Charles ’ Charlie ’ Matthew Kretschner (12) is the second of Loretta’s children and in the conflict between his mom and sister, firmly falls on the side of Grace. He’s not as openly antagonistic, very much being the quiestest of the brood, but likewise finds himself dealing with frustration and uncertainty due to Loretta’s strictness and demands when it comes to performance. Many would argue Charlie has it easy in this sense: he’s already proven himself a natural for writing essays, being a darling of his middle school’s English department for how he’s naturally excelled in crafting discussions and arguments.
In many ways, Charlie wishes he could exchange his ability for more social confidence, as he’s always admired how his older sister can just click with people. He feels a bit of a cliche: wearing glasses, being academically talented and having a naturally introverted nature, but his dad always assures Charlie that what’s important is being an excellent friend, not just accumulating dozens of them, qualities all his children have learned from him.
Charlie’s social circle is much smaller, but he’s always there for his friends, and they play D&D on weekends or go on bike rides about town to find places to hang out and talk. He also is involved in taekwondo, something that surprises people given his shyness, and does enjoy competing, something he and Grace joke about a lot given her antics with skating. Charlie doesn’t consider himself exceptional at this by any means, however he’s somewhat relieved, as he knows if it became too promising his mom would insist on upping his practice, taking the time he keeps to read his favoured fantasy books or comics passed down from his dad to him.
Because of their difference in interests - and the fact his younger sister is very close with their mom - Charlie tends to be a little distant from his brothers, however with his 8-year-old sibling expressing an interest in a new form of dance that isn’t Loretta approved, they’ve started to bond more, as Charlie’s very encouraging of his passion for hip-hop. What his brothers’ aren’t aware of is Charlie’s always known they call him ‘Deputy Lieutenant’, while Grace is the ‘Commander’, given they’re usually the first to disagree with their mom. Given his own newfound interests, their 8-year-old brother is wondering if he should call himself ‘Junior Lieutenant’ and join their troops.
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