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

by Anderson, Sarah

  “You cannot tell anyone. Pinky swear!”

  “I won’t but you should probably stop and see Father John before we leave town.” CeCe said in a matter-of-fact way.

  “Oh CeCe! Stop, I’m still trying to enjoy our moment together. I will call Father John when we get to school.”

  “Chicken, you don’t want him to know.”

  “Okay, you’re right. God loves me regardless and I will behave from here on out. Drop it CeCe.”

  “Okay, okay. I just had to give you some gruff since I’m always the one on the other end of that pointed finger.”

  “You’ve got me and if I’ve ever sounded judgmental towards you—I’m sorry. I just can’t believe it still; I think I’m really in love, CeCe.”

  “I know; you’re marrying him.” She said bending back her leg from her knee and pretending to be kissed.”

  “I’ve got to get dressed and pack the rest of my things. Can you give me a hand please?” I begged.

  “Anything for you bestie—let’s blow this Popsicle joint.”

  Within an hour I was completely packed and we were headed out the door. There was an assembly line full of my family waiting outside on the porch. My dad had his arm wrapped around my mother while she sniffled quietly into her tissue. Grandma Rose stood next to Grandma Evi, holding her hand. Aunt Juanita held a small gift bag in her hand and my brothers; Edward, Peter and Jason were smirking and joking around, as usual. At the very end stood a very somber-looking Richie. The whites of his eyes appeared with a hint of red and his cheeks slightly flushed. I couldn’t believe we were actually leaving St. Marys. I had dreamt of this day for years. I reached out and gave my mom and dad quick hugs as they were going with us anyway to help unpack and make sure we were properly settled in. I could hear my mom let out a little sob. I squeezed her a little tighter and kissed her cheek. Next, were my grandmothers, Rose and Evi, best friends also. Even though Evi wouldn’t be able to tell you now because of her dementia, in their younger days, those two women ruled the town and had all sorts of mischievous fun together. Rose continued to help my mother look after Evi and would recount the stories of old on hot summer afternoons when my mother was at work and they sat on the front porch—sipping ice tea and staying cool from the heat. I hugged both of my grandmothers and kissed Evi. She kissed me back and smiled, staying silent. Grandma Rose had a death grip on me and whispered in my ear “give em grief in Athens” before laying a quick smooch on me.

  Next, came Aunt Juanita. She held up her arms and smiled as she embraced me. “I want you to take this as you start your new journey.” I carefully moved the tissue paper from the gift bag and reached inside to find a beautiful chartreuse leather bound book. On the front of it was a large leather stitched dusty-rose colored daisy with a white center. I opened it up to find that it was a journal inscribed with the words ‘go and make your own destiny’. I thanked her and gave her one more hug. Next, my brothers, Edward, Peter and Jason picked me up and started to carry me to the car as I screamed and others laughed. With my legs flailing all over the Crawford’s stepped out of their pathway while CeCe giggled and yelled “don’t drop her on her head.” Letting me down in nearly one piece, Richie helped to catch my fall.

  Richie looked at me, seriously, and said, “Take lots of pictures, come home soon, have lots of fun—but not too much fun without me. I’m going to miss you Char.” He hugged me tightly and whispered “I love you sissy pants” before our brothers picked him up and carried him away yelling “she’s got a life Richie, let her go.” Cranking his head around, he smiled at me warmly. I knew both CeCe and I would miss Richie dearly.

  By this time, Mr. Crawford was ushering Bev into their Rover and CeCe was checking the trunk to make sure her parents remembered all her bags and belongings. I looked around the farm once more. The peaches were fully ripened. From afar I could see the flaming fury’s hanging like ornaments on Christmas trees. They got their name for their beautiful red-orange vibrant hues. As the breeze blew gently, I sucked in the sweet aroma of peach nectar. Seeing all of my family, on the porch, watching me off made me smile realizing how lucky I was to have such a great life. The best friend possible by my side, a family that would go to the moon and back for me, and now a guy that made my heart hum and my lips smile, made me feel invincible.

  In a few moments we were off and driving towards our tomorrows. Looking behind me, I could see my grandmothers and Aunt Juanita hanging on the front porch. All my brothers, except for Richie, had disappeared off somewhere. He stood leaning against one of the old white wooden posts on the porch, waving. My mom was already busy looking at the map to help navigate my dad to Athens. Meanwhile, CeCe was somewhere up ahead in her parent’s vehicle, amongst the truckload of items she felt necessary to bring with us to school. I knew that if I’d forgotten something at home, she was sure to have brought it along. Although I consider myself to be fairly organized, CeCe never skipped a beat remembering all the details when it came to anything exciting, especially college. I decided to lay back and take a nap. I knew it would easily take us at least six hours to get there—not including bathroom stops and lunch. I took my CD player and headphones out of my purse and turned up Jewel. I looked forward to a few hours of quiet so I could close my eyes and see Skylar again. It had only been seven hours since I’d seen him last but it felt like an eternity. I was already dreaming of the next time I’d be in his arms.

  His eyes were a sapphire blue and pierced right through me. The intensity of his gaze ran chills up my back. When he looked at me I felt so exposed. I could feel my pulse start to pick up and my breathing slow. With his lip curving slightly up to form a side-ways smile, he communicated so much to me without saying a word. His jaw looked to be chiseled right out of some sort of smooth ivory; it was strong and sculpted perfectly. Like a Greek god, his skin was soft with a hint of sun kissing his dimples. His face was noble and beautiful. Silently, his gaze stayed fixed in my mind. The ends of his ear-length, coffee-colored hair looked like they had been dipped in the sunlight as they shimmered a golden bronze. I loved the way he looked at me with a slightly curved grin I wondered all the things he thought about.

  A tickling sensation swept over my face. The more I moved the more it followed me. Suddenly, I heard giggling abruptly disturbing my dreams of Skylar. Opening my eyes, I caught a glimpse of CeCe hovering over me with her feather pen.

  “Must have been a good dream—you had a ginormous smile on your face. We’re here Char!”

  Looking around I could see cars with trunks open all over with parents pouring out of them with bags and all sorts of dorm-room furniture. I spied my parents talking with the Crawford’s as I peered out the window. We were here and I couldn’t believe it. I must have slept the whole way; I felt like we just left the house moments ago. I had just awoken from the best dream and felt like I was awaking to another one. The campus was bustling with life. I could see girls and guys all over hustling and heaving around totes, chests, and other items with excitement. I couldn’t wait to get to our room and start decorating it with all the pieces of home I’d brought with—especially my photographs of CeCe and I and my family. I smiled quickly thinking I needed to get a photo of Skylar up. Then I wondered about when I would see him next. He’d be leaving soon for school overseas. I had hoped to see him before he left. However, it was at least a four hour drive from Athens to Savannah.

  “Come on slow bones. We need to get to our room before someone else tries to move in.” CeCe said pulling me out of the car.

  “Okay, okay. I’m coming.”

  By this time, CeCe’s parents had their arms full of her things. My parents were also pretty well loaded up with my suitcases too. I grabbed my remaining things and we began the trek. As we walked towards the dorms, I caught CeCe’s eyes roaming the campus looking at the new prospects. I was surprised that she wasn’t doing a happy dance although I figured she was probably waiting for her parents to leave to do that. The campus was full of so many new and young f
aces. If I remembered correctly, there was only one other person from our class besides CeCe and I going to the University of Georgia this year. The campus was old. It had been founded in 1785 and was dotted with imposing brick buildings with large white pillars, a signature piece of architecture in the south. Grand oak trees, over a hundred years old or more, sprawled the campus. I could hear my mother’s excitement for us as she talked with Bev and gazed around the campus. Our fathers made small talk, mostly about sports and weather, as they carried the majority of our things.

  “There’s Myers Hall.” CeCe said, pointing excitedly.

  “We are on the second floor.” I said as I led the way to the elevator.

  We had to take two trips in the elevator with all the stuff we had. Once upstairs, we found our way to the help desk and gathered our keys. CeCe’s parents, with CeCe’s prompting, ensured we had our own private bath en suite because CeCe didn’t want to have to share a bathroom with anyone else, other than me, and even that was tough for an only child like herself.

  “I found it.” CeCe said, rushing to open the door amidst all the other college kids in the hall, eager to get settled in.

  As she opened the door it smelled a little stuffy—like it had been closed up for many months. CeCe dropped her things on the floor and hurried over to the window to bring in the fresh late summer breeze. Once in, I saw two twin beds smaller than the queen-size beds we were use to. The room had a desk for us each, two dressers, and a closet that would be a tight fit for both of us to share. My mother had set down my suitcases next to my bed and took a seat at my desk. Our fathers let out a little sigh as they dropped the mega load they had been toting around the campus. Bev placed CeCe’s things on her bed with a bit of a scowl on her face.

  “This is much smaller than I remember James.” Bev said, scratching her head.

  “It’s fine mother.” CeCe said, with her face still peering out the window.

  “How about we get you girls settled in quickly and then take you for an early dinner before we leave?” My mother suggested.

  “That’s a great idea mom.” I said as I turned to squeeze-hug her.

  We were settled in a short time later with our fathers doing the majority of the work—pulling out our things from suitcases and hanging up clothes in the closet while us women talked and put up nick-knacks and picture frames. Of course, we could move things around to our liking later. For now we were just trying to get rid of all the bags and things that took up most of the floor space.

  We found a nice little neighborhood family-style restaurant within a 10-minute walk from the dorms. CeCe had spied a poster hanging up outside the restaurant about some Delta Delta Delta party going on later and that they were recruiting for new sorority sisters. She had whispered in my ear before sitting down that she wanted to go to the sorority party and to rush at dinner. Her mother had been a Triple D. Though she did not want to be like her mother, CeCe had heard good things through the years about their social activism and especially good parties. I figured it would be nice to get out and meet some new people and finally have some peace to call Skylar later—without family lingering around.

  I kissed my parents goodbye and hugged my mother about three more times before they left. I hugged Bev and James goodbye too and thanked them for allowing CeCe to keep their SUV for us to use. The Crawford’s were riding home with my parents so that CeCe could keep their vehicle to get back and forth to home and school. CeCe hugged her mom and dad and thanked them also. I could see Bev’s eyes start to well up bit before she quickly blotted them with her silk handkerchief. Richard Crawford kissed his daughter’s forehead and told her with a warm smile on his face, “be good and call if you need anything”. He quickly slipped her a credit card and told her to keep it for emergencies.

  Suddenly they were off and we were free. Free to be who we wanted to be. We ran, quickly, back to the dorm room and primped in our new bathroom. CeCe turned on some Prince while I looked for clothes to wear to the party. We knew just about every word to every Prince song. CeCe always had a mad crush on him. I loved the way he could dance and how quixotic his music videos were. As we sang, laughed, and got ready for our first night out, a picture of Skylar flashed in my head. I sat down waiting for CeCe to finish up. I felt my breath disappear for a second. I wanted so badly to hear him, to see him, to feel his arms wrapped around me, tightly, again. I reached into my purse and picked up his sweater. I held it to my face, closed my eyes, and laid back on my bed. I could still smell his cologne and inhaled deeply. I found the paper with Skylar’s number on it and the words olive juice and picked up the phone in our dorm. Smiling, I took in a deep breath and slowly dialed his number. I was already getting nervous just thinking about hearing his voice in a minute. I hit the last number and waited. I heard the first ring begin and any second I knew he would pick up the phone. I bit my lip in anticipation. Then the second, third, and fourth ring came and I waited for someone to pick up. My heart started to pound. I sat there while the phone rang and rang. There was no voicemail and no one on the other end of the phone. Where was he? I hung up the phone and tucked the paper into my jean’s pocket for later. I figured I would find a payphone while we were out and try again, my heart a little sad. He must have been out to dinner with his parents or at the beach.

  The Tri Delta house was beautiful and very sophisticated. There were girls and guys all over as we walked through the house. A girl wearing pink, pink, and more pink greeted us in. She was blond and wore hot pink lipstick with a smile the width of her face. She gave us a flyer about the recruitment for this year’s Tri Delta sisters. CeCe’s face lit up in excitement as she turned towards me. I didn’t know much or care about being a sorority sister but CeCe sure did. She grew up hearing stories from her mother and her Godmother whom had been one of her mother’s Tri Delta sorority sisters. While CeCe was talking to the girl with hot pink lipstick, my mind wandered back to Skylar. This time last night I was sitting on the deck of a big beautiful beach house, alone and happy, never knowing I was about to meet the man of my dreams. A man, I didn’t even knew existed. My heart picked up again and I smiled as I recounted parts of our conversation. Skylar’s playfulness and sincerity kept me smiling in my own little world. CeCe was in her element and as happy as a peach to be surrounded by all the things she adored. I was content on the sidelines thinking about Skylar—hoping that later I would get to hear his voice instead of only recalling it in my mind.

  “So, Hillary thinks I would be a great candidate for the Tri-Delta. I told her about my mother and she thinks she’s heard about her. I believe there’s a picture of her hanging up around here somewhere with her sisters and then one of her when she was crowned Miss Georgia.” CeCe said giddily.

  “Hillary?”

  “Or you can call her Pink. She said that’s what everyone calls her.”

  “Oh.” I said, looking interested.

  “What about you, Char? Are you interested—you know in becoming a Tri Delta?

  “I don’t know. I think that’s more your thing Ce. I’d like to join a writer’s guild, maybe.”

  “That sounds a bit on the boring side, don’t cha think Char? We’re at college. You can do whatever you want.”

  “Boring or nerdy? I’m good with nerdy, besides writing’s cool.” I said, laughing.

  “Whatever you call it girlfriend.” CeCe said, smiling before pulling my arm towards a group of girls where Pink was standing.

  Pink introduced CeCe and I to the sorority sisters standing there and a discussion quickly ensued about all the events that they’d put together for this year. They seemed pretty excited about CeCe—especially after they heard that her mother was not only Miss Georgia Peach1969 but also a Tri Delta. Although Bev could easily grate CeCe’s nerves, I could tell that she was secretly very proud of her mother’s accomplishments. She was on cloud nine with the girls talking about her and her mother and the good likelihood of her becoming a Tri Delta. I figured that CeCe could handle herself if I
snuck off for a few minutes. While she enjoyed her new audience, I slipped away to find a payphone.

  As I walked through the house, I saw guys and girls intermingling. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. I was so happy to be here but a part of me felt like it was missing—at least a part of my heart did. All I could think about was Skylar, making it hard to be happy in the moment without him near me. The halls were painted a taupe-gray adorned with large, antiqued wooden picture frames boasting past Tri Delta sisters. After searching several hallways I finally came across a quieter gathering area back by the bedrooms. At the end of the hall I spotted a small alcove with a phone. Ha! Finally, I could call him and have a little privacy other than the muffled background music seeping in from the main living areas.

  I took the paper with Skylar’s name back out of my pocket and felt a tinge of excitement shoot up my heart and a burst of butterflies took flight. I dialed his number and waited for the operator to tell me how much money to put in. Sixty-five cents for three minutes I heard the automated operator say. I quickly pulled some coins out of my purse and shoved them into the payphone. I waited for the dial tone and held my breath longing to hear his voice.

  The phone rang once, twice. Suddenly, somebody picked up the phone on the other end and I felt my voice go shaky.

  “Hi, is Skylar there?” I asked, politely, trying to cover my excitement and nervousness.

  “Hola, Skylar no está aquí.” I heard the voice on the other end say.

  How I wished I knew Spanish. I opted for art and writing classes, in high school, instead of a foreign language. I knew she said hi but I thought she said no Skylar here. I grasped for some sort of understanding. Skylar and his parents were not Hispanic. What number had I just called? Maybe I dialed the wrong number. I said thank you and hung up the phone quickly, knowing I must have misdialed the number. I thumbed around for some more coins, in my purse, before, carefully, looking at the paper again. I was starting to panic a bit. The first time I called no one answered and now some Hispanic woman answered the number I dialed. I slowly picked the phone back up and dialed each number, one-by-one, cautious not to punch in the wrong number.