Losing Charley

Chapter 9 Part 4

When I get closer to the club, I can see that Cash has beaten me there as usual. I notice that there are balloons tied to the bottom of the ladder. He's so sweet. I grab my bag and climb the ladder.

As I reach the top, it doesn't take me long to see what Cash has done. On the floor is a blanket with a picnic basket. The fishing poles are already in the water and Cash is looking out the window opening.

"Well, I'd say you've outdone yourself, Cash Money!" He just about jumps out of his skin and starts to laugh. I love when I can get to him. He turns around and smiles.

"Happy Birthday, Char-coal!"

"Thanks. I love the picnic," I say with an innocent smile. I can about guarantee what is in that basket. They are the same things that we've had on my birthday since we were about seven—a PB&J, Cheez-Its, and Choice Cherry Gold. Not to mention I'm sure there is a piece of his mama's famous pound cake in there.

I walk over to the window and check out my fishing line. Cash studies my every move.

"Anything bitin' today?"

"Not yet. Did you bring the loaf bread?"

"Did you think I'd forget?"

"Nah, just teasing ya. You know that's your responsibility when we fish," he says as he nudges against me.

Every time that boy touches me, my insides get all warm. When we were together before, it was great, but right now I can't even explain it. The problem is we aren't together. I keep telling myself that we need to take it slow right now, but my body is definitely telling me something different.

Finally after about forty-five minutes of not even a nibble, I notice my rod moving. I slowly reel it in, and sure enough, a crappy is on the end.

"I still got it, Cash. I thought for a minute you were going to catch the first one today."

"Now, Char, you know you always catch the first fish on your birthday." Cash puts his arm around my shoulder and hugs me. Then, he takes the rod to get the fish off the hook.

"What the hell are ya doing, Cash? I'm a big girl and can do that my damn self."

"I thought maybe since you went off to school you forgot." He looks and shrugs his shoulders.

"Hey, I ain't forgot where I'm from and what's important." I take the fish off the hook and put it inside the cooler, which is right beside Cash. He is so in trouble! I rub my hand all over his face, fish guts and all.

"Oh, it's on like Donkey Kong! You better run, Char!"

This probably wasn't the smartest move, especially since there aren't many options when it comes to escaping. Okay, so I can either run circles around the club, jump out the window into the pond or slide down the ladder. Or better yet, I think I can cause a distraction. 3...2...1... I cross my arms and grab the bottom of my tank then proceed to pull it over my head and drop it to the floor. Then I unbutton my pants. Cash is frozen still with his eyes on me. I drop my shorts, smirk and cannonball out of the window into the pond.

"Char, that ain't fair!"

"What's not fair? You could join me, you know?"

I start to swim out to the middle of the pond to the island, which is nothing more than a large inflatable where we lay out in the summer. When I get about halfway there, I turn around, and sure enough, Cash is down to his boxers and out the window. I better haul ass 'cause I know this is going to be war.