Cowgirl Strong

by Jenny Hammerle

  “What?” Travis stopped abruptly, his hand on her shoulder.

  “She looked bad, Travis, like warmed over. That bad. Emaciated.”

  “That’s not good- at all.”

  “No and even though I’ve never liked her, I’m not going to pretend that I ever did or will, I’d never wish that on anyone. Not even her.”

  “That’s because you’re a good person.”

  “She even had some sores on her face and arms. She looked downright sick. Do you think it could be anorexia?”

  “Not with the sores. I think it’s meth.”

  “Meth?” Rachael exclaimed.

  “As in, crystal meth, Rachael.”

  Rachael had heard of crystal meth. She knew it was a drug. She knew it was addictive. She knew that it was a real problem for kids, especially in rural Florida. Once she’d read an article referring to a few Florida towns as the crystal meth capitals of the United States. But that was all she knew.

  If Misty was on meth it was even worse than Rachael had initially thought.

  “I have to tell my parents. Maybe they can call hers. They’ve known each other for a long time.”

  Rachael was fine with Travis’ parents calling Misty’s parents and all, but she didn’t want him rushing to Misty’s rescue or anything else. She trusted him, but she in no way thought it was his duty to help Misty.

  “That sounds like a good idea. Maybe I can call Honey and see if she knows anything.”

  “Great idea.”

  Rachael hugged him and climbed into her own car. When she made the turn into her own driveway, Travis sailed right on past merely honking his ‘goodnight’. Rachael had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. He’d never done that before. He’d always followed her home and kissed her goodnight before driving away. Tonight he hadn’t taken the time. He must’ve been going home to tell his parents the news about Misty. Does he still have feelings for her?

  Rachael stormed into the house. She was annoyed but wasn’t even sure why. She stomped into the kitchen and warmed the plate her mother had left on the counter for her. She ate like a ravaged animal, barely tasting the lasagna. She rinsed her plate and put it in the dishwasher. She walked down the hall and to her bedroom. Opening her laptop, she decided it would be a good time to catch up on some email.

  There was a new one from Ellery in West Palm. They hadn’t spoken in a while and she was glad to have something to occupy her thoughts.

  Hi Rach,

  How are things going? So much to fill you in on. I’ve decided to apply to UF. There is an amazing pharmaceutical program there. TJ has no idea what he wants to study yet, but he is applying too. We have a four year plan- college, then marriage, and eventually kids and life. We’ve got it all planned out!

  Brittany is still not overly friendly with me. It will never be the way it was before I started dating TJ- and she stabbed you in the back by dating Colten. I don’t trust her and she doesn’t trust me. I guess some friendships aren’t meant to last forever. It hurts, even now after all this time. I kept hoping it would get easier, but it hasn’t. I don’t hate her or even dislike her, I just don’t trust her. My mom says that trust, once it’s lost, is hard to get back. She’s right.

  I miss you so much girl! There are days when I come running home wanting to share something with you- in person- and I am still bummed when the realization hits that you are not moving back. I just wanted you to know that you are on my mind and that I love you. Take care of yourself and don’t be a stranger.

  Hugs & Kisses,

  Ellery

  Rachael heard Travis’ truck pull up outside.

  Well it’s about time.

  Rachael glanced at the clock. It had only been twenty minutes. He must have driven home to tell his parents and then come right back. Rachael couldn’t believe the feeling of relief that washed over her. He hadn’t gone on home for the night, without saying goodbye. Without kissing me… Her bedroom door opened and there he was.

  “Your brother let me in.” He raked his hand through his hair. “Can I come in?”

  “Sure.”

  He sat down on the edge of the bed.

  “I only went home to tell my parents about Misty.”

  “I kind of figured that out.”

  “I felt like if I told them tonight, my mom could call ASAP. It’s only ten o’clock.”

  “I think her parents probably know there’s something wrong with her. Her appearance says it all.”

  “Sounds like it. Rachael,” He patted the bed next to him. “Come sit with me.”

  Rachael did as he asked.

  “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea here. I’m concerned for her, the way you’d be if you heard something horrible had happened to Colten. But please don’t mistake my concern for Misty for deeper feelings. I don’t love her anymore and that is that. I just wouldn’t want any harm to come to her or anyone else for that matter.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’re upset with me.”

  “Not upset. I think I’m more upset with myself. I was actually jealous you might want to rush over and check on her. Be her rescuer or something.”

  “That’s not my place. She has parents and friends.”

  “And you’re not bothered by my insane jealously where you’re concerned.”

  “It’s understandable. She does try to provoke you every chance she gets.”

  “Thanks for coming back to say goodnight.” Rachael squeezed his hand.

  “Who said anything about saying goodnight? Come lay down with me.”

  “That’s probably not a good idea, Travis.”

  “Nope, it’s fine. I asked my parents and your aunt on my way down the hall. Besides we have a chaperone.”

  “Hello there.” Michael waved from the doorway, sleeping bag in hand. He walked in and laid it down on the floor. “No smooching now. I’ll be listening.”

  “You’re too much.” Rachael glared at her brother.

  “You’ve had a rough couple of days. I wanted to hold you a little bit. I’m not staying the night. Just a few hours.” He cuddled up behind her and held her snuggly.

  “And you told your parents this?”

  “That I was coming over to hold you?” He asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Of course. My mother thought it was so sweet- as long as there was a chaperone.”

  “When will we progress past the point of needing a chaperone?”

  “When you stop pressuring me to change our purity pledge.” He teased.

  “Travis! You knew I was joking about that! You didn’t tell your parents that did you!”

  “Sure did, you Vixen trying to lead me astray!”

  “You didn’t!”

  “Of course not. But I did want to talk to you about something.”

  “Sounds serious.”

  “Next week, when I’m eighteen, we won’t need a chaperone anymore. My parents trust us fully.”

  “About time.”

  “So you’re ready for that.”

  “Yep. I trust us, fully.”

  “I am down here! Remember?” Michael protested from his pallet on the floor.

  “How could we forget?” Rachael threw her pillow at him.

  “No nookie talk with me in the room.”

  “We’re not discussing nookie.” Rachael hollered in Michael’s direction.

  Travis elbowed her in the side.

  “Let’s talk about the kids we’ll have someday. And baby names.” Rachael giggled.

  “Baby Michael. Or Susan. I’ve always liked the name Susan.” Travis added.

  “I may vomit here!” Michael yelled and made vomiting sounds from where he covered his head with a pillow.

  After that Rachael drifted off to sleep. Travis left sometime in the night. He’d covered Rachael with her quilt and carried Michael to his bedroom.

  *

  When Rachael awoke he’d even left her a sweet note on the bedside table.

  “Good morning. I
f you’re not busy today, my mom said she needs your help with something. <3 T”

  What could she need my help with?

  Rachael dressed and did her chores. She really had no idea what it could be, but she got in her car and drove over to the Baxter’s house anyhow.

  “Mornin’, Rachael.” Mr. Baxter greeted her as he started his truck and climbed in. “Travis is in the kitchen. Don’t hold him up too long. Daylight’s a wastin’, and we’ve got work to do.”

  “No, sir. I won’t.”

  Rachael walked into the kitchen where Travis finished the last of his ham biscuit.

  “Got the note.”

  “Have fun. I’m going to build fence.” He leaned and kissed her on the cheek. “Don’t worry. Knowing you, I’m sure it’s not what you think it is.”

  “I hope not.” She admitted.

  Out in the barn, earlier that same morning while feeding the animals, and then on the drive over, Rachael ran through her head over and over again the various topics that Mrs. Baxter might need her help with. Rachael knew she and Travis were getting more serious in their relationship. She could only imagine the endless possibilities Mrs. Baxter wanted to discuss with her. Her lack of regular church attendance, for one. She was sure that would eventually be at the top of the conversation list. Mrs. Baxter waltzed into the kitchen and fixed herself a cup of tea.

  “So Travis gave you the message about helping me plan his birthday party.”

  “His birthday party?” Rachael breathed easily for the first time that morning. “He sure did.” A little white lie…

  That goober! Paybacks are hell Travis Baxter…

  “I thought with them being twins and all, it’s important that they each have something different. Something each of them would enjoy that celebrates their individuality. It’s his eighteenth birthday and I want it to be special. Maysie wants a beach day complete with cookout and friends. Travis hasn’t gotten specific, but together there must be something we can come up with.” She sipped her tea. “And a renegotiation of his purity pledge is out of the question.” She smiled.

  Rachael could feel her face burning from her hairline to her collar.

  He didn’t…

  “No need to be embarrassed. It was his idea. He asked weeks ago. He figured it was worth a try, but of course his father said no. All guys try.”

  “Weeks ago?” And Rachael had thought it had been her idea and a joke. Little did she know- he’d seriously asked his parents…weeks ago.

  “Yes, about four weeks ago. Not only did I tell him that I wasn’t going for it, but I knew you wouldn’t either.”

  “Definitely not. What is it with guys and the physical side of the relationship? It’s more important to them than it should be. I don’t get it. First Gabe, and now, Travis.” Rachael pulled a chair out, slunk down into it, and put her hands on her forehead. Maybe Travis hadn’t been pressuring her…up until now…but was it coming? This certainly wasn’t a conversation she’d planned on having with his mother on a Saturday morning in August. A church talk would’ve been nothing compared to this.

  “It’s important to all young men, and men in general for that matter, wait until you’re married. That being said it’s up to the woman to set the pace for all things physical in a relationship. My mother taught me that.”

  “I’ll remember that. I think I’m going to kick his butt.”

  “Oh honey, he’s just a man, a young man but still a man. I shouldn’t have mentioned it, but I thought I should in case he brought it up.”

  “Well he hasn’t.” Rachael spat, a little more tension in her voice than she’d wanted. “Thanks for the warning.”

  When I brought it up the other day, I had no idea how accurate I was! What are we going to do when we don’t have a chaperone? Am I going to be constantly telling him no? What gives?

  “I just don’t get it. He knows about Amber and how that ended up. Why would he even want to go there?”

  “I think that’s a question you need to ask him. I think he’s thinking about something different than what you’re thinking.”

  “Oh. Good.”

  Are we really having this conversation? So what? I’m thinking sex and he’s thinking all the stuff leading up to it?

  “He wants to marry you, Rachael, and most young couples find themselves asking the same question. If we’re getting married anyway, why wait for everything? What does it matter? It’s just a matter of time, right?”

  Rachael nodded her head seeing his mother’s point.

  “But then as a parent or a girlfriend you can make another valid point. You’re not married until you’re married. Intimacy is a gift from God that is meant to be shared with your life partner and no one else.”

  “You’re right.” Rachael felt mortified.

  I could just die. I’m going to kill you, Travis Baxter! Kill you!

  Maysie walked into the kitchen and pulled out a chair.

  “What are you two talking about so intensely?”

  Rachael gave her the don’t ask look.

  “Oh! Is it the true love waits conversation? It looks like it’s your lucky day, Rachael!” Maysie beamed.

  Shannah sprang down the stairs and breezed in to the kitchen. Rachael didn’t even realize she was there!

  “Seriously? Are you all in on this?” Rachael sounded perplexed.

  “No. Not really.” Shannah poured herself a cup of coffee. “Discussing your sex life, or lack thereof, holds no interest for me at 8:30 on a Saturday.” Shannah sat down. She winked over the rim of her mug, “Although- I’ve got to admit this is classic. A no ‘it’ talk with your two best friends and future mother-in-law. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

  “Joke all you want ladies, but this is serious business.”

  “You don’t have to warn me.” Maysie grinned widely. “I’ve had the pleasure of this chat, Mama, at least three times.”

  “Me, too. When your mom gets pregnant at fifteen this is all you ever hear about!”

  “At least I’m not alone.” Rachael muttered unenthusiastically.

  “If it makes you feel any better- I called your mom and spoke with her about it before talking to you. I didn’t know if it would bother her if I brought it up.”

  “Fantastic. I’m glad she was okay with it- really. Thank you for talking to me, but Travis has been a true gentleman. He has never pressured me or even asked about anything like this.” Rachael felt the need to defend him here. She didn’t want him getting a bad rap. If he’d asked his parents, maybe he’d expected them to keep it between them. Wouldn’t he see his mother speaking with her as a sort of betrayal? Rachael couldn’t be sure.

  “We didn’t think he had. I was just warning you woman to woman. So let’s get back to the birthday party planning.”

  Rachael sighed. If she didn’t love Travis she would’ve run from this house! “I don’t know if I can.”

  “Oh, Rachael. If all goes according to plan, you’ll be my daughter-in-law someday. We will discuss all sorts of things- this is only the tip of the iceberg…so to speak.”

  Mrs. Baxter gave Rachael a much needed hug and left the room.

  “You okay?” Maysie slid her chair closer to Rachael’s.

  “I think so. Travis hadn’t prepared me for this little chat.”

  “He probably didn’t know this little chat was coming.”

  “I think you handled it well. My parents are very upfront.”

  “I’ll say.” Shannah blurted. “Y’all aren’t those crazies that have ‘it’ through a sheet and all when you get married are you?”

  “Of course not, Shannah! We’re Christian. I have no idea what religion you’re referencing.” Maysie defended her faith.

  “I’m glad you don’t have another brother, because I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that talk.” Shannah confided.

  “It really wasn’t that bad. I appreciate it in a way. Travis stayed over for a few hours last night.” At their shocked expressions, Rac
hael added, “And nothing happened! Absolutely nothing. No pressure. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. That is why this conversation caught me so off-guard.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Nothing. I’m not going to bring it up unless he does. He’s done nothing wrong here. He’s never pressured me. So, I’m aware he’s had these thoughts, that’s all. I knew he’d felt this way since last year, but acting on it…a desire to do so…is totally new.”

  Rachael mulled this over a bit. No wonder he was still so uneasy about not having a chaperone after all this time. Maybe he needed to prove to himself that he could uphold his side of the purity pledge.

  “I think it’s time to unleash a new covert operation here.” Shannah pursed her lips. “I think it should be called Operation Avoid Nookie with Travis Baxter.”

  All the girls started laughing.

  Mrs. Baxter came back into the room.

  “Let’s party plan! I think some sort of paint balling party would be perfect.”

  “Great idea.” Maysie squealed. She kicked Rachael underneath the table.

  “Definitely, a paint ball party!”

  “Maybe Gabe will come and I can shoot him where it hurts!” Shannah sounded excited by this prospect.

  “Yes! We can all shoot Gabe!” Maysie cheered.

  They talked on and on about the party, the guest list, and all of the details. School would start in a week and the party would be held the last Saturday of summer break. Rachael knew it would be a huge success. She suggested they invite Amber, but everyone felt that paintballing wouldn’t be appropriate or safe for an expectant mother. After hearing their thoughts on the subject, Rachael had to agree.

  Instead Rachael, Maysie, and Shannah opted to plan a second party suitable for Amber. An all-girls, back-to-school slumber party with most of their friends from the dance team. Even Mrs. Baxter showed her support of Amber and said she thought it was a fantastic idea.

  *

  A few short days later, girls began arriving for the slumber party at Rachael’s house. It had been a long time since they had seen each other. Rachael hadn’t finished the dance season the year before due to her embarrassing escapades which resulted in her being suspended from the team, but she planned on trying out again as soon as the school year started.