Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Seven

"Thank you, Lance. We had fun." Janis finally got out of the back of the truck after saying a million words once they pulled in front of the house. "And Johnny... choke on a rock."

She pulled Charlene away from the truck but something made the little brown girl turn around just to make sure her thoughts during the ride were correct. Just as she followed her instincts, she saw Lance looking right back at her with a face of pure seriousness. If she wasn't mistaken, he also looked a little hurt. That stare made Charlene look away just as quick as she turned around.

"I feel like I really ruined it for us." Charlene sighed.

"No. That slobby sea urchin ruined it for us. You were not responsible. Unless you gave him signs that you liked him?" She turned to face Charlene quickly. "When I said someone likes you I didn't mean Johnny. I meant someone from your school. Another black. Johnny would only hurt you. That's what he's known for."

"You also said he was good for anyone. Not that I tried anything with him, but you're just not making sense anymore, Janis."

"I'm saying that he'd be good for anyone like him, I guess. For example, I don't think Lance would be too fond of a colored girl. Unless a colored girl came on to him. Boys will be boys. They can't help it. But they also know who to wife and who to use. Don't let them boys use you, Char."

Janis walked straight into the house after what felt like the most confusing conversation to Charlene. She wasn't sure if her friend was accusing her of something or helping her out. It felt like a jumble of both.

"Get changed and help me sweep the floors." Gloria said the moment Charlene stepped one foot in the house.

Janis rubbed a drop of moisturizer into her cheeks before pulling the sheets back on her bed. "You sleeping with the lights on tonight?"

"No. Not tonight. I just wanted to go straight to sleep." Charlene turned to face the wall while Janis turned out the lamp.

It was two minutes that passed when Janis let out a loud sigh. "I feel like Lance and I really got on well today. He ducked me under the water a few times and gave me all his attention. I wonder if it will be like that when we marry?"

Charlene wanted to stay quiet and pretend she was asleep, but she didn't want to be rude. "Yeah. You two would function so sweet together, I guess." Janis let out a soft giggle. "I see in his eyes that he really sees you, you know?"

"You think?" Janis's bed creaked and Charlene knew she got so excited that she was sitting up. "He's so strong, Char. His muscles are out of this world. I can see all our kids now running around on his farm land and playing tag with each other."

"Yeah. I can see it too." Charlene didn't mean to do it, but she wasn't imagining Janis standing on Lance's front porch. She didn't see white kids playing in the field. She didn't even see Lance staring back at Janis. It was Charlene's imagination. All Charlene.

"Every year there's a puppy sale in town. I can see us right now going down there to get a family dog."

"Me too," Charlene said softly.

Lance's strong arms would reach down into the kennel and pull out a small white and brown spotted puppy. He would then look over his shoulder with a big smile and see Charlene smiling right back at him. He'd ask, "is he the one?" And Charlene would smile and nod. The two of them would hop into his truck and drive down the dirt road laughing and playing with their new family member.

"And he'd look at the joy it brought to our kids faces. We'd be happy." Janis finished with a pleased sigh. "Can you see it for me, Char?"

Charlene's story didn't finish. She saw herself cooking dinner. Making plates. Changing diapers. Falling in love with her life. Falling in love. "I see it," she whispered softly. Charlene never wanted to be traditional, but with Lance, she'd be that in a heartbeat.

"Good morning girls!" Anne sang as she placed a plate of eggs on the table. Sarah was the first one to grab a fork full off the plate and pile it onto hers. "Your daddy headed straight out after he picked Sarah up. He told me to tell you that he loves you."

Janis smiled sweetly as she pulled herself a seat. Charlene followed behind and took her spot next to her mother. "Tell Daddy that all this time apart is taking a toll on Sarah." Her little sister sat up straight when her name was mentioned. "I was interested in boys when I was Sarah's age because I had a dad that made me feel as though I could be the best woman. Sarah still plays with dolls."

"I think it's a good thing that she's not growing up too fast," Gloria spoke when Anne sent Janis a glare.

"And I agree, Gloria. My Sarah is still a young woman and my baby at heart." Sarah became flustered. "You're seventeen. It's normal for you to think about your future after high school but don't push it on your sister." Anne walked over to put some pancakes on Janis's plate while also leaning closer to her ear. "We don't need to give her too many ideas."

Charlene sat in silence for about a minute before a question came up. "What if the first person you meet isn't the one. Or the second or third?"

"A khaki wacky doll?" Janis gasped. "You fall in love early so you won't get stuck being that. Not a good look for a country girl going to the city."

Anne nodded in agreement with her daughter. "Now I taught my girls that young love is the best love. You two grow up together and you know each other fully. Not to be cheesy, but no man wants a good time girl. Janis has got big shoes to fill. Dating a Skinner is pennies from heaven as I always say."

With a proud smile on her face, Janis took a nice bite out of her pancakes.

"Gone now and take that pot out back. The bottoms burnt. It's no good."

Charlene nodded as she scurried to the shed under her mother's orders. The whole time she was back there, she couldn't help but look around at the things they stored outside that were broken to them but useful to Charlene. Just before she entered the shed, she saw that familiar truck drive down the back way road that lead to the front of the Watson's house.

She quickly turned around hoping that he didn't see her looking at a bunch of junk. For a second, she thought the coast was clear but then his truck started backing up. Charlene dusted her dress and stood up a bit straighter the second she ditched the pot to the ground.

Lance parked his truck next to a tree and quickly got out. It took him no energy to jump over the slightly tall fence. "Charlene," he waved as he said her name as lowly as he could. She couldn't help but fight against the flustered feeling rising on her face. "I've been waiting for the opportunity to tell you that I really don't like the way we ended things yesterday. I just want you to know that I'm not mad at you and I... I hope you're not mad at me."

"Lance. Why would I be mad at you?" She forced a soft frown on her face and for a second she saw Lance's heart skip a beat.

"I- I don't know. I guess I just needed that reassurance." The two grew nervous just looking into each other's eyes. Charlene also knew she had to be back soon.

Just then, they heard a ringing in the distance. Both of them turning to the sound. "That's the dinner bell. I really got to go."

Just before Charlene got too far, Lance grabbed her wrist to pull her to a stop. "I meant it. Something about you has been with me before."

She wanted to ask more questions and clear up the jumbled mess of her mind but she knew she had seconds before her mother would grow worried and come find her. "You go and get out of here now." She peeled his grip from her wrist. "And... I'd never be mad at you. Not for long at least."