Southern Belles, a Novel About Love, Purpose & Second Chances (9781310340970) (43 page)

The table had quieted down again and
everyone’s attention turned towards me. I hadn’t found the words
and was feeling nauseous in the pit of my stomach.

I picked up my champagne and stood up. “What
can I say about my best friend that would do her justice? I first
met CeCe in the third grade in the principal’s office.” I grinned,
as a few laughs from the table arose. “I was puking and she was in
trouble for voicing her opinion for what she believed was
right—something I’ve always admired about you Ce. Your courage to
go after want you want—to love as boldly as you do and with all the
beauty and grace you do are unmatched. As kids we dreamed about our
wedding day and our prince charming’s and had it all planned out by
age nine.” I said, feeling the tears start to build. “Well that day
is finally here and I hope that it is everything you always dreamed
it would be. Most importantly, I wish you the happiest ever after a
girl can have.” I smiled through tears. “Please raise your glass
for CeCe and Christian.” I said as CeCe smiled back in tears.

My body was trembling and I tried to contain
my tears as CeCe came over to my chair and hugged me. As she
wrapped her arms around me I saw Skylar staring at us in dismay.
Behind every painful word, I spoke the truth. I wanted the best for
her despite the outcome. I squeezed her tightly for several
moments. When she pulled back, she glanced over my face and wiped
away my tears.

“Thank you Char. You’re words mean so much
to me.”

“They’re all true sweetie. I love you and
I’ve always admired you.”

“I love you too.” She smiled with an unusual
guise. “Are you ready to get going?”

“Yeah, I’ve got to drop Lucy off first
before we go out.”

“My mom can do that.” She offered.

“I thought your mom and dad were staying on
the island tonight.” I said.

“My mom’s still got some stuff to do at home
and besides all the guys are staying at my parent’s for a party
there while we’re out.”

“Okay.”

I got Lucy’s things ready for the ferry ride
back. All of the wedding party except for James, Sidney, and
Christine, took two ferries back to St. Marys. At the dock, I
helped Bev get Lucy buckled up. I kissed her forehead and hugged
her goodnight. I watched Bev and Lucy drive away before turning
around. The guys had separated into a large group and the girls
were already off and gossiping with Richie. Skylar and CeCe were
talking. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about but she
didn’t look as happy as she had on the island. I walked in their
direction as she leaned up to kiss him. I froze as I saw them, for
the first time, kissing. I looked down and turned towards the dock.
The tears stung my eyes and stopped my breath. Only far off lights
from the island peered across the dark waters. I took a deep breath
and exhaled slowly trying to keep myself from collapsing.

“Hey there.” Richie came to my rescue with
his arm wrapped around my shoulder as we faced the island.

“I don’t know how to get through this Rich.”
I fought back more tears.

“Sis, why don’t you tell her?”

“You know I can’t ruin her happiness.”

“How do you know she wasn’t the path back to
you? His best friend even talked about you in his speech.”

“I know, but then he also said that she
helped him get over that girl.”

“There may still be a part of him that loves
you.”

“Who are we talking about? Eric?” CeCe came
up abruptly. “Did Eric say he loved you?”

“You scared me.” I jumped. “No, we never got
to that point.”

“Well then it’s time to get over him and
have some fun.” She said, taking my hand.

“I’ll drive us.” I offered.

“Thank you, I’m actually going to ride with
Emma but I’ll meet you at Martini’s.”

I sat in the car a few moments talking with
Richie while Emma and CeCe pulled away. I stepped on the clutch and
shifted the gear into first just as I pulled my foot off the break
Skylar walked towards us.

“I’ll see you at midnight still?” He asked,
leaning his head into the window.

“Yeah, if I can get away.”

“I asked my sister to help keep her
preoccupied when you leave.”

“Okay, I will meet you at Oak and Main.”

“Thanks Charlotte—hi Richie,” Skylar smiled
at him before he glanced back at me. “Please don’t back out
now.”

I nodded slowly at Skylar. I was partially
mesmerized by his eyes and still in disbelief that he was actually
standing in front of me after he disappeared almost four years
ago.

We got to the bar and grille just after nine
PM. CeCe was the main attraction. She was animated and provided for
entertainment between her gift for story-telling and her wild
skills with karaoke. I laughed, watching her use her hands and body
language to re-hash some of her fonder memories of college with her
sorority sisters. She dragged me up to the stage so we could sing
That’s what friends are for
by Dionne Warwick, one of our
favorite childhood songs. She sang loud and grabbed my hand as she
sang each word to me. I couldn’t help but laugh with the
exaggerated expressions as she sang shamelessly.

After a few hours passed, I tried to figure
out a way I could easily dismiss myself. Richie pulled out my phone
and dialed a number. The noise was loud in the room and he
disappeared for a few minutes, before he came back and handed my
phone to me.

“Who’d you call?” I raised my voice.

“I just had to check on something real
quick.” He said, offering to get me a drink.

“I’m good thanks. Can you get me an ice
water though?”

“Sure, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

I sat watching the party all around me. Some
of the girls were dancing on the stage and others were talking to
the town’s summer male residents. CeCe was talking with Emma. I
spotted Richie talking to one of the servers up at the counter. I
closed my eyes and rubbed my temples for a minute. I sat back and
opened my eyes and sitting right beside me was Eric.

“What are you doing here?” I asked,
surprised to see him.

“I thought you could use a friendly face.”
He grinned.

“You’re going to make me cry.” I said
smiling back at him. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“I know you are.”

“Did you know I was going to be here?”

“I had some hints.” He laughed.

“Did Richie call you?”

“Maybe.”

“Oh that Richie.”

“Don’t get mad at him.” He loves you.”

“I know. At least someone does.”

“There are lots of people who love you.” He
said tilting his head to mine before kissing me unexpectedly.

He touched his palms to my cheeks and
nestled my face into his hands as he kissed me for at least a
minute or more. I finally opened my eyes to see a smile rise over
his face. I heard several jeers around the table and saw CeCe’s
perplexed look as my eyes met hers, still dazed from what had just
happened.

“What was that?” I asked in awe.

“Just making sure you made the right
decision.”

“Oh Eric…” I started.

“Don’t say anything,” he whispered into my
ear. “I know you need to leave in a few minutes to meet Skylar.
Richie thought a good distraction might help CeCe not notice your
departure as much.”

“And the kiss?”

“That was for me mostly. But I think I got
CeCe’s curiosity going.”

“You are something so special Mr.
Sothersby!” I said pinching his cheek softly.

“I know. You are too Ms. Buchanan.”

He took the opportunity and kissed me once
more, quickly, before I hugged CeCe goodbye and told her that I
needed to get home to Lucy. Through the windows outside, I peered
in to see CeCe sitting near Eric. They seemed to be talking. I saw
the back of Eric’s head moving while he pretended to play the
piano. CeCe nodded her head and seemed to be engaged with a slight
grin on her face. I scanned across the room and saw Emma and Richie
looking at songs for karaoke.

I got back into the car. I looked in the
rearview mirror and reapplied my eye make-up. I brushed my hair
once more and dabbed some perfume under the corners of my jawbones.
I pinched my cheeks slightly and smiled back at myself. I slid on
my flesh-toned pink lip rouge and added a touch of gloss to my
lips. I popped a mint into my mouth and shifted the gear into first
heading towards Oak. It was three minutes to midnight. I rolled my
windows down part way and heard the chirping of the grasshoppers
and the ensemble of frogs. The moon was full and high up in the
sky. I turned on the radio to keep me company and ease my anxiety.
Jewel was on and singing her sleepy serenades.

I could see the street sign for Main about
two blocks away. My heart beat faster as I drew nearer. I was so
nervous that my stomach felt as if it were on a roller coaster
getting ready to plummet ten stories. I had waited for this
moment—to see him, to talk to him, to find out what happened for so
long. He was marrying my best friend tomorrow I reminded myself.
Maybe, he’d change his mind or maybe he wouldn’t show up tonight. I
held my breath, I didn’t see anyone around. Street lights gave way
to small circles of light every few blocks. As I shifted back down
to second gear, I saw movement enter into the light. Skylar
appeared with his hands in his jacket pockets.

“Need a ride?” I slowed down, trying to play
it cool despite my shallow breathing.

“I was hoping you’d ask.” He smiled.

I pulled my foot off the break and the car
rolled forward a few more feet. Skylar jumped forward to catch up.
“You do want a ride, right?” I asked playfully.

“Yep.” He smiled reaching for the door
handle as I placed my foot on the gas and rolled forward some
more.

“Are you getting in?”

“Are you going to let me?” He laughed.

“Only if you hurry up.” I provoked, putting
my foot on the break. “I feel like I’m in high school again trying
to sneak out of the house.” I joked, trying to mask my
nervousness.

“You snuck out in high school?”

“Yes. CeCe and I use to sneak out on my
brother’s scooter. I’d push it to the end of the driveway so it
didn’t wake my parents. I’d take all the back roads to CeCe’s house
and we’d drive around for hours before I dropped her back off and
snuck back home.”

“Where did you go?”

“Sometimes to the beach, sometimes to the
diner—where ever we wouldn’t get caught.”

“You are a rebel.”

“Not really. I was always the level-headed
one.” I said, opening the moon roof.

“So, where are we going?” He looked at
me.

“Maybe the beach?” I said. “If you’re okay
with that.”

“The beach, huh? Any specific beach in
mind?” He bit his lip to conceal his smile.

“I’ve got one in mind.” I said feeling an
unusual confidence run through my veins.

“Okay.”

“Okay.” I echoed back into the stillness of
the night.

We drove through the sleeping neighborhoods
with the graceful weeping willows, covered in Spanish moss, blowing
slowly in the breeze. The music played just loud enough to hear
Sade’s No Ordinary Love come on the radio. I held my breath again.
I wasn’t ready to break down in front of him. This song could have
summed up how I felt about him.

“I like this song.” Skylar said, turning up
the volume.

“Yeah, I like it too. It’s kind of sad
though.”

“Maybe, but it’s a classic.” He looked at me
peeking at him before I could look away.

“Yeah, it’s a good one.”

I turned down a one-lane dirt road. Streams
of moonlight shot through the thick tree coverage. I peeked at
Skylar again as he scanned the area.

“You’re not planning to kill me and dump my
body somewhere—are you?” He joked looking to see nothing but trees
and moonlight surrounding us.

“Thought about it with as much as I would’ve
loved to set you on fire a few times over the past few years—but
no—I’m not planning on burying you in the swamps out here.” I
smiled, keeping my eyes on the road ahead of us.

“I forgot how much I liked your sense of
humor.” Peripherally, I could see him smiling at me.

I bit my lip wondering what else he had
forgotten about me. I remained silent. We were almost to the end of
the road where it would open up straight to the beach. Lovers were
known to come back to this beach for the breathtaking beauty this
private view offered. There were two large sand dunes, one on
either side of the small dirt road. As we pulled into the moonlight
and left the trees behind us, the stars appeared closer and
brighter than they’d ever shown before. I put the car in park and
turned off the engine.

“Wow, this is beautiful.” He said looking
down the beach and up into the sky.

“Yeah, this is the beach I go to when I need
to be alone with my thoughts.”

“I can see why.”

We sat quietly for a few minutes, avoiding
eye contact with the distraction of our anxieties and the
remarkable landscape around us.

“Is it okay if I call you Charlotte?” Skylar
finally broke the silence.

“Yeah.” I could feel goose bumps braise my
arms.

“Charlotte, I’ve been thinking about this
moment since the day I met you almost four years ago. I drove back
to this area so many times to try to find you. I asked so many
people in town if they knew a Lucy.”

“All you had to do was call me.” I said in a
low voice.

“You see I tried that but the problem is I
never got the right number.”

“I gave you a fictitious name Skylar but I
gave you the right number—to my parent’s home. Every day, I called
home to see if you called...but you hadn’t.”

“I know you gave me the right number. The
problem is—is by the time I got home early that morning I took off
my pants and threw them off somewhere on the floor. A few hours
later my sister called me, waking me up from the best dream of my
life to say our mother’s cancer was back. She was admitted to the
hospital in Savannah and not expected to make it. I was the
happiest man in the world one minute and pleading for my mother’s
life, again, the next. I grabbed another pair of pants and threw
them on—on my way out of the house. I stayed at the hospital for
the next three days before we flew to Mayo for aggressive
treatment. We were there for a few weeks. When I got home I looked
everywhere for my pants—the ones I wore the night I met you—the
same ones that had your phone number in them. I finally found them,
washed, folded, and in my dresser. Our maid, Carmencita, had
cleaned my room, with the rest of the house, when she was getting
the house ready to close for the season. When I reached in my
pockets I felt a sigh of relief, when my fingers found the paper. I
pulled it out and opened it up ready to call and explain what
happened. My heart stopped, when I pulled out the paper. The paper
had fallen apart in the wash and only the first five numbers
remained, just barely. I couldn’t make out the last two. I got a
notebook and tried every combination of numbers for the last two. I
kept track of who answered and no one knew a Lucy. A few people
hung up on me. I called them a few more times before a few men
cursed me out. There was one lady, I think she was older, who
giggled before hanging up the phone. I tried to find you. After
more than a year of looking, I figured it wasn’t meant to be. My
friends said I needed to move on.”