by Casey Peeler
The sets aren’t too bad today. Enjoying the fact that Dylan won’t be there, I soak in the environment. Since this is like my second home, I take a few extra minutes to enjoy it without any games being played.
As I get out of the pool, Coach motions for me to come toward him.
“What’s up, Coach?”
“Just checking to see how your holiday has been. I wanted to make sure everything was okay… with you and Dylan.”
That catches me off guard. “Everything’s fine. Why do you ask?”
“Charley, you are one of the top swimmers to ever come through GPAC. You are so much stronger than Dylan, but don’t tell him I said that. You could have easily gone Division One, but you didn’t. Just don’t let him hold you back. You have bigger and better things in your future.”
“Thanks, Coach. Coming back to the pool is the best decision I’ve ever made. If the girls at Southern hadn’t pushed me, I wouldn’t be here now.”
“I’m glad you have a strong foundation, and I think you might have some awesome news once you get back.”
Coach has my curiosity piqued. I wonder what he knows.
Coach dismisses me, and I hurry to get back home. I have a lot to do before the Kluft girls arrive, and I know that Mama isn’t gonna let me out of her sight until that house is put back to her standards.
On my way to the house, my phone rings, glancing at the screen I cringe… Dylan. Putting on my game face, I answer with the giddiness of a teenager at a Justin Bieber concert.
“Hey!”
“Well, hey, Charley! You sound like you’re having a great morning without me.” Crap! That wasn’t what I expected. “Was the pool that much better without me?” he questions.
“Uh…It was nice to have it all to myself, but Coach said something to me that has me excited.”
“Really? What?”
“I’m not sure. He just said that I have some news waiting when I get back to Southern.”
“I’m sure it will be well worth the wait. So, what do you have planned today?”
“Mama has my day planned, but I was able to help Dad on the farm before practice. Let’s just say that since the Kluft girls are coming, Mama wants the house spotless. Other than that, I’m sure Piper, Tessa, and I will hang out. Maybe I can talk Piper into helping me clean.”
“Yeah, good luck with that! That’s about like Tessa helping out.”
That comment makes me laugh because it is so true.
“I guess you’re right, but hey, it was a thought.”
“Well, we are going to visit more family today. Then, all the cousins are going to some bar later. They said it’s like Turtle’s, but with a dance floor. It should be interesting.”
In a pouting voice, I reply. “Just make sure you miss me. I sure could use a dance or two with you.”
“Oh, no one will take your place, and I agree a night of dancing is what we need. Too bad we didn’t get to at Whiskey River.”
“I know… there will be another time, I’m sure.”
“You can bet on it.” The comment sends chills up my spine, and I’m glad I’m now on my long driveway.
“Well, I’m home. Guess I better get this cleaning over and done with.”
“Good luck, Charley. I’ll call you before we go out tonight. Oh, and I miss you.”
“Sounds good. I miss you, too.”
We disconnect, and I enter the house. I can see that Mama has already gotten the boxes down to put away the Christmas decorations. Tessa is cleaning the kitchen. Impressive.
“Want some help, Tess?”
She tosses me the drying towel, and we finish in no time. Within seconds of finishing the dishes and wiping the counter, Mama is waiting to get started on removing the ornaments from the tree.
“Girls, y’all get the ornaments off while I gather the other whatnots around the house.”
“Yes, ma’am,” we both say.
Tessa turns on CMT, and we sing and dance as we undress the tree. We laugh, act silly like we are five years old, and enjoy our time together. One other constant in my life is Tessa. She’s the one that understands me and what I’m going through. She’s also the one who has covered for me in ways that I didn’t know were possible. Even though I give her a lot of crap about always being gone when work is to be done, she’s never missing when I need her most.
“Hey, Tessa… thanks.”
“For what?”
“For not leaving when I needed you most,” I say as I bump into her shoulder.
“Char, you know I’m always here. I’d never run when you need me to stand beside you. You’re my sister, and I will never break that promise to you… never.”
Our loving moment is interrupted by Mama. “Great! Now let’s get this tree to the burn pile and these boxes to the loft in the barn.”
After helping Mama remove the decorations from the house, we then begin the task of cleaning. Starting with downstairs, Tessa dusts while I clean the bathrooms, and Mama vacuums.
Once we finish our tasks, Tessa and I head to our rooms to clean our disaster areas. Surprisingly, it doesn’t take as long as I had imagined, but I’m exhausted once we are done. I’m not sure if it’s from cleaning or everything else going on in my life—my late night with Cash, practice, or working on the farm. Regardless, I’m ready to sit back and relax for a little while.
A week without Dylan has been exactly what I needed. I spent it with Piper, Tessa, and Cash when no one was watching.
“Charley, I need you to help me finish getting the house ready for the Kluft girls.” I snicker at Mama as she refers to them as the Kluft girls.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” She places her hands on her hips. “Aight, it’s just funny to hear you refer to them as ‘the Kluft girls’. It’s like you’re one of us, too.”
“I don’t think I want to go back to college, but you can make me y’all’s honorary mama. What do you think?”
“I think that sounds great. Georgia said she will be here by three with Caroline and Sarah not far behind. Tori is picking up Hayden and Anna from the airport and then coming this way. I can’t wait to show them around here. They always give me crap about being so southern.”
“They do it because they love ya. That I know, but quit talking and get that room cleaned up.”
I hurry to my room and pick it up one last time. Tessa has even stayed around to help. Dad comes inside and needs some help with the horses, so I volunteer to go.
“Char, I can’t wait to meet all the girls. You think they’d want to help on the farm tomorrow?”
“Highly unlikely, but we should act like we’re gonna make ‘em. Hayden and Anna’s faces I’m sure will be priceless.”
“I’m in. I think I’ll ask them to gather eggs in the morning before you go to practice.”
“Sounds good to me.” The thought of those chickens pecking at Anna and Hayden’s hands is too funny, but the thought of them freaking out about it is even better.
I finish helping Dad, and we head back to the house. I shower and get ready for Georgia to arrive. It’s amazing how these girls have changed my life. I don’t know what I’d do without them.
As three o’clock approaches, I get antsy waiting on everyone, and by the time it is three o’clock, I’m pacing the floor.
“Girl, sit down before you wear the floor out,” Tessa says.
I finally sit down and wait. I keep glancing at my phone, checking the time. All of a sudden, I hear the most girl-like horn honking… it’s Georgia. I jump up and sprint to the front door, fling it open, and hurry to meet her.
She jumps out of the car and squeals with excitement as we greet each other.
“Ohmygosh, Char. I love this place! It totally fits you. Oh, but you gotta get out the way. I gotta pee like a damn race horse.”
“Come on.” We make our way into the house, and I show Georgia where the bathroom is and take her stuff to my room. Then I hear Mama yelling that there is another car coming up the drivew
ay. I glance out my window to see Caroline and Sarah; they must have followed each other.
“Hey, Georgia! Sarah and Caroline are here. Just meet me downstairs, okay?”
“Okay!” she yells through the bathroom door.
As I hurry to get to the front door, Mama is greeting them with open arms and freshly made chocolate chip cookies just out of the oven.
“Hey, y’all! Did y’all find it okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, except for those stoplights. You weren’t kidding. That’s the worst part of the entire ride,” Caroline says.
“Now, you know what I’m talking about. Sarah, have you heard from Hayden?”
“Their flights were leaving on time, and they should arrive around five. So, I figure they will be here around six thirty or so.”
“Awesome! Let’s get y’all’s stuff upstairs, and then we can hang out or go to town till they get here.”
“As long as I don’t have to go through those lights again, I’m game,” Caroline states with sarcasm.
We decide to just hang around the farm until they get here. Mama has prepared a huge country style meal to welcome everyone, and she wants us out of the house while she finishes.
We walk to the barn, and I take them on a tour of the farm on the Gator. We start at the barn, and I introduce them to Dad, and then we make our way to the chickens, pigs, and the goats near the pond.
“Is that the world-famous club?” Caroline asks.
“Yes, it is. Y’all wanna go check it out?”
“Sure,” they say in unison. We roll beside the pond and up to the club. We get out of the Gator and start up the ladder one at a time.
Halfway up, Caroline puts in her two cents, “So, Cash isn’t gonna get mad that we are in y’all’s sacred spot, is he?”
We all about fall off the ladder when we hear a deep, hearty, sexy voice answer, “No, I don’t think he will care.” I don’t need to look. I know the voice, but I do, however, want to jump from the top of the ladder into those arms below.
“Cash, catch me!” I turn and jump. Right on cue, his arms cup my body perfectly and give just enough.
“Char-coal, what would you have done if I hadn’t been paying attention?”
“I guess both of our asses would have been on the ground, huh?”
He shakes his head and captures my lips. The girls have made their way up to the top of the club, and I can hear Tessa filling them in on what has been going on, and that every time Cash and I are alone we can’t keep our hands off each other.
Cash puts me down and smacks me on the ass as I climb up the ladder once again. He follows me up and helps me climb in.
Once he’s inside, the girls let in on me. “What the hell are you thinking, Charley? Dylan is fuckin’ crazy, and you’re pretending to date him! He could kill you or something. You know he’s not stable.”
“Chill out, Caroline. I’ve got this. I promise. So far, things are going just like they should. We’ve only had one close call, and it worked out okay. What do y’all think?” I say, trying to change the conversation.
“Nice try, Charley. We love it, and we will finish this conversation later. How long have y’all been coming here?” Sarah asks.
“As long as I can remember. I mean, it wasn’t this hooked up to start with, but slowly we made it our Redneck Riviera, our own little getaway. We just got the lights, heater, and mini fridge not too long ago. Right, Cash?”
“Yeah, we are slowly moving up in this world. We might have running water and indoor plumbing before it’s all over.”
Caroline and Sarah look at me to gauge my reaction. “He’s not kidding. We spend many a night out here, and I’d love to have a toilet! You never know what might bite your ass when you squat by a tree.”
“Oh my gosh! I so wish that Hayden and Anna would have heard this conversation.”
Caroline and Sarah take a few minutes to explore the club, and it doesn’t take them long to see Cash’s new artwork on the base of the window. Their faces light up just like mine did. Once they are ready to go, we head back.
Cash follows us down, and as I’m walking to the Gator, he grabs my hand and spins me around into him. He runs his hands through my hair and places those warm, delicate lips on mine. “I love you, Char-coal. Enjoy this time with your friends, and I’ll see you New Year’s Eve.” He kisses me deep into my soul and backs away. He takes off on his four-wheeler and continues to look over his shoulder as he drives back to his farm.
“Hot damn, Charley! Y’all might as well have gotten naked right here in front of us!” Caroline exclaims.
“Whatever. It was not like that.”
“Yes, it was, Sis. Do you want me to give a play-by-play? You know I can.”
“That’s all right. Please don’t.”
We all laugh and make our way back to the house.
As we arrive back, I can see headlights coming down the gravel drive. It’s an Explorer. Here they come.
We don’t bother taking back the Gator. We just drive straight to the house and meet Tori, Anna, and Hayden.
Hayden is the first one out. “Holy shit, Char, this place is freakin’ huge! I think I’ve died and ended up on that plantation in that movie. What was it called?” We all look at each other. “You guys know what I’m talking about. Ya know, she falls on the ground and eats dirt or something.”
We all look around and die laughing at Hayden. Tessa steps in, “You mean Gone with the Wind?”
“Yeah, that would be it! She did eat dirt, didn’t she?”
“Um, no, that would have been like a turnip or something. Not dirt. What the hell? Do you think we rednecks eat dirt, and that’s what makes us red?” Tessa smarts back.
“Simmer down, girl,” I tell her. “Hayden, Tori and Anna, this is Tessa, my sister. She is my polar opposite.”
“Hey, now, we might be polar opposites, but I know you about better than anyone.”
I put my arm around her. “I know.”
We make our way into the house, and I introduce everyone to my parents. I take their bags upstairs, and we all get ready for supper.
“Mama Rice, this is fabulous! What is this called?” Anna asks.
“It’s country-style steak. Do you like it?” Everyone nods. “It’s not steak though.” Hayden and Anna stop mid-chew and stare at her. “No worries, girls. I’m just kidding… well, maybe.” They both swallow their bite and then reluctantly take another one. Funny how people are fine until they know it’s not cow.
“So, what is it?” Tori asks the question they all want to know.
“Deer.”
“Bambi! I’m eating Bambi? Oh gosh, I’m going to hell,” Hayden exaggerates.
“Hayden, you are not. Now, eat up or nothing else for the remainder of your visit,” Mama says with determination.
“It is good though. I just never thought I’d eat Bambi,” she replies.
Tessa nudges me and says, “Heck, it could be opossum,” just loud enough for Hayden to hear. In one swift motion, she spits out her food across the table and straight at Georgia. The entire table erupts in laughter.
“I can already see this is going to be an interesting week,” Mama says as she gets a rag to clean up the mess.
We finish the meal with no more accidents. Once we finish, we decide to take a ride into town.
As soon as we are in the Explorer, twenty million questions start about Cash, Dylan, me, and anything else they can come up with. I fill them in on everything, and anything I choose to leave out, Tessa fills in. Sometimes we have a love-hate relationship.
We cruise through town while I point out all the major establishments in Grassy Pond. We drive by the Burger Shak, Dixon High, GPAC, and even make our way to Turtle’s Pool Hall.
“Hey, why aren’t we stopping?” Hayden questions.
“Y’all wanna go to Turtle’s tonight?” I ask.
“Hell yes! I need a cowboy now!” We all shake our head at Hayden. “Sorry, I mean country boy. I need my own Cash Mone
y!”
“There is no other Cash Money, but there are some guys in the running for second and third.” I wink.
Tori turns around the Explorer, and we pull into the parking lot. There are only three trucks parked.
“Now, it’s a Wednesday night, so don’t expect much.” We all get out and go in. Sammy is working as usual. He twists off the cap of a Choice Cherry Gold and hands it to me.
Everyone else walks up to the counter. Anna bats her eyelashes, flashes her pearly whites, and asks for a Bud Light. She skids to a halt when Sammy asks for her ID. “Ah, hell, never mind then,” she says as he laughs.
“Sammy, these are the Kluft girls from Southern. I’m showing them around Grassy Pond, and they insisted on coming in tonight. You think anyone will be here tonight?”
“Well, if you are referring to trouble number one and trouble number two, I heard they are out of town, but a set of three are in the corner.” The triplets are the set of three. I look over and wave. Seeing them makes me think about Piper. I haven’t heard from her all day. Where the hell is she? I pull out my new phone and text her. I get a quick reply.
Piper: Sorry been busy. I got a surprise I’ll meet y’all there.
Me: k, u might want to bring extra beer n ur purse.
Once everyone has a non-alcoholic beverage, we make our way over to the triplets.