Cowgirl Strong

by Jenny Hammerle

  “And hot. He’s got to be gorgeous.” Maysie amended. “Maybe tall and dark, maybe with a secret past.”

  “It sounds like you’re describing Batman. Let’s be serious here.” Shannah commented.

  “Why can’t he be all those things? Just picture it. You show up to homecoming with some really good-looking guy, tall, dark, alluring. He’s personable and friendly, the life of the party. Everyone wonders ‘who’s that guy’? Girls are drooling over him…but he is elusive.”

  “Does this sound like the lead character from a famous book? Is he an angel?” Shannah chided.

  “Joke, but I know the perfect guy.”

  “Is he under nineteen years of age? Because I don’t want some college aged guy.” Shannah narrowed her eyes at Maysie. “What’s your definition of guy?”

  “He’s eighteen and he’s our cousin. Second cousin. He lives in North Florida. He’d be a perfect gentleman. You’ll see.”

  “Don’t look at me.” Rachael held her hands up in the air. “I’ve never met him.”

  “You asked for our help. Do you want it or not?” Maysie asked.

  “Okay. Let’s look at a picture of him.”

  “Be my guest. He’s one of my friends online. Check him out.” Maysie handed Shannah her phone.

  Shannah took a moment to locate the app. She opened it up and clicked on friends.

  “Name?”

  “Wade. Wade Baxter.”

  Shannah searched Maysie’s friends, then gasped. “He is gorgeous!”

  “Told you.” Maysie chirped.

  Shannah handed Rachael the phone.

  “Yep. He’d work. So how do we get him here?”

  “They’re coming to buy some bulls over in Kenansville later this month. I’ll introduce y’all then.”

  “Works for me.” Shannah answered.

  Rachael couldn’t believe the striking resemblance between Wade and her own Travis. Equally good looking and tanned. The only difference between the two appeared to be the curve of their mouths and eye color. Wade’s eyes were blue where Travis’ were green. Rachael handed the phone back up to Maysie.

  They turned up the radio to their most recent favorite pop tune. First they stopped off at a huge store where they needed to buy the list of school supplies that both Maysie and Rachael’s mothers had printed out earlier this morning. Paper, pencils, blue and black ink pens. Spiral notebooks and folders with pockets. Some with brads and some without. Three ring binders.

  “I’ve never quite gotten the whole half-inch, one-inch or one and half-inch binder thing. They should all be the same size. What difference does it make? It’s a binder conspiracy.” Shannah protested throwing one of each size into the cart.

  “I don’t think it’s a conspiracy.” Maysie contested.

  “No, really it is. Look at this. If they were all the same size you could recycle and reuse. These things virtually last forever. My carbon footprint probably consists of twenty of these things at this point. It’s ridiculous.”

  “So just reuse them already.” Maysie interjected.

  “I would,” she frowned. “But they’re the wrong sizes. Some are the big ones and some small. This year I need the one-inch.”

  “You’ve never been one to just follow rules. Use the others, and if anyone says anything tell them it’s your green initiative.” Rachael offered.

  “You’re right. I’m going to do it.” Shannah put the binders back on the shelf.

  Maysie looked at Rachael. The entire Gabe break-up was really bothering Shannah, but apparently she didn’t want to talk about it. Both girls shared a look and decided to not bring it up. If she didn’t want to talk about it…it was clearly off limits.

  They were halfway through their list of items when they spied Honey at the end of the aisle. From behind, her hair had lost its luster and her hipbones stuck out on either side.

  “What up with the super skinny look she’s got going on?”

  “After Misty the other day- it looks like it’s contagious.”

  Honey had always been the friendlier of the two, so everyone headed in her direction to say hi.

  “Oh, hey, I came out to grab school supplies, too.”

  Came out from what? A cave?

  Her eyes were sunken in and deep shadows looked like purplish smears under them.

  “Going to the dance auditions this week?” Maysie asked.

  “Nope. Misty and I quit. We’re getting a little old for that. We’re running with a different crowd now.”

  Rachael thought back to the guys they were hanging out with at the beginning of last year when she ran into them at the party on Justin’s family’s ranch. If they were a part of the crowd they were running with, these girls were in with a bad crowd. They’d given Rachael the creeps even then.

  “Sorry to hear that. We’ll miss you.” Maysie said, careful not to include Misty in her sentiments. While they’d all miss Honey, no one would miss Misty. Her rude comments and bad attitude made her a chore to be around.

  Shannah shot Maysie a look that said don’t get too carried away here, sista.

  “I have to go.” Honey pulled a pair of Versace sunglasses out of her purse and slid them on. She sniffled and wiped her nose. Without as much as a backwards glance, she walked away.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Maysie inquired.

  “She looks like a zombie.” Shannah said in earnest holding her arms out in front of her and dragging one foot along behind her. “Arrr. I’m Honey, former pageant princess turned walking dead.”

  Rachael laughed. Maysie frowned.

  “Stop it.” Maysie chided. “These girls are in trouble and we have to help them. They’re sick.”

  “Yeah. In the head. And you can’t help someone who won’t help themselves.” Shannah snipped. “Didn’t you see the way she was sniffling?”

  “Maybe she has a cold.” Maysie sighed.

  “Or a coke habit.” Shannah whispered.

  “As in cocaine?” Maysie looked upset.

  “Let’s check out and go somewhere we can talk.” Rachael offered and smiled pleasantly at the elderly woman standing nearby with her mouth ajar. “Hi, ma’am. Nice day we’re having isn’t it?”

  She grabbed Maysie’s hand and pulled her toward the registers at the front. Shannah wheeled the cart behind them. At the register they spied Misty standing with another creepy looking chick no one recognized.

  “They’re multiplying.” Shannah acknowledged.

  Rachael helped Shannah unload their supplies onto the checkout counter. Maysie waved to Misty who did her best to ignore her. After the episode between her and Travis at his birthday, Rachael was surprised she made no move to come over and confront her. Maybe she’d decided he was finally off limits.

  Rachael paid the cashier and put her wallet back in her purse. On the way out to the parking lot, Shannah handed her thirty dollars. They loaded the car and Rachael locked it back up.

  “Come with me.” Rachael motioned for them to follow.

  The three headed to the Wings-n-Eats a few doors down in the same strip mall. Inside it was quiet. It was well before lunchtime, and they were the only people in there other than a couple of construction workers grabbing a bite to eat before work.

  “Could we have that corner booth?” Rachael asked.

  The waitress nodded, leading them to the booth in the corner.

  Rachael ordered an order of fries and three sodas. Maysie looked like she could pass out. After their sodas arrived, she took several sips and the color returned to her face.

  “Coke?” Maysie questioned.

  “Travis thought it was meth.”

  “As in crystal?” Maysie asked.

  “Is there any other kind?” Shannah said sarcastically.

  “We’ve always loved Honey. Sure Misty has never been nice, but Honey. Come on, Shannah, she was your friend, too.”

  “Obviously I care for her, but if she’s on that there’s not much we can do. That’s nasty business.”


  “I don’t even know what it is really. A street drug obviously, but aside from that I’m clueless.” Rachael confessed.

  “Here’s all you need to know. Meth is a methamphetamine. It’s highly addictive and very popular out where we live. It’s been offered to me before and I just steer clear of it. It’s bad news.” Shannah offered.

  “And the sniffles?”

  “You can snort it, inject it, or even smoke it. Look at her nose, the redness around her nostrils. The sniffling. A few scabs. Nasty.” Shannah’s face said it all.

  “The emaciated look.” Rachael grimaced.

  “That too. The scabs on her arms. People pick at their faces, arms, etc. I don’t know why, but they do. Travis is probably right. It’s gotta be meth.” Shannah surmised.

  “What do we do?” Maysie asked.

  “Her parents must’ve noticed. Who wouldn’t?” Rachael advised.

  “She’s pretty deceitful. Maybe they think it’s something else.”

  “I must intervene. I’ve known both of them since grade school. If Misty wants to carry herself down so be it, but I won’t stand idly by and let her destroy Honey with her.”

  “What are you going to do?” Rachael asked.

  “I’m going to tell her mother and then, if they do nothing, I can at least know I tried.” Maysie stood up and threw some cash on the table.

  Rachael and Shannah looked at each other. While they both thought this was possibly a very bad idea, they knew trying to talk Maysie out of it was out of the question.

  “Let’s call your mom. Maybe she’ll come join us.” Rachael said to Maysie’s back, practically chasing her across the parking lot.

  Shannah sprinted up alongside her.

  “Rachael’s right. Let’s call Mrs. Baxter. She’s levelheaded and always knows what to do.”

  “Call her.” Maysie unlocked the doors and everyone climbed in.

  Rachael dialed her and put the phone on speaker. When Mrs. Baxter picked up Rachael greeted her.

  “Hi, Mrs. Baxter. It’s me, Rachael.” In the time she and Travis had been dating she’d never called Mrs. Baxter’s personal cell phone.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Well, we’re not sure. I’m with Maysie and Shannah. We just bumped into Honey and Misty and another young lady. And well, they didn’t look healthy.”

  “Travis told me about Misty and her appearance. I called her Mom. The poor girl is suffering from some sort of thyroid condition. She’s lost a ton of weight and is even losing some hair. They’re really concerned.”

  “That’s just it. There was this other girl…and now, Honey, too. They all looked…” Rachael searched for the right adjective.

  “Like zombies. Walking dead. All scabbed up and sickly.” Shannah interjected.

  “That’s something different entirely.” Mrs. Baxter paused, “So you think it’s drugs?”

  “We do. And Maysie wants to tell Honey’s mom.” Rachael said.

  “That could go either way. She may be angry or concerned, but since Honey is your friend, you should do the right thing here.” Mrs. Baxter commented. “I’ll call her mother and see if she’s home. Give her a heads up that you’re headed her way.”

  “Okay.” Rachael murmured.

  A few minutes later, Rachael’s phone rang. She answered.

  “Okay. She is at home and said she’d welcome you stopping by.” Mrs. Baxter paused for a moment and then added. “You don’t have any proof, so be very careful what you say.”

  “We will.” Maysie added.

  “Are you sure we should be doing this?” Shannah asked aloud.

  “If I ever look that bad- or you think I might be in trouble- please intervene on my behalf. I may not appreciate your efforts right then, but down the road I’d thank you.” Maysie pulled up to Honey’s house. It was a large estate home set back from the road. A grand white colonial house with rows of Live Oaks on either side of the driveway. The circular drive in front was empty with the exception of a minivan parked out front.

  “Must be her mother’s car.”

  “You guys can wait here if you’d like.” Maysie offered. “This was my idea and I don’t want to put you in the middle.”

  She climbed out and walked purposefully toward the front door. She rang the doorbell. Moments later, Shannah and Rachael joined her.

  “We rednecks stick together.” Shannah winked.

  The door opened and Carolyn, Honey’s mother, stood smiling at them.

  “Come in, girls. Please come in.”

  She was Honey’s twin, just a generation or two older. Same vibrant smile, beautiful skin, and dazzling hair.

  They went into the front parlor where they all took a seat. Maysie took the lead in the conversation.

  “Thank you for having us into your home. We ran into Honey today and she told us she was quitting the dance squad.”

  “She told me the same thing recently. She’s lost a lot of weight and was sick this summer, she doesn’t think she can uphold the commitment and stay healthy, too. She’s exhausted and needs a break.”

  “We’re her friends, and when we saw her today we were concerned. She was with Misty and another friend, both who looked ill and in all honesty, emaciated.”

  “I wasn’t aware of that. I haven’t seen Misty around here all summer. I didn’t know they were still hanging out. Thank you for telling me. Did you recognize this other girl?”

  “I don’t know her.” Maysie confirmed. “Neither does Rachael or Shannah.”

  Carolyn’s face was tight and worry creased the corners of her eyes. Her slumped posture and overall demeanor conveyed concern and in some way ... defeat.

  “Well, ladies, I’ve got an appointment in town. I appreciate you coming by today and I’ll tell Honey you stopped by to say hello.”

  She stood and walked to the front door, stopping long enough to embrace Maysie as she walked by. She looked briefly as if she could cry but didn’t. She closed the door gently behind them.

  Maysie got into the car and put the roof down.

  “What do you think?” Rachael asked the other two.

  “She knows.” Shannah answered. “She’s worried. Obviously she’d asked her to stop hanging around Misty- and Honey is still doing so behind her back. She’s a mom with a kid with a problem and she doesn’t know how to fix it.”

  “Hopefully now she takes some drastic action to fix it.” Maysie shook her head.

  “I’ve got the definite feeling Honey won’t appreciate our intervention.” Rachael commented.

  “Even so, we did the right thing.” Maysie declared.

  The girls drove the remaining distance home. They still hadn’t done their back-to-school clothes shopping, but none of them felt much like it after their chance meeting with Honey. Then, there would be tomorrow’s visit with Amber…

  Rachael thought back to Travis and his comment about their friends finding themselves at a crossroads last year…a point where they begin to make decisions that could affect the rest of their lives.

  Rachael thought of herself and her own situation. Sure, her own father was in prison, but overall she led a happy, fulfilled home life. Her mother was loving and understanding, always there to listen to her thoughts and make sure she never went without. Her aunt was like a second mother. Then, there was Michael, a slightly annoying but all in all typical good little brother.

  She also had Travis, and through him an entire second family who loved her. She decided she was fortunate in just about every way.

  What makes a girl like Honey, who seemingly has it all…a good family, loving parents, good looks and even money, turn to a self-destructive lifestyle?

  Rachael waved goodbye as she walked up to the house. The front door was locked and she found a note from Michael. He’d gone to Levi’s for the day fishing. He’d be back later that evening. Rachael decided this would be the perfect day for a nap. She went down the hall and lay across her bed. A while later she awoke to the sound of
a car outside and an incessant pounding at her front door. It was late afternoon. She’d slept for over two hours.

  She peeked out her bedroom blinds at a small blue compact car she didn’t recognize. The door stood open, the engine still running. The pounding on her front door continued.

  “Open the door, you stupid…” The girl yelled in a loud voice.

  Rachael knew she’d locked the front door, but wasn’t sure about the back doors leading onto the back porch. She picked up her cell phone and dialed Travis. He didn’t answer.

  She didn’t recognize the car or the voice of the girl pounding on the front door. She saw a guy walk around the side of the house, past her window. He was tatted from neck to hand and she’d never seen him before. She went out into the hall and slipped into the bathroom, locking the door. She thought about calling 9-1-1 but knew the sheriff’s department could never get out here in time. Instead she called the Baxter house.

  Travis answered the house phone on the first ring.

  “It’s me. I’m in the bathroom. There’s some scary dude here with a girl. They’re pounding on the door and yelling.” She whispered.

  “Slow down, Rach. Just stay where you are.” Rachael heard Travis yelling for his father. “Stay on the phone.”

  Rachael listened. She heard the back door open. She heard the distinct voice of the guy inside the house. They walked through the kitchen and front rooms.

  Rachael lowered the volume on her phone and silenced the ringer. Her hands shook. She climbed into the tub and lay down on her side. She heard the man saying something she couldn’t make out. Then, the slamming of the backdoor.

  “Answer me, Rachael. Are you okay?”

  “I am.” She whispered.

  “I’m on my way.” He hung up the phone and dialed her back on her cell.

  “I’m almost there.”

  “Okay.” She wept.

  The car drove out of the driveway. The engine faded further into the distance. Several minutes passed. Rachael heard the sound of a siren coming up the road. Pounding on the front door alarmed her once more, but common sense told her they weren’t back. She climbed from the tub and crept down the hall.

  “Miss Rachael?” JJ hollered. “You okay in there?”

  Rachael wiped away her tears and opened the door.