. She didn’t respond. “You know her, don’t you?” Charlie nodded her head slightly. “Is this bad?” Janine asked.
“I don’t know yet.” Charlie responded honestly. “It could go either way.”
They reached the bathroom and Charlie stepped into the stall, hearing the door open as someone else entered after them. She flushed the toilet and walked out.
“Charlotte. I knew it was you.” The woman said. “It’s been a long time.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know you.” Charlie lied.
“Come on now, Charlotte Rose. Of course you do.” She responded, giving her the same half-smile Drew had been giving her all these years.
“I’m sorry, I don’t. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to my table. The second period is about to start.” She brushed past the woman and washed her hands, aware of Janine following her.
“That’s right, I heard you’re dating that boy. What’s his name? Couturier. Congratulations. A professional athlete. Wow. He must take care of you.” Even though she didn’t say anything outright, Charlie could hear the implication behind her words. Apparently so did Janine.
“Look, I don’t know who you are, but you have no right talking to my friend that way.” Janine spoke up.
“Oh, honey. I don’t mean anything bad by what I said.” The woman responded. “In fact, I would love it if Charlotte and I could rebuild our relationship. I think the boyfriend could be very useful in that. What do you say, Charlotte? An all-day shopping trip?”
Charlie scoffed. “How dare you ask me that!” She yelled.
“Like I said, I don’t know who you are. But clearly you’re not someone Charlie wants to be talking to right now." Janine spoke. "And frankly, I don’t want to talk to you either. So I think it’s best if we leave the bathroom right now and forget any of this happened.”

“Oh, how rude of me, dear. I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Anne. I’m Charlotte’s mother.”

Notes

Bad Bitch Alert.

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