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

a
way and be very successful one day. Richie, who inherited my
Grandma Rose’s sense of humor and our dad’s namesake, is not like
any of my other brothers. A rugged good looking-farm boy and always
popular with the girls, he never really fit the profile of a
farmer’s son. After graduation he stayed at home and attended
community college, auditioning for all the local theatre
productions in the area while working towards a marketing degree.
He enjoys making people laugh as if it’s the fuel he runs on. I can
count on him to listen without judgment, when I need to talk, a
rare and beautiful gift.
    “Finally, I see her coming down the
driveway. Richie, when mom gets out of the shower, tell her that I
am saving her eight seats in the front row. Thanks, I love you.
I’ll see you at graduation later,” I said quickly as I dashed out
of the house.
    In just a few moments we arrived at the
gymnasium, home of the Wildcats, for the last time as seniors. I
had been thinking about this day for many years. I couldn’t wait to
get away from this small and enveloping town. My dreams were
begging to be released. CeCe and I had both been accepted into the
University of Georgia in Athens, a much bigger and cultured
Georgian city. I would be free to make my own path, to show off my
God-given talents and become the journalist I’ve dreamt of since
childhood. We were so excited after finding out we both got in. I
was pretty sure I would get in and CeCe’s parents were not only
alumni but also whatever she lacked in GPA made up in generous
donations to the university. We had it all planned out. The first
two years we’d stay in the dorms together and then get an apartment
close to campus during our junior year. Studying abroad was,
without doubt, in our plans for at least a semester—preferably
Paris or Rome—somewhere full of adventure. Like her parents, she
planned to major in political science, which pleased both her
parents. Although law didn’t seem fitting for CeCe, she would
definitely be a lethal force to debate with. CeCe could be very
persuasive and had a way with words that made her hard to argue
with. Most of the girls in our school were a bit intimidated by
CeCe’s tenacity while the guys looked at CeCe as hot but
high-maintenance. However, I’d catch Eric Sothersby sneaking a
glance, now and then, at CeCe, still probably bewildered by her
forwardness in the janitor’s closet. And even though they hadn’t
talked since that day in the fifth grade, I could sense that he
still had a thing for CeCe, by the way he became mesmerized when he
locked his sights on her. I had always thought Eric Sothersby was
such a nice guy besides his good looks and charming shyness. CeCe
seemed to be too busy looking for her next thrill to catch Eric’s
sneak peeks.
    What seemed to take forever was coming to a
close in just a few hours. The gymnasium was starting to fill up
and I could see my fellow peers pouring in with their blue and
white gowns on. Soon, the band would start playing Pomp and
Circumstance. From behind the stage I could see my mom and dad,
Grandma Evi and Grandma Rose sitting in the front row. My brothers
were probably walking around talking with old friends. Who I hadn’t
seen yet was my boyfriend, which was no surprise to me. It was now
6:15 PM and we were getting ready to line up to begin the march
down the middle aisle towards the podium.
    “Where is he? I told him not to be
late.”
    “Is it really any surprise Char? That boy is
always up to no good.”
    Just then Mrs. Palen, our principal, came
over to announce that we must get in line with our partner.
“Charlotte, you’ll be leading everyone up to the stage. Remember to
go to the front row and walk towards the end of the chairs.” She
said while straightening my cap.
    “CeCe, this is just like Jersey to show up
late for graduation.”
    “Char, I’ll be your partner. Charlie can
walk with someone else, I’m sure he won’t mind. Besides this is our
moment