Justified Love (The Southern Gentleman Series Book 1) Page 5

  One day when I was on the side of the road selling vegetables, I met the most dashing man,” Granny said with such adoration. As she daydreamed telling the story, she continued, “He was magnificent; a giant hunk of a man.” My face flamed with embarrassment. I never wanted to think of my Granny like that. “He paid me three times the asking price and asked if he could call on me later that night.”

  “What does “call on me” mean, Granny?” I questioned.

  “Well honey, back in the day, we didn’t have a telephone or cell phones. When a boy asked if he could call on you, he was asking if he could visit you at your home.”

  “After two weeks of him coming back to my stand, I finally told him he could call on me. I was petrified. He came from a very well to do family, and we were so poor. I was so worried about what he would think of my house or my clothes; I didn’t realize he only had eyes for me when we were together,” she said with stars in her eyes. “It didn’t matter to him if we had the biggest house or the fanciest clothes; he loved me for me.”

  “We fell madly in love, and quick. We would spend countless nights laughing in the cornfield, looking at the stars and catching lightening bugs. After we had been courting for quite some time, he asked me to marry him. When his parents found out, they forbid him to speak to me. Back then, status mattered to people. They didn’t want their son to be associated with a poor farm girl. I was crushed. We tried everything to be together, but his parents always found a way to pull us apart,” she said exasperatedly.

  “One day, I was walking around town and saw him holding hands with a young woman. She was beautiful and came from money. As I crossed the street, I saw the longing in his eyes as he stared me down. I forced myself to keep walking and hung my head in shame. He will always be the love of my life.”

  “Whatever happened to him, Granny?” I asked.

  “He ended up marrying that girl, and they had three babies. Still, to this day, I think of him and wished things had been different.

  “Granny, did you love Gran Dad?” I asked.

  “Of course I did, sugar. He gave me your father, and your father gave me you. I wouldn’t trade that for the world. You see, sweet pea, the point of my story is this; don’t ever put yourself down. Don’t give up on something you desperately want. And, always love hard and with your whole heart because, you never know if you’ll ever get a love like that again.”

  Granny was so sensible, and ever since that conversation, I’ve been listening to her every word. After mama had died, she was the second best mother I ever had.

  Granny and I continued to gab about Colt and the past, when Daddy walked into the kitchen. “What are you two birds chirping about?” he asked while leaning against the sink sipping his coffee. If I learned anything from Granny, it was only tell Daddy what he needed to know, and boys, were not something he needed to know. I had never brought a boy home before, and I wasn’t about to test the waters now. I wasn’t even sure where it was going myself.

  “Oh, nothing Daddy. Granny was just telling me a story about the time you got your head stuck between the slats on the banister as a kid,” I said winking at Granny.

  “Okay, let’s not bring that back up. I had butter in my ears for weeks thanks to Granny.”

  We roared with laughter while Granny made her way out of the kitchen. Turning around, looking in my direction, “Remember what I said, sugar. You two enjoy.”

  “What was that about?” Daddy asked.

  “Oh, you know, girl talk,” I rebutted.

  “You want me to make your favorite pancakes, Care Bear? I can make them just the way you like them, chocolate chip with strawberry jam?” Leave it to my father to always see me as the chunky little five-year-old.

  “Thanks, Daddy, but I’m going to try and catch up with Har and Skye for some breakfast.” I just assume address the reason I’m here. Pulling out a chair from the kitchen table he took a seat next to me placing his coffee mug on the table.

  “I can’t believe you still get up before the roosters,” I proclaimed.

  “Someone’s gotta make a living around here, and I don’t see your Granny pushing a tractor or feeding the hens,” he laughed.

  “Why don’t you get some help around here, Dad?” I questioned.

  “I simply can’t afford it, sweetheart, especially with everything that’s happening with the farm.”

  “Tell me what’s going on,” I asked.

  “I don’t mean to worry you, but about a month ago I got a letter from the bank stating that I had sixty days to pay the back due payments on the farm or vacate the property. If I couldn’t pay, the bank would seize our farm. I didn’t want to bother you, sweetheart, but I’ve had a hard time making payments. Crops aren’t as good as they used to be, and money is tight. As soon as this developmental company caught wind of the news, they were ready to pounce and purchase the land. Said they already had plans for a shopping mall mapped out. They were just waiting for the bank to seize the property so they could buy it from the bank.

  It wasn’t until one of the founding developers of the company died, when they found the blueprints to the property lines stashed with his last will. After they had looked at the prints, they realized our farm was on their side of the property line. Naturally, a part of me was a little relieved considering, however they are trying to take over the property immediately. I tried contacting the bank to investigate what happened to my payments up until that point, but there has been no response. If I had been paying on a house that I didn’t own, what happened to the money I already invested? I didn’t want the money to be rich, but just wanted it to save our home from the developmental company. I was going to use the payments to pay the company, but neither one of them is cooperating. I think they are just hoping it goes away on its own, but what they don’t realize, I have the best attorney around.”

  Honey, this is our home and has been for years. I don’t want to give it to those weasels so that they can ground it down to make room for a shopping mall. I’ve been paying money on the property for years with the assumption that it was ours, and I’ll be damned if they try and take it away from us now. I don’t know what we’re going to do, or where Granny and I will go if this falls through. Without the farm, I’m not sure how we will survive.”

  “How did things get so out of hand, Daddy?” I questioned.

  “Ever since your Mama died, I’ve had such a hard time paying her medical bills and keeping us afloat. The insurance companies barely paid anything for her treatments, and the rest was left to us to foot the bill. I would say I’m mad, but those procedures kept your Mama around a lot longer than expected. I would have sold everything if that meant I could have one more day with her,” he said while the tears started to build up.

  Your mama and this family are the best things that have ever happened to me. I can’t help but smile every time I see your face, baby girl. You look so much like her. She would be proud of the woman you’ve become.”

  Daddy started crying, and I didn’t know what to do but hug him. This was the first time I had seen him break down since mama had died. It broke my heart to see the devastation across his face. Our family had made so many memories in this house. Just the thought of having it taken away was almost too much to bear.

  Trying to be the strong one, I said, “It’s ok, Daddy. We will figure something out.” The frustration and urgency were written all over my face. How in the hell are we going to come up with that kind of money? Maybe I could sell my apartment in New York City? Maybe, I could apply for another loan? There has got to be some information we are missing here. I can’t let those monsters take over our home. Where the hell is the money he already invested? “Don’t worry, Daddy. We’ll get everything ironed out. I won’t let them take away our home.”

  ●

  Even after all this time, getting in ole’ Bessie felt so good. I’m so glad Dad took care of her while I was gone. She was perfect; all the way down to her baby blue roof and cassette player. I’m
pretty sure Tiffany was still in the tape deck. It wasn’t like you could get cassette tapes anymore. It may be your typical farm truck, but she was mine, and I paid for her. Paying for my truck was the first step in developing my independence. She was my baby. I cared about her just as much as I cared about Dad, Granny, and my besties.

  Getting back on the open country roads felt like bliss. With the windows rolled down, the morning sun kissed my face. The best part about country folk, they would do practically anything if you just lend a helping hand. Before our neighbor, Ole’ Man Johnson passed away, he started to liquidate his assets. He was getting so old he couldn’t drive his truck anymore. I traded him two hundred dollars and a summer of cutting grass to get Bessie. He would have given her to me for free, but I refused. I needed to do something for him since he had been so generous.

  There were times when I went over to his house just to sit on his porch drinking sweet tea talking about the “good ole’ days.” I know some people my age prefer not to talk to older people, but I love talking to them. They have the best stories. Stories that have nothing to do with iPads, cell phones, or what the hottest clothes on the market are. Their stories were real, authentic and full of emotion.

  Ole’ Man Johnson used to tell me how he missed his late wife, and how they used to dance in the kitchen on hot summer nights. They’d sit under the weathered metal fan at the kitchen table, and sway to the sounds of Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. Their romance was something to admire - something to strive for. I hope one day I have that with someone I love. Maybe that someone is Colton?

  Sometimes I think Ole’ Man Johnson just liked having the company, which was probably why he was willing to give me Bessie for practically no cost. Ole’ Man Johnson never had kids, but he and his wife always hoped they would someday. In a way, I liked to think I helped him cope with the loss of not only his wife, but also not having children. By coming around, I felt a piece of his heart lessened the cracks from the pain.

  Driving past his house, I looked over and saw the tire swing still hanging from a tree in the front yard. It breaks my heart that he never had any of his own children to push, but was pleased that I helped in any way I could.

  ●

  Pulling up to Harley’s house, I tucked away those memories of Ole’ Man Johnson and skidded to a halt in her gravel driveway. Harley came flying off the front porch as her mama, Sue Ellen, sat flicking ashes off the terrace.

  Trying to be courteous, “Hi, Ms. Bridges.”

  Not responding she grabbed her “orange juice”, and walked away.

  Nice to see you, too. Jesus, it’s not even nine a.m. and already she’s drinking. To say Harley’s family was dysfunctional would be an understatement.

  Turning out of the driveway, I managed to watch my speed since Mrs. Bridges was standing on the porch. She would tell my Granny or Daddy I had been reckless if I had peeled out the driveway the way Harley would have. Her mama was always looking to stir the pot in order to get a little attention here and there. This town is nothing, if not full of compulsive gossipers. You never know what could come flying out of someone’s mouth, and who's watching whom. To be perfectly honest, Sue Ellen was the last person who should be spreading gossip.

  Skye’s family dynamic, on the other hand, was completely opposite. Her parents were bona fide hippies. Her parents, Alistair, and Moon Beam, screamed “free love, make love, not war, man.” You could always find them sitting in their garden naked, smoking pot and listening to old Grateful Dead records. A lot of the boys in town believed Skye lived the same free spirited lifestyle. They would sneak around in her bushes trying to get a glimpse. Don’t get me wrong; Skye was an exhibitionist. However, it was never out in public.

  Chapter 5

  Bouncing into the parking lot of ‘Hole in the Wall’, I couldn’t help but notice the breakfast traffic. This place was packed. Getting out the truck, I adjusted my jean shorts and cowboy boots. It may be ninety-five degrees in Avery, but I'd be damned if I didn’t wear my boots. Even now, after losing so much weight, I still felt a little awkward from time-to-time. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to my new body.

  “You look fine,” encouraged Skye.

  “I know, but I still get a little uncomfortable every once in a while.”

  “Don’t. You look smoking hot mama, and your legs go on for days,” Harley responded with a smack of her bubble gum.

  Harley, Skye and I entered the restaurant right at eight forty-five. As soon as we step over the threshold we were immediately met with the cold breeze of the A.C. unit pumped in our faces. Ahhhh. Much better. You could tell it was summer in Texas, when you could easily start sweating at eight am. It was going to be a hot one for sure. Settling into our booth across from the bar, and we ordered our food.

  “So what’s the deal with you and Chuck?” I asked Harley.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you seem to like him. He’s into you; what are you waiting for?” I asked.

  “I’m undeniably sexually attracted to him, but you know me. Every time I get close to a guy, he always finds a way of fucking it up. I’m attracted to the douchebags of the world. It only fits that Chuck would be one of them as well. I figured why not save myself the trouble.”

  “Not all men are d-bags you know,” Skye added.

  “True, but I’d just assume he is until he proves himself otherwise.”

  “I just think you’re freaked out because you finally met your match.”

  “Shit. Chuck is no match for me. He has to work for this. It won’t come easy. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind a quick roll in the hay. If he really is like me, it could be one hell of a ride.”

  “HARLEY!” Skye preached.

  “Hey, a woman can only depend on her rabbit for so long.”

  “You’re trying to tell me you would be ok with a “fuck buddy” relationship with Chuck?” I asked.

  “I suppose if the topic was up for discussion, perhaps.”

  “But wouldn’t you get attached?” Skye looked appalled.

  “It would take a miracle for me to get attached to anyone these days.”

  “I’ve seen stranger things happen,” I added.

  “I think you should think about dating him and then bring up sex,” priss-pot Skye said.

  “But the alternative is so much better, Sister Skye. Are you sure you weren’t a nun in your past life?”

  “I just think if you gave it a try, you might like it,” Skye coaxed.

  “Look at this face,” Harley said pointing her finger at herself. “Does this face look like it wants a committed relationship right about now?”

  “And you wonder why you date so many dirt balls?” I added.

  “But what if he’s the one?” Skye added her two cents.

  “Yeah, you need to stop thinking too far into the future and live in the present girl,” I added.

  “Are you listening to yourselves?” Harley chimed.

  “What?” Skye and I said in unison.

  “Skye, you’ve been best friends with Wyatt for as long as I can remember, and I see you holding back your feelings every time you’re together. When are you going to wise up and finally tell him how you feel?”

  “I do not have romantic feelings for Wyatt,” she tried to convince us.

  “Yea and I'm Mother Fucking Teresa,” Harley added.

  “Wyatt and I are strictly friends. Always have been, always will be.”

  “Keep telling yourself that sweetheart. Maybe one day you’ll actually start to believe yourself. And you, what the hell are you smirking at?”

  “Why are you bringing me into this?” I quipped.

  “You are contradicting yourself and you don’t even realize you’re doing it.”

  “How so?”

  “Carr, I love you honey, but let’s get real. You are so terrified to let Colt in because you know you are leaving at the end of this trial. You’ve been lusting over this man for years, and now that you have your chance,
you’re going to waste it away on the absurd notion he won’t like you back. How the hell will you know unless you let him in, and who gives a shit if you move back to New York? If he truly is interested, you’ll always find a way. You guys keep harping on my poor judgment in men, but you both have ideal situations at your fingertips, and you’re letting it slip away. At least I can admit my sexual craving for Chuck.

  “I really hate when you’re right.”

  “Damn right! I know what I’m talking about!” she said throwing her fist onto the table.

  “That doesn’t mean it’s not going to be festering in my mind until the day I leave,” I added.