CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY NINE – ANOTHER CHANCE

"Right," Linda's brisk voice cut through the fog in Charlotte's mind. "Let's see where we stand, yeah?" Charlotte looked up to see her friend approaching with the cashbox and ledger. Despite everything, a flicker of hope stirred in her chest. Linda had always been good with numbers. Maybe, just maybe... But one glance at Linda's face as she rifled through the contents of the box told Charlotte all she needed to know. "It's not enough, is it?" she asked quietly. Linda's shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry, Char. After settling with the illustrious Mr. Frankie and setting aside funds for repairs... we're coming up short. By quite a bit, actually." And just like that, the tenuous thread of Charlotte's composure snapped. A sob tore from her throat, raw and anguished. She buried her face in her hands, her body shaking with the force of her tears. She was distantly aware of concerned voices, of gentle hands trying to comfort her. But in that moment, all she could feel was an overwhelming sen