Page 9 of Dear Southern Belle
4
BRADEN
Magnolia canceled our plans for a date over text message. It came in late last night after I was already asleep, so I didn’t get it until this morning. She was vague about her reasons, just saying something came up.
I don’t understand what happened between me leaving her yesterday and her sending the text. I thought that she felt what I did, but clearly, I was wrong.
I slam the drawer in the kitchen after pulling out a spoon for my cereal. Martha and my grandfather exchange looks, but I pretend like I don’t see it. I turn to take my food back to my room.
“We eat at the table in this house,” my grandfather calls after me.
I wish I could pretend like I don’t hear him, but I don’t want to jeopardize any relationship we built hanging out yesterday. He opened up more than I could have hoped. He told me how our family was one of the first families to settle in the area that is now Oak View. The land his house sits on is the same land they purchased when coming here.
And while the family history lesson he gave me. He didn’t tell me about the one story that I came here looking for answers.
I drop the bowl on the kitchen table and a little milk spills over the edge. Slumping into my chair, I pick at the soggy flakes in my bowl, suddenly not interested in eating.
“What is the matter with you?” My grandfather asks.
I look up at him and see real concern in his face. It’s getting easier to read him and I know that he genuinely wants to know what is going on.
“I thought I had a chance with a girl I met in town, but she cancelled our date.”
“And that’s why you are banging around my kitchen like a bull in a China shop?”
I scoop a spoonful of cereal into my mouth, so I don’t have to answer him right away. How am I supposed to explain to him that I thought there was a chance at real future with Magnolia? He’d think I was crazy.
He sighs. “Clearly this date was something more than you were willing to admit to me.”
I meet his gaze and nod.
“Take some advice from a man that has made many mistakes in his life. If you think there is something more there, don’t let it slip through your fingers. No one looks back on their life and regrets the times they tried and failed. They regret the times they could have tried but didn’t.” A look of regret flashes in his eyes but it’s gone before I’m even sure it was there. “If you want this young woman, let her know how you feel. If she turns you down again, then you will have your answer.”
A flicker of hope lights up in my chest. “You think it will work?”
“There is only one way to find out.”
I pull out my phone and click on Magnolia’s name. I’m about to type back a response but my grandfather clears his throat.
“If you want to make a lasting impression, don’t use that device.” He points at the cell phone in my hand. “Take the time to write out what you want to say to her in a letter.”
“A letter?” I laugh. “People don’t write handwritten letters anymore.”
“All the more reason.” He shrugs. “That’s how I won over your grandmother. She held on to all my letters over the years. Making that extra effort shows your young lady that is she is special and worth the extra effort.”
His suggestion is something I probably never would have come up on my own, but I like the idea. Plus, I can’t help but think that if I’m wrong in thinking there might still be a chance that Magnolia might be interested in me, her rejection won’t be face to face.
I finish up my breakfast quickly and head up to my room to write her a letter. I wasn’t sure how I’d get it to her but that was something I’d have to figure out later. Right now I needed to find the words to convince Magnolia to give me another chance, to give us another chance.
MAGNOLIA
I regretted sending the text the minute I pressed the send button. Not only did I not want to hurt Braden, but I was hurting myself. Momma gave me no good reason as to why she didn’t want me to see Braden. Sure, I could see that there was something there, some piece of the puzzle that wasn’t allowing me to see the big picture, but I’m not a little girl anymore. I don’t need her permission to go on a date with a guy that I could see myself having a future with.
Sabine finds me sitting in her office, picking at the salad I made myself for lunch. I wasn’t really hungry, but just going through the motions.
“Why are you hiding back here?” she asks.
I look up at her. “I’m not hiding.”
