Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Thirty Five

Charlene gulped loudly while placing a plate in front of Lance's sister's face. She then took her seat next to Lance who never took his eyes off the woman. In return, she never took her eyes off him. Meanwhile, Charlene couldn't look at either one of them without her heart stopping in her chest. "Uhm, the mashed potatoes are fresh from the market. Not the actual mashed part but the potatoes part. The one your husband recommended to us." Charlene tried to lighten the mood but the two still tried to murder each other with just a look. "The- the spinach-"

"The old man said he left some land for me in Montana. It's amusing how I get here and I'm paying for my own crap, Lottie." She shrugged and poked around her food like he hadn't said a word. "I want to see the deed to this here land. I'm not paying another penny until I do."

"Uncle Chandler has no issue kicking you out on your rear end. You or your woman. He'll let it be known in a minute. I'll tell him it all. This is the land that father gave to him. You were a little boy when the discussion of who gets grandparents' property was discussed. You actually weren't a part of it."

"But a woman was?" He snapped back just as harder. "I'll take it up with Chandler then. Don't know why you're here." He snatched the plate from under her while she was in the middle of trying to eat a fork full of potatoes. "You can leave. This isn't your land. I'm paying so you can get out of my home."

She chuckled at Charlene who felt her lungs freeze. "This the guy you love so much. He's always been a little critter since he was born." She dropped her fork on the bare table getting food bits everywhere. "You gone head and ask for the deed. You'll be looking just as foolish."

On her way out the door, she stopped when she saw Uncle Chandler blocking her path. He took his hat off to greet her as she backpedaled into the home. "I heard we were having dinner and discussion. The wife is visiting family so I don't have a proper meal for tonight. I do recall how Charlene is in the kitchen like a puzzle piece."

"You're going to lose your appetite uncle once you get done listening to what Lance has going on."

The older man took a seat anyway and took a napkin off the table to tuck in his collar. "Then can you ask it after I eat? I grown man deserves a full stomach." Charlene pushed out her chair to make him a plate but Lance stopped her mid-action. "Oh, she's got you making plates?"

"You are my uncle. I want you to feel as welcomed as possible." Lance went over to prepare a plate while Lottie took her seat next to Chandler. "I have some questions-"

Chandler started rustling with some paper in his pocket which irritated Lance even more. He then turned around to see his uncle placing an envelope on the table. When he walked over to read the paper it was labeled to his father's house as a return destination. "Your mother sent me this. She asked about you in it. Said she didn't know where to send the news because she has no clue where you are."

"What is it about?"

"I'm hoping we can talk about it after dinner. I think it's best if you put something on your stomach first."

Lance disregarded everything his uncle said and tore open the already torn letter just to read it in his mother's weak voice. It only reminded him that he left too much behind in the midst of love which is something Charlene reminded him of often. He was so impulsive that he left his mother. He left his father. This was how he found out he died.

"That's not all. I was left strict orders to care for the house until your father died since he couldn't do it for you."

Lance almost croaked over as he replayed that sentence in his head. "What do you mean he couldn't do it for me?"

"I'm the landlord for this house up until your father's last breath. This home is yours now." He then slid a thick envelope of paper across the table which he pulled from his blazer. "A bit of a crook at heart which is why I charged you. The extra income is what kept me from losing my own house. I'm still your uncle and I would never try and keep you down."

Charlene finally got up and gave him the plate that Lance left sitting on the edge of the counter. "Please, eat. The potatoes are fresh from the market and so are the greens. No one should go hungry." The joy in her voice was only because she knew Lance didn't have to go through with his plan of taking the violent route since everything he was asking for just fell into his lap. They could be home forever now and she knew there would be no other obstacles standing in their way.

"We have to go to his funeral. I can't miss my old man's burial." He looked at Charlene who was no longer smiling. The only thing she heard was that they would have to go home. Nothing could prepare her for how stressed her mother would look after almost a year of her daughter vanishing into thin air. "It's this Tuesday. I'll call off work Monday to Wednesday. We'll head out when I get off on Sunday. How does that sound?" Charlene nodded with hesitation. "You can see your old woman and I see mine. I can say goodbye properly. That's all I really want to do. Explain myself and just... say goodbye."

It didn't seem like a good idea. "Maybe just sleep on it, Lance."

"Charlene. There is no way I can miss this. I couldn't stand that stupid farm but I love my parents. Would you miss your parents' funeral?" She gave in and gave her honest answer. Charlene would jump in both her parents' graves if she could. "Then why would you want me to miss mine."

"Okay. We'll go." She looked at Chandler and saw his plate was cleaned within the few minutes. "More?" She said with a smile as he handed her his plate for seconds. "We really appreciate you for giving us this news. Lance needed this reassurance. His father's death was anticipated and I'm glad you told us just in time to be there for his family."

"Charlene is amazing. She understanding. She's the love of my life."

Lottie kicked herself out of her seat and snatched her purse off the table. "I guess I'll be seeing you two at the funeral. The family would love to see you standing next to a black woman. No disappointment in sight." Lance didn't say a word and Charlene made sure of it just by resting her hand on his shoulder. "Bye, Uncle Chandler. I hope you know you screwed us all."