Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Two

Mr. Griffen has fallen in his mid-60s, has jet black hair with a few grey stripes at the roots twisting into his knots, he walks on a cane but it's rare anyone would see him due to him living in his car practically. He also played a major role in helping Mr. McCullough raise his children when he was out working.

Charlene used to give her gratitude to Mr. Griffen all the time when she was little by giving him a free corn basket every now and then. As money got rough, her mother told her to stop since it was cutting from their profits.

It was ten minutes 'til noon when Charlene saw the dust lifting up into the air from the distance. The dirt road that stretched in front of her house was the means of transport for everything. During fall, it was always busy and there was always dirt rising. Her mother was hoping for rain all year to avoid dusting the house every hour.

This dust was caused by one car and that was Mr. Griffen's car. Charlene bent her knees to drop both suitcases just as her mother scrambled out with the bedding wrapped up in sheets.

"Hey! Mr. Griffen!" Charlene called as he slammed on his breaks while honking the horn to his old Ford 7W. That car is older than five years which usually means it's time for a replace. Charlene knows Mr. Griffen never lets go of anything until it's completely useless.

Mr. Griffen got out the car, cane first then black shoes next. He was wearing his best suit in case he talked long with the Watsons. Charlene wore her best dress simply because long time no see impressions matter.

"Charlene, you grown woman!" Charlene blushed when he took his dark glasses off his face. "I'm looking at your mother in the making ain't I?" Charlene rushed to give him a hug which required standing on her tip toes. Despite being hunched over for years, he was originally too tall of a man all his life.

Her mother came up behind them and tapped Mr. Griffen on his hand. He released Charlene from the hug just to get a good look at the woman before him. They shared a smile then wasted no time to be in each other's warm embrace.

They eye each other down, most likely coming up with compliments in their heads "And Gloria! You haven't aged a bit over the years!" Mrs. McCullough lightly pushed his shoulder.

"I was just going to say the same for you."

Minutes passed and everyone was all caught up. The main topic was Charlene and her last year of high school. Her mother told Mr. Griffen that she hadn't found anyone she would want to marry and how she was just fine with spending a few extra years helping out around the house and with the corn plots. Charlene didn't intervene because this was in fact true.

Although she wanted to be married, she wasn't ready to marry just anyone. Most girls in her graduating class are either being forced to marry neighbors or have found the ones they want during the school hours. Charlene couldn't claim either.

"You've got a different one on your hands," he winked. "But that's alright. I know my niece, Genevieve was just like her. Always said she wanted to live a happy life alone. Next thing I know, she's popping out children by the first man who ever told her he loved her. Minds can change."

Charlene knew she would never change her mind. It's been set ever since she was a little girl.

"Alright then. If everything's in the back then hop on it. I made her shine for the company and it's going to be quite a distance."

Everyone piled in the car, Charlene in the backseat. As Mr. Griffen started the Ford, it shook and rattled before catching on to the engine. Charlene tried not to cough at the smell of exhaust filling the backseat. When it seemed like his car would run, he gave it a few honks then started down the dirt road.

An hour meant a small town would be passed by and Charlene loved seeing other places beside her old plantation. She would never tell her mother that their home was boring unless she wanted to be labeled as ungrateful. The only time she left is when an export truck came through or to go to a nearby shop to pick up supplies for the house.

The closer they got to The Watson's land, the prettier it got. Charlene couldn't wait to touch the pretty grass that had specs of flowers throughout the land. Before she know it, Mr. Griffen came to a stop in front of a large White House with a wrap around porch and home made tire swing set hanging from the tree.

Mr. Griffen's vehicle came to a rough stop as it pushed out its last puff of exhaust before shutting down completely. He was the first one out of the car to grab the suitcases and that's when the cheers erupted.

"Gloria McCullough!" Anne Watson hollered as she walked down the dirt path to the entrance gate. Two young girls, Janis and Sarah, rushed right behind their mother with wide smiles on their face. Charlene's smile vanished when she saw the two girls who outcasted her and her family on the one day she thought they would all be close. "My God! You and Charlene are barely recognizable!"

Mr. Griffen placed their suitcases next to them as Anne gave Gloria a hug and Charlene right after. Janis and Sarah held a group hug including Charlene and her mother.

"Same to you, Mrs. Watson." Mrs. McCullough took off her tan boater hat to look Anne clearly in the face. "I love what you've done with the land since the last time. Mr. Watson must finally be giving you that break?"

Anne threw her head back to let out a joyous laugh. "Janis, why don't you take Charlene to your room and help her unpack. Gloria and I have a lot of stuff to catch up on."

Janis nodded once before wrapping her hand around Charlene's wrist. Practically dragging the girl across the dirt, Janis didn't slow down despite Charlene visibly not being able to keep up. "I haven't had a friend around since school let out a few weeks ago. It's been beyond boring having to sit around here and play with Sarah all day."

Charlene fumbled into Janis's medium sized bedroom which contained one large bed on the far wall; right under a large window. Across from the bed was a vanity layered with cosmetics and a fur scarf that Janis probably idolized. Charlene looked at the tall white dresser next and remembered how she didn't have time to grab her suitcase.

"This is Gail's old room which she left to me when she married Wallace McLeod." She spoke his name as if it left a bad taste in her mouth. Charlene wanted to ask why Janis didn't like him, but she didn't have to. "You remember how close Gail and I were?" Charlene nodded. "Before he came along, we were the best of sisters. Now she barely stops by and doesn't even bother sending a letter. It's like she was never even born."

"Once you start a family, it's hard to keep up with anything else. I bet she wants to send a letter but she forgets..." This conversation reminded her of Charles. It is just something she even told herself when she hasn't heard from her brother in a while.

Janis disagreed as she examined herself in the mirror. "Wallace doesn't like us. He tried to make us sit in the back of the church if we didn't say something about your family's presence at the wedding. It was a really tough choice." Charlene rolled her eyes when Janis's voice went from annoyed to hurt. "But we're past that now. I made a vow that I would never be with anyone as sick as Wallace McLeod. That's why when my mom told me you were coming for the summer, I was so happy."

"Why? We're only here to serve you all."

Janis turned her body away from the mirror and practically threw herself at Charlene. "Don't even think of it like that. Think of it as a vacation!" Charlene's lips fell into a firm line. "I found love to whisk me away. I don't know if he's ready for the commitment but when he is..." She looked into Charlene's deep brown eyes then cracked a smile. "You'll be my lady of honor."