Sunday morning I dress for church and enjoy time with my family. When preaching is over, I hang out in the parking lot waiting on Mama. As Cash exits with his family, he makes his way to me with a smile.
"Hey beautiful," he says as he stands before me with his hands in his pockets. "You're mama cookin' today?"
"Yeah, you're coming aren't ya?"
"If you want me too, but I thought you might want time with them before leaving. What about if I come by after and I help you pack?"
A sting of disappointment hits me, but I know he's right. "Okay, but you can come one over as soon as you're done with lunch at your house."
"Sure will." He winks.
As Tessa and I are helping mama clean up the kitchen, I see Cash's truck approaching. I pause and they both tell me to get out of here. Without missing a beat, I hurry to the front porch and wait for him. When he sees me his eyes light up and a smile spreads across his face.
"Why are you smilin'? I'm fixin' to leave remember?" I say with my hands placed on my hips.
He shakes his head, and continues to smile. "Come on let's get you packed up so we can hangout before you have to leave."
Cash and I get everything in the Honda within a few minutes, and as he closes the trunk, he turns and takes my hand in his.
"Come on. Let's take a walk" he says.
We make our way from my car and in the direction of the club in silence. When we are in the middle of the field and no one else in sight he stops and turns toward me.
"Char, thank you for this week. You mean everything to me, but watching you become yourself again is the best gift I've ever been given."
"Cash, I've got a long way to go, but I think college was the best choice I've made for myself even with everything going on."
Placing his hand on my cheek, "Promise me you will keep pushing to find yourself. I'll wait as long as I have to."
"I love you Cash Money."
"I love you too," he says as he brings his lips to mine. They are tender and sweet, and I know that telling him goodbye today is just the beginning.
After we say goodbye in the field, we walk around the farm checking a few things before going back to the house. Cash excuses himself so I can spend a few more minutes with my family. After mama helps me double check to see if I've forgotten anything, I tell them all bye, and my heart is full knowing my life is on the right track.
The ride to get Joe is a lot easier than it was on Wednesday. He is waiting outside the baggage claim for me as I pull up.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting long," I say as he climbs into the Honda.
"Nah, I've been out here about five minutes."
We make our way back to campus, and most of my hallmates have already returned.
YOU ARE READING
Losing Charley
Misteri / ThrillerAfter a horrific breakup with Dylan Sloan, the bad boy of the Dixon High Swim team, Charley Rice loses the confident swimmer she once was. Her best friend, Cash Montgomery is the only one who truly knows what happened that night and is a constant so...
