She goes on to explain the program and how the points are awarded. All of the sponsors are mentioned and what they donated. She tells about the scholarships that are being given out tonight. Just when I think I’ll fall asleep from boredom, she gets the actual show on the road.
Finally, Oakley is announced, “From Mt. Hope City High School, we have Miss Oakley Wilson being escorted by Mr. Quinn Stone. Oakley…”
I zone out for a moment. I thought she announced that guy as Quinn.
“She plans on attending Nashville City College in the fall to become a teacher for children with disabilities. Quinn is the son of Daniel and Dawnelle Stone. He is First Lieutenant of the Junior AFROTC and plans on also attending Nashville City College on a full scholarship and then joining the Army.”
“Is that the same Quinn she has been spending the weekends with? I thought she said Quinn was a girl.” I whisper to Lizzie.
“I’m just as shocked as you are, Babe. She only told me her boyfriend was escorting her, but she never told me his name,” Lizzie says.
Bailey nudges Lizzie and they put their heads together.
When the next couple comes to the stage to be announced, I penetrate this Quinn boy with my stare. I even give Oak my evil glare. They better be glad these lights are turned down low so they can’t see me. I’m sure if looks could kill, this little boy would be dead by now.
Cash leans forward and mutters under his breath, “You’re letting her stay the weekends at her boyfriend’s house?”
“Fuck no! I didn’t know Quinn was a guy. That’s a girl’s name.” I sputter.
“Quinn can be for a guy or a girl.” Bailey states.
“Did you know he is a boy?” I gasp.
“No, Clay, we thought she was hooking up with Raelynn’s brother, Colt,” Lizzie informs me.
“You thought she was hooking up with someone and didn’t tell me?” I spout off at Lizzie.
“Oh, shit. Well, we had our suspicions, but apparently, someone’s Spidey senses were off. Bay!”
Lizzie throws the blame over at Bailey.
“Would you four shut up?” Margie hisses at us. “We can hear you all the way down here. You’re not going to ruin this night for Oakley, no matter what might or might not have happened.”
I sit and stew in my anger. This little boy is a dead man—boy.
twenty
Lizzie
Poor Oakley, I wish there was some way I could warn her that Clay and Cash are steaming mad. There isn’t anything I can do now. If she would have told me about Quinn, I might have been able to prepare them. I have an eerie feeling this isn’t going to turn out well. I’m glad she can’t see Clay’s face right now, she’s nervous enough as it is.
“Our final category tonight is talent. Our young ladies have all prepared for a three-minute performance to showcase their abilities. First up, we have the lovely Miss Oakley and she will be singing ‘Tears In Heaven’ for you tonight.”
Oakley takes the stage all poised and stunning. Quinn brings out a stool for her to sit on and positions the microphone for her. She adjusts the guitar on her leg and starts to strum.
“I first would like to say, this has been a very hard year for my brother and me. I don’t tell you this to gain any sympathy, but to let you know that this song holds a special meaning for us. I may not be able to make it my whole three minutes up here without a few sniffles, but it’ll be okay. I’ve got my brother right over here in the audience and he’s who I lean on,” Oakley says.
The crowd is silent and I sneak a peek over at Clay and see him swallowing hard. That speech Oakley just made hit him hard. I reach over and take his hand. I lay my head on his shoulder and tell him, “You both have me to shelter you, Babe. I’m here for you and Oak.” I kiss him on his cheek. I love this man. He’s both strong and sensitive. They both are stronger than they know.
Oakley finishes her song and gets a standing ovation. There’s not a dry eye in the house. She even has a couple of tears running down her own face as she stands and takes a small bow. She looks small up there, so vulnerable. She flashes a genuine smile, waiting for everyone to finish with their applause.
Clay walks over to the stage and hops on. He takes Oakley in his big strong arms and hugs her, kissing the top of her head. He’s a great big brother to Oakley. I’m so proud to call him mine. He cares so much for her and does everything in his power to make sure she is as happy as their situation allows.
I take my phone out of my lap and snap a quick picture. I know I’ll never have the opportunity to meet their parents, but I like to think of them as wonderful people. Clay and Oakley are both extraordinary. I’m blessed to be a part of their lives. This is one of those moments that you want to preserve. I take several pictures to ensure I capture just the right picture for them.
Clay whispers something to Oakley. She goes from smiling to wide-eyed then looks up at Clay and watches him as he hops down and takes his seat again. She walks to the back of the platform and goes behind the curtain.
“What did you tell her, Clay?”
“That I had Daddy’s shotgun in the truck and the little boy had a five-second head start when this thing was over,” he deadpans.
“Clay, you are terrible. She won’t be able to think about anything else. You’re a big ol’ meanie and a bully.”
“I guess it’s a good thing that her turn is over then, ain’t it?” He cuts his eyes over my way.
“You’re not even funny, you know that?”
“Who said I was joking? Does this face have any humor etched into it?” He points at his face.
His features are set in granite, his eyes cold, and nostrils flaring.
“You have to calm down, Honey, or you’ll pop a blood vessel. If you don’t have a heart attack first. It’ll be okay.”
“Easy for you to say, you’re not about to murder someone.”
“Clay, really, you’re going to have to control your temper.” I’m a tiny bit worried.
Clay stares at the other performers with his arms crossed until the last girl exits the stage.
Amy Waters takes the stage again. “Give all these young ladies another round of applause. Each one did phenomenal tonight and they’re all winners in my book. If I could get all the contestants and their escorts back on the stage one last time tonight.” She waits for everyone to take their places before she starts to talk again. “Our first award tonight goes out to the most outstanding gentleman. This is voted on by all of the escorts and committee members. This person we like to call Mr. Personality. They will win this belt buckle and a $5000 scholarship to the university of their choice.” She opens up the envelope that someone from the side of the stage hands her.
“This year’s Mr. Personality goes to…” She pauses as she looks over at the contestants. “Quinn Stone!”
Quinn walks over to accept his prize, and Clay glares at him with every step he takes.
“Now for the moment you all have been waiting for.” Amy looks out over the crowd for effect. “The young ladies. The prize for Miss Congeniality goes to Miss Oakley Wilson! Oakley wins this ribbon, flowers, this lovely necklace, and a $5000 scholarship.”
Oakley covers her mouth. I know there isn’t anyone more deserving of that title than her. She’s a jewel and is such a joy to be around.
Amy announces more prizes until she finally gets down to the heart of the matter. “The second runner up for Miss Summer Festival is Miss Sarah Holloway.” Cheers go up for Sarah as she goes forward to receive all of her goodies. “The first runner-up who will fill in for Miss Summer Festival if the winner can’t perform her duties is Miss Oakley Wilson.”
We all stand up and holler at the top of our lungs for our girl as she proudly receives her honor.
“The winner of this year's Miss Summer Festival is Miss Sidney Tidings,” Amy announces with a flare.
Sidney sheds a tear as she receives her crown and then walks to the end of the stage, giving everyone her queenly wave.
/> “On behalf of the Beginning of Summer Festival Committee and all of our sponsors, I want to thank each and every one of you for coming out tonight and supporting these beautiful and talented young ladies. Have a blessed night and have a safe travel home.”
With the competition concluded, Clay is on a mission to talk to Oakley and Quinn. He marches over to them, and all of us are on his heels.
Oakley watches him coming with a big smile on her face. As he gets closer, her smile gets smaller. “Quinn, you need to run. Now. Run. Quinn, go!” Oakley pushes Quinn as we all approach.
Quinn stands his ground. He sticks out his hand to Clay. “Hey, I’m Quinn. I’ve been wanting to meet you. Oakley said you’ve been busy back in Tennessee.”
The two of them shake hands.
Quinn’s parents come over to join the conversation, “Hello, I’m Dawnelle Stone and this is my brother in law, Dustin. I wanted to tell you what a sweet sister you have. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know her this year,” Mrs. Stone tells Clay.
“Oh, I thought you were Daniel.” Clay shakes hands with each of them.
“Daniel was… is my brother,” Dustin says solemnly. “He passed away a few years ago.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure Oakley told you we recently lost our parents, too,” Clay tells him.
“Yes she did, I’m glad to see she is doing better now,” Dustin says.
“Yeah, she’s better now,” Clay looks over at Oakley who is looking at Quinn.
“I’m happy to see that Quinn helped her some.” Dawnelle glances at her son.
“Me, too, I’m pleased we all had the opportunity to meet.” Clay introduces the rest of us.
The Stones chat with everyone, and I pull Clay to the side for a second. I want to check on my man.
“How are you handling all of this new information, Babe? Are you okay?” I hold onto his hands and gaze into those eyes I love so much. I search for any sign of annoyance.
“I’m fine as long as I have you, Lizzie. I know Oakley is going to be alright and this guy seems to be good for her.” He pecks me on the lips, “I got something for you while I was in Tennessee. I had to wait until it was perfect to give it to you.”
“Do you think this is the perfect time to give me something? In front of all of these people?” I ask him.
“You weren’t listening, Tink. I said until it was perfect. It’s waiting for you at the Ferris wheel.” He smiles at me with his eyes, leaning down to kiss my forehead. He turns toward Oakley and mouths something.
I see Oak nod and smile.
My man takes me by the hand and leads me out into the festival. We pass all of the carnival games and the livestock show and get to the rides.
“Stay right here a minute and I’ll get us some tickets.” He leaves me standing by myself.
I look around to see if I notice anything unusual, or anyone who looks like they’re standing around waiting. I get caught up momentarily with the lights and the excitement of all the little kids running around. I feel something wet bump my cheek. I turn my head and see the cutest little Yorkie puppy in Clay’s arms.
“Oh, Clay!” I bite my bottom lip. “Is it really mine?”
“Yes, he’s really yours, Babe. What are you going to name him?” Clay asks me.
“I don’t know. He kind of looks like a Chico to me.” I take the puppy from him and hold him up so I can get a good look at him. “I can’t believe you got me a puppy, I love him! Thank you, Clay!”
The puppy licks my face and Clay snarls up his nose. “That’s gross, Lizzie, I’m not kissing you again until you wash all the puppy slobber off.”
“Yes, you will because you love puppy sugar, yes you do. Don’t you love puppy sugar, Chico? Give Clay some kissies. He wants some puppy love, yes he does.” I talk to my new puppy like a baby. I cuddle him in my arms and he nuzzles the side of my face. “This is the best present ever, Clay.”
“I think I may be out of debt with you, and I might want to take out another loan.” He plays with my hair and scratches Chico’s head at the same time. “Thank you, Babe, for giving me a second chance, I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
“I love you more than that.”
“It’s not possible.”
It’s hard to fathom, I have a man that loves me for being me. I never thought I would ever be in love, and I was going to be damned if I gave it a chance. Clay has shown me that I’m as worthy of love as everyone else. I’m just as important to him as he is to me. We have a mutual respect for each other, and there’s not a speck of doubt in my mind about who he belongs to. He’s mine. I’m keeping him. I have locked him up in my heart and thrown away the key. He’s mine and I’m his. He loves me and I love him.
I think back on everything we’ve been through, and I can honestly say, I’d do it all again, without one single regret, simply the way our love is meant to be, heart and soul. This beautiful-hearted man changed me. I’m grateful because now I know what love is all about and I’m never going to let him go.
twenty-one
Lizzie
Bailey & Cash’s Wedding
The girls are getting dressed in Bailey and Cash’s new house. Cash spared no expense on this dream house, but it’s still a normal house, not a McMansion by any means. He has a great head on his shoulders though as he added rooms for future little rugrats.
Bailey’s dream day is finally here and it hasn’t come a moment too soon. She is the first of our group to get married, and we’ve all been on pins and needles. She has become one bossy bitch, and none of us have been able to make her happy. We all decided the best thing we could do was just grin and bear it. You watch all the shows on television where the brides become crazy and you think it’s all for the camera. After going through planning this wedding with Bailey, I realize brides really do become psychotic little witches in their determination to be a princess for a day.
“Lizzie, you have to walk like this down the aisle,” Bailey says. “See the difference, that way everyone’s pace will match the song.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I’m really tickled pink for her, but I learned to walk before I turned a year old.
“All of you stand up straight with your shoulders back. Don’t slouch while you're standing up there with me.”
Oh for heaven’s sake!
“Okay, everyone show me the smile you’re going to use,” Bailey says.
She has lost her mind. “The smile we are going to use? I’m going to smile the way I always do, Bay. You need to chill the fuck out! Do you hear me? Chill. The. Fuck. Out.”
“Lizzie, I just want…” She starts sniffling. “Who turned the freaking heat on? I’m burning up in here.” She fans herself.
Shit.
“I only have one chance to get this right. I’m marrying my true love. I’m doing this once and my emotions…”
Fuck!
“Suck it up, Bay! You do not have time to redo your makeup. Why have your emotions been on a rollercoaster over the last couple of weeks? Get it together.” Someone has to give her tough love right now or we will never get this show on the road.
“I don’t know, Lizzie. I love Cash so much and I can’t wait to become his wife.” Bailey keeps sniffling. “I have a headache and my back hurts.”
“Everything has gone perfectly. There hasn’t been one mishap. This is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. All good things other than your head and back anyway.”
“I know and it is the best day.” She wails.
“I’ll get Granny and Aunt Kathy. They can bring you some sweet tea and pain reliever.”
“Okay.”
I find Aunt Kathy, Mom, Margie, and Granny in the kitchen, fussing over some of the food that’s going to be served at the reception. “Hey, what are y’all up to in here? I thought all the food was already prepared.”
“Oh, it was all prepared,” Margie says with a laugh.
“The boys ate a couple of the platters. If Bailey finds out, she’ll
have a good old fashioned hissy fit.” Granny snickers.
“Y’all think it’s funny? Bailey is in the bedroom having a come apart. She is wanting Aunt Kathy and Granny for some moral support. Whatever you do, don’t tell her that some food went M.I.A. because she doesn’t need to freak out any worse than she has already. She said she has a headache and backache, too, so take her a glass of tea and something for the pain.”
“Kathy Rose, did you remember the pillow I made for her out of my wedding dress?” Granny asks.
“Yes, ma’am. Are you wanting to give it to her now? You know that’s just going to make her boo-hoo, mom.” Aunt Kathy picks up a bag and shows it to Granny.
“I didn’t cut up my old wedding dress for nothin’. At least give me the little square. She’ll feel better having it to hold on to. Don’t you go telling me how to help my granddaughter. I know what she needs.”
They leave to give Bailey words of wisdom.
“Can you help us get these last couple of trays fixed again, Lizzie?” Mom asks.
“Uh, you know I’m domestically challenged, but I’ll give it my best shot.” I grimace.
“Nonsense, you simply haven’t practiced enough. It takes determination and goodness sakes, child, I know you have that.” Margie laughs.
“I do make a mean jalapeno cheese cornbread, or at least Clay likes it.”
Love Me ~ Without Regret Page 23