Losing Charley

Chapter 14 Part 1

  The past two weeks have flown by and the meet with Livestone is on Tuesday. Coach, my teammates, and I are pumped beyond words. The air has a winning feel each time we are in the pool. The meet is on the day before Thanksgiving break. My plan is to leave first thing Wednesday morning; in fact, everything is packed and ready to go home. That deer stand is calling my name, and it has been for a week now.

Tuesday morning, I go to class and prepare to leave for the meet at noon. Joe comes by to wish me luck and wants to know if I'm still going to be able to drop him off at the airport on my way. I am, but he just better be ready to go at the break of dawn tomorrow.

We make our way to Livestone, which is about a two-hour drive south. When we pull into the gym area, I automatically start smiling from ear to ear when I see Cash's F250. I try to hide my excitement, but Georgia spots it easily. She begins to sing, "Charley and Cash sitting in tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g." I take my swim bag and toss it at her. Cash waves, and I make my way to the locker room. This meet is no different than the exhibition meet two weeks ago. Actually, we shaved a tenth of a second off our relay, and my 200-Meter Backstroke was smoking. Needless to say, we beat Livestone with no problem. I honestly think we could have done that in our sleep. I have no idea why Coach was so worried, but regardless, she's the happiest I've ever seen her.

"Girls, that was unbelievable! That calls for supper on me tonight. What y'all want?"

We take a minute to look at each other before answering in unison, "Texas Roadhouse."

"You got it! Now get out of those suits and let's hit the road!"

As I start to walk toward the locker room, I glance down the hallway to see Cash propped against the wall. I bypass the locker room and walk to him. Well, more like run. He meets me with a hug and tells me how proud he is of me. I tell him the plans of the team. He doesn't want to keep me, so he pulls me in tight and gives me a hug. Pulling away from him is difficult, but I realize that I will see him tomorrow at home, and I can't wait.

After he leaves, I hurry to the locker room to change. Most of the team is ready. I try to hurry, but not before I get the third degree from Tori. I swear she never quits. We make our way back to the Southern bus and later pull into the Texas Roadhouse close to campus. Of course, we request our usual section.

At supper, we laugh, joke, tell on each other, and even Coach tells a few stories of her own. This is a family that I am proud to be a part of, but I can't wait to get back home to my own family.

Me: B ready by 9

Joe: K

Joe is true to his word and is waiting at the Honda at nine. I put my last minute items into the car, and we make our way to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

"Hey, thanks for the ride to the airport today. I really didn't want to leave the Jeep there. I wish my flight was earlier, but I'll take what I can get for twenty bucks. I know how you feel about the big city."

"Joe, you know I don't care as long as I'm not downtown, and the airport is right off eighty-five."

Once Joe and I hit I-85, it's smooth sailing. I crank up the radio and put the Honda in the wind. Joe enjoys my singing to Blackjack Billy's "Booze Cruise."

"Hillbilly margarita? Do you really have those?" Joe asks quizzically.

"You bet we do. I mean, I don't drink them, but that's a common request at Turtle's from the regulars."

I approach the exit for the airport and my nerves start to get to me 'cause I have never been here before and there are signs everywhere. Where do I go?

"My flight is on American Airlines." He points to a sign overhead that shows me where to drop off. I make my way to the American Airlines' terminal and drop off Joe. I put the car in park, and we both step out. Joe grabs his bag from the back seat and places it on the walkway and then hugs me.

As he pulls away, he tells me how to get out the airport so I don't get lost. "Follow the exit terminal signs and then just look for eighty-five south. You'll be fine. Oh, and tell Piper I said hey."

"Thanks, Joe. I was a little worried, and of course, I'll tell her. You like her, huh?" He smiles and grabs his bag. He is totally avoiding the conversation.

"I'll see you on Sunday around five at the same place, okay. If the flight is late, I'll text you before I leave."

"Got it! I'll see ya Sunday." I walk back to the driver's side, look up, and wave bye. I get back into the Honda and put it in the wind.

I arrive in Grassy Pond by eleven. That is enough time to eat lunch, take a ride to check my stand, and relax a few minutes before hunting this afternoon. Tessa, Mama, and Dad are sitting on the front porch when I arrive. Tessa hands me a Choice Cherry Gold. That girl knows me like only a sister could. Dad grabs my bag from the car and takes it to my room; Mama, Tessa, and I make our way to the kitchen and fix grilled cheese sandwiches and vegetable soup for everyone. Dad comes back downstairs, and we eat as a family. We talk about school, swimming, Tessa and Dustin, the farm, and hunting.

"Dad, I'm going to the stand this afternoon. I plan on camping out till the one shows his big rack."

"Char, if you find him, you better not miss. If anyone takes him down besides me, it better be you and not Cash." He winks.

"Got it."

Tessa and I do the dishes, and she rides with me to check the stand. She's not as much of a hunter as I am, but she still likes to take part. She just hates being cold. I take a minute to text Cash since I was ambushed by family time.

Me: I'm home :)

Cash: :) I guess I should plan on seeing u at dark?

Me: Yup

Cash: Txt me if u get 1

Me: K oh, and I love u Cash Money!

Cash: I love u 2 Char-coal!

Tessa and I check the stand and make our way back to the house. I go upstairs and take out the camo. It's pretty chilly out. I make sure I put on my long johns, camo pants, and long-sleeved shirt. I add toasty toes to the bottom of three pairs of socks before sliding on my hunting boots and camo Under Armour jacket. Since it is so cold out, I grab my gloves and face mask just in case. I'm not a fan of the cold like Tessa, but I love the thrill of pulling the trigger on a big one!

I walk downstairs into the office for the farm and put in the combination to the gun safe to take out my baby, a Marlin 30/30 stainless steel rifle. She is cool to the touch, but full of fire. I grab ammunition and put it in the front pocket of my jacket and make my way to my stand by four-wheeler.