High Cotton

by Debby Mayne

  “I know, right? Thank you so much for helping me with them.”

  “You didn’t have to tell anybody,” Shay says.

  “It wouldn’t be right to take full credit for them.” I turn to Tom. “My sister and I never knew how to cook until we bought Shay’s condo.”

  He gives me a curious look. “I’m sure that makes sense on some level.”

  Shay laughs. “If you hang out with this family long enough, the weirdest stuff will start to make sense.”

  “I think I’d like that.” Tom gives me a look that makes me wonder what I’ve gotten myself into, and how I can break it to him that I’m just not feelin’ it. At least not now.

  I can tell Sally isn’t as into Tom as he is her, but I see the potential if she’d just relax. Part of the problem might be that she still can’t let go of her anger toward Justin for taking Sara away from her. I learned that the bond between twins is exponentially more powerful than most sibling relationships, but I’m not so sure Justin realizes that yet.

  Elliot gently rests his arm around my shoulder—something that seems natural for him but odd for me. I’ve never been one to show affection in public. Or anywhere, for that matter, since I’ve never been in a long-term relationship. I wonder if having been married gives him a more relaxed manner when it comes to touching.

  I turn to him and grin. The corners of his eyes crinkle as they always do right before he smiles, and that feeling I used to have in the pit of my stomach when I watched him from a distance returns. It’s sort of a roller-

  coaster free-fall sensation that radiates throughout my body.

  It’s weird how I’ve gone back and forth with my feelings toward Elliot in such a short time. When I saw him in the grocery store after all those years, it was like we’d never left high school. Then I started having doubts, until he gave me one of his looks. My doubts returned, and then we heard Joe talking about the people from his old church. One thing I hate is gossip, even when it’s insignificant or if no one in the audience knows the person. It’s just wrong in my book. And I’m happy to know that Elliot feels the same way.

  The sound of Tom’s laughter gets our attention. When I glance over at him, I see that he’s laughing, while Sally appears disinterested. Yeah, this thing between them has gone south really fast.

  Elliot pulls me closer and whispers, “Sally is clearly not into her date.”

  “I’ve noticed. I wonder what happened.”

  He pulls his arm back and shrugs. “Who knows about matters of the heart? Maybe something bad happened that we don’t know about, or maybe nothing happened, and she’s just not interested.” He pauses and gives me a different look—one I used to see him give whatever cheerleader he was dating back in high school. “Could be that the chemistry between them is off.”

  “Well, I’m—” I’m interrupted by a loud ka-boom!

  “What the—” Foster glances over his shoulder in the direction of the sound. “It’s the old barn.” A few more popping noises echo across the field, and I hear the crackling sound that is clearly fire making its way through the barn. Foster hops to his feet and takes off running. “Missy’s in there!” His voice is frantic. “I gotta get my wife! Missy’s in there!”

  Elliot’s eyes widen as he lets go of me and jumps up. “I’m gonna help find her.” Without another word, he takes off after Foster. They reach the barn, and without a second’s hesitation, Foster flings open the door and they run right in.

  My body is numb, but my heart pounds with fear as I squeeze my eyes shut and beg for safety for Missy, Foster, and Elliot. When I open my eyes, I see giant flames licking the side of the barn.

  A couple other guys in the family run toward the barn. I look over at the area where Joe was holding court and see him staring off toward them, but he doesn’t make a move in that direction. My opinion of this youth pastor has taken a second nosedive, and I know he’ll never be able to redeem himself in my eyes.

  Someone must have called the fire department because I hear the sound of sirens approaching. One of my uncles and a couple of my cousins are on the Pinewood Volunteer Fire Department, so I figure it must have been one of them since they got here so fast.

  An ambulance pulls up behind the single fire truck, and several first responders pile out. “Anyone in the barn?” one of the paramedics asks.

  “My cousin Missy went in a little while ago,” I say. “And a couple of guys went in after her. I’m not sure if anyone else was in there.”

  The paramedic, a young woman I’ve seen around town a couple of times but don’t know by name, directs some of the other emergency people before she takes off toward the barn. She looks to be no taller than five feet nothing, but I have no doubt she can handle whatever she encounters. Some people exude competence and authority, and she’s definitely one of them.

  Elliot and Foster come walking out from behind the barn with Missy between them, her arms slung around their necks, her face bleeding and her outfit ripped in a few places. The expression on Foster’s face lets me know he’ll need a paramedic’s attention as soon as his wife is tended to. I’ll never forget the look of shock in his eyes.

  Once the men turn Missy over to the paramedics, I can tell Elliot is taking charge by the way he takes Foster by the arm and leads him to another one. He takes off running back toward the barn, where the firefighters are doing their best to control the blaze.

  Mama walks up to me, her face filled with concern. “Anyone know what happened?”

  The next voice I hear is Grandpa Jay hollering at Julius and Brett. “What in the Sam Hill do you young’uns think you’re doing? Someone coulda been killed in that barn.”

  Julius turns away, but Brett’s face is shrouded in fear as his chin trembles. “I didn’t think—”

  “I know you didn’t think, boy, and that’s why this happened.” Grandpa Jay takes both boys by the arm and drags them toward the double-

  wide, where Granny Marge is standing at the door. “We’ve got some talkin’ to do.”

  Julius shakes his head. “But—”

  “No buts, young man. You’re comin’ with me.”

  A look of fear washes over Julius’s face. “Mama?”

  “Your mama can’t get you out of this one, Julius.” Grandpa Jay’s face tightens even more. “But I’ll give you back to her after I’m done with you.”

  I shake my head, but before I can get a word out, Marybeth storms past us. “I knew if Julius hung out with Digger’s young’uns, something like this would happen.”

  “Like what?” Mama asks.

  Marybeth ignores the question as my cousin Bucky approaches. “You were supposed to have a talk with Julius.”

  “I did.”

  “And why was he hanging out with that low-class hoodlum?” Marybeth plants a fist on her hip. “You know those Henke boys are a bad influence.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I catch sight of Puddin’ storming toward us, her nostrils flared. “Hold it right there, Marybeth. Who are you calling a bad influence?”

  “Your children. They’re wild and not the kind of kids I want influencing my sweet boy.”

  “Well, I just happen to know that sweet boy of yours got caught smokin’ behind the elementary school three weeks ago.”

  “Where did you hear that?” Marybeth asks.

  “From Patty Anderson.”

  “Her kids are as bad as yours.”

  I step between the wives of my brother and cousin and carefully push them away from each other. “Ladies, this isn’t the time or place to start laying blame on anyone’s kids. We need to make sure everyone is okay.”

  “Julius is probably in that trailer cryin’ his precious little heart out. That boy is so tenderhearted, he can’t stand the thought of hurting anyone.”

  “Oh, give me a break.” Puddin’ tries to get past me, but I block her again. “If you keep this up, you’ll wind up bailin’ sweet little Julius out of jail someday.”

  Marybeth narrows her eyes. “
Not before I see you sittin’ in court waitin’ on a verdict for Brett.”

  “Trust me, as soon as Grandpa Jay gets done with him, Digger will make him wish he was never born.” Puddin’ makes a sour face. “And why aren’t you with your sweet little Julius, givin’ him some mama-love, if he’s so precious and tenderhearted?”

  I’ve never told anyone before, but I don’t have much use for Marybeth. She might be married to one of Digger’s favorite cousins, but she thinks she’s too good for the family just because they struck oil. I don’t hate many people, but I do despise snobs. All they do is try to suck the joy out of anyone they think is beneath them.

  To top things off, she thinks that when her young’uns do bad stuff, it’s someone else’s fault. If she doesn’t stop defending them, there’s no telling where they’ll wind up.

  Of course, I’m mad as all get-out with my son for doing such a stupid thing. Why would anyone think it’s okay to bring a box of firecrackers into a barn and light the entire thing at one time? I was ready to go pull his eyebrows out as soon as I heard he did it, but Digger insisted on doing it himself.

  As soon as Digger’s grandfather finishes with the boys, I’m beside my boy in a flash, only I’m not offering support. Instead, I’m hollerin’ my head off, making all kinds of threats that involve his ability to have children if he lives to be a man, saying things I’m sure the good Lord doesn’t like.

  I manage to get one smack on my son’s behind before Digger takes me by the shoulders and pulls me away. Tears stream down my face as I continue yelling. Brett might have a good six inches on me, but I’ve never seen him look so scared as he did when I first went after him.

  Digger tells me he doesn’t want me anywhere near Brett because I’m too emotional for something like this. He’s probably right. I mean, what mama wouldn’t be emotional when her son lights a barn on fire and nearly kills someone?

  I know my husband, so I’m not worried he’ll do anything to seriously hurt our child. He’s told us some stories about his shenanigans when he was a kid, and what Brett did pales in comparison to a lot of it. The big difference is that no one ever got hurt on account of Digger’s stupidity—unless, of course, you count his backside after his grandpa got ahold of him.

  “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  I glance up and see Shay standing beside me with a look of compassion on her face. “Nah, I’m fine. I’d like to be alone for a few minutes, though, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course.” She pats me on the shoulder. “I’ll be nearby if you need me.”

  I lower my head, but I can still see her walking away with Elliot. She seems happy with him, but I can tell there’s some hesitation in her actions with him.

  My sister-in-law is one of the kindest people on earth. Too bad she has never found the right guy to enjoy life with. I like Elliot, but I know her family won’t take kindly to her having a relationship with a divorced man. Even Digger has made some comments. I’ve had to remind him that everyone makes mistakes, so he needs to let his sister live her own life and fall in love with a man who’s right for her.

  I’m relieved to hear that Missy is going to be just fine. She was on the other side of the barn, near the back door, when the firecracker bomb went off, so she managed to get out before it finished popping. She did get hit by some of the wood that flew through the barn, and apparently she has some mild lacerations on her face and arms. Her clothes are ruined, so I make a mental note to help her pick out something new at La Chic.

  About ten minutes later, a sheriff’s department cruiser pulls up as close to the barn as it can get, and the deputy gets out. I know he’s here to talk to my son and Julius, and I’m all for it. My son needs the fear of the law right now.

  I start to walk over to the newer barn to see what’s going on with Digger and Brett, but they come out before I get there. “I’ve got this covered, Puddin’. Let me handle it.”

  “But I—”

  “You heard me.” His voice is firm. “Puddin’, you’re in no shape to deal with this. Besides, I feel responsible for not paying closer attention to my son.”

  I nod. “Okay, but if you need me, I’ll be right here.”

  “Speaking of sons, where’s Jeremy?”

  “One of your aunts took him away so he wouldn’t have to see all this commotion.”

  Digger walks Brett over to the deputy, and I watch as they talk. It’s obvious Brett feels awful, based on the way he’s hanging his head. Digger speaks a little bit, and every once in a while, I see Brett open his mouth. His cheeks are flushed, and his hair looks like he’s been through a wind tunnel.

  After a few minutes, the officer says something to Digger, who backs away. Elliot joins him, and they say a few words. I sure wish I knew what’s going on.

  “Oh, for cryin’ out loud,” Marybeth hollers as she approaches. “What’s the cop doing here? You’d think no one ever pulled a prank in this town before.” She storms off toward the deputy, her arms flailing every which way, and the shrillness of her voice echoes over the crowd.

  Shay magically appears beside me. “Don’t say anything, Puddin’. You don’t need to get in a fight you can’t win.”

  “I know, but it’s hard.”

  Elliot approaches my other side. “If it makes you feel any better, your son is cooperating with the deputy.”

  I blink. “What about Julius?”

  “Not so much.” Elliot glances at Shay, who nods, then looks at me again. “His mama told the deputy that he wouldn’t talk without his lawyer.”

  “What teenage boy has a lawyer?” I shriek.

  Elliot nods. “My thoughts exactly. It looks like they’re finished with Brett, and from what I gather, he’s free to go home. The officer says he suspects the punishment there will be much more severe than anything the sheriff’s department is allowed to do.”

  “So they’re getting off?”

  “I didn’t say that. Both boys still have to go to court, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re sentenced to some sort of community service.”

  Shay looks back and forth between Elliot and me as silence falls over us. There’s no telling what she’s thinking, but I sure hope she doesn’t think my young’uns are bad eggs. I’ve spent quite a bit of time trying to drill the importance of being good citizens into their heads. We go to church every Sunday, and I make them do work for others every single chance I get. We’ve worked at the Interdenominational Christian Food Bank in Hattiesburg, helped build houses for the Habitat program, and served meals at a couple soup kitchens. Brett is the only one of my children who has never complained about any of it.

  Granted, Trey and Hallie have given me plenty to worry about in the past. Trey got caught up with a bunch of boys who liked to drag race in Hattiesburg. I talked to him until I was blue in the face, and Digger threatened him to within an inch of his life. So he left home and said he was never coming back. That ended when one of his friends got in a serious accident and became a paraplegic.

  Hallie went through a phase of sneaking out with some new friends I never would have approved of. She was a little more difficult to handle because everything she did happened after Digger and I went to bed. However, Digger ended that by sleeping in his rocker-recliner. One night, he caught her tiptoeing through the house. She didn’t know he was there because it was dark. When he grabbed her by the arm, her scream was loud enough to wake the neighborhood. And Digger took it to the next step by going outside and embarrassing her in front of her friends. She told us we ruined her life when they quit hanging out with her, but within a week, she was back to doing things with her youth group at church. What still blows my mind is that her grades never dropped, in spite of all her shenanigans.

  Jeremy is still too young to do any of this stuff, but I reckon I need to be prepared for anything. Even though he has a sweet disposition now, we know how quickly things can change.

  “Are you okay, Puddin’?” Shay asks. “You’re being awful quiet.”


  I swallow hard and nod. “I’m just thinking.”

  “Don’t forget, I’m here if you need me. I don’t have much experience with kids, but I sort of remember being one.”

  Elliot nods. “Same here. Sometimes it takes someone other than a parent to get through to kids.”

  “Thanks, y’all.” I manage a smile. “I hope you were right about the community service. I think hard work is the best way to keep young’uns from getting in trouble.”

  I can actually imagine Brett doing service for others since Puddin’ had him working on a Habitat for Humanity project. But Julius? Not so much. His parents spoil him so much, I don’t think he has a clue about helping the unfortunate. I sure hope their lawyer doesn’t get him off. Doing something for others will be good for the pampered, rich kid with parents who don’t seem to understand true values.

  “Has anyone seen Granny Marge or Grandpa Jay?” I shield my eyes and look around.

  “They’re in their mobile home,” Elliot says. “You might want to go see about them.”

  “Yeah, I think I will.”

  “Want me to go with you?” He puts his hand on my shoulder as he looks into my eyes.

  “I don’t think so. There’s no telling how they’re doing.”

  “Oh, trust me, your grandparents have seen a lot. I have no doubt they’re handling it all just fine.” He makes a face. “This sure did turn out different from how I expected.”

  I feel bad for Elliot. “If you don’t want to hang around . . .” I pause and watch for a reaction. “I’ll understand if you want to leave. I can get a ride home with someone.”

  “Don’t even say such a thing.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Why don’t you go see about your grandparents? I’ll be right here.”

  I’m touched by his tenderness, but his comment about the use of the family land keeps popping into my mind. It’s hard to get past that.

  On the way to the house, I say a brief prayer that I’ll have clarity. And before I step inside, I pray that my grandparents aren’t a couple of basket cases.