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

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