by Vera Quinn
We walk across the street and into my aunt and uncle’s house. This house was as much my home as the house across the street when I was growing up. I go and sit at the table the way I have so many times before. The same table I sat around when I was growing up with my mom and dad and everyone else. We had such great times here. I let the warmth of home seep into my body. It feels so good.
Aunt Gladys brings some cups over, and I get up and get the pot of coffee. Ms. Audie goes to the refrigerator and gets the creamer out. It’s like we do this daily. I pour coffee into our cups, and Ms. Audie gets spoons and Aunt Gladys gets the sugar bowl. We each fix our coffee up and then sit and look at each other. They both want to ask but don’t.
“Well, I’m starting breakfast.” I nod my head. Ms. Audie and Aunt Gladys get up and start breakfast. I don’t even attempt to help because I am useless in the kitchen. Boiling eggs is a challenge for me. I have no patience, and some of my attempts have had disastrous results, which are legendary in this family.
“What are you hens up to?” Uncle Charlie asks, coming into the kitchen. Then his eyes land on me. “Jilly, what a surprise. It’s great to see you.” Uncle Charlie comes over and hugs me. Then he goes to get a cup out of the cabinet. About that time Kaden walks in the back door. “Morning, Kaden. You want a cup?” Uncle Charlie looks at Kaden closely. He knows something is up.
“Yes sir, that would be great.” Kaden walks by Aunt Gladys and kisses her cheek before getting the cup from Uncle Charlie. “I’m surprised that you ladies aren’t at Brody’s by now. His shades are open.” Damn we forgot to keep an eye out.
“Rebel should be here in just a few minutes. I saw his truck parked out in front of Quick Pack when I went by. Figured I better beat him here.” Kaden drinks his coffee.
Aunt Gladys is putting biscuits in the oven and pulls her pan out for bacon. Ms. Audie gets the eggs out of the refrigerator and gets another pan. I get up and get the jelly, jam, and butter out of the refrigerator. I get the plates down and the silverware out. About that time there is a knock on the back door.
Uncle Charlie is still standing up against the cabinet and gets three more cups down. Kaden opens the back door. In walks Rebel. I see the shock in his eyes that I am here. Rebel is still as handsome, maybe more so, with maturity. He has dark chocolate eyes and lips that are so sexy. I see the grin on his face when he notices I am checking him out. I’ve never made it a secret that I think Rebel is a fine looking man. Rebel and I are in a fight with our eyes. He won’t blink and neither will I. This is how our relationship has been for a while. I finally tear my eyes away when Kaden clears his throat. That one has to go to Rebel. I blinked first.
“Morning. Can I have a cup of joe?” That makes me smile. Something else my dad used to say. Rebel smiles too. Uncle Charlie hands him a cup of coffee. Rebel takes it black. “Anyone talked to them since they’ve been back?”
“I did late last night. I let them know I was on my way here.” You could cut the air in here with a knife. So many unasked questions are swirling around.
“How is she? What did she say? I think I have the Giles family taken care.” Kaden looks at Rebel. It’s one of those official looks.
“Rebel, before you say anything to get yourself in trouble remember I am the Sheriff, and I am not going to ignore anything I hear.” Kaden and Rebel stare each other down.
“No worries, Sheriff. Everything is on the up and up. I just reminded them that this is my territory and I won’t put up with anyone harassing my woman.” I choke on my coffee and start coughing, and everyone looks at me. Boy, is Rebel in for a rude awakening today.
I am glad my aunt and uncle’s kitchen is the biggest room in the house. We are going to need it when the rest of the gang gets here. Just then there is another knock on the door. Rebel moves over by me and sits down. Ms. Audie and Aunt Gladys are finishing up with getting breakfast on the table. Kaden walks back in with Brody carrying Shelby and Gracie right behind them. Everything goes quiet. Then Uncle Charles hands them each a cup of coffee. Shelby has a cup of something, and she is all smiles. Uncle Charles does not wait for things to get out of hand, he steps right in.
“Gracie has been through a lot, and we don’t need to add to it. We are calmly going to listen to what she has to say. Remember there is a small child in the room, and no one will raise their voice in this house. Am I clear?” That’s Uncle Charlie, always taking control. He looks at Rebel and Brody and waits for their reply. Both just nod their heads. “Let’s all fix our plates and then we’ll start.”
We all wait for Gracie to fix Shelby’s plate and Kaden moves the high chair over by Gracie. It’s not long before Shelby is content eating eggs with a biscuit. We all pass the food around and fix our plates. Then we just wait for Gracie to begin.
“I need to apologize to everyone here for making you worry. That was not my intention. I just was on emotional overload, and I could only think about getting away. I’m really sorry, and I will never do it again so please forgive me.” Gracie is already near tears. Brody reaches over and takes her hand. That’s when Rebel notices the ring on Brody’s left hand. Rebel almost chokes on his food.
“Why the hell are you wearing a wedding ring, Brody?” Rebel yells. Shelby looks up, and Rebel doesn’t say anything else, but everyone is waiting for Brody’s answer. I know. It’s another reason I wanted to be here this morning. I am here as a buffer, so I guess I better buff.
“Kevin and I are getting a divorce.” All eyes shift to me. Okay, good diversion. Shelby has gone back to eating. “I’m moving back to Winnsboro, too.” Once again not a word and then all hell breaks loose.
“Why the hell are you wearing a wedding ring, Brody? What have you done?” Rebel is enraged.
“Gracie and I were married two days ago.” Everything went deathly quiet. Gracie is looking at Brody, and he is looking at her. Kaden gets up and is standing behind Rebel waiting for when he goes off, but he has a smirk on his face. This is Rebel. My Antonio has left the room. I know this is going to get ugly. Aunt Gladys comes over and picks Shelby, and her whole chair up, and moves her into the next room where she stays with her.
“Did the bitch tell you I fucked her and she could be knocked up with my kid? Because I’m not Giles. If she has my kid, I will take it. Are we even now Brody? You couldn’t fuck Jilly after my cock was inside her, so you decided to get Gracie after I already fucked her. Do I need to give you a detailed list of cunts I’ve been in so you can go after them, too?”
I can’t believe the shit coming out of Rebel’s mouth. Gracie has tears running down her face. Rebel starts to get up but the next thing that happens has us all shocked. Ms. Audie walks up to her son and slaps the hell out of him. I think he is shocked, but he recovers quickly. “What the hell Ma? These people always look down their noses at us. I was never good enough for Jilly. Hell, Jilly probably aborted my kid. I’m out of here. Brody keep the cunt, but if she has my kid, I’ll be back.”
I can’t believe what he just said about our baby. Ms. Audie is crying. Kaden grabs at Rebel and Brody is on his feet. “To think I got rid of a good fuck for this bitch.” Gracie won’t even look at Rebel. My temper gets the best of me, and I can’t hold my tongue anymore. I jump to my feet.
“You’re a real bastard Rebel. I had a miscarriage, and because of it I can’t have children now, and because of that I just lost my husband.” Everyone goes quiet. “That’s right Rebel; Kevin left me because he wants children and we can’t even adopt because of me. You see, after I had lost our child, I was so depressed that I attempted suicide. Kevin loved me through it and brought me out on the other side, but now it’s in my medical records. I had to go through an outreach program.”
I realize what I am saying, and I see all eyes are on me, so I might as well finish this. “Kevin met someone when I was working all those long hours. She can give him a family. I can’t. I care enough about him to let him go and let him have that happiness in a family. If it weren't for him, I wouldn’t
be here. I wouldn’t be anywhere. So we have an amicable divorce, but I’m the one who still feels empty.” I look right at Rebel “So, you bastard, don’t ever say I had an abortion. I wanted that child. I loved that child.” I’m done.
“Whatever. One cunt is just like another. All you all do is lie.” Kaden grabs Rebel’s arm, and they are throwing punches. I back up. Ms. Audie is shoved against the wall. Brody gets up to help get Rebel out the door. Gracie is still just crying. Uncle Charlie gets Ms. Audie out of the way. Brody takes Rebel down to the ground with his knee on his back. Kaden handcuffs him.
“Kaden, get outside and let him go. If he comes back, then arrest him.” Uncle Charlie says.
“Bitch, I will be checking to see if you are pregnant.” Rebel spews out. I go over to Gracie and try to console her.
“I told Brody this was going to happen.” Gracie barely gets out. I hear yelling out the back door, and I go to look out the door, and I hear Rebel yell at Brody.
“I claimed Gracie, and she is mine. I’m not done until I say I am. Do you hear me, Brody? I will not stop until I have her back in my bed and then I will fuck her like any other cunt. She’s nothing special.”
Rebel is in love with Gracie, and that is why he is being such a jackass. He finally gets on his motorcycle and leaves. I know when I get back in that kitchen I am going to have a lot of questions to answer.
Kaden didn’t even know about my suicide attempt, and now everyone knows. Oh well. I am not ashamed of it. I just don’t like explaining things.
I see Gracie has left the kitchen, I know she has gone to check on her girl. She’s going to take this all on her shoulders. She needs to learn she can’t control everything or everyone. Yes, Gracie and Brody could have handled this a little better. Gracie has to protect her baby.
Uncle Charlie and Aunt Gladys are trying to console Ms. Audie. They have sat back down at the table. Kaden and Brody come back in, and Brody goes to find Gracie. He brings them back in the kitchen. Shelby is playing away in her high chair. We all gather around the table. Aunt Gladys gets up and brings back more coffee for everyone.
“I think we need to talk about what just happened. Rebel is pissed, and he’s not just going to let this go.” Kaden says.
“I’ll leave if you want me to. I’m so sorry for what my boy said.” Ms. Audie says on the verge of breaking down again. Aunt Gladys grabs Ms. Audie’s hand.
“Ms. Audie you are part of this family and so is Rebel. He’s had a shock, and he is acting out right now. He will apologize later. He’s just raw right now.” I know Rebel didn’t mean what he said. It doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt hearing it.
“When are you going to quit taking up for that boy? You have been making excuses for him since you both were kids.” Uncle Charlie asks. I level Uncle Charlie with a stare.
“Do not judge someone until you can walk a mile in their shoes. Isn’t that what you used to preach Uncle Charlie? Don’t talk the talk unless you can walk the walk.” I tell him.
“Damn girl, you aren’t here two hours, and you’re already making me eat my own words.” Everyone gives a little laugh at that, and the tension is lifted just a little.
“Well, someone has to keep all you men in your place, or you all try to take over.” That even gets a smile out of Brody.
“I have missed you, sister,” Kaden tells me but then he goes silent, and I know what is coming. “Why didn’t you tell me about your depression?”
“I’d like to know that myself?” Uncle Charlie adds.
“Because I didn’t want to worry anyone. I thought I could handle it, but I spun out of control. Kevin helped me through it, but I just couldn’t see facing another day with all my failures. I had caused a mess with Brody. Rebel and I couldn’t even be in the same town together, and I lost the one thing that made it all better. Millions of women carry their baby every day but I couldn’t. I couldn’t make a relationship work. I was so far away from my family. I just couldn’t see a way out or face another day. I took a bottle of pills with a bottle of booze and just went to sleep. Sleep was my only escape. Kevin found me and he made sure I got the help I needed, and he held my hand the whole way. That’s the reason when he found whatever he has with Sandra that I wouldn’t stand in the way. That’s all I am going to say on the subject. Everyone knows now. So let’s move on.” That’s all I can give them.
“Gracie and I got married on the way back here. It’s the reason it took us so long to get home. We went through Vegas. We are going to make this work. End of story.” Brody is always straight to the point. “Gracie and Shelby will be moving into my house today. It’s our home now. Everything that is mine is hers. Not only is Gracie my wife, but Shelby is my daughter. If anyone has a problem with that, then you won’t be involved in our life.”
“Well, since everyone is sharing heavy stuff today, Laurie’s just been diagnosed with cancer. She’s doing fine, and it’s in the very early stages. She went for her annual check-up, and her pap came back abnormal. She’s going to have a hysterectomy as soon as they can schedule it. It is our choice. We don’t want to take any chances. I’m taking vacation time for the first two weeks, but I may need some help after that getting the boys to practices for their sports and other activities.” I knew something had been bothering my big brother.
“Good thing you have a nurse in the family and I’ll be available for whatever you need.” Things always work out for a reason.
“I’ll help, too.” Gracie puts in.
“Me, too.” Ms. Audie and Aunt Gladys say at the same time. This is what family does.
“Kaden, you know we are all here for whatever your family needs.” Uncle Charlie says but then he looks at Brody. “Do you know if Gracie is pregnant with Rebel’s child yet?” I think if Gracie could go under the table, she would. Her face is bright red, but she lifts her head and looks at Uncle Charlie.
“It’s too soon, but if I am, I would never keep his child away from him.” She looks at Uncle Charlie and Ms. Audie. “We only had sex once, so the odds are good I’m not but we didn’t use protection so the possibility is there.” Gracie goes quiet.
“I knew about the possibility before we got married and we’ll cross that bridge if we have to. It has nothing to do with our relationship. If Gracie has another child, I will love him or her just like Shelby.” Brody tells everyone. Good for him.
“Fair enough, so will we then.” Aunt Gladys says.
“Gracie I love you, either way, sweetie. I understand your choices so don’t ever worry about me. If you have my grandchild, it will be lucky to have you as a mom.” Ms. Audie says. “What about that Giles woman and Shelby? Rebel said he was dealing with it.” Gracie looks surprised at this.
“I haven’t heard anything about anything. Lorraine hasn’t contacted me, and Mr. Lemons said he hadn't gotten anything from her either. We talked to Mr. Lemons on Wednesday so I could get some paperwork done on Shelby.” Gracie says.
“Gracie is having the paperwork done so if anything happens to her that I have guardianship of Shelby. I am also going to adopt Shelby. Mr. Lemons is taking care of all the legalities. I’m also having my will redone.” Brody takes Gracie’s hand, letting everyone know they are in this together. Uncle Charlie and Aunt Gladys look at each other and have one of those silent conversations only a couple who know each other so well and who have been together for years can have.
“Gracie, welcome to our family. You and Shelby have been in our hearts since the day you arrived here, and now you have become our family legally.” Uncle Charlie expresses his love for the addition to our family. Aunt Gladys goes and hugs Gracie, and so does Ms. Audie. Kaden pats Brody on the back and then shakes his hand. I go and get Shelby out of the high chair. We have some peace for a little while anyway.
“Gracie, you and I are going to have some girl talk while we pack you up,” I tell her.
“Gladys and I will watch Shelby. We have missed her.” Ms. Audie comes around to take Shelby out of my arms.
“That leaves me with kitchen clean up, and I’ll go down and get some ribs to cook for tonight. We can have a family dinner. Kaden, call Laurie and get her and the boys over here. Audie, can you fix some of that potato salad of yours and maybe some deviled eggs?” Uncle Charlie wants Ms. Audie to know she is welcome. She has always been family and will always be family.
“You know it, Charlie. I’ll fix us a peach cobbler, too. I have some peaches I put up and it won’t take no time.” Ms. Audie says.
“I’m going to get some packing boxes. Jilly, you going to be with Gracie?” Brody asks me.
“I’ve got our girl. Go do your thing.” He’s saying his goodbyes. I get Kaden off by ourselves.
“Check on Rebel. He needs a friend right now.” Kaden looks at me and shakes his head.
“I’ll do it Jilly, but you need to keep your distance from him. He’s always been poison for you.” That’s my brother.
“Just check on our friend. He’s hurting right now, and Kaden, don’t arrest him. Take that Sheriff hat off and put on your friend hat.” He laughs and walks out the back door. I wait for Gracie. She comes over to me, and we go out the back door. I see Brody is already going in his house. I pull Gracie over to me by her arm, and we walk beside each other.
“Come on sweetie, it’s time for some girl talk, and you have to tell me exactly how Brody talked you into marrying into this crazy ass family.” We walk towards my childhood home and the home I have missed so much.
Chapter Seventeen
Lorraine
My son has done the unthinkable. He gave away one of our own because there was no payoff for him. I can’t believe the idiocy that comes with the male gene in the Giles family. I have a granddaughter. There has not been a female child in our family, but yet they want to shun her. I won’t have it. Nor will I have our blood raised by that twit of a woman.