Salubrious part four

Charlie was freaking out. Pim noticed right away as they went to their job. He was picking at his hat, his face. He looked like a mess to Pim.

“It’s been a lot. I know, Charlie. Allan has his own quirky ways. He means well,” Pim says.

“I don’t know. I don’t know if he’s trying to show the boss he can make people smile better than me or…” Charlie rambled.

Pim looked at him with an unconvinced, side eyed glance, lip upturned.

“Well, I know Allan is more of a stickler. I guess you’re right, Pim, he feels more at home with his emails, ledgers, files…. Whatever the hell he actually does.” Charlie sighed. “I just don’t know why he’s hyper focusing on me.”

“Maybe he really likes you! Like a super best buddy!” Pim exclaimed.

Charlie snorted a laugh, “Ugh. Guys don’t try this hard without thinking they’ll get something in return. You know?”

Pim laughed, linking arms with him. Charlie reluctantly let his tense shoulders down to relax as they linked arms.

“But, I do. You know I loove to make people smile! And stop trying to make yourself feel worse. You keep talking about Allan when you should just talk to him… ya know? Work it out.”

“But why should I? I am not cut out for this kind of crap…” Charlie lamented. Pim scoffed.

“What’s with the attitude Pim?” Charlie snorted. “You think you can do something to fix this?”

“No. You’re getting too worked up though, Charlie. You know that he’s your best mate. Why don’t you two hang out? See if you both can come to some sort of understanding?”

“Well, you’re actually my best friend. Allan is cool. I just don’t want to.. you know? I can’t even imagine getting too close to him. One time he sucked on my nose cause we got close.”

“You’re not cool with that but you fixed his wig after he fell on us? Like, Charlie, I don’t know how else to describe something so obvious.”

Charlie stopped on the sidewalk, giving Pim a dirty yet nervous look. “Obvious? What? I’m not obvious? Obvious! What are you… obvious, Pim! You’re obvious!”

Pim gave him a solid deadpan look. They both stayed awkwardly silent for a moment, then Charlie scoffed.

“Look, you don’t have to hang around him, just do what you want,” Pim started.

“It’s not that deep, Pim, it’s nothing more than a weird little joke that Allan is trying to pull on me.”

“Okay Charlie! Let’s go make someone smile!” Pim swooned. Charlie frowned, sighing. He nodded but it looked like a head shake, to Pim.

“Or… let me do this job. I’m up for it. Really I am. Why don’t you go ahead and take a lunch,” Pim suggested.

Charlie smiled a little, patting his friend’s head softly. “That’s so nice, thank you. Are you sure?”

Pim gave him a thumbs up, “Oh yeah, Charlie. Now go dance like you’re Charlie Bucket that’s just won that last golden ticket! I bet you’ll feel less bad about you know who soon! You’ll be a shiny new coin that is lucky and plucky!”

Charlie laughed. “Um.. ok,” he also put up a weak thumbs up, making Pim grin.

“Awesome! Love you!” Pim yelled as he waved goodbye.

Charlie saw a few passersby look at them funny but he didn’t care.

“Love you too Willy Wonka!”

Pim giggled. “I have to check the chocolate waterfall!”

Charlie laughed, “Go ahead with that shit you kooky critter!”

Pim blew a kiss. Charlie didn’t catch it, but Pim didn’t notice, happily walking off.

He picked it off the ground. He dusted off the pretend air kiss, putting it in his pocket for later.