While he spoke the truth about Jemma, Paul wasn't particularly fond of Charlette's tone of voice.  She sounded down, even hurt.  And he knew he was the cause of that, which made him feel even shittier.  Swiftly securing her backpack from the backseat, she covered her head with the jacket's hood and bolted for the front door.  Gaining entry, the door closed behind her and that was that.<br/><br/>Paul watched it all unfold while doing absolutely nothing to prevent any of it from happening.  He sat there in silence, trying to, but not quite achieving, enjoyment of the rain beating down on his Subaru.  Charlette's feelings had a lot to do with that.  Really, Charlette's feelings had<i>everything </i>to do with that.  He continued to sit there, as if paralyzed to the car seat.  Dusk began to settle around him, while he swallowed hard.<br/><br/><i>Helluva day, Old Man.  Helluva fuckin' day.</i>