The Cornelius Saga Boxed Set

by Tanya R. Taylor

  Nineteen-year-old Theresa sauntered outside wearing a pair of blue shorts that was so skimpy, it nearly didn’t make much sense that she came out in anything at all. Her white tank top was tied in a knot just above her navel.

  “What you want again, Ma?” She asked, clearly disinterested.

  “Don’t play dumb with me, li’l girl. I didn’t stutter when I called you out here. And when you’re done clearing out that crap from your sinful gathering last night, pick up that rake over there and rake up some of these leaves, ya hear?”

  Theresa sucked her teeth and started collecting the cans. “Why can’t you hire someone to clean the yard?” She asked minutes later, after wiping little beads of perspiration from her forehead. The sun was unusually hot for that time of the morning.

  “When you get a job and keep one then maybe I’ll do that!” Jane fired back.

  Theresa looked in the direction of the church and abruptly stopped what she was doing. There was nothing obstructing her and her mother’s view of the grounds other than a long, chain-linked fence which separated the properties. “Ma…. Ma!” She called quietly.

  Jane leaned forward. “What?”

  “Looks like they found a replacement for ole Jason since that whole upset about the graveyard. The Pastor’s showing this guy’s Jason’s former residence.”

  Jane got up and walked into the yard. She peered over at the little cottage, but didn’t see anyone, as the two men had already gone inside. “They surely don’t waste no time. Imagine if poor ole Jason had gone and dropped down dead, they would’ve surely found a replacement for him before his body got cold in the grave!”

  She took her seat on the porch again and leaned back comfortably. “Truth be told, it could be anyone though. Doesn’t have to be the new care-taker.”

  “Oh, but I think he is, ‘specially since he’s got a suitcase with him,” Theresa said.

  “Well, that’s none of our business. Just like I told those detectives that came by after they found all those empty graves. Glad we ain’t seen nothing neither. I don’t like getting mixed up in other people’s poo. That’s why I always keep to myself. And need I say you’d be better off if you did the same thing?”

  “There you go again, Ma.” She threw the cans into the dumpster, then reached for the rake.

  “You should know I’m right! You let everyone and their Ma take advantage of you, li’l girl. See how you had those slackers over last night, smoking and drinking, and they went on their merry way and left you to clean up their drunken mess? What’s so hard about picking up after yourself when you drink a cold beer or two? No… they’d rather treat this place like a junkyard – no respect for you and none for your Ma. But they’re gonna respect me ‘cause this is the last time they’re coming over here thinking they can leave my yard like this. If they show their nasty li'l faces over here again, I’ll be sure to aim a metal peg straight for their narrow, smoked out behinds. I tell ya so!”

  “Ma...Ma… I took care of it, okay? There’s no need for you to run on like that.”

  Jane sucked her teeth. “Knew I couldn’t talk no sense into you! You’ve been hard-headed since the day I pushed you out of my belly. Naive and just plain stupid sometimes. That’s how come you let that sly fox, Wayne, use you like a piece of whoring trash all the time. He doesn’t treat you like a lady ‘cause you don’t act like one. He’ll come here to pick you up and you won’t even let him wait a minute. And see how much he thinks of you – he never once came to this door and knocked like a real gentleman would. Just pull up and honk that horn and you’re out in a flash taking off with that low-life only a mother could love – and a downright fool too!”

  Jane didn’t pause for a second and Theresa hurriedly raked the leaves to get out of the way of the verbal gunfire. She was used to the ranting and raving, and figured for the most part her mother just needed a good man of her own to spend all those lonely nights with. Her mother’s words had long stopped hurting her feelings as she knew beneath it all, it was her way of showing Theresa she cared. She had a few friends of her own whose parents couldn’t care less what they did; how they did it and who they did it with, and they asked no questions. At least she knew Jane’s running on served a purpose.

  They heard an engine approaching and the black Malibu pulled up into the front yard. Then came the honking.

  “Speaking of the devil.” Jane nodded her head.

  Theresa dropped the rake and ran over to the car. “You think you needed to honk if you see me standing right here in the yard?” she asked the black-haired stud behind the wheel.

  “Give me some sugar, honey,” he said.

  She leaned in and kissed him.

  “Don’t you be tooting no horn ‘round here first thing in the morning!” Jane blurted with disgust.

  The two lovebirds chuckled quietly as Theresa leaned on the driver’s side door.

  “You wanna go riding somewhere?” Wayne asked, sliding his hand across her cheek.

  “You mean… now?”

  “Why not? If you’re too busy, I can bounce.”

  “No. No, I’m not busy. Just give me a minute, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  Theresa ran over and picked up the rake. She rested it against the side of the house and mounted the porch. “I’m going out for a while,” she told Jane.

  “This early, girl? It ain’t even nine o’clock yet and you ain’t had no breakfast.” Jane frowned. “Sure hope he buys you some. Cheapskate!”

  “Come on, Ma! You know Wayne buys me stuff when he’s got money. Besides, I’m not hungry right now.” She went inside the house.

  “You better take five dollars out of the change tray on the nightstand just in case he comes up with an excuse this time,” Jane hollered behind her.

  She looked with hate-filled eyes toward the young man still sitting in the shiny, black vehicle. He looked away and bobbed to the music emanating from the shaky trunk speakers, and as much as he wanted to so as to better tune her out, he wouldn’t dare turn up that music in Jane’s yard. It was common knowledge you don’t mess with Jane Sawyer or you could end up like poor, old Sylvester Sawyer who got his head blown off the day the devil fooled him to put his hands on Jane for the first and last time. She got off scot-free claiming self-defense and daughter Theresa stood by and supported her mother all the way since dear old dad did nothing but drink hard liquor and hurl insults at both of them every day ever since she could remember.

  “You better look away!” Jane murmured.

  Theresa dashed out of the house and didn’t leave the porch until she gave her mother a quick peck on the cheek. “See you later, Ma!”

  Jane didn’t answer.

  Before Theresa managed to close the passenger side door all the way, Wayne had put the car in reverse and screeched out of the yard. Theresa shook her head, wishing her daughter would see that guy for what she knew he was.

  “Rotten, two-timing bastard!” she snarled.

  4

  _________________

  “Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!” They sang cheerfully as Rosie stood at the table holding the knife. The twelve inch birthday cake dressed with pink, purple and green swirled icing made her mouth water and her delightful smile melted her mother and grandmother’s hearts. Bobby led the singing with an exuberance any young girl celebrating her birthday could appreciate, and Max stood nearby wagging his tail, eagerly awaiting his share of the tasty treat.

  “Make a wish, honey,” Mira urged, as Rosie looked gleefully at the thirteen colorful, lit candles on the cake. She nodded, shut her eyes, then moments later, blew out the candles. Everyone clapped.

  Sara gently put her arm on her granddaughter’s shoulder. “I can’t believe you’re already thirteen, Pumpkin! My, how time flies.”

  “It does. Doesn’t it?” Mira added.

  “Surely does.”

  Mira noticed the smile gradually vanishing from her mother’s face. She knew what she was thinking. Every year o
n Rosie’s birthday, she felt both joy and sadness for each year that Michael could not be there with them.

  “Let’s cut the cake!” Mira sought to quickly lift Sara’s spirits.

  “Yes, Pumpkin,” Sara agreed with newly-found cheer. “Who are you going to give the first slice to this year?”

  “Nana, you know I never tell!” Rosie answered, making the cut. Mira reached for a decorative paper plate nearby and Rosie carefully placed the slice on to it.

  Turning around, she smiled at the three. “I wonder who it should be this time!” she teased.

  “Well, honey, think about how much I’m here for you,” Sara said. “All the times I cook your meals, wash and iron your clothes, bake the tastiest desserts just for you...”

  “Mom, that’s not fair!” Mira laughed. “Are you really that desperate to get the first slice?”

  “You got it last year!” Sara rebutted. “It’s only right that I get it this time.”

  Rosie looked at them adoringly. “You two are so childish,” she remarked.

  Laughter erupted in the room.

  She turned slowly to the left, then back to the right; then to the left again and finally handed the cake to Bobby.

  “Oh, no! No fair!” Sara pouted as Mira and Bobby chuckled. “How could you, Pumpkin? After all I’ve done for you!”

  Rosie shook her head. “Your tantrums never work, Nana. You had the first slice two years ago. Now, it’s Bobby’s turn. Besides, he’s really nice to me too.”

  Bobby planted a kiss on Rosie’s forehead. “Thank you, Rosie. Getting the first slice means so much to me that I hate to eat it! I wish I could keep it forever.”

  “Stop being silly, Bobby!” Rosie giggled.

  He broke a piece with his fork and fed it to Mira, then placed his arm around her. Sara looked on with pleasure. Mira was finally allowing Bobby to be more affectionate towards her and for that, Sara could not be happier. She prayed for the day they would walk down the aisle and make that life-long commitment to one another: Til death do us part as it was for her and Michael.

  Sara assisted Rosie as she cut the remaining slices.

  “Why didn’t you have some of her friends over?” Bobby whispered to Mira.

  “She wasn’t feeling for the crowd this time. She told us ahead of time she didn’t want a party this year.”

  “That’s strange; isn’t it?”

  “I guess it would be for most kids, but not for Rosie.” Mira smiled, before slipping away to join the child.

  They feasted on pizza, cake and soft drinks, then played a few games of Scrabble in the living room. Sara had taken the lead and was boasting about it when there was a knock at the door.

  Mira looked at her mother, wondering who it could be, then she got up to check.

  “I’ll get the door, honey,” Sara said.

  “That’s okay, Mom.” Mira walked with a slight limp she’d been left with since the horrible tragedy on Well Stevens Drive two years earlier. As Sara watched her proceed to the front door, she recalled the months of physical therapy Mira bravely endured upon being discharged from the hospital and was overwhelmed with gratitude that she did not lose her legs, and even more importantly, her life. She could vividly see, even now, the smile of relief and accomplishment that stretched across Mira’s face when she no longer needed the walker, then the cane. It was a tough time, but they all pulled through okay.

  Mira opened the door and her countenance changed when she saw who was on the other side. Instinctively, she glanced behind at the others who had noisily resumed the game, then stepped outside, quickly easing the door shut behind her.

  “What are you doing here, Cody?” she asked quietly.

  The man who stood approximately six feet tall with short blonde hair, was holding a beautifully-wrapped box in both hands.

  “Hi, Mira,” he calmly replied. “It’s been a long time.”

  “I asked what you are doing here.”

  He fiddled with the package a bit, then said: “It’s Rosie’s birthday, isn’t it? She’s what… thirteen today?”

  Mira didn’t respond.

  “I made a special trip down here to see her. I brought a present; thought I’d surprise her.”

  Mira shook her head in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What a nerve you have! You practically disappeared from your daughter’s life for ten years – ten years – and just show up at our doorstep like this. What do you take us for, Cody?”

  “Look, Mira. I know I haven’t been here for you or Rosie like I should’ve been, and I’m really sorry about that, but I’m here now. I’d like to see my little girl,” he said.

  “Your little girl isn’t so little any more. She’s a teenager now who had to grow up without her daddy in her life. You don’t know how she’s been eating or anything that’s going on in her life. You’re a complete stranger to her. Geez! You wouldn’t even call to see how she was doing!”

  “How could you say that? I did call!” Cody exclaimed.

  “When? Eight years ago? Nine? Ten?”

  “Just stop!” He wiped the perspiration from his brow. “I’m not here to argue. For Pete’s sake, it’s Rosie’s birthday. We don’t wanna do this. Not now.”

  Mira pursed her lips. She knew he was right at least about not arguing on their daughter’s birthday.

  “Honey, who is it?” Sara called out to Mira.

  “I’ll be right in!” Mira replied.

  “I’m going to be straight with you, Cody. You can see Rosie today, but I’m warning you, I will not let you get away with stepping back into her life and walking away again. I’m not going to allow you to mess with her emotions. If she wants anything at all to do with you and you do anything to hurt her, I will come after you and use every legal right I have to make you pay all that back child support you owe and that’s just a tip of the iceberg, Mister. I will be relentless and merciless. You understand me?”

  He quickly nodded. “I do. Thank you.”

  Wondering if she was nuts for allowing him to see Rosie, Mira gripped the handle and slowly pushed the door open. She walked in first with Cody Amos behind her. All eyes met them as they passed the kitchen counter and headed into the living room. Bobby stood up and Sara’s eyes widened as she sat on the carpeted floor.

  “My Lord!” Sara softly exclaimed.

  Mira looked at Rosie. “Honey...someone is here to see you.”

  “Rosie, hi.” Cody said, awkwardly. “Wow! Look how much you’ve grown.”

  Rosie’s mind was instantly filled with flashbacks of when she was a toddler.

  Cody knelt in front of her. “Do you remember me?”

  Rosie was stone-faced.

  He glanced up at Mira, his eyes brimming with tears. He then handed the box to Rosie. “I brought you a present. I hope you like it. I wasn’t sure what to get.”

  Bobby looked on quietly. By now, he had an idea of who this guy was.

  “You wanna open it?” Cody smiled.

  Rosie lifted the lid of the box and found a thick, white teddy bear inside. She pulled it out and drew it close to her chest.

  “You like it?” Cody was hopeful.

  Rosie nodded. “Thank you.”

  He looked up at Mira again, and not feeling sure that it would be appropriate just then to do what he yearned to do, he stood up.

  With arms folded, Mira angrily wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “Honey, I know you might have been too young to remember, but this is your dad,” she said. “His name’s Cody.”

  “I know,” Rosie replied.

  “You remember me?” Cody asked.

  “A little.”

  His smile widened. He didn’t expect to hear that.

  “Where were you?” Rosie asked. “Did you forget about me?”

  Cody quickly shook his head. “Oh, no! I could never forget about you, Rosie. It’s just that…well, we have a lot to talk about.”

  Sara got up a
nd walked over to them.

  “Mrs. Cullen...” he started.

  “Cody, it’s nice to finally see you again.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Mira thought to interject, as Bobby was standing silently nearby. “Oh, this is my… boyfriend, Bobby. Bobby, meet Cody Amos,” she said.

  Bobby was startled by the announcement. It was the first time he’d heard Mira tell anyone that he was her boyfriend. His heart literally skipped a beat.

  The men shook hands.

  “May I get you something to drink, Cody?” Sara asked.

  “Um, water please. Thanks.”

  Rosie headed over to the sofa and sat down with her teddy.

  “We have cake. Would you like a slice?” Sara returned with a cold glass of water.

  “Na. I couldn’t.” Cody felt incredibly guilty as it was for showing up with a darn teddy bear after so many years of absence. He couldn’t possibly take even a bite of his daughter’s cake.

  “Are you sure? There’s plenty.” Sara told him.

  “I’m sure. Thank you, Mrs. Cullen.”

  Mira was standing with her arms folded. She noticed how often Cody looked over at Rosie and she hoped his conscience was killing him.

  “Um, well, I’d better be on my way now,” Cody said. “It was nice seeing you all, especially you, Rosie.”

  Rosie managed a half-smile. She wasn’t sure how to respond.

  “How long will you be in town?” Sara asked Cody.

  “Just a few days.”

  He turned to Mira. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to come back before I leave and spend a little time with Rosie, whenever’s convenient.”

  “I don’t know, Cody.” Mira was reluctant. “We’ll have to talk about that.”

  “I understand.”

  Everyone was deathly silent as he left the house. Through the front window, Mira, Bobby and Sara watched as he entered the waiting cab.

  “Some nerve he has!” Mira could barely contain herself.