by Vera Quinn
It wasn’t long before Brindle’s mom told us it was time to load up. I stood and gathered my things. I waved at Jake and he waved back. Brindle’s mom walked up close to me and talked only loud enough for me to hear. “You better be having a talk with your dad tonight. I let that boy talk to you today because I thought you deserved it, but I won’t do it again without your dad’s permission. I’m not a strict parent, but I know the consequences of crossing Tracker.” I looked at the woman.
“Yes, ma’am. I planned on it.” She nodded her head at me.
“Good girl.” She walked ahead of me and Brindle caught up to us. We walked together without words. The ride home was loud with the Brindle, Lindsey, and Katelyn. I kept quiet, and I was glad when I was the first one to get dropped off. I knew as soon as I entered the house that I was alone—no motorcycles outside and no noise at all.
I had put chicken in the crock pot to cook while I was gone. I washed my hands and stirred the chicken. It smelled and looked done, so I turned the heat off. I ran up the stairs and took a quick shower and changed into my normal cut-offs and tank top. I dried my hair with a towel and combed through it. I put it in a loose ponytail to keep it out of my face. I went back downstairs and took the ingredients out to make enchiladas. I put the enchiladas together and put them in the oven. I looked at the clock. I needed to hurry. I took the vegetables out to make a salad and cut everything up and put it all in the bowl. I had already emptied the dishwasher before I left this morning and I had managed to get the laundry done too. I cleaned the prep area in the kitchen and filled the dishwasher again and turned it on. We still had the rest of the cake I made from last night for dessert. I set the table and was putting the glasses out for the sweet tea I had made this morning when I heard the motorcycles in the driveway. The timer went off on the oven and I took the enchiladas out of the oven and placed them on the stove top. I also got the salad out of the fridge. I was trying to figure out how to get to the subject of Jake, but when I turned and saw my dad’s face when he walked in the door, I knew that he knew. He was swollen up and looked like some big bull. I could almost see the steam coming out of his ears like on the morning cartoons. All my brothers had similar looks. I hadn’t figured they would be this upset.
“You have something you need to speak to me about Charlize Victoria Sweets?” He pulled out my full name that he never used unless I was in deep doodoo. I knew it was time to be honest.
“Yes, sir, I do. I was going to wait until we were eating so we could all hear it at once, but I’m ready.” Dad looked around the kitchen and his eyes lit up on one of his favorite meals.
“Were you trying to butter me up by feeding me one of my favorite meals, little girl?” Dad asked me with annoyance in his voice.
“I put the chicken on to cook before I even left here today, so no, I wasn’t. I was trying to say thank you for letting me go to the lake with my friends.” That took some of his steam away.
“You deserve a little freedom, but you see where it got us?” I was getting fed up with being treated like I committed some ultimate sin when all I did was have a talk with Jake.
“Dad, I get your upset, but can we sit down and eat and talk while we do.” My brothers had remained quiet. I watched them turn to go upstairs. I guessed to get cleaned up.
“Alright, little girl, but you better be ready to talk when I get back. Go ahead and put some food on our plates to save time. I want this settled.” Dad went up the stairs. I did as I was told and set each plate back where it goes. I opened the fridge and got out each bottle of dressing for the salad. Everyone can put their own on. Quinton was the first down the stairs. I looked at him and he looked at me.
“Why can’t you just not grow up? This is going to kill all of us. Dad is having an extremely tough time with it. Ms. May brought her grandson to meet Dad. I thought he was having a damn heart attack when Jake told him he wanted to court you. Not date, but court. You better pick your words carefully with Dad, and Rance isn’t far behind him.” That’s when we heard the other brothers coming down the stairs with Dad right behind them. I filled each tea glass, and I sat in my spot. Dad took his first bite, and I knew it was time.
“This boy named Jake came over and introduced himself to me today. He asked me if what all the other boys told him about my dad and brothers was true. I told him that it was all true. I thought he would get up and leave. He didn’t. I asked him what his angle was, and he told me anyone worth having is worth what you need to go through to get them or close to that. I don’t remember every word.” That was a fib, but I didn’t want my dad to know how Jake had impressed me today. “He also asked to meet you as well as any of my other family that is needed because that was the right thing to do. He said he had no bad intentions, so he had nothing to be frightened of.” I waited for a minute, but for once, no one had anything to say, so I went on. “He also said his dad taught him to treat every woman as he would have them treat his older sister or his mom.”
“He said all that?” Tobie asked.
“Yes, then he asked me out on a date for dinner or a movie and I told him I couldn’t date until I was fifteen. He wanted to meet all of you to get permission to visit me over here until I turn fifteen. He wants us to know each other as friends and to see if I might want to date him. If not, then we’d just be good friends.” I stopped.
“Did he creep you out when he said all of this?” Yance asked me.
“No, why would he? He was being nice. He even said if we needed to be chaperoned after we could date, he understood and was alright with it,” I told them.
“Is he soft in the head?” Rance asked.
“How old is he? He told me earlier, but I wasn’t hearing at the time,” Dad asked.
“He’s sixteen, and he said he would be seventeen soon. He’s starting his junior year.” I stopped talking and took a drink of tea.
“He’s two years older and two grades ahead of you. Down the road, those two years won’t seem like anything, but right now they mean a lot.” I know I shouldn’t have, but I interrupted Dad.
“Dad, do you trust me? You’ve taught me everything I have learned in life. You, my four brothers and the rest of the family have taught me what I need to know to survive in life. I know right from wrong. I know what you expect of me. I can defend myself when it’s needed. So, what is causing you to question the way you brought me up? I tell you and my brothers everything. I was going to tell you all of this, but Jake beat me to it. Doesn’t that say something about his character, too? That he wanted to face you before I did. Wasn’t he trying to protect me from a difficult conversation with you? What is it that’s really bothering you?” I laid it all out. My dad looked at me.
“I hate that my Charlie Red is growing up and one day, some man is going to take her away from us. This family that loves you.” I had tears in my eyes and so did Dad.
“Daddy, this is just another step in my growing up. I’ll always be your Charlie, I promise. No man could ever love me like my daddy and brothers.” I looked around at my brothers and they all seemed a little glassy-eyed. Dad wiped his eyes.
“You’re right, little girl. We’re always your family. Jake was more of a man coming to me himself than a lot of grown-ass men. Jake can come to dinner tomorrow night and he can visit you three nights during the week and either Saturday or Sunday. He’s only allowed in the house if an adult, let me clarify, one of your brothers or myself are here. You must stay in the yard or front porch if not. After the four months are up, and you turn fifteen then you can go on a chaperoned or couples date and then three months after that, if there are no rules broken then you can go on a car date. That is written in stone, little girl. If this Jake isn’t the one you want to date, then I expect the same out of the next one. He has lifted the bar of standard. Except for the fact he wants to date my little girl, I think I could like him.” That’s praise coming from my dad.
“Thank you, Daddy, I will follow every rule.” The rules were laid out and I know thi
s was hard on my dad. We did exactly what my dad said, Jake made sure of it.
Chapter Three
CHARLIE
A Little Less Than Three Years Later…
I watched as Jake walked across the stage. He was so handsome in his cap and gown. I was standing close to the stage, next to his mom, so we could get pictures when he was handed his diploma. Ms. Edmondson didn’t like me very much; I should say she didn’t like me for her son. She thought I was forcing his hand. I wasn’t. I didn’t want Jake going into the Army. I wanted Jake to stay here and go to college like his dad wanted him to. I just couldn’t make that decision for Jake. He was a man, and in my world, I had learned that men need to learn to make their own decisions. I gave my opinion, but the final decision was his to make. The day I told his mom and dad that I wouldn’t try to change his mind was the day they quit talking to me except to make snide remarks. I yank out of my thoughts as the crowd goes crazy, and I knew they’d called Jake’s name. Jake was one of the most loved people in town. He was like his gram, Ms. May, who was sitting in the first row cheering her grandson on. He helps everyone, and his word was his bond. He was the local-loved athlete. He excelled at everything he took on, and I was lucky to call him my man. I knew I was less than seventeen years old, but I knew that Jake was my happily ever after. My family, not just my dad and brothers, but all my family, loved him. I joked often that if Jake and I ever broke up that my family would choose his side. Jake winked at me as he took his diploma and my insides quivered just like the first time. I took the pictures I wanted.
The two years that Jake and I had been together had been amazing, and we had gone over a list of firsts together. I still had one more first I wanted to conquer before he left for the Army. My hopes were for that tonight.
The graduation went on for another forty-five minutes, and then there was more picture taking. I finally whisked Jake from his family, my family, and all our friends. I had something special planned.
Jake looked at me. “What are we doing with the rest of our night, beautiful?” I smiled up at Jake. He had gotten so tall since I first met him. He was close to six foot three or four and me and my short self at five-foot-two inches, he made me look like a child.
“How about a picnic out by the lake in the moonlight?” I said. I knew I was blushing from the thoughts running through my head. I felt a hand come down on my shoulder.
“You two need to stop by the clubhouse before anything else. The ol’ ladies have set up a spread for Jake.” Dad hesitated and then walked around me. He and Jake shook hands. “We’re proud of you, Jake. I’m proud of the decisions you have made, and you two can go after everyone pats you on the back and congratulates you.” I knew I was not part of the conversation anymore.
“We’ll be there, sir. We’ll be there in about twenty minutes. I just need a few minutes to absorb these feelings I’m having. I know, not a very manly thing to say, but it’s still the truth.” I smiled at Jake. I knew we’d make it to the lake later, and that was alright. Tonight was all about Jake’s accomplishments.
“We’ll have the tables set up and the food waiting,” my dad said.
“You will do no such thing. My son is not going to some filthy gang’s hangout. We are going out to dinner with the family. Charlize, Jake will need to catch up with you tomorrow if he insists,” Mrs. Edmondson ordered.
“Edmondson, tell your woman to pull in her claws around my daughter or I will clip her nails.” Dad was cruel in his words.
“Josiah, you go on and get to your clubhouse, I have this. Jake and Charlie will be there in just a few minutes.” I followed the voice with my eyes. I knew that Ms. May would be standing there, but I wasn’t used to seeing the scowl on her face. I didn’t think I had ever seen Ms. May scowl.
“Alright, Ms. May. You stop by if you’re feeling up to it. Plenty of food for everyone.” Dad walked the couple of steps to me and kissed the top of my head, then bent down to whisper in my ear, “Don’t take any shit off that woman.” I nodded.
“I won’t, Dad. Be safe,” I told him, and he turned and walked away. I turned my attention back to Ms. May.
“You two have been acting like darn spoiled brats. Jake is the most even-minded young man I have known in a long time. He’s not about drinking and drugs. He’s in church every Sunday and volunteers at the retirement home in town. His grades are excellent, and he excels at every sport he participates in. The last I knew, we respected young men that want to serve their country. You two have done nothing but give this boy heck over it.” Ms. May looked at me. “These two children have been together since before Charlie started high school. They have followed every rule Josiah set for them, and anyone can see they are head over heels in love. So, you two act like the adults you’re supposed to be, and let the boy have his night. Have you two gotten so old that you’ve forgotten what first love feels like?” Ms. May’s gaze went from Jake’s parents to us and back. “Jake, you and Charlie go and have an enjoyable time.”
“Don’t dismiss me, May. He is going with us to dinner,” Mr. Edmonson demanded.
“No, Dad, I’m not. I love you and Mom, but I’m a man now, and it’s time to cut those apron strings.” Jake spoke up to his dad.
“If you leave here tonight with this girl, then you’re cut off.” Ms. May and Jake both laughed.
“Dad, I don’t want to have this argument here in public. I don’t want to disrespect you.” Jake looked his dad straight in the eyes. Mr. Edmondson kept the sneer on his face. “Alright, you haven’t noticed that my balance in the bank hasn’t gone down. I know that the account was started by my grandfather, not you. You have no control over it after I turned eighteen, and that was a few months ago. I haven’t used it in over a year, and your name is off the account. That’s my nest egg now to buy me a home when I get out of the military and I’m ready to settle down. I have been supporting myself with my job at the gym and the side jobs I could get cleaning people’s garages, barns, or whatever they needed done as well as mowing lawns. I had to know I could stand on my own two feet and now that I know, I don’t need all that money to be happy or to survive. I just need love, shelter, and some hot meals.” Jake stopped. “I’ll come over tomorrow and we can sit down and talk this out like a family, but I won’t change my mind.” Jake never moved in with his mom and dad when they returned from their trips with the doctor’s program. I squeezed Jake’s hand to give him my support. He squeezed my hand back and looked at me. “Let’s go, babe, we don’t want to keep your family waiting.” We both turned and walked away hand in hand. Jake’s mom and dad were still arguing with Ms. May, but that woman could hold her own.
The ride to the clubhouse in Jake’s truck was quiet. I wanted to give Jake time to reflect on his graduation and his talk with his parents. I knew I felt awful when I argued with my dad or brothers. As soon as we parked, Jake pulled me closer.
“I’m sorry about all that hostility back there. They’re just afraid of me growing up and leaving. I know they want the best for me, but the path they want me to take isn’t the one I want. I don’t want to be a doctor. I want to be a soldier. There’s something calling me to it, and I know you aren’t happy about it, either.” I put my finger to his lips.
“I will support my man in whatever career that he decides to take. I was just being selfish. I know that I’ll be finished with high school in a year and a half along with my college courses that I have been taking since I was a freshman, and then we can be together as often as possible.” I moved in and kissed the heck out of my boyfriend and we were both panting when Jake pulled away.
“Woman, I only have so much control. Remember, I’m going to be walking into a clubhouse of men that love you and are carrying guns. I’m going to walk in with a hard-on.” I laughed. I guess I should have thought of that. “Not funny. You are going to be the death of me.”
“Let’s go, handsome. I want this done and then I want to spend some alone time with my man,” I said as sexily as I could, or I thoug
ht it was sexy. We got out of Jake’s truck and took our time walking in to take care of Jake’s problem. When we walked in, everyone yelled “Congratulations.” The clubhouse was packed, and I was proud my family had accepted Jake as one of us. There were handshakes and back slaps from all the men and the ol’ ladies gave hugs. You would think that Jake was one of my brothers, seeing the smile that was on Dad’s face. I loved the bond that Jake and Dad shared. The next thing I knew, the room had gone quiet, and I looked down. Jake was down on one knee. My eyes watered and I looked for my dad and brothers, but everyone had big smiles on their faces. My eyes went back to Jake.
“You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. That’s what gave me the strength to approach you that day at the beach. I got to know your inner beauty and the strength you have. I love you more every day. The thought of leaving you for the next few months is almost paralyzing but if you agree to what I’m asking, then it will be bearable. Charlize Victoria Sweets, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife after you graduate from high school?” I had tears running down my cheeks and I looked at my dad. He gave me only one nod. Jake noticed where I was looking. “I have your dad’s permission and all your brothers, so please agree. I know you need to finish school and the timeline will work itself out. Just please, say yes.” I looked in Jake’s eyes and I knew he was my forever person.
“Yes.” Jake took a ring out of his pocket and slipped it onto my finger, my hand shaking. I saw that Ms. May had slipped in the room and she was happy. The smile across her face showed me that. That was the happiest night of my life hands down. I clutched to those memories when darkness tried to take me under.
Chapter Four
CHARLIE
In Life, You Never Know…