Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Thirty Eight

Mr. Griffen could barely make his way down the dirt path without Mrs. McCullough guiding him to the stump at the edge of the fence entrance. Charlene made her way down with their glasses of water and peanut butter on toast for a snack. The sun was setting over the land and Mr. Griffen loved the view from the McCullough's home.

"I hope my sons ain't setting my farm ablaze," he coughed into his fist. "I ain't been 'round much for their upbringing but they'll understand what it's them paying damn taxes to the white man." Mrs. McCullough rubbed his back as she took small sips from his glass. "When my wife was alive I, oh boy, I thought I would live to see a hundred. She kept me so young. Kept me busy." Charlene finally draped the blanket over his back and shoulders when the cool breeze kicked up.

The two women sat on either side of him, eating their bread with one hand and holding him with the other.

"I remember, I was twenty one. Back problems out of this world. Man oh man did she fix that up. I felt like I could just and do a flip." He let out a faded laugh followed by another coughing fit. "We used to watch the sunset all the time. Could see it right from our bedroom window."

Charlene turned to see a pair of headlights kicking up dirt at the end of the road. Her mother looked at her and smiled as they both knew exactly who it was.

"She said the colors reminded her of herself. Light and sunny. Then as it vanished it looked like me. Dark and starry. She said... she said she knew it was meant to be. Nothing in this world made us more certain that that sight right there was a sign. She would always be my Helen."

The trucked stopped right outside the fence line and three tall, strong black men stepped out. Two were hard to pick apart and the oldest one lead the way. Jackson, Devin, and Demarcus.

"Ah..." Mr. Griffen could barely turn his head to see who was approaching them. "Is that my boys?" One of them agreed while they all sat in front of him and he rubbed each and every one of their heads. "My boys," he said in a high pitch joyous voice. "So blessed you guys hadn't missed it. You guys didn't miss seeing your mother." He pointed a shaky finger at the horizon that was now going from Orange to purple. "You ain't miss it."

The five of them bundled around Mr. Griffen and let him talk. Ain't say a word the whole time. He coughed, he laughed to himself, and he complimented Gloria and Charlene. He even told his boys how proud of them he was. Just tears and smiles from the circle that surrounded him. All the way up until his last breath.

"He said he always wanted to be buried right next to mama in the backyard. Personal funeral. No folks but his sons and grandchildren. We're going to give that to him." The moment Gloria opened her arms, Jackson fell into them and sobbed. "Gotta give it to my old man."

Charlene tried not to cover her eyes as she watched them load his body wrapped in the softest cloth Gloria made and right into the bed of the trunk. Her heart felt like it was shaking right along with her hands. She looked back at her mother who caressed the sobbing man's heart.

"You gone be okay. All three of you. Y'all gone be just as good. Let all that man taught you play out. Hard work. Keep a friendly heart. Love everyone. He ain't want nothing more for y'all to be good and outstanding men. He knew he didn't have to worry much about it though. He did right by y'all."

Jackson, Devin, and Demarcus all said their goodbyes. Thanked Mrs. McCullough a hundred times over then drove off into the night.

"Mama," Charlene spoke with a shaky voice. "It ain't no good for you to be here alone."

"I can't hear it, Charlene. I'm not gone hold you like I been. You not meant for this life. Them boys been helping around ever since I told them their father's condition. I'll let you know when it's my turn. I'll mail you when I'm kicking rocks."

She made her way back towards the porch of the house while Charlene stayed on her heels. "I'm not going back without you, mama! I'm miserable there! I feel like I ain't have a friend on the planet. I can tell you everything that just ain't meant for Lance to hear. I want to keep that. Please."

"Now you packed up and left in the night not giving a damn and you want to come back and stay?" Charlene's eyes dropped to her feet. "You are supposed to move out. I did it. Your aunts did it. Every woman did it. It's your turn. You got to be ready... cause you know Lance is. And you know he loves you no matter how wrong that coupling is." She started her walk back to the porch but Charlene didn't let up.

"I don't want you to die on a stump and I come last minute to be there with you! I'd die right along with you, mama!"

Mrs. McCullough turned on her heels abruptly. "Now that's what that man wanted! When it comes down to it I'll let you know what I want. You and your brother! Don't kill me before my day! Now come on and help me gather his stuff so they can pick it up in the morning."

"Good evening, Mrs. McCullough!" Both women turned around to see Lance waving and jogging down the dirt walkway. "It's beautiful to see you! So sorry I ain't come to greet you when I dropped Char off. The funeral was starting in minutes."

Her mother smiled as she watched him hold his pants up with one hand with his tie undone around his neck. "The man who's got my Charlene all ditzy for daisy's. Ain't it a pleasure." She went in to shake his hand but he pulled her in for a hug.

"I have more than thirty apologies to give you. First off I want to say that sweeping your daughter off into the night was not planned. It was on a whim and she got on my tail about that one, Mrs. McCullough."

"Call me Gloria, please."

"Oh, Mrs. Gloria you are just as beautiful as they come." He tried to steady his breathing from the jog but he couldn't pull himself together since he was also nervous about another thing. "I came here as soon as I could get it together. The plans and all you know? I have exciting news. I want the both of you to attend. Charlene most of all." He winked at her while Mrs. McCullough couldn't help but laugh at his cheeky demeanor. "Charlene and I are getting married tonight. Officially."

"What?!" Charlene almost fainted.

"My uncle is a priest. Marriage licensed and all. He's gonna marry us. I want you, Mrs. Gloria, to be there. My mom will be too. Said she's excited to see Charlene again."

Gloria's smile faded as she thought about being taken off by a white man. "I don't think I'm gone make that one."

"And I knew you'd be hesitant so I told him if you don't come with me then we're bringing it here. I don't care what we have to do but me and Charlene are getting married. No doubts about it." Charlene took one good look at him and quickly collided into his chest for a hug. "Head over heels in love with this one. My old man was buried this afternoon and I know he would have wanted to see me do what's always been on my chest. Like he always did, you know?"

Gloria sighed. "Are you okay, Lance?"

"Grieving? I can do that later. What I'd look like crying over anything but Charlene on our wedding day... or night?" He squeezed her tighter before they pulled away. "What do you say, Mrs. Gloria."

"I say I want to get off this land!" The three burst into laughter before Charlene goes to hug her mother. "Congratulations, baby."

Charlene only hoped her mom would leave with them after the wedding but she knew it wasn't likely. Ever since her father passed all those years ago, Gloria had a hard time even going to the shops in town for the first few years. Last time she remembered her mom leaving this property was to work for the Watsons. And even that wasn't by choice.