Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Thirty Seven

"Arnold Skinner is his name. Ever since I've known him he's worked his fingers to the bone. Provided heavily for his daughter and son. Never complained. Never cried. Strong he was and strong he is. Even at his last breath and held on long enough to tell everyone he was going on his own time. Then he was gone."

Lottie sat on the wooden log next to her brother, Lance, who was poking around the quarter cut sandwiches being served. She was the spoiled girl turned woman that he always knew. They also loved each other regardless of how they handled situations. "That old fart made himself these sandwiches every lunch time before he went back to work. Used to feed me a piece he broke off like I was a dog."

"Well he's gone now. Mama can sell this place and rest." Lance finally took a small bite.

"You too busy thinking about that girl? You must've didn't hear the man say the land belongs to the both of us. We sell it and split the profits. Head back to Billings and live our life. Mama will be fine."

He jumped up from his seat on the log to hover over her with a face of disappointment. "Just like you to leave it all behind. What's mama gone do? Huh?! Just drift into the air!"

"You can put your money where your mouth is and help her live out the rest of her days but I want a bigger family and a beautiful nursery to decorate. Can't do that if my profits go towards a woman who ain't want me around no way." She stood up to becoming inches from his face. "The favorite never stopped being who he was. Mama's little helper."

She brushed past him as he glared her down on her way to meet back up with her husband. He couldn't be mad at her for long because she wasn't wrong. He wanted a family with Charlene and he also knew she was tired of struggling and moving. They already have their home. Selling the land would give them an even bigger lead.

"Don't mind misplacing me," his mother said as she strolled over with her hands behind her back. "I'm gone always have somewhere to go. Your aunt Geraldine said I can stay with her as long as I need to." She leaned in to give him a soft and warm hug. He leaned into her embrace as if he was hugging a cloud. "Your father ain't make that will on his own. Been wanting you all to move on up and away. I've always been able to look in your eyes and know this isn't what your heart wants."

"I'm so sorry for leaving you, mama. I just didn't know what I'd do if I couldn't be with her."

"Love'a make you do some things, my beautiful boy. I ain't mad at you. Not one bit."

"I could lose my license! What are you doing messing around with them kind anyway? If they see you they'll hang you both!" Lance tried to calm his uncle down so the rest of the family wouldn't hear. He knew who would be okay with this information and who would not. The ones on his father's side are the ones to look out for.

"We've been beyond careful. She stays in the house and when she does go out she stays in the black areas. We're doing fine. Everything is fine except the fact that the ring on her finger means nothing without a paper backing it up." The old blonde man scratched his head as a worry line formed across his forehead. "It doesn't have to be at your church. It can be in the damn woods for all I care."

He thought about it some more before taking a deep breath in and out. "Anything for my sister's son. I've always loved you kids like you were my own and if you need me I'm there. Meet me at the church midnight. Park under the cover so no one will see her."

After he walked away, Lance felt a small tap on his shoulder which caused him to whirl around in panic hoping no one just heard that conversation. "Janis..." He forced a smile. "How are you?"

"I'm fantastic. But wow has it been a long time since seeing you. Last I remember you ran off to college after... my party." She looked hurt but she wanted to sustain her joy. "How are you?"

He didn't know who lied and said he went to college but if that's what she figured then he knew he should keep up with that story. "It's been very different these past few months. I see you've changed as well. Glowing and hair cut short."

She then lifted up her hand to show off a small Diamond ring. "You know Edison right? Probably not since he was in a class below you. We're set to be married in March. Family planning comes after that." She shrugged shyly. "You meet anyone special?"

He thought back to Charlene who's smile got him through his worst days. "Yeah. I too met the love of my life." They smiled at each other for a few more seconds before Janis let her eyes trail to the ground. "I want to sincerely apologize to you. I pulled you along and I should have been honest from the start. You didn't deserve to go through that kind of confusion. You're an amazing and joyous human, Janis. Edison couldn't have been any more lucky."

Her cheeks flushed the moment he opened his arms for a hug. Without a second to waste, she leaned in and wrapped her arms around him the same way he did her. "Thank you, Lance. You were always every man's competition. I'll see you at my wedding in two months?"

"I'll try." When they released from the hug, Janis fixed her bob length hair and holds on to the strap of her purse with both hands. "I better get going. Edison is waiting in the car. Also... sorry about your old man. He did a lot for our community."

"Thank you. Have a safe trip back."

"It's cold as rye on ice out here!" A man yelled while running to the community building with a few others. Lance watched them go before going to his truck to go get Charlene. He knew she wouldn't want to leave just yet but they had a trip ahead of them.