Cleats and Tiaras

Chapter 1 Part 2

Charlie shook her head as Joey wrapped his arm around her shoulder and led her to his old bronco. Charlie elbowed him in the side as she ducked out from under his arm. She enjoyed Joey’s touch more than she should, which meant she had to limit it when she could. They reached Joey’s bronco and Charlie couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face. She remembered all the nights spent with Joey and his father as they rebuilt the 1968 Ford Bronco. When Joey had seen the antique vehicle on the side of the road he knew that he had to have it. Although it was not much more than a decent frame at the time, Joey and Charlie had both seen the magic that it had possessed in its prime. The pair of then 13 year-olds had begged and pleaded with Joey’s father to buy the large piece of rust. Calvin had been hesitant because neither teenager had known much about cars at that time. Finally he caved and drove Joey and Charlie to see the bronco again.That day would forever be etched into Charlie’s memory. That was the day she discovered a connection to her past that she didn’t know she had been missing. Charlie could remember the way that Calvin’s eyes had lit up when he realized exactly what the two young teenagers had found. He inspected the bronco taking in the rusted doors and quarter panels. To most the old rusted vehicle would have seemed like it was destined for a junk yard, but the group of three could feel in their hearts that this bronco still had life to give. Calvin and the kids walked to the door of the house that was on the property and knocked with a bit too much force. Charlie and Joey were both holding their breath hoping that the owner was home. After what felt like an eternity an elderly man opened the door.

“We are sorry to bother you sir, but we couldn’t help but notice the old vehicle that you have over there. These two have bothered me for days to come look at it because they want to restore it. After looking it over I think that they are right. I can’t believe that two kids found a 68’ bronco without even knowing they had stumbled upon a diamond in the rough. Would you be willing to sell it?” Calvin said with a handshake. The elderly man’s face registered shock at Calvin’s words. He moved his gaze to study the two thirteen year-olds. He looked at Joey first taking him in from head to toe. His face blank as if he saw nothing that stuck out to him about the young boy. Then his eyes shifted to Charlie, taking in her delicate features and long blonde hair that contrasted sharply with the athletic shorts and WWE t-shirt that she wore. A smile slowly crept onto the old man’s face.

“Why don’t you three come in and we can discuss it. I have held onto that rusted bronco for a long time waiting for the right buyer to come along. It was my son’s bronco before he passed.” The old man had said as he ushered them into his home. The story behind that bronco was both devastating and full of love and devotion. Earl’s son, Michael, had bought the vehicle shortly after he had gotten his first job. The father son duo had spent many hours making sure that it ran like it was brand new. Michael’s best friend had enlisted in the Army right out of high school after marrying his high school sweetheart. After about a year and a half the news that his friend had been killed came back. Micheal decided that he would join the army as well in his friend’s memory. Earl and his wife had cautioned him stating that he could face the same fate as his dear friend. Michael simply said that he understood the risks but felt as if it was his duty to continue the job of protecting our country in his friend's absence. Three years later the Casualty Notification Officer appeared at the couple’s door. Earl had held onto his son’s beloved Bronco ever since.

“Now, young lady, I would like to know who your father is.” Earl said after finishing the tale. Charlie was taken by surprise but obliged the elderly man.

“My father’s name was Jordan Walters. He was killed overseas before I was born.”

Earl’s eyes filled with tears as he took in the young girl once more.

“I didn’t know that Jordan had a daughter.” He whispered. Charlie looked at Joey and Calvin searching for answers to the question she had yet to ask.

“You knew my father?” She asked hopefully. Charlie’s grandfather had done his best to tell her about her father but there were many things that she still didn’t know. She had never heard a*********s from her father’s childhood as Charles had not seen that part of Jordan’s life.

“Yes child, I knew your father. He was Michael’s best friend.” he told her. Charlie felt as if all the air in her lungs had vanished. Surely this man must hate her by association. Her father was the reason that his son had enlisted in the military and eventually lost his life.

“Sir I am so sorry for your loss. I understand if you want me to leave, but please don’t let my relationship with Calvin and Joey keep you from selling the Bronco. I promise I won’t touch it.” She pleaded.

“Girl, what is your name?” Earl asked.

“Charlotte Jordan Taylor. I go by Charlie." She wasn’t sure why she felt the need to tell him her real first name, but she had to tell him her middle name. That was the part of her father that she would have for her entire life. Earl smiled at her.

“Well, Charlie, I don’t want you to leave. Jordan was like a second son to me and it fills my heart with joy to see that his legacy was able to live on in you. I only wish that Michael and my late wife, Mary, had been able to meet you.” He told her gently.

“When I first saw you I would have sworn you were Jordan made over. You look just like your father, but much prettier. I thought it had to be a coincidence because Michael had never mentioned Jordan becoming a father. I guess the boy didn’t know himself or he probably would have stayed here to look after you for your daddy. It would be my pleasure to pass this bronco to you kids. There are two conditions though.” He warned them. Joey and Charlie looked expectantly at Earl.

“First condition is that you boys won’t pressure Charlie into letting him have the bronco. If she wants it then she will have it. That is what Michael would have wanted. Second, if for some reason you kids want to get rid of the thing you bring it right back here.”

Charlie looked at Joey expecting him to be upset. Joey however was smiling at her.

“Sir I can promise you that I will let Charlie make the decision. I have a feeling that she is the only reason you are willing to part with your son’s vehicle.” Joey promised. Earl smiled at him.

“Smart boy, you have no idea how much Charlie's existence warms my old heart. You two better take care of her and look after her. I may be old, but I can still put you youngin’s in your place.” Earl half joked.

“I can assure you that Charlie is like the daughter I never had. I would give her the world just as I would my son. Her grandfather takes good care of her and she doesn’t want for anything. It helps that she is a simple girl just like her mother was. Even the smallest things give her joy.” Calvin said. Charlie was shocked to hear him speak about her that way. She knew Aunt Maddie felt that way but had never heard Calvin say it. That was the day she had officially started calling him Uncle Calvin.

“ Your grandfather takes care of you? Sweet girl, where is your mother?” Earl asked innocently. Charlie looked at her shoes. She wasn’t sure that she could say the words.

“Aunt Sarah passed away in a car accident 8 years ago.” Joey told him. Charlie was grateful to have Joey come to her rescue as always. Between him and her grandfather Charlie had never had to explain her mother’s fate. It was something that she hated to mention because it brought back the memories from that horrid night. She could still vividly see her mother on the blanket unmoving, blood covering her face, and her arm bent at an unnatural angle. As if sensing her thoughts Uncle Calvin had brought her into a hug. She took comfort and strength from his embrace.

“Oh my dear girl, you have experienced so much loss in your short life. I am glad that you have your mother’s sister and her family to care for you, but you have me now too, child. I know that I am just a stranger right now but I would like that to change. I will send my phone number with you and you have your grandfather give me a call. I would like to meet him as well.” Earl told her sincerely. Charlie could only nod her head. Clearing her throat, Charlie changed the subject.

“How much would you like for the bronco sir? I will admit that I love it as much as Joey, but he is the one that saw it and ultimately led us to meet. I would like for him to have it. I promise that he’ll take good care of it and if he ever decides that he doesn’t want it I will be more than happy to accept it.” Earl shook his head.

“Just like your father, putting the people you love first. I don’t want a penny for it. You will have plenty of expenses fixing it up. I should have taken better care of it, but couldn’t bear to even look at it for years. You and your cousin fix it and cherish it as Michael did and that will be more than enough payment.” Charlie blushed when he referred to Joey as her cousin. She knew that it was only logical for him to draw that conclusion after he called her mother his aunt. The budding feelings that she was developing for Joey, however, had the word churning her insides.

“Oh, uh, Charlie and I aren’t actually cousins. Aunt Sarah was my mom’s best friend. Charlie and I have been best friends since birth. Our birthdays are two days apart so we’ve always done everything together. Aunt Sarah and Charlie were the family my mom chose for us.” Joey explained.

“I understand if that changes your decision to let me have the bronco. We kind of misled you.” he finished. Earl nodded his head in understanding.

“No boy, it doesn’t change my decision. Blood isn't the only thing that makes you family.”

After a few more questions about Charlie and her life Earl handed her the title to the bronco.

“You have this put in Charlie’s name. I don’t care if she lets you drive it, but I want to be sure that it can never be taken from her unless she lets it.” Joey and Calvin both nodded in understanding. They all knew that Joey would never take the bronco from her, so it wasn’t an issue for it to be legally owned by Charlie.

“You all better get going. I have some friends waiting for me down at the VFW. You remember to have your grandfather call me.” he reminded Charlie. Then he looked at Calvin.

“These are two fine young kids. You take all the time that you need to get that bronco moved.”

“Thank you sir.” Calvin said as he motioned for Joey to walk out the door. Charlie quickly gave the old man a hug. She didn’t know at that time, but soon he would become like a second grandfather to her.