Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Nine

The sun set down on the field what felt like an hour ago. They were having fun. Too much of it. Charlene could feel every giggle, every touch, and smile Lance and Janis shared. His mother, Mrs. Skinner, what a bubble of joy she is. With a personality like that and a strong character Janis was, the two were bound to get along for years. When she gets married off to Lance, that's all they'll have. Years.

It took one creak from the front door for Charlene to sit straight up in her bed. Her eyes scanned the area of the bedroom door as if she could see through walls to find Janis.

"Now didn't you have me worried. I thought you'd never make it back!" Anne complained in her calmest voice possible. "Tell me all about it. Now, I know it had to be beautiful!"

"Oh, mama! He is such a handsome man, he is. His parents are a joy and Lance sure does know how to impress a girl. He said he's coming by in a few days to invite Charlene and I to see the animal stock. He knows how I love me some sheep."

Anne let out a short giggle that was quite loud. "How's his old man? I've been hearing around the market from the ladies that the treatments are working."

"Didn't say much about it. Don't think they want to mention it too much. I guess bad luck comes around when you talk too much good."

"Well you go in there and put your jamas on and get some sleep. I know your  father is gonna want every detail tomorrow morning."

That's all it took for Charlene to close her ears and eyes, lay back down, and pretend she was sleep. Everyone else might be excited to hear about Janis and her night with Lance, but Charlene was far from it.

Janis opened her bedroom door slowly out of respect for Charlene sleeping. The sound of drawers opening and closing made Charlene put on a fake stirring show as if she was starting to wake up. "Janis? You're home?"

"Yes!" She responded in a loud whisper. "I hoped you would be up so I can tell you everything!" Janis wasted no time jumping on the bed Charlene barely sat up in. "Lance is even better than I thought he was since we had some alone time. I found out he wants kids and a boy just like I do."

Charlene reached over to turn on her night stand lamp so she could see the joy on Janis's face. Although she had a ping of jealousy in her heart, she still loved to see her friend smile any and every day. "What all did you two do?"

"Oh, gosh. He gave me a tour of the farm when I asked. I also saw his two cows he keeps in the barn. Dolly and Joe were their names. Or was it Darla and Joe?" She tapped her chin but eventually brushed the thought off. "I saw his room. Filled with stuff he collects on his drives. His work boots are so used too. I love me a working man. He said he's really good with his hands-"

Charlene giggled which made Janis giggle too. "You seem so in love, Janis." She smiled softly towards her lovestruck friend. "I'm glad all the things you wish are coming true."

"If he proposes during the summer then I can finish school from home. Bunch of girls do it to start their family early." She took Charlene's hand and held it between her own. "I really hope you come to the wedding. Front seat and everything. I haven't said it but... you being here gave me some sort of confidence. Seeing you told me that people come in your life for a reason. After all these years... you came back to me for a reason."

Without warning, she gave Charlene a hug so tight they fell back against the wall that the bed was pushed on. The two girls bursted into laughter when Charlene hit the back of her head and Janis hit the front of hers. "Ouch!" Charlene smiled.

"A little pain we share, right? Remember we used to call each other sisters when we were younger. Our parents thought we were so crazy but I believe that you are more of a sister than Sarah. You're like my black Gail."

"Oh, yeah?" Janis nodded quickly. "Gail is your favorite ain't she. I'm honored, Janis. Really." This time they shared a proper hug before Janis scurried away to go change into her gown.

Charlene took this time to turn the lights back out and face the wall so she wouldn't see Janis enter the room. Anything was better than faking her happiness when she was in some deep pain after tonight.

The white sheets hung loosely from the lines as the cool wind did it's best to dry them. Charlene clipped on the last pillow case before going over to take the empty clothes basket back to the porch. Before she could get ten inches away, she felt someone grab her wrist and pull her right back into the mess of sheets. The only thing preventing her from screaming was a hand over her mouth.

"It's me, silly!" She quickly turned to face the one person she didn't expect to see ever again. Lance. "I thought about you all night. I just had to sneak and see your face. I've been parked a few feet down just waiting to catch you alone."

Charlene, shaking and out of breath, forced a smile on her face. "Oh! Okay." She gripped onto the clothes basket a little tighter trying to think of a way to run. After thinking about Janis and her feelings, she couldn't go on having these thoughts about Lance without feeling like she has betrayed Janis. "I really have to go, Lance. If you want me to get Janis then I can bring her out."

"What? I said I came to see you. I know you felt what I felt yesterday at the table. My heart jumping a mile a minute. The urge to reach across and just touch you." He rubbed his thumb across her cheek and she couldn't even reach up to stop him. "I know you get weak too. I just hope you've felt this since you first laid eyes on me. 'Cause I have."

The moment she started melting into his eyes, she knew better than to go too deep. Charlene blinked back her butterflies and took a few steps away from him. "Janis really likes you. She likes me too and my family really needs this money. I don't know what would happen if they caught you doing this but it would fall back on me."

Lance took a step towards her to make up for the lost space. "We ain't getting caught, Charlene. You know, I might be the only one who thinks it's damn stupid that you're dusting plates and washing dishes yet you're their friend."

Charlene turned on her heels to head back to the front porch. "I told you. We need the money."

His hands immediately snaked around her waist and pulled her right off her path. "With me, you wouldn't need anything." He whispers right in her ear. "I can make that a promise."

She started to give in to his touch but when she saw the house right in front of her, she knew better than to be out in the open. "You're moving too fast, Lance." She pushed him off her in that moment. "We don't even know each other. I don't see what you see in me, but I am a black girl. You have no business touchin' me the way you is!" She dusted her work dress off with one swipe. "Now you gone get out of here and never do that again."

Lance went from excited to dumbfounded in a second. "Char..."

"I got to be out in the shed in half an hour." She motioned her head to the shed a few feet away. "I usually go alone." With half a smile on her face, she walked back to the house just as Lance quickly ran back to his truck with a skip in his step.