Stolen Lives

by Joy Redmond

  Mr. Puss meowed as if saying, “I’m hanging.”

  Ali admired the beautiful day. Spring was her favorite time of year and she loved to gaze at the tulip bed that she had worked so hard on.

  Her mind traveled back to the day that she and Mama Jane had planted the tulip bulbs and the memory of that day brought her great joy. After all it was the only time that Mama Jane had ever participated in a project with her daughter. How she wished Mama Jane had lived long enough to see the one tulip bloom that hadn’t been destroyed with the bulldozer. It had been a pretty deep purple, which was Mama Jane’s favorite color, with the exception of red. Mama Jane loved her bright red lipstick and nail polish.

  The next week, Ali went over to Toots’ house to celebrate Toots’ seventeenth birthday. She took Toots a big bouquet of tulips. And she had filled a fruit jar with tulips to put on Mama Jane’s grave.

  Toots had a few friends over and they sang happy birthday to her, ate cake and ice cream, then they all went uptown and made the rounds to all the hangouts. It had been a great day but Ali knew she had to be home by five o’clock. She didn’t dare push her luck with Aunt July.

  That summer was spent like all the rest: gardening, canning, sewing, and cleaning house. Aunt July helped some but she seemed to tire easily and Ali would tell her to go lay down. Aunt July had lost so much weight she was half the person she used to be. Every time Ali mentioned a doctor, Aunt July said she was fine and had no used for doctors. “I’ve got pills and the church is praying for me. I’ll be back to my old self soon.”

  One day, Sister Bea and Sister Bertha came by to see Aunt July and they lectured on and on about the pills, telling her she had become an addict and God wasn’t happy about it.

  “The last thing I wanna be is a drug addict. That’s as bad as being an alcoholic,” Aunt July said. “I’ll just pray that God will take the pain and I won’t need them.”

  Ali bristled. “So what if she’s an addict? She’s in pain!”

  “Now, Ali. They are just telling me for my own good. Don’t get sassy.”

  Sister Bea went into the kitchen and picked up the bottle of pills and stuck them in her purse. “The devil’s helpers,” she mumbled.

  Ali didn’t get upset and call Sister Bea a thief like she wanted to do. She knew that Aunt July wouldn’t last more than two days before she wanted another feel-good pill, and she’d be calling the doctor for another prescription.

  To Ali’s surprise, Aunt July didn’t mention getting anymore pills. But she became cantankerous, and found fault with everything Ali said and did. And many Saturdays, Ali wasn’t allowed to spend Saturday afternoons with Toots. “You need to spend Saturdays with me, Ali. I’m not so sure that you’re not hanging with the wrong crowd and acting like a tramp.”

  The summer that had started out so wonderfully came to a halt. Aunt July was back to her old self, and the Bible quizzes started again at breakfast time. Ali had the Bible memorized by the time she was seventeen and she passed all the tests. Ali was lectured everyday on the evils of the flesh and there was no watching TV unless it was the news, weather, or a religious program.

  “Back to Monroe Prison,” Ali mumbled. Again, the old hatred began to build. She couldn’t wait for school to begin so she could get out of the house and away from her aunt for a few hours.

  The first day of Ali’s senior year was like a breath of fresh air. All she had to do was hang on for nine more months. She still changed clothes at Toots’ house, and that also gave her great comfort. The weekends dragged as she was not allowed out of the house, except on Sundays. Church was still a big drudgery, and the preacher seemed to drone on and on, saying the same things she had heard a thousand times. And it still made no sense to her. She also found herself looking around the church as if she was expecting to see Grandpa and Grandma marching down the aisle at any moment. At times she felt the hairs on her nape stand up, as if Grandpa were breathing on her, trying to blow her straight to hell.

  The first half of the school year went quicker than the other years. Christmas was upon them again, but Aunt July expressed no interest in putting up a tree. They spent Christmas Eve in church, and Christmas Day was just another day.

  Toots came over for a few minutes in the afternoon. “This sure isn’t like last Christmas. It’s too depressing for me. I’m going on home. If there is any way possible for you to slip off, me and the gang would like for you to come hang out with us.”

  “That’s not likely gonna happen. But it’s okay. Just a few more months of her crap and I’ll be eighteen, then I’ll tell her where she can shove her Bible, all her stupid ideas of the sins of the flesh, and I’ll do as I darn please. You just wait and see. I’ve got my plans in motion. You and Nancy just keep collecting decent clothes for me and I’ll survive the rest of the year.” Ali kissed Toots’ cheek. “Merry Christmas to you. Crappy Christmas to me!”

  Toots didn’t answer. She merely headed for the front door. Ali knew that Toots couldn’t handle her moods, and Toots’ way of dealing was to get away from her best friend. However, she knew that Toots would always be there for her when the chips were down, and that was comforting.

  By the middle of March, Aunt July had taken to her bed. She only got up to use the bathroom, sit at the kitchen table and try to eat a few bites, then it was back to bed, where she propped on pillows and read her Bible until she fell asleep.

  Ali knew that her aunt was in terrible pain but she was scared to mention the pain pills. Then she had an idea. Alcohol was supposed to be a pain killer. What if she poured vodka in her aunt’s orange juice? Frank always had plenty of vodka. Maybe if she explained the situation, he’d sell her some. After all, it was for medicinal purposes.

  Aunt July was asleep. Ali hurried to the phone, called Toots and explained her plan. Then she asked if Toots would see if Frank would sell her a bottle.

  Toots laughed. “Hang on a minute.” Ali held the receiver. Finally, Toots came back on the line. “Frank said he’d do whatever it took to bring her off her mighty high horse and to help you. He’s got an extra bottle and I’ll bring it over to you. I’ll put it in the mailbox and when Aunt July is asleep for the night, you go out and get it.”

  “She’s already asleep. Bring it over and tell me how much I owe Frank. She won’t wake up.”

  A few minutes later, Toots eased the front door open. Ali tiptoed across the living room floor, trying not to giggle. “Thanks. How much—”

  Toots whispered, “It’s free. Frank’s gift to you this time. But knowing that ole tightwad, he’ll expect money if you need another bottle. Do you really think you’re going to pull this off? What if she smells it? If she figures out you’re slipping her alcohol, she’ll kill you.”

  “I’ve always heard you can’t smell vodka. And if she says anything about the taste, I’ll tell her that Nancy sent over some liquid vitamins for her.”

  “Oh, Lord, Ali. You sure take chances. I hope it works.”

  “Yeah, me too. Thanks. I’ll let you know how things go.”

  Aunt July slept until midnight, and then she was up and roaming the house. Ali heard a strange noise and got up to see what was going on. Her aunt was pacing the living room floor, holding her arms in the air, praying, crying and bumping into furniture. Ali had no idea what she was supposed to do. Suddenly, Mr. Puss ran into the room and began rubbing his head up and down Aunt July’s legs. She stopped crying, sat in the recliner, and Mr. Puss started licking her feet. Aunt July acted as if she had been given a sedative. She picked up Mr. Puss and starting rocking him as if he were a baby. Mr. Puss purred and soon, Aunt July stopped rocking, her head fell to the side and she was in a sound sleep.

  Ali didn’t dare touch her aunt or say a word to her. She pulled the afghan off the couch and cover Aunt July. Ali headed back to her bedroom, expecting Mr. Puss to follow, but Mr. Puss stayed put and continued to purr. Ali went back to bed but she left her door open so she would hear Aunt July if she woke up, and so Mr. Puss could come in
and get into bed with her. She had not slept without him since she was six years old.

  She thought she had just closed her eyes when she heard Aunt July in the kitchen. She looked toward the window and realized the sun was up. Then she glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was 6am. Where was Mr. Puss? She jumped out of bed and headed into the kitchen where she fount Aunt July cooking a pan of oatmeal and Mr. Puss eating out of his bowl. “How long have you been up,” Ali asked.

  “I just got out of bed. The same time I always do. Why do you ask such a silly question? I’ve got your breakfast about done. You need to get your bathroom duties done and eat before you’re late for school.”

  “You just got out of bed?”

  “Well, I usually get out of bed in the mornings. What a silly question.”

  “Did you get out of the recliner and go back to your bed?”

  “Child, what are you talking about? I went to bed early last night and slept like a baby. Are you feeling alright? You look like you just saw a ghost. Sit down and eat.”

  “Okay,” Ali said as she pulled out her chair. “It’s good to see you in the kitchen again.”

  “Yeah, it’s been a spell since I felt like getting up and cooking. But to be honest, I’m beginning to hurt something terrible. I don’t want to be an addict but do you think just one pill would be okay for me to take?”

  “Sister Bea took your pain pills. But Nancy sent you over some vitamin drops after you went to sleep last night. She said they would perk you right up and help with the pain.”

  “Well that was kind of her. I’ve been saying I needed some vitamins. Where are they?”

  “In my room. You just eat your oatmeal and I’ll got get them.”

  Ali hurried into the bathroom, opened the medicine cabinet, grabbed a bottle of earache drops, emptied the contents into the sink, then rinsed the bottle. She went into her bedroom, pulled the vodka bottle from under her bed and filled the earache medicine bottle. She peeled off the label, and then put the top with the dropper attached to it into the bottle. She hurried back into the kitchen. “Here, I’ll put a dropper full into your orange juice. It might have a funny taste, but drink it down fast.” After empting the dropper, she grabbed the sugar spoon out of the bowl and stirred it.

  Aunt July drank it down. “Well, that stuff is good. Do you think I could have one more dropper full?”

  “Well, it’s vitamins, I don’t see why not.” Ali poured her aunt another glass of juice and added a dropper full of vodka. “Let’s put one more. If a little will do a little good, then a whole lot will do a whole lot of good.” Ali filled the dropper again.

  “That’s what I’m thinking,” Aunt July answered as Ali emptied the second round. Aunt July turned up the glass. “Now that stuff is bound to be a kill or cure. You tell Nancy I’ll give her some money and she can keep me supplied. I should have been on vitamins all this time.”

  “I’m sure she will,” Ali answered. “I’ve got to hurry or I’ll be late for school.”

  “Go on, honey. I’ll put the dishes in the sink and maybe later today I’ll get them washed up.”

  “Take your time,” Ali said as she hurried off to her bedroom.

  Soon she was ready to leave the house. Aunt July had pushed herself back in the recliner and turned on the TV. Mr. Puss was in her lap.

  Ali patted him on the head. “You take care of her like you did last night. I’ll be back as soon as school lets out.”

  “What are you babbling about, child? Get on out of here before you’re late.”

  “I’m on my way.” Ali looked over her shoulder before she went out the door. Aunt July and Mr. Puss seemed to be content. She shut the door, bounded the porch steps, and took off running to Toots’ house. “Lord, have mercy. If she only knew.” Ali laughed. “When I get home, I’ve got to empty the vodka into a fruit jar. Then I’ll just pour it into her orange juice. I don’t think two or three droppers full is going to do the trick.”

  Then she tried to figure out why Aunt July didn’t remember having a spell in the living room. She also pondered Mr. Puss. He seemed to be better medicine than her aunt had ever taken. He calmed her down and she didn’t remember being in pain.

  By the time Ali got home from school that afternoon, Aunt July was pacing the floor, holding her back and seemed on the verge of tears. “I can’t take much more of this pain. The vitamins helped for a little while but then I started hurting worse than ever. I don’t care what my church sisters say, I’m going to get some more pills. They can call me an addict if they want to but they’ve never hurt like this. How much of those vitamins can I take?”

  “I don’t think you can take too much vitamins. You go lay down and I’ll fix you some orange juice and pour in plenty.”

  “Thank you, honey. They don’t stop the pain but they cut it in half. I reckon that’s good enough until I can get some more pills. I’ll go lay down and you fix it for me.”

  Ali waited until her aunt was in bed, then she went to her bedroom, dragged the vodka bottle from under the bed, hurried into the kitchen, and emptied the pint into a fruit jar. She stuffed the empty vodka bottle into a paper sack, ran outside and dumped it into the trash can. Then she ran back inside, poured the orange juice into a glass then poured in the vodka. She stirred it, smelled it and she could smell the alcohol, proving vodka did have a smell, but she didn’t think Aunt July would figure it out.

  She took the juice into Aunt July’s bedroom and found her propped in bed, reading her Bible. “I take comfort in reading the word of God, but it sure doesn’t stop this God awful pain,” she said, reaching for the glass.

  Ali held her breath. Get it down fast!

  Aunt July turned up the glass and drained it quickly. “I tell you that’s some good stuff. You make sure that Nancy gets me some more.” She thumbed through a few pages of her Bible and pulled out two twenty dollar bills. “Here give this to her. Tell her I want plenty of it.”

  “I sure will. And if you want another dose after a few minutes, you just let me know.”

  “I sure will, child. But my head already feels like it’s spinning. It kind of makes me want to giggle. I didn’t know that vitamins would do that to a person. I hope I haven’t overdone it.”

  “I think you’ll be fine. Why don’t you try to take a nap?”

  “I’m going to read a little longer, and then maybe a nap will do me good. Don’t bother about cooking supper. I don’t have much of an appetite and food hurts my stomach. Just fix you something. You eat like a bird and you need to put some meat on them bones.”

  “I’ll eat plenty. Don’t worry about me.” Ali quietly slipped out of the room, hoping her aunt would fall asleep so she could watch a good program on TV before she had to start on her homework. She had always been a straight A student and she was determined that she would graduate as the Valedictorian of her class. Only two more months and she would don her graduation gown, march across the stage, receive her diploma, and hopefully be honored for her hard work and good grades.

  Ali was in her bedroom studying for a geometry test when Aunt July called out. “Ali. Where are you? You better be bringing me some more vitamins. And you better move your butt, fast!”

  Ali felt chills run down her spine. Aunt July sounded just like Mama Jane used to when her drunk was wearing off and she needed another pint.

  “I’ll fix it. Hold on.” Ali hurried into the kitchen. She poured a triple shot of vodka into the juice, hoping her aunt would pass out for the night. After all Aunt July wasn’t used to alcohol and it should knock her on her butt.

  Ali took the glass to Aunt July, and she drank it down without taking a breath. “That’s more like it. Now you sit here with me for a while. I get lonesome.”

  “I’ve got to study for a test. I’ve maintained all A’s this year and I don’t want to blow it now. I’ve only got two more months. I’ll come in and check on you now and then.”

  “Oh, sure! Everything has always been more important to you
than I am. I figure you owe me, girl. I’m the one who took you in when your mama died. I’m the one who has given you a decent upbringing and seen that you have everything you need. And this is the thanks I get. You ungrateful little bastard!”

  Ali grew red in the face. She leaned in close to her aunt and said, “If you ever call me a bastard again, I’ll choke the last breath out of you, old woman. I’ve worked my butt off for you and I’ve given up my whole life for you. Don’t you ever—”

  Aunt July’s eyes looked like glowing colds as she said, “Don’t you raise your voice to me, you little tramp. I’ll get out of this bed and take a stick to you. Who do you think you’re talking to? I’ll—”

  “I know who I’m talking to and I mean every word. Now, if you think you can get outta that bed and take a stick to me, then I dare you!”

  Aunt July struggled but she could only lift her head and shoulders, then she fell backwards. “You just wait, Missy. I’ll get up after I’ve rested. This isn’t over with!”

  “Oh, it’s over. And you won’t be getting any more vitamins. You can bet your old hateful butt on that!”

  Aunt July started crying. “No, Ali. I have to have my vitamins. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. My head is all crazy and I don’t know what I’m saying. You’ve been good to me. Please get me another dose and I promise I won’t ask for anything else. Please!”

  Just like Mama Jane. Hateful one minute, sorry the next, but it never lasts long. No more vodka for you. That was a big mistake. “I gave you all there was in the bottle. I’ll contact the doctor tomorrow and get the pills for you. They work better anyway. Now, please go to sleep and let me study.”

  Aunt July scooted down in bed, rested her head on the stack of pillows, and whispered. “Okay. I’ll try to sleep. You get my pills and I’ll be fine. Goodnight.” She was asleep before Ali had the covers pulled over her.

  “Goodnight. You poor, pitiful old soul. I know it was the vodka talking, so I forgive you. This isn’t my first time to have to deal with a drunk. But this time it’s my fault. I was trying to help but it seems like I made matters worse. Please, please sleep through the night. I’ve got to study and get up early.”