Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Fourteen

It was pay day. The first one since Gloria and Charlene have been working here. It was under Cecil's request that he take them in to town to get a few things they needed for their extended stay. Charlene really wanted to stop by her house and just spend a few minutes in her own bed but she knew better than to ask.

She also developed a different feeling riding with Cecil than she did when she was with Lance and Janis. She recalled Anne talking about how Cecil loves to tell the town his business. Said he stopped by every day after work to run his mouth to the first man that would ask. Charlene knew that if she did get looks from the other whites, it would be because they've been dying to know what the help looked like.

"We appreciate this very much, Cecil. We're going to get a few items and be back at the car before any time passes." Cecil nodded once as he dropped us off on the sidewalk and went to park near a building he probably visited often. "I need to get a tube of toothpaste because I packed an almost empty one. Needle and thread too."

Charlene followed behind her mother with much boredom as the older women checked things off her paper list as they walked around the store. She knew she would rather be at her actual home or spending time with Lance in the shed. He was the only person she thought about from the moment she opened her eyes until she closed them. It's been two days since she saw him. Now she can't stop stressing herself out about how she left him hanging. Said she'd meet him at the shed but had no way of sneaking out. She figured he would be mad the next time they seen each other.

"Oh, look, Charlene. You had this exact same type of blanket when you were a baby. Big Mama used to knit you up all kinds of clothes and covers. Charles took his off to Oregon."

She watched as her mom reminisced on the times she spent with her grandmother. Charlene doesn't remember much of her grandmother since she was so young when she passed that Charlene couldn't even spell a simple word around that time. She did know that her grandma loves making stuff. Quilts, sweaters and cookies. Her mother always talked about how good those cookies were.

They walked around for some more just to see if they needed anything that wasn't written down. Charlene's eyes then saw the make up section. The mascara that Janis used was on full display but Charlene wanted nothing to do with it. She recalled the day she went to Lance's house and he didn't spit a single compliment. She didn't know if he just didn't have the opportunity or he truly didn't see the difference in her face. Charlene never wanted to wear makeup again. She figured she'd look boring no matter what she did.

"Something in there you want?" Her mother asked over her shoulder. "Now I know my rules about makeup in public but I see how you and Janis love getting along. She's into all that stuff I guess. If you want... go head and get it."

Then again, maybe he just couldn't see her good enough because his house was lit dim. If she bought a tube of mascara and wore it the next time she saw him in the sun, he'd have to go crazier than he already is for her.

"Really?" Charlene asked just to make sure. Her mother nodded some more and Charlene quickly ran to get the mascara. "Thank you. I've always wanted to try it," she lied. Charlene had someone to impress now. Before, she never had a single soul catch her heart like Lance has.

The mascara went in the carry basket and on its way to check out. Gloria put all their items on the counter as the woman typed in the prices one by one. "Two thirty-four," said the bored woman with blonde hair and grey streaks. She looked tired of standing up there but she also was most likely the wife of the owner of the building.

Gloria pulled out five dollars and waited around for her change. As the woman counted out the difference, the sound of the front door opening and closing made Charlene look over her shoulder.

"Would you look at that!" Said one of the white boys who was hand in hand with his brunette lover. "These niggers sure do have some money to spend these days. Just got a good job dusting tables and cleaning other peoples shit."

Charlene clung deeper to her mother who continued to face the cashier and ignore the noise. If anything was worse than seeing them, it was having a back to them. Charlene started to cave within herself but seeing Johnny walk through the door made her want to die instead.

"You picking on these?" He pointed to Charlene and Gloria who hastily tried to put the change in her purse. "Give them some slack. Those are Watson's slaves." Johnny and his group of friends bursted into a fit of laughter. When Charlene thought that was all that could be said, Johnny stopped right in front of her and smiled. "Guess since I haven't seen you in a while I need to continue the formal introduction." He then hacked up his largest ball of spit and spat it directly onto her exposed leg.

Gloria quickly pulled Charlene behind her as the boys and girl started to laugh. "Johnny!" Everyone jumped at the booming voice coming from across the store. Charlene's heart almost exploded when she saw it was Lance. "You know that's the Watson's help, right?" He asked while making his way over to the group. "And you know how I hate when you treat people that way?"

Johnny let out a nervous chuckle. "Lance! I didn't even know you were here. You told me you were stuck at the farm when I went by."

"Yeah. Then I stopped into town and saw Cecil. He wanted me to make sure they got to the car with no problem. He didn't want Janis to be upset if something were to happen. I just know she would be devastated to hear what you just did." Johnny's group remained silent. "So I won't tell her and I'll make sure they won't tell either. Under one favor."

"What?" Johnny rolled his eyes.

"You don't hit back."

Before anyone knew what he meant. Lance's fist was flying through the air just to collide directly on to Johnny's cheek. The white girl screamed and Johnny's other friend attempted to get a hit in for Johnny. It failed when Lance ducked low and hit the boy right on his rib cage. Now they were both in bad shape while Lance rung out his hand.

"You women done?" Gloria nodded with a thankful smile. "Go out back and I'll meet you at the front. I know where he parked."

Charlene and her mother did as told and met Lance in front of the store after leaving out the back door. Charlene had a good minute to think of a way she could say thank you but her mind kept going back to how he wasn't mad at her for standing him up.

"He's going to be real good to Janis," Gloria beamed as they followed Lance to Cecil's vehicle. Charlene didn't want to hear that.

As they approached the car, they could see a woman and her husband talking to Cecil who was leaning against the hood. "How can you afford them? Times are so hard these days." Anyone could tell who she was talking about.

"We've been saving up for a while ever since we saw how expensive it was for Gail to get married. The extra help to prepare for these things was very much needed for Janis." He then peeled his eyes off of the couple to see Lance with Gloria and Charlene behind him. "But I'll make sure to send an invitation in the mail for you. We already have such a crowd and after last years dinner I figured you guys were busy."

"We're never too busy to see those girls go off to be women of the world," the lady replied. She then got a good look at Gloria and nodded. "Maybe one day you can make some recommendations. She seems like such a hard worker."

Cecil chuckled. "Oh, yes. She's the best and her daughter too. I'm sure one of these days they'll need money again. Real soon too. I won't hesitate to mail you guys."

After saying their goodbyes, Cecil turned to face Lance who looked bored but forced a smile on his face regardless. "Mr. Watson, I made sure they made it safe all the way here."

"Lance. You are a good man. I can see it."

He nodded at Cecil. "These ladies had no problems." In the middle of him saying that, Gloria quickly bent down to use her dress and wipe the spit off of Charlene's leg.