A/N: This story is somewhat from my personal experiences, although most facts are fictional. I try to give depth to all subjects that are mentioned within the story, if anyone has suggests, I would be grateful of them. Please R/R!
~ Meghan

"Just shut up, will you?!" Charlie screamed as she trudged up the stairs. Before her father had time to reply, she began again. "I've heard countless times how lazy and..and how much of a disappointment I am. It's enough already!" She was on the verge of tears by now, shaking with fury.

"Charlie, you don't have to take everything so seriously! I'm just teasing you." Mr. Senator tried to calm his daughter down, he was tired of her constant yelling.

"Well guess what dad, it's not fucking funny, it never has been and it never will be!" With these last words, Charlie stomped up the remaining steps and slammed her bedroom door.

Dan Senator made an exasperated sigh and walked over to the love seat in the front entrance. He sat down and placed his face in his hands. "What am I doing wrong? I can't do this without you Margaret, why did you leave?" Dan Senator had been talking to the ghost of his dead wife who had passed away only 3 months ago. He was lost without her; he didn't know how to raise his 15 year old daughter, let alone how to live without his only love. During the past months, he hadn't slept more than 5 hours a night, giving him dark rings underneath his eyes, he looked lifeless. "You took my soul with you, Marge." Explanations for his never ceasing pain were always running through his mind, he did not understand his own emotions.

Shaking his head, he rose from the love seat and began cooking dinner in the kitchen.

*~~~*~~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*

"I fucking hate him Rich; honestly, he is so cut off from my life! He didn't even realize our Winter Break had begun. It's always been like this, when mom was here. All he cared about was her, he was only happy when she was around, and now that she's gone, he takes out all his remorse on me, as if it's my fault she died . " Charlie was huddled in the corner of her room that was farthest away from the door.

"Hon, you're overreacting. I'm sure your dad isn't that terrible. He seems like a cool guy, and you have to be understanding, you've both recently lost someone you love dearly, it's going to be hard for a while." Rich had always been a sensible guy, this was not always appreciated by his best friend.

"Why are you defending him? I understand what he's going through, I'm going through the same thing, but he doesn't have to take out his anger on me! Besides, he has always treated me like shit, I'm never good enough. He told me I was getting fat today. What makes him think he has the right to criticize me?!" Charlie was getting upset again, but venting to people that actually cared about her helped.

"Charlie, I know it's hard for you, but trust me, after your father deals with his pain, you two can work something out, I'm sure."

"I don't want to fucking work anything out with him! I want him to burn in hell!"

"I know you don't mean that Sweetie, do you want me to come over? We can take a drive." Rich knew that being in cars always calmed Charlie down, and the fact that he was 17 and had a license helped.

"Thanks Rich, you always know what to do. I'll get my jacket and wait for you outside." Charlie rose from her crouched position and grabbed her winter coat from the hook next to her door.

"O.k. Babe, see you in a few." With that, Charlie and Rich hung up their phones.

Before leaving her room, Charlie pulled her shoulder length auburn hair into a loose bun. Glancing at her reflection, she noticed her crystal blue eyes were red from the crying she had just done, not caring, she left her room and tried to sneak downstairs.

Before leaving the house, Charlie glanced into the kitchen to look at her father. He looked tired; usually his poster was perfect, now he was slumped over the stove. His brown hair seemed to have thinned since her mother had died; he had also lost a ridiculous amount of weight. Charlie was too angry at him to care though. Without a "goodbye", she slammed the front door and marched off of the porch, sitting on the curb awaiting Rich's arrival.

Five minutes later Charlie saw a red, Pontiac GTO drive up and stop directly in front of her. Collecting herself, she hopped into the car and gave its driver a hug.

The two sat in silence for part of the drive, and then Charlie spoke.

"I really miss her." Within Charlie's eyes laid unshed tears, ready to pour out at any second. Rich almost felt her heart breaking all over again. He wanted to make everything as it had been. He wanted to hold her and fix everything, but he couldn't. He didn't know what to say.

Understanding that Rich had no words, Charlie continued. "I miss hearing her voice every day, I miss the way she smelled. Her scent always lingered in the room she had just left. I miss everything, the feeling of security I felt when I was around her, and although my dad still treats me the same, I miss the way he was when he was in her presence. She had this effect on him, I can't explain it. It was as if he was a completely different man." By now Charlie was in tears.

Parking the car, Rich took her hand in his. "You're always going to miss her Charlie, but as time passes, I can promise you that things will calm down, your emotions specifically. I know how hard it is to lose someone you love dearly, trust me. And it took me quite a while to move on, but eventually you do. There will always be those days when you are reminded of her and it feels as if you can't live anymore, but you still live. Just take each day at a time."

Rich let go of Charlie's hand and motioned for her to cuddle with him. They lay in each other's arms for over an hour in complete silence. Once again Charlie spoke up.

"Thanks Rich, you're a great friend. I don't' know what I'd do without you." Laughing with this, they both straightened up and collected themselves.

"It's just good to know my girl is o.k. I know it will take a while to move on Babe, but for the time being, you have me!"

*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*

Dan Senator heard the front door slam shut. Stepping out of the kitchen into the front hall, he arrived just in time to see his daughter's feet tramping up the steps.

"Don't you want some dinner Charlie?" He yelled.

The reply was a muffled, "I already ate!" from his daughter.

Sighing once again in defeat, he returned to the kitchen. Before sitting for dinner, he glanced at the table top, it had once been set with 3, food- filled plates and 3 sets of silverware; now, there was one food- filled plate, and one empty.