Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Eight

"Quit touchin' me, Sarah! You're such a pain in the neck!" Charlene tried not to meddle in Janis and Sarah's bickering as she made her way to the front porch steps. It was the sound of a car cranking to a stop that made her turn around instead of going on her way. "Oh my God." Janis turned to look at Charlene who looked just as stunned. "Lance came to see me!"

She thought he'd go straight home but now he was parked right out front of their house with a smile on his face. Gloria stepped out the front door along with Anne and Cecil who slid past her to get to the front yard.

"Lance Skinner!" Cecil called out while taking his straw hat off his sweaty blond head. "It's been a good while since I've seen any of your blood running around these roads."

Lance chuckled while walking over with his hand held out to give Cecil a nice hand shake. "The farm needs a lot of maintenance these hot days." Cecil hummed in agreement. "But I just came by to say hello to everyone." His eyes landed on Charlene who was fumbling with her dress. "My, it sure smells good in there Mrs. Watson."

"Yes! Our friend here, Mrs. McCullough, and her daughter, Charlene, are quite helpful in the kitchen. McCullough actually made tonight's dinner." Janis snapped her eyes at her mother who quickly fixed her posture. "And- and you are more than welcomed to stay and join! We have an extra chair for you."

Lance rested a hand over his heart. "I'm honored!" That's all it took for Cecil to guide him right out of the setting Sun's rays. "What are we having?"

Janis quickly ran to the side of him and wrapped her arm around his elbow to walk him in. "Ah! We're having meatloaf and for dessert, Mrs. McCullough made coconut cream pie! Last I remember tasting it, I fell in love!"

Charlene sighed when she saw Janis coddling into his arms. Lance simply smiled as she lead him over to an empty chair at the table. Charlene grabbed the plates as usual while her mom put food on each plate before passing them out.

"You have the guest serving the food?" Lance asked in confusion.

The fact that Janis opened her mouth to answer with such confidence made Charlene want to croak over and die. She didn't want Lance knowing she was only here to make extra money for her mom.

"They are actually here to work for us. Do little things like cleaning, cooking, and you know. But don't worry about them. Charlene still has her fun and she's fine with it." Janis sent Charlene a big smile. She couldn't do anything but smile back as she placed Lance's plate in front of him. "She's amazing."

"Yeah..." Lance dragged out while watching Charlene's every move. "So... I'm guessing Charlene told you all what happened at the lake?"

Gloria almost fell over the pot of meatloaf trying to get a closer listen to Lance's story. "No, she didn't. What happened?" The look she gave Charlene was deadly.

"Johnny, such a wise guy. Tried to get a crack here at Charlene but I put a end to it that moment, Mrs. McCullough. Would never want Charlene or..." He looked over at Janis who was drooling on his shoulder,"...anyone to be uncomfortable." Cecil nodded at him proudly. "But we don't have to worry about Johnny no more."

Charlene's chest tightened as he gave her every sneak glance that he could. She didn't mind it though even when she should because she was taking a look at him too.

"I guess we should go and get to eating now?" Janis beamed.

Everyone bowed their head for prayer while Lance opted out of grace. Charlene took notice of it and she couldn't help but say something. "You don't believe in the Lord?"

The sounds of forks hitting the plates began to get softer as it became clear that Charlene wasn't the only one waiting to hear his answer.

"The Lord took plenty from me. Haven't been a fan of the guy since." He looked down at his plate and began poking his food around. "Why do y'all love him so much?" He looked directly into Charlene's eyes. She knew she couldn't answer the question without only repeating what her mother told her over the years.

"He gave us the food your eating on," Cecil pointed. "The roof so we ain't sittin' out in the sun."

"You can say that about anyone who puts in the hard work." Cecil looked as if he was holding his breath to avoid releasing his anger out on the young man. Janis was too busy trying to stuff her mouth as an excuse for not saying anything about the conversation. "But what am I? You know?"

Charlene swallowed a piece of meatloaf that she hesitantly took off her plate. Her current fight was trying to build an appetite with Lance sitting right across from her. "Uhm... I think that we all have our reasons." Gloria looked over at Charlene who still seemed to have much to say. "Our reasons for why we work hard and lose faith, that is. That being spoken... I think you'll find yourself faith again. That's a part of working hard."

Lance looked across the table at her without lifting his head from his plate. The small smile he sent made her heart skip a beat for the tenth time in the last hour. "I think so too."

"So glad to have you over. Now you make sure to give your mom that pie slice. I know you're a growing man but sharing is important too!" Cecil took his hat off as he walked Lance down the porch steps.

Lance made sure the plastic wrap was nice and tight around the rim of the plate that held the coconut cream pie. "That's why I took up a second slice," Lance joked in return. Janis let out a loud giggle as she cling to the porch column. "Yeah... but actually it was all McCullough's divine cooking."

"Drive safe, you hear?" Anne called out with a smile and a wave.

Lance started to walk away but quickly turned around just to look Charlene right in her eyes. She knew she should have stayed in the house and left the goodbyes to everyone else. "Actually. I really drove down here to let you know that someone in that house has got my heart Mr. Watson."

"No need to be fearful, boy. Janis is a good fit. You can say it." He looked at his middle daughter who had a full grin on display. "You can court my daughter any day. As long as I know when and where she is at all times."

It didn't take another second for Janis to run down the steps and straight into Lance's arms. He stumbled a bit before clinging to her to avoid falling back. "Oh yeah?" Lance nervously smiled. "I mean... yeah! Janis is..."

She let him go and stood right next to him while wrapping her arms around his arm. "I am!" She cheered. "You do know what this means, Lance?" He just stared at her in confusion. "What better way to formally meet your mama then right now with a nice slice of pie!"

"Right now?!" He sputtered.

"Right now!" She jerked him around to where they both faced his truck. "I'll be back before the sun sets over the field!" She waved her parents down as the two of them neared the vehicle. "I knew you'd ask me soon!"

Charlene bit her tongue as the two of them drove off down the road. The fact that Lance didn't look back at her before he left felt like a wake up call to her. Maybe she was letting herself go to easy for a white boy. Maybe he didn't like her but also thought she was putting it down on Johnny therefore Janis's speech made sense. Boys will be boys.