Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Nineteen

Charlene twirled the mascara tube around in her hand. She knew Janis was in her bedroom right now dressing herself up to be more than perfect. Her mother in the kitchen making brunch so Lance wouldn't go hungry while he's here. Anne doing some last minute cleaning and Cecil miles away working for a paycheck. Everyone had a motive while Charlene wanted to go back to before her mother accepted this job so she could talk her out of it. She hated to say it. But she wanted to go back to before she met Lance.

"Oh, Charlene. Don't you look dull!" Janis placed a hand on Charlene's shoulder while staring at her reflection in the mirror. "Do you need help putting it on? I've had plenty practice."

Staring back at Janis's beauty was a jealous Charlene. Her life would be so different if she was white. She could be with Lance without a care and she wouldn't have to hide who she is to avoid harsh treatment. Janis smiled without a care in the world and she was so oblivious that she couldn't see Charlene was more than uncomfortable.

"I..." Is all Charlene sputtered out before throwing the mascara in the bin next to her. "It's old anyways. Plus it would look a lot better on you. No one would even notice it on my face." She turned to face Janis who was slightly frowning. "You should smile. You don't want wrinkles at twenty."

One quick smile later and Charlene was leaving the bathroom mirror to go to the kitchen. Her mother made another pie but this one was cherry flavored. She wondered if she would even get a bite or if it was just for the Watsons and their guest.

"Is that his truck?" Gloria pointed outside the small kitchen window while Charlene rushed to look outside the window on the front door. Lance then stepped out of his truck wearing casual clothes and looking a bit dirty as if he just got done with a job. "Oh, boy."

By the tone in Gloria's voice, Charlene knew something bad was brewing. "Should I go tell Janis?"

"No need! I'm right here!" She skipped and hopped to the front door without a second thought. The front door swung open then the screen door right after. Janis's curls blew in the slight breeze and her summer dress did the same. "Lance... you can't wear that to the city. It's not-"

"I got some news for you, Janis." His puppy eyes looked worried and by the glance he gave Charlene, she figured she should get out of the front door frame and just listen from the living room. "You know... we're really kids and all. You have another year of school and I got who knows how many years left on the farm. This ain't what you want is it?"

"Lance!" She cupped his cheeks in her hands. "I'm going where ever you go baby. I don't care if we live on that farm forever. We have each other. Right?"

He took his hat off his head and twisted it around in his fist. Lance looked as if it pained him to confess but Charlene desperately waited for him to let her down easy. "I... I'm not ready to get married, Janis. That's a big jump and that's for people who are..." Janis released her hands from his face. "That's for people who are in love."

Those words almost brought Janis to her knees but instead of falling over, she sent him a strong palm to cheek contact that caused everyone who was listening to jump. "You got me telling all my family and friends that you're the one and all this time you knew you didn't love me, Lance!" He held on to the side of his face in shock. "You tried to humiliate me at the party didn't you!?"

"No! I didn't propose because I didn't want to humiliate you! Janis you know you're my good friend and we had plenty of laughs at school but I'm a man now! I got to make my own decision and I can't be forced to do what you want!" He forced his hat back down on his head with a frown. "And you just hit me and I'd never put my hands on a woman! I expect the same treatment!"