Redneck Debutante

by Jenny Hammerle

  After several silent minutes, Travis simply said, “Fred Visicawitzenberg?”

  “Yep.” Then Rachael said, “Trisha?”

  “Yep.”

  Rachael couldn’t help herself. “I thought she wasn’t your type.”

  “I had a change of heart. I spent some time talking to her the other day and really liked her. Great idea.”

  “Great idea?” Rachael asked.

  “You’re the one who told me to ask her out, and so here we are.”

  “Yep. I knew she was right for you,” Rachael said with some attitude, trying to camouflage her annoyance. “Did you order her a corsage?”

  “Not yet, but I thought you could find out what her favorite flower was…since you’re already doing that for everyone else.” He smirked.

  “Consider it done. I’ll even find out dress color.”

  “Dress color?”

  “Yes, dress color. Believe me, it’s important. You need to match your tie, shirt, and the corsage, of course.”

  “Of course.” He grinned.

  Dance practice was over quickly. Rachael was tired and glad tomorrow would be Friday. There would be the game, half-time show, some more game, and a long bus ride home. It was an away game.

  *

  On Saturday Rachael planned on decorating the homecoming float with everyone else. Of course there was also the dress shopping with her mother later that afternoon. Rachael was so busy doing a mental run-through of her weekend she didn’t pay any attention to the conversation going on around her. When she arrived home, she simply said good-bye and ran inside.

  She decided to call her father before bedtime. When he answered, she updated him on her most recent events. He found her situation very humorous and was glad she had found a creative way to resolve it. Unless her father was a better actor than she really knew, he actually sounded good.

  It must be Mom’s visits! They’re helping.

  He didn’t mention her mother’s car. Maybe he didn’t know yet. Rachael made no mention of it either. She didn’t want to give him anything else to worry about. Finally she ended her conversation with, “And Dad. You were right. A girl can have guy friends that are cute as long as they remember to maintain a little distance in some areas of their friendship.”

  “My baby is growing up,” he simply said in return.

  “Luv ya. Don’t forget to text.”

  “I’m trying, honey. I’m still not very good.”

  “You just need a little more practice.” She giggled.

  “Okay. I’ll attempt some texting tomorrow.”

  As her father hung up, her cell beeped with a text. Ellery? Colten? Brittany?

  When she checked her screen, it was her father. He had written an entire book.

  (1/4) Hi Honey. Yes its me.

  I am texting. Had a great

  week. I hope you

  did too. Maybe we can get

  (2/4) together in a few

  weeks. I would love it if

  you and your brother

  could visit soon. Maybe

  we could

  (3/4) surprise Ellery and

  Brittany, if they

  are talking again and all.

  So that’s all for now.

  (4/4) More to come

  tomorrow.

  See you then. Love Dad

  Rachael simply responded: k. c u. luv me. She seriously needed to teach him the proper technique for texting. Thank goodness she had unlimited texts in her phone package.

  17

  THE NEXT DAY RACHAEL CAUGHT A RIDE with Maysie and Shannah to Ty’s father’s warehouse, where the homecoming float was being stored. Maybe float was a bit of an exaggeration at this point. It was merely a flat-bed trailer with wooden sides, and it was huge!

  “It will take us hours to decorate this,” Rachael said, overwhelmed by the sheer size of it.

  “Buck up, Rachael! We can do this!” Maysie cheered.

  “Yep. I guess so,” Shannah griped.

  Ty waved and headed toward them. Twenty other sophomores were already at work on the float. “Hey, ladies, welcome. Amber is over there heading up the construction of colorful tissue flowers that will spell out the school’s name when we’re done. Care to help her?”

  “Sure thing,” the friends answered and headed to the area of the floor where Amber and several other girls were hard at work.

  “Hey!” She waved.

  “Good morning. Put us to work.”

  Upbeat as usual, Maysie led the way while Rachael and Shannah followed.

  Two hours later they had made nearly a hundred colored tissue flowers.

  “Only nine hundred to go,” Amber said excitedly.

  Both Rachael and Shannah’s heads shot up. Nine hundred of these things? Rachael thought. She can’t be serious.

  But several hours later, when they broke for lunch to go to a fast-food restaurant, Rachael realized Amber had been serious. “My fingers hurt from all those twisty ties we’re using to tie the tissue flowers,” she complained.

  “Mine too,” Shannah grumped.

  “Just think how pretty it will all be when we’re done.” Maysie sighed.

  “Yep. There’s that,” Shannah replied sarcastically.

  After lunch it was back to the tedious warehouse work. Ty asked, “Want a break from the tissue paper duty?”

  “Yes,” they all responded.

  “Okay. We’ve hammered all of the chicken wire in place. Next we need to paint the wooden boards red so they’ll blend in with the rest of the float.”

  They looked over at the float, where the guys had been hard at work doing the construction side of things. Chicken wire covered the whole outside perimeter of the float.

  “What’s the chicken coup look for?” Shannah asked, unimpressed.

  “We’ll tie all of the flowers onto the wire eventually to make a picture design and spell out the words,” Ty answered.

  “What’s our theme?” Maysie asked.

  “We Will Rock You! It’s a double play on words. We’re playing Rockledge, and our float design involves guitars and drums. We’ll also have live music on it. It’s going to be really cool.”

  “Sounds awesome.” Shannah actually sounded into it now. “So what do you need us to do?”

  “Paint the wood red with brushes and then spray-paint the chicken wire,” Ty instructed.

  “Got it. You can count on us Ty!” Maysie, of course.

  The three of them got to work and couldn’t believe how much more they still needed to do by the time five o’clock rolled around. Everyone agreed to return tomorrow after church, around one o’clock.

  Rachael grabbed her phone and realized she had a message from her mother. She had called Maysie’s mom and gotten directions. She was on her way. In her message her mother suggested they invite Shannah. Hmmm. Wonder why? If her mother said to include her, she must have a good reason.

  Rachael invited Shannah, who accepted eagerly. They also asked Maysie, but she already had her dress.

  Rachael and Shannah headed out dress shopping with her mom. Rachael’s mom started talking as they drove down the road a little ways.

  “So, did you guys finish it?”

  “No way. It’s huge—like thirty feet long! I kept thinking we could have found a much shorter trailer or something,” Rachael commented.

  “Yeah, I’ll second that.” Then Shannah added, “Thanks for including me, Mrs. Harte. My dad works such long hours in the grove I didn’t know if I would get to go dress shopping at all.”

  “Well, your dad called Mrs. Baxter today. She explained they had already gone but suggested me. Your dad is very giving, Shannah. I couldn’t believe it when he handed me five hundred dollars.”

  “Five hundred dollars! For a homecoming dress!” Shannah exclaimed.

  “A dress, plus shoes, hair, and nails, of course,” Rachael’s mom corrected.

  On the Island five hundred dollars wouldn’t cover much of anything, but that was one th
ing Rachael had learned since moving here. There were equally beautiful, more affordable, clothing choices at the mall. Shopping didn’t require that you break the proverbial bank on hand-made garments.

  “That’s fantastic. I’m so excited, Shannah,” Rachael said.

  Now Rachael understood the reason her mother had included Shannah. Shannah only had a father. Shannah had never offered any explanation of what had happened to her mother and Rachael never asked. There simply wasn’t one around.

  “I already scheduled you both hair appointments for next Saturday afternoon, followed by nails and makeup. You will be the two most stunning girls at the dance. If Maysie wants to be added to the appointment, let me know,” Rachael’s mom was saying.

  “She already made her own appointments,” Shannah clarified. “I heard her mother talking about it the other day.”

  When they parked at the mall, they headed straight for the largest department store. It was two floors of clothing-packed racks, shoes, handbags and other various accessories. They took the escalator to the second floor and got off there. From where they were standing the girls could see the department that housed all of the formal gowns.

  “Let’s go!” Rachael announced.

  After an hour of trying every dress available Shannah decided on a strapless, form-fitting burgundy gown with a simple crushed-fabric design down the front that gathered from bust line to hemline. Shannah looked stunning with her beautiful brunette hair and hazel green eyes. It even showed off her fit arms and chest.

  Rachael was in search of something that added a bit up top. She wasn’t exactly boobless; she just wanted to be boobier. She finally found a beautiful black satin dress with white spaghetti straps and a black and white bodice, with a tight black skirt. The bodice was white with a large black satin bow. It was fitted and looked like a bandeau bikini top, but fancier. The skirt started right below the bust line and had an empire waistline. It was very snug to just below her knees and had a kick pleat in the back.

  “That’s the one, honey.” Her mother eyed her approvingly in the mirror.

  Thinking of her father, Rachael handed Shannah her cell phone. “Could you snap a picture?”

  “Sure. Say cheese.”

  Rachael quickly forwarded the picture to her father.

  Next they headed back down the escalator to find some shoes. Shannah selected a pair of strappy silver heels, while Rachael selected a pair of black, three-inch patent leather stilettos with a small black satin bow.

  “Those are hot.” Shannah nodded in approval.

  “She’s right,” her mother agreed.

  Just then they got a text from Rachael’s father: Wow! Where’s my little girl?

  Rachael read it out loud, then replied: lol. ty Dad.

  “It’s time for us to call it a day, girls. I’m pooped,” Rachael’s mom said.

  At that moment Trisha called out from somewhere nearby, and they all turned. Trisha and Travis approached, holding hands yet again.

  “Hi, you guys! Great seeing you here,” Trisha greeted them.

  “Yep. We just finished our dress shopping.”

  “Oh, I want to see!” Trisha pleaded.

  “No. It’s bad luck,” Shannah proclaimed.

  Is it? Not that I’ve ever heard. But okay, if Shannah says so.

  Trisha continued. “I brought Travis over to pick out the perfect shirt and tie at the tuxedo shop to compliment my dress. Of course they didn’t have anything nice enough there, so here we are, looking in our fourth department store of the afternoon. We will leave no stone unturned. Right, baby?”

  “Yep.”

  “How long have we been looking now?”

  “Three hours.” Travis sounded exhausted. He looked less than thrilled about the shopping marathon.

  Rachael decided to offer words of encouragement—to Trisha, of course. “You’re absolutely right! You should try the outlet mall in Ellenton and maybe the mall in Bradenton as well. You don’t want to be mismatched.”

  Rachael could tell Travis wanted to throttle her, but she smiled graciously. “If that fails, maybe a trip to Tampa, which is only an hour’s drive. If that doesn’t work, Naples is a mere three hours away, and they have much better shopping.” Rachael wasn’t lying. It was the truth! There was a time, not so long ago, when she too would have shopped for days in search of just the right dress, top, shoes, or whatever. It wasn’t that she didn’t like it anymore. She simply couldn’t afford it.

  Besides, this is good for Travis. Let’s see if he really is ready for a committed relationship again or not.

  “Thanks for the suggestions, Rachael. We better get going. We have a lot of searching to do yet,” Trisha replied.

  After they walked out of the mall and were safely in the car, Shannah said, “That was interesting. I thought you wanted Trisha and Travis to date.”

  “I do. I just think he needs to appreciate what we girls like to do and all. What better way than by doing a little shopping?”

  “A little shopping would be the mall—a store or two. Not all of Central and South Florida, Rachael. Besides, I think you annoyed him.”

  “Good! He has annoyed me plenty of times. Now it’s his turn.”

  “Are you two in a fight or something?”

  “No. Certainly not. We’re good friends.”

  “Okay…if you say so.” Shannah sounded unsure.

  Rachael could see her mother laughing in the driver’s seat and decided to change the subject. “So, have your feelings for Gabe changed?”

  “Next subject,” Shannah murmured.

  Rachael laughed.

  “Okay. I will take that as a no.”

  *

  The next morning Rachael did her chores. Then her aunt offered to drop her off at Ty’s warehouse. When she got there, Ty immediately put her to work painting.

  While hard at work she heard a familiar voice. Travis. After being AWOL yesterday, he’s decided to grace us with his presence today.

  He walked up beside her. “You’re here early.”

  “I’m surprised to see you are here at all,” she snapped.

  “Well, I had some very important shopping to do that involved a purple shirt and a lavender bow tie.”

  Even Rachael couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Good. Did you find one?”

  “Yes. In Tampa. Thank you so much for suggesting that short drive of an hour there and back to buy a flippin’ purple shirt.”

  Rachael couldn’t tell if he was really annoyed at her or not. “Not a problem. Any time.” She grinned up at him from where she was seated on the floor. “Would you like to help me paint?”

  “No. I’d much rather watch. I’m too tired from my torturous shopping adventure last night.”

  “Oh, stop it. You survived.”

  “Barely. I may never enter a mall again.”

  Now both were smiling. He couldn’t stay mad at her long. He joined her in painting. A short while later Maysie and Shannah arrived. After finishing painting, the girls started making tissue flowers.

  “Count me out,” Travis announced. “I’m done with all girly endeavors.” He hustled toward the guys who were working on the float.

  A few seconds later Maysie asked, “Did you guys make up?”

  “Make up? Who? Travis and me? We weren’t fighting.”

  “That’s not the way Travis saw it. He said you intentionally encouraged Trisha to take him on this shopping marathon you knew he wouldn’t enjoy.”

  “Me? No. Of course not. It’s not my fault they don’t enjoy the same things,” Rachael said quickly. She was embarrassed by her own behavior and jealousy where Travis was concerned but couldn’t admit as much to Maysie.

  “Don’t get me wrong, I thought it was pretty funny. Something a sister would do…or a jealous ex-girlfriend.” Maysie stared at her.

  She knows me so well. And she’s right. I am jealous. I guess I should come clean about it, even though I don’t really want to. “Truth?”

  “T
ruth.”

  “Okay, but you have to promise to tell no one, especially not Travis,” she told Maysie and Shannah. “I realize that will be very difficult for you, Maysie.”

  Both friends nodded.

  “Okay, I got jealous of Trisha. I can’t explain why. I like Travis, but I’m in love with Colten. I’ve been spending so much time with Travis over the past few months and so little time with Colten, I think it’s more than natural that I have developed some feelings for him. Don’t you?”

  Shannah nodded. “Exactly as I thought.”

  “Me too. So what are you going to do?” Maysie asked.

  “Nothing. There is nothing to do.”

  Maysie exchanged a glance with Shannah. “You don’t think it’s unfair to be dating Colten when you obviously have feelings for someone else too?”

  “No, because I’m in love with Colten. I don’t know what I feel for Travis. Why do you think I’ve been distancing myself from Travis?”

  “I figured that out a few weeks ago,” Maysie admitted. “If that’s what you want, we’ll help you distance yourself. But as your friend, I have to be honest with you. If you’re having these feelings, I don’t think distancing yourself will make them disappear.”

  “But it’s worth a try, and in the end, my love and commitment to Colten will win out.” Rachael was certain.

  “Okay, we start today,” Shannah said.

  “Yes, it’s something I’ve been affectionately referring to—in private, of course—as Operation Avoid Travis Baxter.”

  “That’s hilarious! I shoulda known you’d have a name for it!” Shannah laughed.

  “Yep. I like it too,” Maysie added. “I should have thought of it sooner. There have been entire weeks of my lifetime where I’ve wanted to do exactly that: Avoid Travis Baxter! It’s perfect.”

  “Maybe this is a really good thing. On my own I wasn’t doing so well, but with your assistance, I’m sure I will succeed!”

  They worked steadily on the float until Maysie got a call from home. Her cousin was coming by to show her a new American Quarter Horse she had bought for barrel racing. Maysie wanted to go home immediately to see it.