Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Three

The next morning wasn't as Charlene expected it to be. She thought she'd have to wake up bright and early to start cooking breakfast and cleaning any sign of dust that she spotted. Instead, she woke to the smell of breakfast and Janis was fast asleep right next to her. Charlene smoothed out her cream colored night gown before sliding out of the bed to be sure that she didn't wake anyone.

The sound of adults talking got louder as she inched down the hall to the kitchen. A deep male voice was heard first, followed by the laughter of women. "I swear, a house full of gossiping ladies and not one of them told me you were coming and bringing Charlene."

"Speaking of Charlene..." All eyes landed on the girl peeking around the corner. She sheepishly exposed herself to the room of adults who smiled at her in return. "Mr. Watson stayed an hour late just to meet you." Her mother tilted her head at the middle aged man. Mr. Watson had silky blond hair similar to Mrs. Watson's except her hair was long and curly while his was short and straight. From the baggy suit he wore, Charlene knew he had a job in the city he had to get to.

"Hello, Mr. Watson."

She held out her hand and he grabbed it, flipped it back hand up, and gave her knuckles a soft kiss. Charlene looked at her mother nervously but all she did was smile.

"You're a friend of the family. Call me Cecil."

She smiled down at the man when she really wanted to run out the front door in a fit. "I should go get Janis and Sarah up for breakfast."

Anne looked at the eggs she was scrambling to see if they were ready. "Yes and after, be sure you girls wash up. We're having company over today."

Charlene nodded once then rushed back to the bedroom where Janis was up and sitting at the edge of the bed. She watched as Charlene rubbed her knuckles, seeming displaced.

"What's wrong, Charlene?"

"Breakfast is ready, Janis. Anne said to wash up after you're done eating."

Janis sat around the rollers that were previously in her head and combed through her long blonde hair with a brush sitting on the nightstand. "Did you eat, Charlene?"

She shook her head, no, softly. Janis then placed her brush back where it was and left the room without saying another word. Charlene decided it was best she gather her day clothes and head to bathroom before it got too hectic. There was only one by the way and she didn't like having to wait or have people rush her to get ready.

Their bathroom had turquoise wallpaper and polka dot black floors. Their sink was hung on the wall with the pipes exposed and right above it was a big mirror which held medicines and toothbrushes. The bath was right behind her reflection. They didn't have a shower like Charlene's house did but they have a tub and Charlene's house didn't.

Once the door was locked, she put her clothes and towel on the toilet seat then ran her some bath water which was the perfect temperature on warm. Charlene couldn't get her hair wet, she'd just got it permed and set and was looking for it to last all summer so her mother wouldn't get angry.

As she lathered herself in the nice soap they had, she thought about Janis and her apparent "lover". She'd known Janis for quite a while and knew she was an overbearing girl. Charlene couldn't think of why someone would want Janis but not even look in Charlene's direction. She thought it was unfair how disadvantaged she was when it came to love. She's was someone who had it all figured out yet her friends jumped into their relationships without a plan.

Charlene figured that her goal of love wasn't the goal she needed. Maybe if she just let herself go then someone would come her way. Anyone.

As her thoughts roamed wild, she fell deeper and deeper into the tub until the water covered her mouth but low enough to not touch the hairline on her neck. She then closed her eyes as she tried to figure out if it was her or if it was this town. Maybe her future lover was off in another state somewhere. Maybe he'd be rich and just as lonely as her. Then when they finally did meet, it'd feel like a broken heart has now become whole.

"Charlene!" Janis called out while banging on the bathroom door. "I gotta go really really bad!"

Charlene quickly stepped out the tub to unlock the door then closed the curtain once she got back in it. "Sorry for locking the door on you."

Janis simply laughed. "That's why there is a lock silly. I can't tell you how many times I fell asleep in the bath with the door locked. The entire house almost kicked the door down." The girls shared a giggle before it went quiet again. "Can't wait for you to meet him. He's a looker. A guy that every girl dreamed of. My wedding will be just like Gail's. Except I'll be planning it through and through while daddy just pays. It'll be my dream wedding."

"What if your fiancé's family wants a say in where... I sit."

Janis flushed the toilet as she let out a groan. "I hated Wallace's family. Hated my family even more for listening to those creeps. They controlled our lives then took my sister. Lance's family is nothing like that. They have a lot of land and crops. I can just see our kids running through 'em. Lance's family would never treat anyone bad. Especially people like you."