Gerty XVI in gerty

Gerty and Charlotte had picked their swimsuits and got dressed for the pool. Charlotte removed two coverups from their hangers and said,

“This is non negotiable Gerty. My mom has strict rules about inside dress codes so there is no frolicking about the house half naked.”

“Not a problem when it comes to pleasing your mother. She has been very welcoming to me. Let’s go get wet.”

The girls left the bedroom and immediately came across Fritz who had found a chair down the hall near the stairs. Regardless of Gerty’s wishes she never got too far from Fritz without it being an escape. Charlotte walked past first and gave Fritz a gloating smile for her distorted belief she may have endeared herself to his charge. Gerty paused and said,

“I’ll be needing something a bit more formal for this evening Fritzy. Could you gather my belongings out of the bedroom for me. I have a couple personal items on the vanity and bed that should not be left unattended. I’ll be needing you at the pool once your finished.”

Charlotte stopped at the top of the stairs a looked back to see where Gerty had gone and noticed Gerty was holding Fritz’s hand and not saying a word.

“Coming or not?”

Fritz nodded and Gerty caught up with a few skips down the hall. Charlotte thought how can this female can be so childlike and so freaking scary all at the same time. Talk about the definition of enigma.

Both the girls ran down the stairs through the study and right out to the pool. Coverups came off and Gerty had Charlotte by the hand dragging her towards the waters’ edge.

“Not so fast. It’s probably cold Gerty. Let me get in on my own.”

Gerty squealed with delight as she continued to pull Charlotte close to the pool. Charlotte’s father and uncle were still sitting outside in the shade. Both men set down their books and were watching the scene. Gerty looked their way and waived then turned to Charlotte and said,

“We’ll go in together.”

With those words Gerty wrapped her arms around Charlotte and pulled tight against her body. They stood for a moment staring at each other and Gerty said,

“Together.”

The girls didn’t jump in but fell much like a tree might fall in the forest. Charlotte and Gerty went completely under and Gerty continued to hold Charlotte in her arms as they sank towards the bottom. Charlotte felt comfort in Gerty’s arms and this time her urges overwhelmed her. She kissed Gerty as they floated in their weightless world. Charlotte softly pulled her close trying to intermingle their legs but Gerty let her go and swam to the surface.

Charlotte came up and felt her face turn warm and red. She thought how ridiculous she was acting and didn’t know whether to apologize or just run off and hide. Gerty waded over and took Charlotte chin so they would look each other in the eyes.

“That’s sticking to the plan sweetheart.”

Charlotte felt her confusion and wondered what Gerty could possible mean. Gerty said,

“So are going to introduce me to dear ol’ daddy or not?”

With that remark Gerty swam to the pool ladder and got out of the water.

“Well c’mon. Let’s go meet the boys.”

Charlotte got out and headed back towards the table where Mr. White Jacket had left towels. Gerty said,

“Let’s do this soaking wet Charlotte. We ladies always look best dripping wet don’t you think?”

Charlotte’s world came crashing down around her. All the strange decisions and silliness had come down to this one moment. Gerty had known her secrets all along and now she only wished to justify her beliefs. Charlotte remembered the strange thing said in her bedroom.

“The suffering is almost over Charlotte. It is not for you to say the words. I am here to see the pain and take it away. It is a good as gone but one must prove to be the daddio. Merely a passage from what might be to what is true. Once it is true then it is over.”

Gerty grabbed Charlotte by the hand and gave her a knowing look.

“I am especially interested in meeting that handsome uncle of yours Charlotte. Why I think he may have an eager eye for me....or maybe it is for you. Let’s go see.”

Charlotte felt suddenly naked inside and out. Gerty politely pulled on her hand as she maneuvered her closer to her father and uncle. Mr. Bergstein smiled as they walked up and looked Gerty in the face and said,

“I was wondering if you were ever doing to introduce me to your delightful friend Charlotte. Why, she is just a bundle of energy and smiles. We need more of that around here for sure.”

Gerty reached out to give Mr. Bergstein’s hand a squeeze Charlotte gave Uncle Mel a glance and he seemed to be looking at everything but Gerty’s face. He was clearly drunk from a day on the veranda with an open bar.

“Mr. Bergstein, you are a sweet talker. And who might this be Charlotte?

Gerty turned and took two steps toward Charlotte’s uncle seemingly trying to put her wet and mostly naked body in Mel’s sightline.

Charlotte said in a flat monotone,

“Gerty, Uncle Mel. Uncle Mel, Gerty.”

Mel could feel the surge of blood in his groin from the lustful image before him. He could not resist his rude leering at her breasts and held out his hand to greet Gerty. Gerty gladly accepted the handshake and held it a moment longer than what may be appropriate. Charlotte thought Uncle Mel may have just touched his last piece of warm flesh. Gerty had come to kill the man who had been sexually abusing Charlotte since she was eight.

Gerty had come hunting a daddio. Gerty had promised not to kill her mother or father. Charlotte believed that is where the promise ends. Gerty had known all along what was really wrong with her. Gerty just didn’t know who did the wrong and was here to find out.

Mr. Bergstein coughed and gave his brother a disapproving look and said,

“Gerty I insist you stay for dinner.”

Gerty gleamed and looked to Charlotte.

“I would love to as long as Charlotte isn’t getting sick of me.”

Charlotte turned back to her Uncle Mel and said.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”