Redneck Debutante

by Jenny Hammerle

  “So what’s our closest big city?”

  “Myakka City or Bradenton,” both girls said in unison.

  “Myakka City? How big is it? Is there a mall?”

  “Small and no, there isn’t a mall. But Sarasota is only a thirty-minute or so drive from your house, and Bradenton has good shopping.”

  “At least that makes me feel better.”

  The three of them joined the guys on the beach where they were now grilling lunch. Rachael could smell the hamburgers and hot dogs cooking and realized she was starving. They sat cross-legged on the beach to eat.

  After his unexpected run-in with Misty, Travis was unusually quiet. When lunch had concluded, Ty came running over to see who wanted to go skiing and tubing. Everyone wanted to go skiing but Travis. He said he’d rather take a ride on his airboat. Rachael decided she’d rather be with Travis than with Ty and, besides, Travis looked like he could use the company.

  “I’ll go with you…if that’s okay,” she volunteered.

  “Thanks.” Travis smiled.

  Travis and Rachael walked to his airboat. He held her hand and helped her step in. Travis took her for the fastest boat ride she had ever taken. She was glad she had taken the time to slip into the life vest he had handed her earlier. She saw some amazing things on the water throughout the day. Huge softshell turtles sunning themselves, gators, otters, and even a bald eagle.

  When they reached a place on the river where the water was really shallow, Travis stopped the airboat. “Want to take a swim?”

  “Uh, sure. Are there any gators here waiting to chomp my leg off or anything?”

  “No.” He slipped his flip-flops off and then his shirt.

  Yikes! Maybe swimming is a bad idea. Travis had an incredible chest and six-pack abs! Maybe if I keep repeating over and over again, a mantra of sorts, “He is not hot, he is just a friend. He is not hot, he is just a friend….”

  It wasn’t working. She tried another tactic. Think Colten. Colten. Colten. That’s better.

  “Are you coming?” Travis asked.

  “Yep.” Rachael slipped off her jean shorts and tank top and cannon-balled in.

  “See, you can stand right here,” Travis said.

  She pointed. “I can even see some fish.”

  “I’ll teach you something about freshwater in Florida, since I assume you usually only fish saltwater. Right?”

  Rachael nodded.

  Travis explained. “Okay. In fresh water, if the water is really clear and clean, there usually aren’t gators around. If the water is murky and dark, there will be gators. I’d never have recommended swimming where Gabe and Shannah swam earlier.”

  “He just wanted to see her in a suit,” Rachael offered.

  “You’re a bright girl, Rachael. How old are you?”

  “Fifteen.”

  “What grade?”

  “I’ll be a sophomore this year. And you?”

  “The same, except I’m sixteen. You must have started school young.”

  “Yep. I won’t be sixteen until next summer.” Rachael sounded totally bummed.

  “That sucks for you. Can’t drive?”

  “Yep. Pretty much.”

  “Well, if you ever need a ride anywhere, let me know. Maysie can drive you too. Of course, us being twins and all, she is sixteen as well.”

  “I kind of figured. I’m a bright girl. Remember?” She grinned.

  After a little more swimming, they decided to head back. It was mid-afternoon and by the time they went back to pick everyone up and make their way back to the boat ramp, it would be nearing dark. Travis climbed onto the airboat first, being careful not to tip it. Then he pulled Rachael out of the water by her arms. It wasn’t her most graceful entrance onto a boat, but it worked. Travis handed her a towel, and she dried off and quickly dressed. He turned his back while she dressed and slipped his own shirt on, then his shoes.

  Well, he is a gentleman after all! Rachael was beginning to think she might be able to be close friends with Travis. But that thought quickly passed when she and Travis were greeted by Misty and her friends as they passed by. Misty gave her a nasty look, and Melinda shot him the bird.

  “I don’t think they like me very much. Being friends with you may prove to be dangerous.”

  “Don’t let them bother you. They’ll get used to you soon enough.”

  Travis winked, and they were off at warp speed. They got back to the island, where Maysie and Shannah were talking with some friends. Everyone loaded up, ready to go home. Back at the boat ramp, they loaded the boat and headed back toward what Rachael now knew was Manatee County.

  More exhausted than she realized, Rachael fell asleep on the way home. When she awoke, Travis was carrying her into her aunt’s living room and laying her on the sofa. He bent over and said softly, “I didn’t want to wake you. You were out. See you around, Rachael.”

  Then he turned and let himself out. What a nice guy.

  When her mother walked into the living room, Rachael bent her knees to make room. Her mother perched at the end of the sofa.

  “Did you have fun, honey? You must have been totally exhausted. I saw you’d fallen asleep, and Travis had to carry you inside.”

  “I know. I was wiped out. I feel better now. But yes, I’m glad I went. I had a total blast. I met so many new friends, most of them nice.”

  “Uh-oh. Spill,” her mother said.

  Rachael told her mother about everything, starting with the fishing and ending with the swimming. She told her mother about Travis’s ex-girlfriend and her friends. She was glad they lived in Sarasota County and she wouldn’t have to spend a whole lot of time with them in the future…hopefully. She also confessed she’d been totally wrong about Travis. He was a super-sweet guy and everything her Aunt Margaret had said he was. She thought they could be good friends and was so glad her dad had helped her make the decision to go.

  Her mother suggested she call her father later and tell him that.

  Rachael smiled. “I’ll do it right after dinner.”

  Heading down the hall to her room, she closed the door. She decided to check her Facebook page and see how her friends were doing. After she booted her new laptop, she logged onto the internet, then posted a message on her page: Arrived safely. I am alive and well, just outside of Sarasota. I actually get cell phone reception here. Feel free to call me!

  She checked her cell phone. Five missed calls. Two from Colten and three from Brittany, Ellery, and another friend of theirs, Melissa. She decided to call Colten back first. She told him about her amazing day and about the not-so-nice girls. Colten had good news for her—he was coming to visit in a week. His parents thought it would be best for him to come before school started in two weeks, because after that he could only come one time per month. They would both have to concentrate on their studies. While Rachael was bummed it would be four weeks between visits, she was glad he was coming next week. Although she missed him, knowing he was coming to visit would make it easier for her to get through the next week until he arrived.

  After dinner, Rachael called her father. “Hey Dad. What’s up?”

  “Hey, honey. How was your day?”

  “Fantastic! I went out on an actual real-life airboat. Of course, I wore a life jacket and was totally safe.”

  “Wow, an airboat. How exciting!”

  “Two other girls went along—Shannah and Maysie, Travis’s twin sister.”

  “So you weren’t all alone with Travis?”

  “Nope.”

  “See, honey. Things have a way of working themselves out.”

  “For sure. We went fishing, air-boating, and then swimming. Everything about the day was amazing…except for the mean girls.”

  “Mean girls?”

  “Yes. Travis’s ex-girlfriend, Misty, and her friend Melinda. There was another one named Honey with them, but Maysie and Shannah say she’s actually really nice.”

  “Okay, so let me see if I got all this. Misty and Melind
a are not nice. Maysie, Shannah, and Honey are nice. Travis is not a jerk after all?” He chuckled.

  “That’s right, Dad. Try to keep up.” Rachael laughed. “Then there are all these guys. Most of them cute, but of course I wasn’t into any of them because I have a boyfriend back home. Got it?”

  “Got it.” Then her father added, “How’s Mom and Michael?”

  “So far so good. Only two days in. I’m going to try to locate some friends Michael’s age tomorrow.”

  “Good idea, honey. I’m getting a call from the attorney, so can I call you back later?”

  “No need. I’m tired. We’ll chat tomorrow.”

  “Love ya, honey.”

  “Love ya too.”

  6

  THE NEXT DAY MAYSIE STOPPED BY WITH SHANNAH first thing in the morning to see if Rachael wanted to hang out with them for the day. Rachael asked her mom and of course she said yes.

  “Make sure to grab a swimsuit. We may go swimming later at my house,” Maysie announced.

  Rachael was thankful she’d found her new bandeau bikini. She didn’t want to wear the skimpy string bikini around Travis again. They were just friends, but there was no need to have her butt hanging out of a bikini two sizes too small.

  Once the girls were in Maysie’s convertible, Shannah started talking. Now that she’d decided she liked Rachael, she was very chatty.

  “We’re going to my house today. Maysie and I were talking. We don’t want to scare you or anything, but we were serious when we warned you about Melinda the other day. She’s not nice—at all. We think some self-defense moves might be a good idea for you to learn before the start of the school year. What better way to learn some self-defense than through Taekwondo?”

  “Sure. I’d love that. I’ve never taken any self-defense classes before or even any martial arts. It seems like now might be the perfect time to start.” Rachael smiled. “Wait a minute. I thought they all lived in Sarasota County.”

  “No. Only Misty. And her father’s ranch is technically in both counties. It crosses the county line, so under school district guidelines she can technically attend her districted high school in either county. Of course, unfortunately for all of us, she chooses to attend high school in Manatee County. As for Melinda and Honey, they both go to school with us too.”

  “Great,” said Rachael with false bravado. “Something to look forward to in just two short weeks. I’ll be ready.”

  “Way to think positive, Redneck Debutante,” Shannah said.

  “That’s your new nickname,” Maysie interjected. “Shannah has one for all of us. I’m Redneck Royalty, Shannah is Redneck Roughneck, and after the cotillion conversation you had with her the other day, you’re Redneck Debutante.”

  “I like it, but I’m not a redneck,” Rachael protested.

  “Not yet,” Shannah corrected. “But live out here long enough, and you’ll become one. Trust me.”

  Rachael wasn’t sure how she felt about being called a redneck, but they seemed to define the word differently than she’d heard in the past. The term wasn’t negative to them. It was more like a lifestyle than anything else. They certainly weren’t ignorant or rude. Rachael realized she was getting an education about some misconceptions city people, including herself, had about country people. So far, with the exception of Melinda and Misty, all of the other friends she had made had been very welcoming and kind.

  Rachael decided now would be a good time to ask her friends for help with her other dilemma—a friend or two for Michael. She didn’t want him to start the school year without knowing at least one person.

  “Hey, you guys, I need your help with something. I have a little brother, Michael, who is thirteen. He’ll be in middle school, and I wanted to know if either of you knew anyone around his age. Preferably a boy.”

  “Sure. I have a cousin who lives on our family ranch who is thirteen and a boy. His name is Levi. Maybe we can swing back by your house after our self-taught Taekwondo lesson at Shannah’s house and pick up your brother,” Maysie offered.

  “Sounds good. We should probably call your aunt and uncle first to ask if Levi can play today. If they say yes, I’ll call my mother and confirm it’s all right with her as well.”

  “Good plan, Rachael. I’ll make the call right now.”

  Maysie called her Aunt Gwin and made the arrangements. When she hung up, she simply said, “All set. Now you call your mom.”

  Rachael dialed her mom’s cell.

  Her mom answered on the second ring. “Hey, Rachael. Everything okay?”

  “Yep. Great. Listen. Maysie has a cousin Michael’s age named Levi. We thought it might be a great idea for him to make a new friend before starting school in two weeks. We asked Levi’s mom, Maysie’s Aunt Gwin, and she said okay.”

  “Gwin Baxter?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then yes, it’s okay. I went to school with her and her husband, Phil. They were high school sweethearts.”

  “Small world,” Rachael thought as she said it out loud.

  “Around here anyway.” Her mother laughed. “Okay. What time shall I tell Michael you’ll be picking him up?”

  “Around two o’clock.”

  “See you then.” Her mom ended the call.

  Then Rachael said in the general direction of both of her friends in the car, “We’re all set.”

  “Good.” Maysie smiled.

  The girls pulled up to an orange grove with a long sand road down the middle. Maysie drove her convertible down it like an expert. Isn’t she afraid of getting stuck? Guess not, Rachael thought as they reached Shannah’s house.

  Shannah’s house was an old double-wide trailer. Her yard was very neat and tidy. There weren’t any cars or old trucks up on blocks either. No naked, dirty children running around. Another misconception about country people ruled out. Rachael laughed at herself inwardly.

  Maysie and Shannah were amazing. On the Island this would never happen. Two girls from very different financial backgrounds would never be best friends. But here there weren’t the traditional barriers to friendship that Rachael had experienced. No snobbery. No prejudices.

  “Let’s go. My dad has a large open pole barn out back where I can practice at home. I have huge mats and everything.”

  The three girls got ready to train. Maysie and Rachael were both wearing sports bras and biker shorts under their dance shorts. It was hot outside, and less clothing equaled less sweat.

  “First we’re going to stretch,” Shannah announced. “Everyone sit down and follow me.”

  “You forget I’m a dancer,” Maysie interrupted. “I know how to stretch.”

  “I wondered where you got those awesome legs from the first time I met you. Now I know. I’m a dancer too. Maybe we can dance at a studio together here. Where do you take dance? I’ll sign up,” Rachael asked.

  “Shhh. More stretching. Less talking,” Shannah joked.

  “She is sooo militant about her Taekwondo,” Maysie commented.

  All of the girls were sitting in middle splits when they heard clapping from the back of the barn.

  Shannah looked up. “You came.”

  “I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Gabe teased, watching the girls stretch.

  “Oh, no. If you think you came to watch, you are sorely mistaken. If you stay, you have to participate,” Shannah demanded.

  “Alright, but do I have to do splits?” Gabe sounded alarmed about the possibility of injuring his manhood.

  “Yes.”

  Gabe came over and sat down. His middle-straddle split was nowhere near as flexible as the girls’ splits, but he did it anyhow.

  At least he has balls. Rachael grinned to herself. Maybe not after this.

  After stretching for a solid twenty minutes, Shannah stood and began to explain to them all the basic steps to beginning Taekwondo. “Taekwondo, literally translated, means ‘the way of the foot and fist’ in Korean. Today we are going to learn a series of kicks and punches. The first
kick we’ll learn is the Front Snap Kick.”

  Shannah got into her fighting stance with one foot back and one foot forward. She demonstrated the Front Snap Kick. Next she asked everyone to try it. First on the left leg and then on the right. Ten Front Snap Kicks on each side.

  Next Shannah led them through a series of kicks including the Side Kick and Round Kick. After demonstrating and asking everyone else to do ten on each side as well, Shannah walked around the group, correcting anything she saw in their stances as well as technique.

  Gabe’s technique seems amazingly good, Rachael thought. Maybe too good? She watched him very carefully. Every part of his body appeared to be in the perfect position that Shannah instructed them.

  “How am I doing, Master?” Gabe asked Shannah.

  “I don’t know. You tell me. You obviously have a lot of experience in Taekwondo. What belt are you?” Shannah asked, annoyed.

  “Let’s just call it beginner’s luck.” Gabe grinned.

  “I don’t think so.” Shannah crossed her arms and tapped her foot.

  “You want to spar over it?” Gabe laughed.

  “Sure.” Then Shannah called over to her friends, “Ladies, clear the mat. Gabe, suit up.”

  Shannah gestured to the pile of equipment they’d hauled out of her storage closet in the barn for today’s practice. Both she and Gabe donned head gear, chest guards, foot guards, shin guards, and hand guards. Shannah popped in her mouthpiece.

  “Sorry I don’t have a mouthpiece for you, Gabe.”

  “You wouldn’t want to mess up my pretty smile, would you? Ah. How sweet,” Gabe teased.

  “Uh oh,” Maysie warned. “Do we need to call an ambulance now?”

  “For me, or for Gabe?” Shannah asked sarcastically.

  “Gabe, of course,” Maysie replied.

  “Don’t underestimate him, ladies. I think he was faking the bad split. He is at least a Second-degree Black Belt. Maybe even a Third-degree.”

  “I guess you’ll find out.” Gabe smirked.

  Both Shannah and Gabe stepped back into their fighting stances. The two opponents began to size each other up.