Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Seventeen

No one was as a mess as Janis was. She had five people to shout orders at and less then two hours to make sure those orders were executed. Gloria was in charge of setting the tables, Sarah's room wasn't clean and that is where all the kids would play, Cecil had to make sure the chairs and tables were set for the outside ceremony, Anne checked on the food every ten minutes because the last dish burned, and Charlene was too busy critiquing every outfit Janis stepped out in for the nightly events where Janis's dress wouldn't be lit up enough since it's dark.

"I told you ten times. The lower part is not bad." Charlene groaned as Janis did one more twirl in her square neck button-up dress. "I think it looks great. Everyone out there would be proud to see you even if you had a bag as shoes."

Janis let out a giggle before changing back into her baby blue dress. She fixed the small details on it right when the sound of knocking was heard on the bedroom door. Gloria walked in when told and asked to borrow Charlene for a moment. "It'll be quick. Just need help with the plates. We're crunching down on time."

"Sure. She's done in here anyway." Charlene's smile faded the moment that sentence escaped Janis's lips. It seemed to only bother her though since Janis went right back to twirling in the mirror.

Gloria walked Charlene down the hall and right out the front door where Cecil unfolded the last chair. "Those two tables need napkins and plates."

Charlene nodded while taking what she needed off the main table where the food would be served. She started this day off feeling quite excited for Janis but the longer it went on the more she reminded herself what they were here for. Janis didn't have many friends and Charlene couldn't figure out why. Most of the guests would be family and then there would be the help. Charlene knew she wouldn't be able to enjoy this party as she wanted. She'd be too busy making sure glasses stayed full and food didn't get cold. She'd be greeting guests and making sure they are all comfortable for the hours to come. She wasn't a guest herself.

"Thank you, Charlene. I still gotta get in the shower and present myself accordingly." Cecil let out a sigh as he wiped his sweat-drenched forehead. "This event made me realise that you and Gloria weren't enough." Charlene forced a smile on her face as she flicked a leaf off one of the plates. "I also... hope you enjoyed your time here with Janis."

"Janis is amazing. Just how she was when I last saw her." Janis was similar to her young self in many ways. Loved the attention, boys, and her sister, Gail. "Gail!?" Charlene sputtered.

A slim, blonde woman stepped out of a light blue Sedan Coupe. Her wavy hair blew in the wind as she tried to keep her black heels above the dirt. To top it off, she had a sun hat and polka dot green-collar dress. Stepping out of the driver's seat was her husband of all sorts of handsomeness. Wallace smiled with his slick back black hair, navy blue loose slacks, and the plaid suit top to match. His smile was cocky and the way he stepped was even cockier. She waited right by her door for him and they didn't start walking into their hands were held firmly in each other.

Cecil met them halfway from the gate to the front door to greet Wallace with a handshake then go in to give Gail a hug. "My beautiful eldest daughter, Gail McLeod." She giggled into her hand while a bit of blush action went on. "So glad you could make such the distance to wish your sister luck into her journey."

"This was all Gail's curse. She was the pop queen her senior year and threw a lavish gathering like this one so everyone could know it too." Wallace chuckled when Gail rolled her eyes at his words. "It was the day I got on one knee and made her my woman forever. That means it was also the best day of our lives."

Cecil took his hat off to reveal his thinning hair splayed all over. "Janis is in there right now flipping her chin. I don't know what you two send back and forth in the mail, but I am assuming she's told you about that Lance fella."