Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Thirty Three

"Shocking news. American General George S. Patton reported dead yesterday night in Germany due to a fatal car accident. Patton was known for many accomplishments and he was a very important addition to our military. He will be missed and loved. A Vigil for him will be held in downtown Washington. Everyone's thoughts and prayers will be welcomed."

Lance clicked off the radio as Charlene placed a plate of green beans, ham, and mashed potatoes in front of his face. "So sad. Who ever than man was." Charlene giggled when Lance sent a silly smile her way. "The landlord is coming by at six to fix the leaking pipes. I told him I could do it but he insisted since he didn't want to cut a portion off our rent."

"Why do you call him your landlord? He's your uncle," Charlene sighed.

Lance brushed that question off. "Our dad left this place to her and they let it rot while they live in luxury. I love my sister but come on now." He stuffed his mouth with the food on his plate and turned the radio back on. "Maybe Frank Sinatra is in the station."

"I do love his voice."

The two sat in silence as Sinatra sang his heart out on their small radio player. Charlene even hummed along while Lance tried not to belch out the words.

"I love you," he said once the song ended. "And we got to talk about it. Maybe tonight over some of that pie." He pointed his fork to the covered pan that Charlene made this morning.

"It's for my boss. His engagement party is tomorrow."

Philip scoffed. "You work at a flower shop. Is tulips not enough?" Charlene looked outside at her growing garden. It wasn't enough. "Well, I have three yards to mow and the plumbing on Roger street bursted so the boys and I are going to be out for a few hours."

Charlene sighed as Lance grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair while standing to his feet. His plate was almost empty but he had places to be while Charlene had to wait for their landlord before she could do anything.

"Thank you for lunch my love." He gave her a kiss on the cheek then rushed out the house and straight to his truck. Across the street was his neighbor which was the only other house for the next mile as this suburb wasn't quite done being built on. "Hello Mr. Waters!" He waved.

Mr. Waters looked up from his newspaper and smiled at the young man. "You thought about the offer they're giving home owners to build ten more houses on our land?" Lance stopped walking to get more information on whatever Mr. Waters was on about. "I got offered ten thousand. This area is in high demand is what the mistress told me."

"Ten thousand?" Lance repeated and Mr. Waters nodded. "Well, I'm renting so I probably won't see that kind of money."

Lance knew his sister wouldn't give him a penny the moment she sold a few acres of their grandpas land. The siblings were never close and she didn't owe him a thing but he was just as much apart of this family as she was. She was only given this land so her family could have a place to live. Yet she didn't even live here. She didn't want it.

"But thank you for letting me know." Mr. Waters waved him goodbye as Lance turned right back around and went in the house to see Charlene cleaning the dishes. "I just heard something that'll knock your soul smooth out of you."

"And what was that?"

"Ten thousand dollars. Maybe more and slightly less. That's how much a portion of this land the city is asking for to build more houses down the line. We got to get a hand in that don't you think?"

Charlene chuckled at his outrageous thinking. "You're going to ask your sister for-"

"She's not going to give it up. I'm going to take it." Charlene almost dropped a dish in her motion to quickly turn to face him. "I have ownership to this land just as much as she does. Every transaction has paperwork. My name must be somewhere on there. I have to own something. I'm his son. They always give the son more than the daughters."

Charlene couldn't argue because that was in fact true. Lance was the son but his sister was also the first one to start a life. She needed things first meanwhile, Lance got everything last. "I don't know about that. I think you should talk to her first. Maybe she'll cut you a check. You don't want to get on her bad side while we need a place to stay."

"Look how we're living! Leaky walls, creaking floors, and the front door bursts open at the little gust of wind. Ten thousands dollars can get us our own home and so much more. We don't have to keep begging for a roof. We will have our own. A solid place for us and... our family."

Charlene smiled widely and so did her heart. The fact that Lance thought about a stable future with her will always bring her joy and tears. He cared about their lifestyle without her having to say a thing. He brought them this far and avoided so much more.

"Take it." His eyes lit up with those words. "Take it and take us away. I'll be behind you one hundred percent. I trust that you'll do everything right." Charlene played with the ring on her finger that gave her hope every day. "I believe that you'll-" He didn't give her a chance to finish her sentence before she was a foot off the ground and swinging around in his tight hug.

"God I fucking love you. How could I have asked for anything better than you, Charlene." He planted a kiss on her lips and she giggled when he pulled away. "You sit tight, Char. I'll be back in no time!" He rushed out the door with a skip in his step and a yelp of joy.

Charlene smiled down at the dish rag she never let go of then went back to her duties.