Page 40 of Spilling the Tea

“Date?” He wondered if she knew that a guy was to ask the girl and not vice versa.

“Yes, a date. Although I’m old enough to date—and graduated from high school a few months ago—Pa hadn’t permitted me to see anyone yet. I was disappointed that you didn’t come to my graduation.”

“My parents and Victoria were there.”

“But you weren’t.”

He’d had no reason to go. “Why would I have gone?” he asked.

She lifted her chin. “I bet Waylon goes to Victoria’s graduation.”

“I would hope so since Victoria is his intended, the woman he plans to marry one day. So, I’ll ask you again, Charlotte. Why would I have gone to your graduation?” Recalling what Victoria had told him about the lie Charlotte was spreading, he would set her straight this very day if she hinted that there was something between them.

They both turned at the sound of a horse and he saw Waylon approaching. When he reached them, he gave his sister an angry look. “The folks sent me to find you. They said you told them you would fetch me. Why didn’t our paths cross, Charlotte?”

Her chin tightened. “I came another way.”

Waylon rolled his eyes. “Well, let’s go. You’re holding up supper.”

She turned to Milton. “You never said if you would be going to the Hollisters’ barn dance.”

Milton noted she’d been careful not to mention anything about him being her date that night in front of Waylon. “No, I’m not going to that dance. That weekend, I’ll be headed with my folks to Tennessee to pick up Victoria from summer camp.”

“So will I,” Waylon said, grinning broadly, not trying to hide his happiness that Mr. Jantz had given his permission for him to do so. “Let’s go, Charlotte, before Mom gets worried. I’ll see you tomorrow, Milt.”

As they rode off, Milton released a deep breath, glad to see her gone.

***

Victoria glanced at the clock on the camp’s cafeteria’s wall. Usually, whenever her parents picked her up from camp, they would do so before lunchtime. That way, they could load her things in the truck and be on the road before dark. She knew from Felicia Laverne that Milt was coming with her parents. She wished Waylon could have asked to come, but she knew her father probably would not allow it. He liked Waylon, but she knew her parents preferred doing things decently and in order.

“You keep looking at the clock, Victoria,” Felicia Laverne leaned over and whispered.

Victoria grinned. “So do you, but for different reasons. At least you’ll see Milt today, since he’ll be with my parents. It will be a few more days before we return to Texas, and I can see Waylon.”

“Yes, but you will see him a lot more often than I’ll see Milton. After today, I don’t know when I’ll see him again. He wants to visit me in Atlanta this fall, but I don’t know if my dad will allow it.”

“Did you get a chance to talk to him about Milt?”

Felicia Laverne’s parents had arrived a couple of days ago since her father had preached at last night’s ending camp session.“Yes. Pa doesn’t have a problem talking to Milton, but I think my father is quick to make judgments sometimes. He said he has a gift in knowing someone’s heart and character the first time they meet.”

“In that case, you have nothing to worry about. Milt has a good character and heart,” Victoria said confidently.

“I know, but what if Dad reads it wrong?” Felicia said in a worried voice.

“Then we will pray he reads it right.” A huge grin spread across Victoria’s face. “Look! There’s Isabelle and Yvonne.” They exchanged goodbye waves.

The two ten-year-old girls were best friends from New Orleans. and Victoria and Felicia Laverne had enjoyed supervising them this summer.

When they had finished their lunch, they saw Ms. Dunkins, one of the camp’s organizers, head their way.

When the older woman reached their table, she said, “Victoria Madaris, I came to fetch you. Your parents are here to take you home.”

Victoria glanced over at Felicia Laverne. “Are you ready to see my parents?” she asked, knowing the main person her best friend wanted to see was her brother.

“Yes,” Felicia Laverne said excitedly.

***

---