Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Thirty One

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Lance! Happy birthday to you!" Charlene turned to him and smiled seconds before his wish came to mind. He then blew out the candles on his cake which sent Darla into a uproar of cheers. Even Ricky did his best to clap for Lance.

"Go on and dig in. The birthday boy gets the first slice." Charlene put a piece of cake on his plate and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

He looked down at the homemade cake but he couldn't bring himself to smile. With all the eyes on him, he knew he had to perform. So he picked up his fork and took a chunk out of the chivalry cake. Once it hit his tongue, he hummed at the flavor. Charlene then cut pieces for everyone.

"I don't want to talk about it man, but I just need to know what is jail like?" Darla hit Charles arm when he let out a laugh. "What? He knows I'm joking with him."

"It's no place you want to be. Cold beds. I didn't get a lick to eat the whole 24 hours I was there. Mice running rampid." Charlene rubbed his leg from under the table with her sympathetic look. "And you miss so much. Many decisions being made go right over your head. What's worse is the aftermath. When jail wasn't enough of a punishment, they ship you off to serve someone who deserved everything they got."

Darla quickly looked over at Charlene in a nervous manner. "Charles, can you help me find Ricky's fresh pack of pampers." All she had to do was give him that look and he knew to remove his presence.

"We should talk about this later tonight after the celebration is over," Charlene warned. "Let's not make anyone uncomfortable."

"Why were your suitcases packed, Char?"

"I talked to your case worker over the phone before you were released. He was telling me your options and in case you chose that farm, I was thinking we leave soon. I wanted to talk about this later, Lance."

The smile on his face grew wide which confused Charlene. "God really did something when he put me with you. Cause I was thinking the same thing."

Charlene didn't smile the way Lance smiled. Her grin had more of a sympathetic look while Lance was filled with bliss and joy. "Lance..." She barely vocalized. "Why are you so okay with running?"

He pulled her chair closer to him where Charlene was between his open legs so he could lean closer into her. "I ain't never been nowhere Charlene and I want to go everywhere with you. As long as it's not a farm. I want to go to the city. I wanted to be here but you don't seem happy and I can tell it. You make the decision and I'm going to do it. Whatever you say."

Charlene smiled.

"You don't want to run. We don't have to. What do you want to do?"

Charlene knew the last thing on Lance's mind was working at a farm to pay off his terrible habit of swinging before he thinks. The only thing that made her warm inside was that he did it all to protect her. She learned that with him, she'd never be in danger and he'd make sure of it. Charlene didn't mind being alone with him as long as it was only with him.

"We can go. We have to. I can't imagine going so long without seeing you." Lance jumped forward in his seat to plant a joyous kiss on her lips. Charlene laughed when he pulled away and flew out of his chair. "Why are you silly, Lance?"

"Going anywhere with a woman like you can make a man act a like fool." He held his hand out to assist her from her seat. When Charlene grabbed his hand, she immediately tightened her grip as a sharp pain hit her in her gut. "Charlene?" He panicked when she stumbled back into her seat.

Her yelp of pain made him fall to his knees while never letting go of her hand. Her free palm pushed against her stomach and clenched onto the fabric of her blouse. Charlene looked into his eyes as she tried not to cry at the recent wave of pain. "I think I have to go to the hospital," she laughed through the ache.

Lance let her go while quickly rushing to his feet and to the master bedroom. "Charles! Darla!" He frantically yelled. They opened the door seconds later and turned to see Charlene almost on the floor. "I don't know what-"

Darla screamed when she saw the blood on the back of her dress. "She's having a miscarriage!" Darla rushed to assist the fallen girl to her feet and out the front door.

"A miscarriage?!" Lance sputtered. "A what? How do you know?"

Charlene apologized as they left the house. Lance stood in the middle of the living room like a statue while Charles followed them out the door.

"Does... a miscarriage..." In that moment, Lance went lightheaded and attempted to grab what he could before hitting the floor of the spinning by room.