Cleats and Tiaras

Chapter 1 Part 5

“That is the necklace I bought for your mother when she went to her junior homecoming. I had no idea that you would end up wearing a dress that looks almost exactly like the one your mother wore when I decided that I was giving it to you.”

Charlie looked at her grandfather as the tears welled in her eyes.

“Oh now you’ve done it. Charlie, honey, don’t cry or your makeup will be ruined.” Aunt Maddie said. Charlie chuckled as she thought of the words that she had often heard said to her mother.

“I won’t cry now Aunt Maddie, but I make no promises for when I get home.” Charlie said light heartedly.

“Can you help me put it on Grandpa?” Charlie asked as she held out the necklace to him. He nodded and motioned for her to turn around. Charlie did as she was asked. After a moment she felt the ruby pendant against her skin. When the clasp was fastened it hung just above the swell of her breasts. She turned and wrapped her grandfather in another hug.

“Thank you” she whispered loud enough for only him to hear.

A knock sounded at the door spurring the two apart.

“I bet that is the young man hoping to steal your heart sweetpea. I’ll go let him in.” Charles said as he moved toward the front door. A few moments later he re-entered the living room followed by James. James was dressed in his football jersey and dark jeans. His eyes widened as he took in Charlie’s appearance.

“You look beautiful Charlotte.” He said in awe. Charlie internally cringed at his use of her real name. Only Aunt Maddie, Grandpa, Grampa Earl, and very rarely Joey ever called her that. It sounded foreign and forbidden coming from James’ lips.

“Thank you, you look good as well” Charlie replied automatically. The manners that her grandfather taught her kicked in even when she was still in shock. James blushed.

“I can’t hold a candle to you. I can’t believe I am lucky enough to be going to homecoming with the most beautiful girl in town.” he said as he stepped forward to place the corsage on Charlie’s wrist. The movement felt awkward as he tried to maneuver the band around her hand.

“I got it.” Charlie said a bit too quickly as she pulled her hand away and placed the corsage on herself. James looked down at his shoes for a moment before recovering his composure.

“PICTURES!” Aunt Maddie squealed. Charlie and James were posed in various stances, in different places in the house, and even in front of her mother’s flower gardens as Aunt Maddie took picture after picture. Finally, Charlie was told to stand with her grandfather. She relaxed as Charles put his arm around her shoulders and smiled. Charlie beamed at him, not caring to face the camera. This man would forever be her hero. She finally looked back to Aunt Maddie and they repeated the process with her and Charles having their photos taken. As Aunt Maddie tried to put the camera away Charles grabbed it from her.

“Your turn. Get over there and get pictures with your goddaughter.” He told her. Aunt Maddie did as he said. After a few photos she reclaimed her camera from Charles.

“Okay you kids have fun, be back by 12 sweetpea.” Charles said. Charlie nodded her understanding and gave him one more hug before letting James lead her outside.

Where Charlie expected to see James’ old ford 150 she saw a new ford ranger. She turned her gaze to James in confusion.

“My dad let me borrow his truck. I didn’t want you to be embarrassed by my old truck. I know you like Joey’s bronco but it's in better condition than my hunk of junk.” he explained. Charlie nodded her head. She hopped into the cab, ignoring James’ outstretched hand. As if she needed help getting into a stock 2023 Ranger. Either not noticing her subtle rejection or not caring James walked around to the driver’s side of the vehicle. He climbed in and started the truck. Once they were on the main road he reached for Charlie’s hand. She was confused for a split second before she realized the ranger was automatic. Figures. Can he not drive a manual? She thought to herself.

Joey’s POV

“Seriously? It's homecoming! Can’t your buddy just find his, I mean her, own ride?” Savannah complained. Joey sighed. He had been hoping this relationship would fall apart without him having to be the one to end things, but it was starting to look like he would have to break up with Savannah himself.

“You know why I drive Charlie around. If she wanted to, she could take the beast from me and I wouldn’t have a vehicle at all. The least I can do is pick her up, plus it’s on the way. It’s not like I have to drive across town to get her.” Joey said for the millionth time. He was getting fed up with Savannah’s dislike of Charlie. He was also getting angry that she was starting to insult Charlie. If it weren’t for the fact that they were on the way to homecoming he would have turned around and dropped her off at her house for acting as if she called Charlie a guy by accident. As much as he wanted to do just that his mother’s words rang in his ear.

“If you aren’t happy then don’t continue the relationship but you cannot break up with her the day before homecoming. That is rude and ungentlemanly.”

Joey was pretty sure that if he couldn’t break up with her yesterday that it would be worse to do it a mere half hour before the dance.

“Fine, but I am NOT riding in the back this time. I am your girlfriend. Your buddy can ride in the back. Not like he's going to be wearing anything nice anyway.” Savannah spat. Joey tightened his grip on the wheel. A few more hours and he wouldn’t have to deal with this anymore. As the Taylors’ driveway came into view Joey began to down shift.

“You should just give this old thing up and get a new SUV. Something automatic so you can hold my hand when you drive.” Savannah said. Joey turned and glared at her. He had tried to explain why this bronco was special, but as soon as he mentioned Charlie, Savannah got angry and refused to listen. Once the vehicle was stopped Joey tapped the horn. Savannah groaned at the awooga sound from the antique horn Charlie had bought for his birthday. Joey smiled. After a few moments Joey honked again. Charlie normally didn’t make him honk twice. She was always ready on time. A few more minutes and still no Charlie.

“See she doesn’t want to go. We are going to be late.” Savannah hissed.

“I’ll be right back. I just want to make sure Charlie is okay. That hit she took at the game was hard.” Joey said as he exited the bronco. Whatever Savannah said was lost as the door slammed shut. Joey jogged to the door and knocked once before going in. He knew that he was always welcome and just knocked as a courtesy. He entered the Taylors’ living room, finding his mom and Charles looking at photos on his moms laptop.

“Hey, is Charlie okay? I stopped to pick her up but she hasn’t come outside.” Joey said.

“I told you that it was that fool boy’s horn honking! Charlie got him that.” Charles told Maddie.

“Fine, fine, you were right,” Maddie rolled her eyes at Charles.

“Joey, honey, Charlie and her date have already left for homecoming.” she said to her son. Joey choked on the air he tried to breathe.

“Charlie has a date? Why didn’t she tell me?” he growled. Charlie had never mentioned being interested in anyone. If he had known that she was going with someone he could have avoided hearing Savannah complain.

“It all came together at the last moment. I’m sure she will tell you all about it if that girl will let her claws out of you at all tonight,” Maddie said. The dislike that she had for Savannah had never been subtle. From the moment that his mother met Savannah she said that she would cause issues in his friendship with Charlie. Funny thing was that she hadn’t. He and Charlie were as solid as ever, at least he’d thought so until now.

“Yeah, okay. See you later Mom.” Joey said as he turned to leave. Once he was outside he punched one of the wooden supports on the porch. Charlie was hiding things from him and he didn’t like it. There wasn’t anyone that dared to ask her out after he made it clear that no one at school was good enough for her. He’d been in several fights over guys trying to jump at Charlie. Joey kept them all at bay. Charlie wasn’t like the other girls at school. She didn’t think about boys and relationships like Savannah and her friends did. At 17 Charlie was so innocent and naive, Joey couldn’t let some jerk take advantage of her.

Joey climbed in the bronco and slammed it into reverse.

“I was right. He didn’t want to come, did he?” Savannah said triumphantly.

“Stop calling Charlie a boy. You know damned well that she is a girl. And no you weren’t right. Charlie is already at the dance with her date.” Joey hissed the word date as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. For once Savannah didn’t have anything to say. She sat quietly, mouth agape, as she processed what Joey said. Charlie had a date.