by Casey Peeler
“Barrick, I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything,” he says as he slides off the tailgate. As I move to the edge, he stands in front of me and kisses my forehead. I hug him a little longer and give him a quick kiss before he lifts me off the tailgate and helps me into the truck.
When I get home, Mom and Gran are asleep in the living room. I try not to wake them as I walk to my room. When the floorboard creaks, they both wake up.
“Well, missy, how was your night?” Gran yawns.
“Gran, it was perfect.” I pause for a minute and try to contain my excitement. “Do you believe in wishes?”
“Cadence, I believe in faith. If you have that, anything’s possible. Ain’t that right, Regina?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Mom agrees while standing from the couch.
“Cadence, with Him, all things are possible. You always have to keep your faith.”
“Thanks, Gran.”
“Of course. Now let’s all get to bed. We’ll need to be up in a few hours. Your mom and I want to hear all the details after work.”
“You got it, Gran,” I say as I give her a kiss on the cheek and hug Mom. “Goodnight, or is it good morning?” I say with a laugh as I walk to my room.
When I wake, I head straight to the barn and am shocked that Barrick isn’t here yet. My heart sinks. He’s never late and now I’m worried. I look at the time and know I need to get started, so I try to shake off my unease and check on Daisy. I take a moment and watch her as she wanders from the open field to the gate, knowing it’s time for breakfast.
I take a bucket and scoop of the grass mixture to feed her and the other cows. I’m not so sure I want to start this milking party by myself. Daisy looks at me like she’s reading my mind.
“Yeah, I bet you hate having your tits yanked on day in and out. I know I would,” I say with a giggle.
“Whatcha laughin’ at?” I jump and turn to see Barrick standing there.
“Oh nothing,” I say as Daisy lets out a moo. “Daisy gets it.” He shakes his head.
“You had me worried,” I say as we begin our chores.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. I just slept a little late this morning.” Barrick stops and takes my hand. “Thank you for a great night last night. It was the best New Year’s Eve I’ve ever had.”
“Ditto,” I say because I can’t find the words to speak.
Barrick
Ditto? I’m surprised by the one-word response coming from someone who usually has no problem telling me like it is. I’d sure like to know what is running around in that beautiful mind of hers but I don’t have time to ask since I’m running late and the cows need to be milked. Cadence surprises me again when she doesn’t complain once and even cleans the stalls without a curse word.
Ms. Mae comes in to check on things and helps us finish cleaning the equipment. While we finish up, she informs us that she and Regina are cooking New Year’s lunch and I should hang around. There’s no way I’m passing up Ms. Mae’s cooking. My mouth’s watering just thinking about it.
“So are you staying for lunch?” Cadence asks.
“Do you want me to?” I banter back. She shrugs her shoulders like she couldn’t care less, but then a smile escapes those perfect lips. I can’t resist the urge to be close to her and step into her personal space, “I said, do you want me to?”
“I think I’d like that,” she admits as she brings her face closer to mine.
“Good. You’ve got something right… here,” I say as I bring my hand to her face. “Let me help ya.” She lifts her face for me to get it off her but I brush my fingers across her face instead, and wait for her reaction.
“Oh my freaking gosh! What the hell?” she screams, pushing my hand off her face and pushing both hands on my chest. “What did you do?” I start to laugh. “Was that cow shit?” I start laughing harder. “Barrick, I’m not joking. If you put that shit on me. I’m going to—”
“You’re gonna do what?” I ask as she looks around the barn. She takes a step toward me like she’s about to attack but when she reaches me, the attack fades and she nuzzles her face into my chest. I now have cow shit on my shirt but as she wraps her arms around my waist and kisses me, I couldn’t care less. She kisses me hard, and I follow along with her. As our kiss heats up, she pushes me until my back is against the barn wall. As she slows the kiss, I relax and then she pulls away.
“Looks like you could use a shower to cool off,” she says as she grabs the water hose hanging to my left. Cold water sprays me as she steps away and stands as if she’s got a loaded gun.
“Ah!” I yelp, trying to shield myself as she starts to laugh. “Cadence, you can stop now. I’m sorry,” I say as I try and hide my face from the water hose. As she laughs she lowers the hose, and I know it’s my chance. I grab her and pull her into my soaking wet body as she lets out a high-pitched squeal.
“Barrick, stop!” She squirms but the smile on her face lets me know she’s having fun.
“Hand me the hose and no one gets hurt,” I say.
“Truce?” she asks.
“Truce.” I drop the hose but don’t let go of her. “I think you owe me an apology.”
“Oh really? You started it,” she says as she pulls her head away from me.
“I’m not going to apologize, but maybe I can make it up to you. Want to go on a date tonight?”
“I’d love to, but it’s New Year’s Day. I doubt anything is open around here. You guys close for everything.”
“Good point, but I happen to know the movies are always open.”
“I think I’d like that.”
“Good,” I say as I kiss her forehead. “Now I’ve got to change since somebody thought I needed a shower. I’m going to run home. Let Ms. Mae know I’ll be right back.”
Chapter 6
Cadence
I can’t wipe the smile off of my face. I’m cold, wet, shaking and need a shower, but all I can think about is Barrick and how he makes me feel. I open the door, and all it takes is one look from Gran to know I’m in trouble.
“Sit. I take it he’ll be a few minutes,” she says, staring me down. I do exactly as she says. “Care to explain yourself?”
“He started it!” I say in defense as I start to laugh when I remember the look on his face.
“Listen to me, I know you two have something going on. Be careful, Cadence. Barrick’s a good boy, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a boy.” What is she talking about? “He thinks with his penis, not his brain.”
“Ew, Gran! Please don’t say anymore!” I say, covering my ears.
“It’s the truth. He’s as good as they come, but they get those hormones going and it’s like they’re from another planet. Believe me I know. Your gramps and I were young once.” I stop her right there. I can’t handle this conversation.
“Gran, stop! I don’t want to hear about you and Gramps.” Just the thought makes me sick. She starts to giggle.
“Your gramps was a good man, but he was hot stuff back in the day. All the girls thought he was the cutest, and how I got him, I’ll never know.”
“I do, Gran. It’s your snarky attitude and no filter.”
“Hey, I just call it like I see it, and right now, I see two young’uns starting to fall like me and your gramps.” I shake my head. There’s no way. I like Barrick a lot, but I’ve got so much I want to do. I want to perform and that can’t happen here. Performing… shit! It’s freaking January and I’ve got to get my routine down and get my applications in. Even if something happened between us, it’s not like it would last forever. We’re teenagers, and we all know how those statistics work out. “You okay, Cade?” Gran asks.
“Um, yeah. Just realized I forgot to do something,” I say. She turns to the stove.
“Will you put ice in the glasses?” Gran asks, and as she starts to ask about last night, we hear the front door shut.
“We’re in the kitchen,” Gran yells. Crap! I’m still in my wet cl
othes. Gran turns and tells me to wash my hands thoroughly and I’ll be fine. I do as she says, and as I dry my hands on the dishtowel, I feel him walk up behind me.
“Want some help?” he questions.
“Sure. I’ll get the ice if you pour the drinks,” I state. “Oh and I want water, not tea.” The thought of all that sugar still makes my teeth hurt.
Barrick helps me like this is a normal thing for him. I think about Dad and how we never did this as a family, and here Barrick is helping in the kitchen. Thinking of Dad makes me think of all I left behind and my mind begins to race as I think about next year. How could I have been so stupid to lose focus? All I wanted to do was dance and now I don’t even know where to apply. When Gran gets my attention to let me know everything is ready, I notice Mom isn’t in the kitchen.
Where’s Mom?
“Regina!” Gran yells down the hallway. “Food’s ready.”
“Just a second,” she says.
“Y’all go ahead and fix your plates. I’ll go and see what she’s doing.”
Gran exits the kitchen, leaving Barrick and me alone.
“I thought you would’ve changed by now,” he says.
“Gran stopped me to talk and I didn’t have time. I did wash my hands though,” I say as I wiggle them in front of me.
“Everything okay?” he asks as he sees me eye the food on the table.
“Yeah, it’s fine.” He looks at me like he doesn’t believe me and starts to laugh.
“Country ham, black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread. It doesn’t get any better than this.”
“I beg to differ. We look like we’re eating Daisy’s food,” I say as I wrinkle my nose.
“You have to eat it today. It’s New Year’s. The greens bring you wealth and the peas bring good luck.”
“What are you talking about?” I question.
“Y’all don’t do this up there?” He motions toward the ceiling, and I find his sense of direction super cute.
“Nope. Sometimes Mom would make pork and sauerkraut, but most of the time it was Chinese or chicken wings while we watched the bowl games. This is crazy.”
“You have to at least eat a bite of each,” he says.
“Fine,” I say as a put just a few greens on my plate. As for the peas, I like them so I add several spoonfuls, then I take a small piece of ham and cornbread. I notice that Barrick has poured vinegar all over his greens. “What are you doing?”
“Tastes better this way.”
“Let me try,” I say as I pour a dab on mine. We take a seat and wait for Mom and Gran. I wonder what they are doing and then I hear Gran talking to herself as she’s coming down the hall.
“Gran, everything okay?” I ask.
“Your mama! I don’t know what I’m going to do with her.”
“Do I even want to know?” I question.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough,” she says and for some reason, I don’t like the sound of that.
A few minutes later, Mom walks in wearing a cheesy grin. She makes her plate and takes a seat.
“So Mom, what’s up?” I ask as I take a bite of ham. “Oh my gosh! What did someone do to this pig? Soak this in a tub of salt?”
“Pretty much,” Barrick states as he takes a bite of his like it’s the best thing ever.
“I’m going to blow up like a balloon. What is this?”
“Country ham. It’s my favorite,” Gran says and I shake my head while I turn my attention back to my mom.
“Mom?” I say, waiting for an answer.
“I’ve got a date tonight.”
“Huh?” My mom has a date? How did this happen? “With whom?” I ask, unable to eat another bite.
“Hamilton Parks.”
Why do I know that name? Then it hits me, The Loft. “The man from The Loft?” A smile escapes Mom’s lips. “When did this happen? Oh wait, I don’t want to know.” Barrick giggles and I elbow him in the side.
“It’s just a date, Cadence. It’s not like I’m going to get married again,” she says as she looks at Gran to compliment her on the greens. I guess I better get that bite over with as well.
They look like blades of grass that have been soaking in a pool. I stab them with my fork and as I place them in my mouth, the tartness of the vinegar overpowers the greens and I swallow quickly. Yuck! Glad I only have to eat those today.
As I finish eating, Barrick looks at me, and then my mom. “Regina, would it be okay if Cadence and I went to the movies tonight?” he questions.
“I think that would be fine. You know break’s almost over Cadence, and you know what that means.”
A smile spreads across my face. “It’s crunch time at dance.”
“Oh believe me, I know,” Barrick says, shaking his head.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Hello, have you met my sister? She’s a nightmare to live with during this time of the year. She has been since she started competing. I probably won’t see you now until the summer,” he says with a laugh, but it kind of hurts my feelings. I don’t want to see him this summer; I want to see him from now until then.
He must recognize my expression. “I’m just kidding, well kinda. I’ll still be around here, but Ms. Lyndsay is no joke. You’ll be lucky if you get a break at Easter.”
Suddenly, I realize how my life has changed in twenty-four hours. I wanted out of here and away from these people. And now I want to spend every moment I can with Barrick. I know I need to focus on dance but I also need to figure out what I’m doing next year. Barrick definitely complicates things. And now my mom is dating and Dad’s moving to Sweden. There’s just so much to think about.
“Cade, are you okay?” Barrick asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure, Cadence?” Mom asks.
“Yes, I was just thinking about what movie we should go see.”
“Okay, well I’m going out to the barn to finish up for the day,” Barrick says as he excuses himself from the table.
Barrick
I excuse myself to finish my chores but Cadence stays inside to talk to her mom. I’m not sure she’s ready for her mom to date, but I know there’s something else on her mind. She used the word fine, for crying out loud.
I can’t shake the bad feeling as I work, and then suddenly I hear music. She’s dancing. I glance out of the barn, and see her near the fence line. Doesn’t she know it’s freezing out here? I quickly finish the chores, and then watch her from the barn. Her music is deep. The beat is strong, but it’s obvious that whatever is going through her mind isn’t fine. Do I go talk to her? Do I go home? I’m not sure if that is the new or old Cadence out there. Screw it. I close up the barn and walk toward her.
As I approach, I take in her amazing body and how it flawlessly moves to the beat. I can’t take my eyes off of her and as I get closer, I can see the determination on her face. She sees me out of the corner of her eye, but doesn’t stop dancing. Instead she smiles, and I stop at a safe distance as I wait for the song to end.
On the final beat, I take a step toward her. “Does this have to do with you being fine?” I question.
She places her hands on her hips as she catches her breath and places the music on pause.
“Maybe.”
“Want to talk about it?” I ask.
“Nope,” she says and just like that the old Cadence is back.
Taking another step toward her, I grab her iPod, and hit play. I’m shocked that I know the song. It’s a slow one and definitely not country. I take her by the hand and pull her in close as we sway to the beat without saying a word.
When the song ends, I pull away from her. “I’ll pick you up at six,” I say as I back away and let her finish what she started.
Chapter 7
Cadence
Holy cow! Literally. A cow moos from the fence line when Barrick walks away. What was that? Right now every thought I had about my future, Mom, and Dad has di
sappeared. All I can think about is Barrick Carpenter and what he has done to my world—he’s rocked it.
It takes a few minutes for my mind to focus on anything but him walking toward his truck. When he opens the door, he looks my way and smiles. I swear I melt into a puddle on the ground. I take the happy place I’m in and focus on my routine. Barrick’s sweet gesture has given me inspiration for my duet with Jade. I finally know what this piece is missing. Heart.
When I can no longer stand the cold, I walk to the house. I’m surprised to see Gran sitting on the front porch.
“That was amazing, Cade,” she says.
“Thanks.”
“Have a seat,” she says as she hands me a cup of hot tea. I’m freezing and take it graciously. “I’m not sure what goes through that pretty little head of yours, but I know one thing. You express it with dance. You’ve always done that. I know your mama going on a date is big news, but there’s something else you’re not talking about. Don’t say it’s your dad either.”
Taking a deep breath, I know I might as well tell her because she won’t let it go until I tell her what’s wrong. “I might have forgotten to do something.”
“Oh Lord, please tell me you’re not pregnant!” she says with no filter.
“Hell no, Gran! Why is your mind always in the gutter?”
She shrugs her shoulder. “What is it, then? You’re starting to worry me.”
“Okay, between hating life, Dad’s shit, Lauren, and everything else, I have no idea what I’m going to do after graduation.”
She shakes her head as she places her hand on my knee. “Honey, you’ve got time. What are you wanting to do?”
“I have no clue. That’s the problem. If you would have asked me two weeks ago, I would have said pack up and go back to the city as soon as I graduate. Now with everything that happened in New York I don’t know.”
