The Charlie Situation by C.A. Cordova
"the kind of book that you can't help but devour in one sitting"
An entertaining ‘intense-but-cozy’ mystery
4.8⭐ on Amazon
4.3⭐ on Goodreads
Chapter 1
Charlie sighed as she sat down at her cluttered desk. She was finally relieved to be off her feet. Teaching was alright most days, but every once in a while, some student managed to ruffle her feathers. She tried to shake off her nerves as she scrolled through her emails: parents, administration, and, of course, special education complaints. She frowned and picked up her Yeti filled with soda and ice. A huge gulp satisfied her sugar-craving and reminded her that life would be alright. She opened her top drawer and pulled out a Snickers. “Ah, dinner!” She smiled. She was about to open it when the loudspeaker blared, “Miss Thomas, are you still in the building?”Charlie rolled her eyes, “Fuck! What now?” She closed them for a second and exhaled before dialing the code for the front office.“Stanson High School, Miss Middleton speaking. How can I help you?”“Hey Sam, it's Charlie.”“Oh, hey! Mr. Winton really needs to talk to you.”“What about?”“Well, I heard from Cathy that you have the most students absent this year.”Charlie pinched her eyes shut. “Alright, thanks. Happy hour?”“Nah, Jessie has some work thing so I have the kids. Tomorrow?”“Nope, gotta go to the football game.”“Ah, okay. Well maybe this weekend,” Sam replied. “Let me transfer you to Patty.”Charlie waited as the receiver connected, “Principal Winton’s office.”“Hey Patty, it’s Miss Thomas.”“Oh, can you come down here as soon as possible? He’s in a meeting but should be done shortly.”“Uh . . . Can I meet with him tomorrow?”“Unfortunately, no. He’s got a school board meeting and the superintendent is coming to view classes tomorrow.”Charlie rolled her eyes, “I’ll head down there.”“Okay, thanks.”Charlie listened to the click. She always disliked the fact that Patty hung up without saying goodbye. She leaned back then jolted out of her office chair. She ambled slowly past the empty classrooms and wondered what she was doing wrong. She felt like she was always the last one in the building.Her legs carried her briskly down a flight of stairs toward the front of the building. She swung into the waiting area for the principal just as he was leaving his office. “Oh, Thomas! Yeah, I gotta talk to you. Can you walk with me to my car?”Charlie looked at him, confused, “Uh, sure.”“Sorry, I have to pick up my daughter today.”Charlie nodded but didn’t respond. He waved at Patty and rushed toward the entryway. Charlie walked briskly next to him. He smiled broadly as they exited the building, “So, Mrs. Stopes told me your class has the most students absent this month.”“Okay,” Charlie replied, “I’ll make some calls.”“Well, this is the third month in a row. I was thinking that Fitch could use a partner to go to students' homes tonight.”Charlie ground her teeth, “Uh, yeah, I can’t go tonight.”“Come on, Charlie,” he said as he unlocked his green SUV. “You’re the only teacher not on board with making sure every kid has a chance.” He threw his bag into the backseat. “You know, when I hired you, you had the 'I’ll do whatever it takes’ mentality, but now I’m starting to feel like you’re not a team player.” He lowered his voice, “Honestly, when the contracts are up at the end of the year, I’m going to have to re-evaluate this.” He frowned, “Sorry, Charlie.”“That’s not really fair, Mr. Winton,” she answered. “You know I need this job.”“I’m not saying you’re going to lose your job,” he paused, “I’m just saying the kids need you.”She frowned, “When is Fitch going?”“In about an hour. Patty printed up a list of the students who have missed the most days. Grab it on your way out.” He looked at her sternly, “Thanks.”Charlie nodded as he slammed his driver’s-side door. She walked back to the front and used her ID to buzz into the building. Patty was standing a few feet away, “Here you go. Thank you, Miss Thomas.”
Charlie snatched the paper from her hands without replying. She treaded down the hall feeling defeated. Her legs carried her back toward her classroom. She wanted to pull out her hair, or at least tell them to stuff this job, but she knew she couldn’t. As she started to climb the stairs, she could hear the theater students leaving the back area. Charlie inhaled deeply as they passed her.“Miss Thomas!” She tried to ignore the sound of Fitch's nasally voice, but a group of students was kind enough to let her know he was trying to talk to her.She smiled her best teacher smile, “Hey, Fitch.”“Hey, I’m so glad you decided to join me tonight.” He brushed his balding strands, “How about we take my car? I have a full tank of gas.”“Great. Let me just get my stuff,” Charlie answered.“Okay, meet you in the parking lot,” he wheezed.Charlie hiked up the steps and muttered under her breath, “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” She cleaned up her desk and setup a lab for the next day. She grabbed her lunch bag, backpack, papers to grade, and her Yeti. She hobbled out the door, switched off the lights, and locked up. As she ambled down the hallway, she contemplated bailing on Fitch. He was, after all, fully capable of handling all the names on the list without her.Charlie had made up her mind when she saw his slim figure racing down the hallway, “Hey! I thought you had left for a minute.”“Nope, just prepping everything for tomorrow,” Charlie replied.“Well, let me help you.” He held out his hands.“Nah, I’m good,” Charlie lied. She huffed all the way down the stairs and to her gold Pinto. She bumped the door with her hip and it fell open. She set her tumbler on the roof and loaded everything into the vehicle. She pulled her purse from the mess and picked up her cup.Charlie turned and Fitch was directly behind her. “Ready?”“Yup,” she called out.He pointed toward his shiny blue truck, “That’s me.”She nodded and followed his lead to his car. Charlie climbed into the vehicle and envied his ability to clean. ‘Where did he find the time?’ she wondered. As the truck revved, classical music began to surround her.“Vivaldi,” he said as he turned the knob. The music lowered and Charlie sipped her soda.“You want to grab some Mickey D’s, Fitch?”“Um, no thanks. I don’t eat fast food.” He frowned.“Uh . . . alright.” She stared forward.“I can stop for you, if you want?” Fitch questioned.“Nah, I can get a bite to eat on my way home,” Charlie countered.He nodded, “Oh, I forgot. I grabbed your mail from your box.” He pointed to the passenger-side door. Charlie looked down at the huge pile; she hadn’t remembered to check her school mailbox since the beginning of the year.“Uh, thanks,” she replied as she began to sift through the pile. She stuffed a wad of new hall passes into her pocket.“So, I’m going to hit the students who have missed the most school first,” Fitch stated as he watched her with disgust.Charlie nervously sipped her soda and wished she had brought her candy bar. For the first few stops, she didn’t even bother exiting the car. She soon found out that the kids who missed school were also not home; most parents were gone as well. By the fifth house, she realized that going to each place wasn’t that bad. The sun was beginning to set and Charlie was getting tired. She leaned to the side and yawned.“Let’s hit one more then call it quits, okay?” Fitch announced.Charlie agreed with the sentiment. He pulled the car over and surveyed his list. “Did you want to check your list?” he asked.She pulled the crumpled paper out of her purse. At the top of the list were the Delancey sisters: twins who, when they showed up, made her classroom hell on Earth. She frowned but didn’t dare say she was happy the twins were missing school; so, she gave him their address. Fitch punched the numbers into Maps. “Hey!” he announced happily, “That’s only like three blocks from school.”“That’s great.” Charlie smiled and thought about Burger King. She had visions of Whoppers and a milkshake as they pulled over. She checked the address one more time before stuffing the list back into her purse. As Fitch pulled over to the curb, she couldn’t decide if she should get a chocolate or strawberry shake. When she slid down from the truck bed, goosebumps trickled up her arm. The evening was beginning to cool and she was grateful for the drop in temperature. She rubbed her arms and walked toward 5353. The yard was a mess of dead trees and yellowing grass. Charlie tugged at the rusted gate and it lurched forward toward her; she had to jump to avoid its heavy swing. She shook her head in frustration as she ambled up the rotting front steps. The house must have been a shade of blue previously, but it was hard to tell from all the black mold growing on the siding.Flies swarmed her as she approached the front door. She looked back at Fitch, who waved from the driver’s seat. Charlie turned and knocked twice. She rang the doorbell, but no answer. A surge of relief shot through her body; she was elated that no one was home. Charlie smiled and decided to try one last time. Her knuckles clacked against the wood. The power of her knock sent the door slowly swinging inward. The scent of decay hit her nose and caused her to gag. She covered her mouth as she peered inside. On the floor, only a few feet in front of her, she could clearly see a circular puddle of dried blood.Charlie’s eyes widened as she peered into the dim house. Her vision took a moment to focus and her heartbeat quickened. She leaned forward before looking both directions. Charlie took a couple steps into the wooden entryway. She squinted and stared at the crimson pool only a few paces away when she heard a creak above her. She turned, bolted down the front steps, and walked briskly to Fitch’s car.
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