“Josie, tell me why you did what you did at the backside. Sometimes we do things for reasons and that helps others understand.”
Josie looked up at Mary and could see there was no escaping her fate. “I did it because of Capp.”
“What do you mean you did it because of Capp?”
“He’d come when he saw the green bandana. He would play with me and soon others came too. But I only love Capp. We’ll probably get married.”
Mary looked at Josie with a hint of sympathy in her eyes. “Josie, when a man truly loves a woman, he respects her. He doesn’t fool around with a woman he loves and talk about her with other men. The escapades in stall twenty, the tack room, and the linen closet are common knowledge. Men are talking. And I would venture to guess, so is Capp.”
“But he does love me. I know it. He was different from the others. He wouldn’t talk about me.”
“Josie, Capp is sorry he got involved with you. Does that sound like a man who is in love with you?”
Josie’s hardened expression began to crumble and she broke into tears. Mary handed her a hankie and left the room while Josie sobbed. When Mary returned, she sat back down at her desk, allowing Josie to compose herself. Finding paper and pen, she began to write. “What’s that?” Josie asked.
“It’s your letter of recommendation. I will read it to you if you like.”
“Why you writin’ that?” There was panic in Josie’s voice.
“I have to let you go, Josie, as you bring discord to our ranch.”
“I didn’t do nothin’ wrong.” She was again near tears.
“It is my decision, Josie. This recommendation will help you find employ elsewhere. It says nothing about your work in the barns.”
Blowing her nose, Josie raised her eyes to Mary’s. “Thank you.” When Mary was finished, she opened a drawer to her right and removed an envelope. In that envelope, she placed the hastily written recommendation and a month’s pay. Then she directed her attention back to Josie.
“Do you have any questions?”
“No,” said Josie quietly.
“All right, I’m asking Leon to drive you down to the bunkhouse to get your things. He will take you to the train depot and help you purchase a ticket back to your hometown, which I believe is Tupelo. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“And you have family there?”
“Yes, my daddy,” she said.
“And he will take you in?”
“Yes.” Josie wiped away a few stray tears.
Mary picked up a train schedule on her desk. “According to this schedule there is a train this evening headed to Memphis and then on to Tupelo. Do you understand, Josie?”
“Yes.”
“I’m instructing Leon to telegraph your father that you are returning home.” Josie did not respond. “Do you have any questions?”
“No. But it just ain’t fair. It ain’t. All those men and nothin’ happens to them.”
“Josie, Mr. Glidewell and I were made aware that Wil Wembley had asked you to stop your activities a while back. You chose not to stop.”
“I had to keep going. Capp couldn’t come see me unless I had a place.”
“I do feel sorry for you, but you have given us no choice.”
By 6:00 p.m. Leon had put Josie on the train to Memphis, Tennessee. She was on her way back home, or so everyone thought. Josie had not told Mary the truth about her life. Her father would not take her in. Those bridges had been burned years ago. She had no place to go.
When Josie left, her bandanas and hope for a better future remained behind.
Chapter 19
New Rules
Mary lost a night’s sleep over her decision, wondering if it had been harsh to let Josie go. She dismissed her anxiety when she thought about the girl’s attitude toward Maizie. But Josie was right that it wasn’t fair that the men were not held accountable. To that point Mary insisted that James talk with Capp about the inappropriateness of his behavior. “He represents the ranch,” Mary argued. “I will not allow Capp to be with Maizie. He’s too old and can’t be trusted.”
“Mary, you are overreacting. Capp didn’t do anything that bad.”
“Are you serious? He’s obviously experienced and Maizie is not.”
“Mary, you don’t know that. You are acting like her mother.”
“You think Maizie is sexually experienced?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps.”
“Oh James, don’t you see why I’m worried? Capp seems attracted to Maizie.”
“’Cause he wants to teach her to ride? Come on. He’s a boy. She’s a girl. For God’s sake, Mary, you’ve forgotten what it’s like to be young.”
Mary offered no response and left James standing in the hall.
That afternoon Mary and James met to draft the new rules. The rules covered everything from drinking to spitting to fraternizing. It was all there, especially the Glidewells’ demand that all employees be treated with dignity, equality, and respect. At the top of the rule sheet there were the following instructions:
Please read and discuss these rules and come to the meeting with your comments. Your questions will be answered. Your opinions respected.
It became obvious over the course of the days before the barn meeting that most of the backside staff thought the rules fair. Some had to have them read to them and explained. Some just scratched their heads and went about their business. Some questioned the practicality of a few of the rules. Everyone expected that all the employees at the Glidewell Ranch would stand with the Glidewells.
Chapter 20
The Truth
"It’s a hard thing to do, to apologize, Dad, when you don’t see it as wrong.”
“Just be honest. That’s all. Expressing your opinion is a fool’s argument. Gets you nowhere,” said Wil on their way to the ranch house for their Monday dinner.
On the front steps of the ranch house James greeted Will and Capp with an extended hand. Capp felt a sense of relief to know that at least James was friendly. He would do as his dad said: keep his opinions to himself. Once the men were settled in the cowhide chairs, Leon arrived with a tray of three small glasses of freshly poured bourbon and one glass of port for Mary. Capp eyed the glass of port and was a little uneasy knowing that Mary would be joining them. He threw back his shot and waited for Mary to make her entrance. When she finally walked in, a hush fell over the room and the men’s eyes followed her as she took her seat.
“I didn’t mean to start no problems,” Capp said, his head bowed.
Mary took a sip of the red port. Capp felt she enjoyed his discomfort. He sat up straight and said with all the sincerity he could, “See I’m really sorry about it all. I want to start getting ready for match races and the parade and forget about this Josie thing.”
Mary’s disbelieving look told Capp he hadn’t yet said the right thing. He nervously wiped his sweaty palms on his thighs and bravely attempted to change the subject. “They are real pretty these parades. Gets the crowd excited. And the challengers would be riding in the parade too. And you and Mr. Glidewell could ride. Maybe Maizie could ride with me.”
“Sounds great to me, Mary,” James said. “Good for the first match-race day. Gives it all some pomp.”
“I see. All three of you are complicit in our ‘problem’ and you seem dead set to dismiss it. But I will not just drop the discussion about the linen closet and Capp’s role in it.” James quietly took the scolding by downing his whiskey. Wil squirmed a bit and looked at his son, who was waiting for the next blow. “Capp, you did wrong and so did Josie. And Maizie is not ready to ride a horse. I couldn’t allow it. She could get thrown,” said Mary.
“I knew you’d say that. But she got comfortable real fast on our trail ride. I let her ride it alone on the way home. Breezy is a sweet horse, not jitter
y around other horses. But I agree, Maizie needs lessons and practice. She wants to learn. We have time.”
“Capp, she isn’t a toy like Josie. I fear she could be taken advantage of.”
“Mary, to imply that Capp would take advantage of Maizie is unfair. Give him a break. Let him work with Maizie. For God’s sake, the whole backside will be watching.”
Capp felt emboldened by James’s remarks. “Mrs. Glidewell, the lesson would be on the track in the afternoon. Just lessons. That’s all.”
Mary remained quiet but resolute.
“Mary, please, Capp’s a good person. I trust him with Maizie. You continue to make this bigger than it is,” said James.
“Capp is twenty years old. Maizie is just sixteen. How often do I need to remind you, James?”
Wil put down his glass. “My boy knows what’s right. We had a long talk. There won’t be any problems.”
Mary hesitated for the briefest of moments, took a sip of her port and looked at all three men, “Seems I am outnumbered. I guess if Maizie wants the lessons and she is well supervised, we could allow it. That is the only fraternizing I’ll allow. No unchaperoned trail rides or walks around the ranch. And NO PARADE.”
Capp could see that James was biting his tongue. As far as Maizie was concerned, it was obvious to Capp that Mary was the one to make the decisions.
Maizie came into the room with small canapés of egg salad and caviar with a sprig of fresh parsley from Ol’ Jon’s herb garden. “Thank you, Maizie,” said Mary as she picked one up off the tray. She looked up at Maizie before she took a bite. “Maizie?”
“Yes?”
“Would you like to take riding lessons with Capp?”
Maizie beamed and immediately looked at Capp. “I would. I mean I want to.”
“Then you shall. Late afternoon you can walk to the backside for lessons,” said Mary. “But there will be no trail rides.”
That was the end of the conversation about Maizie, parades, and horseback-riding lessons. Mary informed them that Josie’s dismissal would allow her to make some staffing changes. The men started to relax, realizing they could now move on to a new topic.
“I’m moving Claire up to the main house. She wants to work with Ruby again. I’m going to give her a try and hire new folks to work at the backside.”
Wil’s face opened with a rare smile and floated an idea. “Sugar Jackson from Kentucky needs a job. She raised Capp after my wife left; kept the house tidy and cooked down-home food. I’d bet my life you wouldn’t be disappointed. And you won’t find her in any closet or stall either.”
James chuckled, but Mary’s look indicated she was more than upset with Wil’s remark. Capp not only saw it, but felt it, leaving him to understand that Maizie was not a girl to mess with—not now anyway.
Chapter 21
Maizie’s Diary
June 10, 1931
Josie was sent away. Leon took her to the train. He told me Josie cried the whole way there. Leon said Josie loved Capp and that’s how she got in trouble. I guess she wasn’t just doing small favors after all. I love Capp too, I think. Or at least I really like him. What if Mrs. Glidewell finds out I love him? I don’t know much about living with fancy folks. I wonder if I could be sent away too, like Josie. Seems it could happen. The problem is I don’t have a daddy in Tupelo or anywhere.
Mrs. Glidewell is beginning to confuse me. I heard her arguing with Mr. Glidewell the other day. He was saying Capp didn’t do anything wrong. I couldn’t make out the whole thing, but Mrs. Glidewell was mad about something. Probably Capp. But then she tells me I could have horseback-riding lessons with Capp, but no trail rides. If she’s not happy about me spending time with him, why let me? And then she says she wants come watch my lessons. That would make me nervous, I think.
You know that guardian angel thing my mama told me? About when something good happens you got to look around for the guardian angel. Guess I’ll never know for sure about angels cause my mama is gone. Seems in Mama’s case her angel forgot to show up when she needed help the most. Guess that could happen to me too. If I can’t stay at Glidewell, where would I go? Some days I’m just scared, not of this place but of the world beyond the thorny fence.
Bonne nuit, mon ami,
Maizie Sunday Freedman
Chapter 22
The Riding Lesson
Maizie dressed for her riding lesson in Mary’s old riding pants, shirt, boots, and hat. Mary met her in the hall outside her office and a warm heartfelt smile crossed her lips. Maizie did not give her the gift of a genuine smile in return. Mary was crushed, but she put on a cheerful air. They walked together to the track making light conversation about the weather. When they got to the saddling stall, Capp looked like he had been hard at work all day, his boots and Levi’s dusty, his shirt stained with sweat. James was right. Capp is a hard worker, Mary thought to herself. She watched while Capp helped Maizie into the saddle. Mary found a good vantage point to observe the lesson without intruding. From that distance, she couldn’t hear what Capp was saying, but she could tell by the seriousness on their faces that it was all business, no nonsense. Mary felt better.
Maizie seemed to be taking Breezy around the ring by herself in a walk then a trot. She appeared in control and confident. Mary could tell from the animation of Capp’s pantomime that he was talking with Maizie about balancing in the saddle. When the lesson ended, Capp attached the lead rope to Breezy’s halter, tied the filly to the corral gate and stood ready to help Maize down. Maizie stood in her stirrups and swung her right leg around, released her left foot from the stirrup and slid to the ground. Capp was there to catch her should she fall. Mary couldn’t help but clap. Maizie’s dismount was perfect.
Capp guided the horse to where Mary was standing. “Seems she’s a good listener. Patient too. Lessons can get tiresome. But we are building up to some fun down the road,” Capp said proudly. Demonstrating awareness of the rules, he said, “See you tomorrow, Maizie, Mrs. Glidewell,” he tipped his Stetson and smiled. He is charming, Mary had to admit.
“Yes, Capp, she’ll see you. Don’t forget we have our big “New Rules” meeting at five p.m. tomorrow.” Mary reminded him.
On their way back to the ranch house, Maizie was talking nonstop. “I don’t know. Just so nice to have Capp teach me. I’m learning the right way now. Capp said the trail ride was just a chance for me to get comfortable on a horse. Now I‘m learning about balancing my body and sitting in the saddle. I was bouncing all over on the trail ride. It kind of hurt, but now I’m learning you don’t have to bounce so much.” Mary was warmed by Maizie’s enthusiasm but worried that Capp was the reason for it, not riding a horse.
“Maizie, tomorrow morning you and I will go to Springfield. We have to mail our invitations to our friends and pick up the posters I ordered. And place an ad in the newspaper about the match races.”
Maizie looked off into the distance said out loud, “Wish my mama could see me ride.”
Realizing Maizie had not heard a word she said, Mary looked at Maizie with sympathy and put her hand on the young girl’s back. “She is proud, I know. She raised one fine girl.”
“I don’t know. Sometimes, I feel like I don’t understand things.”
“Like what?”
“Like how people treat each other. Like how sometimes, I just don’t know anything. How I’m afraid to say what I’m thinking. How I’m afraid I might make a mistake.”
“But look at all you’re learning. If you ever need to talk about something, maybe I could help. I’ve lived a lot longer and have been around a lot of people, all types.”
“Sometimes I cry at night when I think of my mama. Here I’m in the best bed I’ve ever had, and I’m crying.”
“That’s what folks do when they grieve. Sometimes when you lose someone you’ve loved, it just grabs you and you have to cry to let it out. Over time i
t will get better, but you will always miss the person. And that is how it should be, I think.”
“Anyone ever die on you, Mrs. Glidewell?”
“Oh yes, my father and mother, my first husband, and I loved them all. Still do.”
Maizie nodded. “I just wish I could tell Mama all the stuff I’m learning. ’Cause she wouldn’t believe it. It would make her happy.”
“I would have been so proud to have a daughter as pretty and as smart as you.” Mary stopped short, not believing what she had just said. “I mean, we would have had fun, my daughter and me.” Mary felt a rush of sadness and fought to contain it. “But anyway, you sure did well in your horseback-riding lesson.”
Looking up toward the ranch house, Maizie said, “So you never been a mama.”
“No. Seems it wasn’t meant to be. Just as well, I guess. Mr. Glidewell and I have been so busy with our professions. And now we are busier than ever.”
Mazie nodded again.
“Look, when we get to Springfield tomorrow, how would you like to get your own riding outfit, one that fits you?” Mary laughed. “Maybe a few new dresses too. You’ll need a party dress, a pretty color just perfect for you for the dinner after the match-race opening.”
“I don’t have much money. Maybe just a few things.”
“Yes, whatever you can afford.” Mary winked at Maizie and smiled. “But I may want to buy you a few things myself. I think it’s important my assistant look nice for all the festivities.”
The two climbed up the stone steps to the ranch-house door. At the top they turned and hugged each other. Mary could feel tears forming in her eyes. When the embrace concluded, Mary turned so she could wipe away the tears. There was no denying it. This orphaned child had found her way deep into Mary’s heart.
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