RG2 - Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons

by Denise Grover Swank

  She squinted. “Stranger things have happened, Rose. What’s he hiding?”

  I tried to stand, but Joe pulled me back down.

  “No,” Joe squeezed my hand. “Let her talk. You say you don’t know anything about me, Violet, but that’s your fault, isn’t it? Since that night you walked into Rose’s house and found me helpin’ her paint, you’ve had it out for me. Why?”

  “I already told you. We don’t know anything about you.”

  “Then ask.”

  For once, Violet was speechless.

  “What do you want to know?”

  She quickly recovered and lifted her chin. “Your family, for one thing.”

  “Oh Lordy, Violet!” I snapped. “That again? Can’t you just let it go?” Joe wasn’t comfortable talking about his family and I wasn’t going to let her bully him into exposing his past.

  Joe tensed, involuntarily digging his nails into my hand.

  “Joe, do not tell her anything you don’t want to share.”

  He took a long swig from his bottle then leveled his gaze at her. “I’m not sure what my family has to do with me and the choices I’ve made with my life, but so be it. You’re Rose’s sister. Your blessing is important to me and I know it’s important to her even if she won’t admit it. But let me tell you this,” He leaned forward, resting his elbow on his knee. “I don’t need your blessing. I love Rose and I’m not goin’ anywhere. I’m proving it by sitting here endurin’ your inhospitality and condemnation when the only thing I’m guilty of is lovin’ your sister.”

  Her mouth opened as though she was about to say something, but she closed it without making a sound. Joe had left her speechless twice. I couldn’t be more proud of him.

  Mike tipped his beer with a grin and took a drink.

  Joe’s voice lowered into a growl. “Now what do you want to know?”

  Violet inhaled, then a smug smile twisted her mouth. “Where are you from?”

  “Little Rock.”

  “But where were you born and raised? Who are your people?”

  “Who are his people?” I screeched.

  Joe dropped my hand and put his arm around my back. “El Dorado.”

  “So you were born there and lived there your whole life.”

  “Until I went to college in Little Rock and stayed there when I joined the state police.”

  “And did you finish college?”

  What was with her haughty attitude? She and Mike didn’t go to college. Most people in Henryetta didn’t. Surely she wasn’t going to hold that over his head.

  “Yes, Violet, I did. When I set out to do something, I do it.”

  That was clearly a challenge.

  “So what was your major?”

  “Pre-law, then law school.”

  I tried to hide my surprise, but Violet didn’t, her mouth falling open as she peered over her sunglasses, reassessing him with this new piece of information.

  “Then why are you an Arkansas State Police detective? Why aren’t you practicing law?”

  “Because I never wanted to be an attorney. I only went to law school to appease my father. I always intended to be a police detective.”

  “What does your father do?”

  “He’s an attorney in El Dorado.”

  “And your mother?”

  Joe’s arm stiffened.

  “Joe, you don’t have to answer her questions.” I turned to my sister. “That is enough, Violet. This is not the Spanish Inquisition.”

  “What is he hidin’, Rose? Your face is like an open book, and it’s obvious that this is the first time you’re hearin’ all this yourself. How can you build a relationship on secrets?”

  “His past is for him to share with me when he’s ready. It doesn’t change a thing, Violet.”

  “Rose, it’s fine.” He glared at Violet. “I hadn’t told Rose because I am so completely different from my parents that I didn’t want Rose to hold my family against me.”

  Violet’s hand covered her mouth. “Oh, dear Lord. You’re from white trash, aren’t you?”

  “Violet!”

  “If your father is a lawyer, he must be an ambulance chaser.”

  “Violet!” I jumped up, but Joe pulled me back down, his arm wrapping around my waist again. He gripped my side as though he was afraid I was gonna leave him alone to face her.

  “No,” Joe’s voice was tight. “My family is the furthest you can get from white trash. To answer your original question, my mother is not employed but keeps busy with her society work.”

  Violet was speechless again. Joe was going for a home run.

  “My family is the Simmons family from El Dorado.”

  My head swung from Joe to Violet, unsure what that meant.

  But Violet knew. Her face paled. “The Simmons family?”

  “One and the same.”

  “But…but…”

  My heart sputtered. “Wait. I don’t understand.”

  “His family…” Violet swallowed. “His family is the richest family in all of Southern Arkansas. They fill the Inviting Arkansas society pages.” Violet would know, since she subscribed to the magazine that covered all things society in Arkansas. She pored over it every month when it showed up in her mailbox.

  Fear coursed through my veins. Joe was from a rich society family and I… I was from Henryetta and worked at a DMV. How could I fit into that?

  Joe’s arm pulled me closer. “Rose, I didn’t tell you because I’m not like them and I don’t want to be. I’ve made my own life and you’re part of it. They aren’t.”

  Violet pulled off her sunglasses, studying Joe with a suspicious look. “Why not?”

  “That’s not the life I wanted. But since you now know that I come from an acceptable family, I want to drop the subject.”

  Violet’s entire attitude changed, which nauseated me. Was my sister really that shallow?

  Dinner was tense, but more on my part than Violet’s doing. She was syrupy sweet to Joe, probably trying to make up for all the meanness she’d heaped on him. I kept thinking about Joe’s family and Violet’s discrimination.

  “How’s business, Mike?” Joe asked. “Your construction company still doin’ well?”

  “Yeah. We’re bidding on a big job involving the new superstore going in over by the Forest Ridge subdivision.”

  My head jerked up at the mention of Frank Mitchell’s neighborhood. “What does that mean exactly?”

  Mike stirred his salad around on his plate. “It means they’re tearing out part of the neighborhood to put in the parking lot for the store.”

  I set my fork down and wrung my hands in my lap. “So…that means someone is buying houses for the parking lot?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “Who’s buying them?”

  Joe shot me a glance with narrowed eyes but kept silent.

  “The corporation that owns the store. They’re in the process of finalizing the deals. Demo will start in about six months.”

  “What happens to the people who don’t want to sell?”

  “They don’t have much choice in the matter. The city approved it. They have to accept a fair price.”

  “And is it fair?”

  Mike shrugged and stabbed a baked potato from the bowl on the table, plopping it onto his plate. “I suppose it is. Most of those houses are damn near condemnable.”

  Violet’s mouth pursed and she nodded to Ashley, who ate her food, ignoring all adult conversation. “Mike. Language.”

  Mike scowled.

  Violet shot me an icy stare. “Why the sudden interest in real estate, Rose?”

  I looked down at my steak, feeling Joe’s gaze on me. “I don’t know. I’m interested in old houses.”

  “Well, you should take Austin Kent up on his offer to show you his photos of Italy. I’m sure it still stands.”

  Joe’s threw his fork down on his plate, the clang filling the room and stunning Violet into silence.

  Oh mercy, she’d gone and done
it now.

  He stood up, his body stiff. “Rose, I think it’s time we left.”

  Tears blurred my eyes as I turned to her. “How could you, Violet? Your biggest concern was that Joe’s family wasn’t good enough and now you know they are, so what is it?”

  She placed her hands on the table, leaning forward. “Rose, honey, you know how much I love you and I can’t stand by and watch you get hurt.”

  “What are you talkin’ about?”

  Lifting her chin, she shot a glance at Joe then back at me. “I don’t think tonight is a good time to discuss this, Rose. How about we talk about it after Joe goes back to Little Rock?”

  Joe took a step closer to me, putting his hand on my shoulder. “How about we discuss this now?”

  Her face softened. “Joe, it’s apparent I was wrong about you, and I’m terribly sorry about that. But in light of your new information…let’s be honest.” She pointed to him. “You’re…a Simmons.”

  “So?”

  “Well, Rose…she’s…”

  Joe grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the chair. “Come on, Rose. We’re leaving.”

  My breath caught in my throat.

  Joe pushed me around the table, but I dug my heels in. I had to know the truth.

  “Let me get this straight. First you thought Joe wasn’t good enough for me. Now you think I’m not good enough for him?”

  Joe shook his head and tried to pull me out of the room. “Don’t do this, Rose.”

  Mike stood next to his chair. “Violet, I’m warnin’ you.”

  Violet bit her lip, her love for me filling her eyes. “It’s not that, Rose. It’s just that you…”

  “Rose,” Joe pleaded.

  “No,” I choked out. “I want to hear this from her.”

  “Honey, his family is society. They have money. How are you goin’ to fit in with that? I just don’t want you to get hurt.” The sincerity in her eyes told me that she meant every word she said.

  Joe looked angry enough to hit her. Instead, he held his breath, then said, “Rose, get Muffy.”

  I remained frozen in horror.

  He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes. His face softened. “I love you, Rose. Don’t you ever doubt that for a single minute. But I need a word with your sister, so go get Muffy and we’ll head home. Okay?”

  I nodded, the lump in my throat too big to speak through.

  Muffy was in the backyard and I opened the back door, wondering how things had gotten to this state. Joe’s angry voice carried through the glass. I should be in there with him, not hiding on the patio.

  The door opened behind me and Ashley slipped out and wrapped her arms around my legs. “Why’s everybody yellin’?”

  Closing my eyes, I silently berated myself for yelling at Violet in front of Ashley and Mikey. “Grownups do that sometimes.”

  Muffy ran over and I knelt down to scoop her up. I grabbed Ashley’s arm and tugged her closer, staring into her confused face. “People fight and they get over it. It’s goin’ to be okay.” I kissed her forehead and stood, wishing I believed what I’d said.

  Sucking in a deep breath, I walked into the house, Joe’s voice echoing from the other room. “The only person hurting her is you, Violet.”

  Joe swung to face me when I entered the room, fear in his eyes before he pushed it away. “I’ve said my piece. Let’s go.”

  I nodded.

  “Rose!” Violet shouted as we left the room.

  Joe wrapped his arm around my back, holding me tight as we walked out the front door.

  She stood on the porch, watching Joe push me into the car. “Rose, honey. I love you. I only want what’s best for you.”

  I bit my lip to keep from crying. Joe hurried around to the driver’s side and drove off, Violet still on the porch shouting at me.

  Neither of us said anything all the way home. I was too shocked and hurt. But as soon as we walked into the kitchen, I buried my face into Joe’s chest, sobbing.

  He led me into the living room and sat on the sofa, pulling me onto his lap. “It’s not true. Don’t listen to her, darlin’.” Gripping my cheeks his hands, his eyes bored into mine. “I love you for you and you’re a hundred times better than someone from my parents’ world.” His hand smoothed my damp hair off my face and he kissed me. “I want you. If I wanted the type of woman my parents would choose, I’d be with Hilary.”

  My eyes widened in horror and I gasped.

  Joe frantically shook his head. “No, it’s not what you think.”

  But it was exactly what I thought. Joe said they’d known each other as kids. Hilary was from money too. They’d dated and lived together before Joe broke up with her. Hilary was who his parents wanted him to marry and she knew it. I was gonna be sick.

  I shook my head, my tears catching my breath.

  “Damn it!” he shouted, leaning his head back against the sofa. “This is all my fault.” His eyes found mine. “I’m sorry. I should have told you, but I know how you think and I knew you’d feel this way. I just couldn’t bear to see that look of horror in your eyes. Please, Rose. It’s me. I’m just Joe. I hardly ever see my family. Their world isn’t mine.”

  “I don’t…”

  He pulled me into an embrace and buried his face into my hair. “I love you and I need you. I don’t want to live without you. Don’t hold my family against me. Rose, please say something.”

  No matter when he told me about his family, I would have reacted the same way. Violet’s words echoed in my head. “She’s right.”

  “Who?” He leaned me back, anger filling his eyes. “Violet? The hell she is. You were right when you said you thought she was jealous. Sure, on the surface I think she’s deluded herself into believing she has your best interests in mind, but she can’t stand the thought of you being happy. Or even worse, better than her.”

  “But…”

  “Rose. I speak to my family two or three times a year. I go home for Christmas. I don’t even spend the night.” His eyes burned with pain. “I am my father’s greatest disappointment. I’m his only son and he wanted me to join the family business and I refused. I refused to go to my father’s alma mater, Vanderbilt. I refused to practice law. I wanted to make my own life, free from my father’s shadow. I’ve never felt as free as when I was Joe McAllister. Being with you is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.”

  He watched me, his eyes guarded.

  His family intimidated me and I suspected if Joe’s father couldn’t accept him having an honest job, he’d never accept me. But who was I to point fingers? My momma had been a mean, spiteful woman. My father had watched her belittle me my entire life because of the sins of his own past and never intervened. Violet had tried to run Joe off because she’d thought so little of his family and then she thought too much. If Joe could still love me, in spite of my own questionable family, how could I hold his against him?

  “I want to move to Little Rock with you.”

  His face lit up with joy. “What? You do? Why?”

  “Because I love you, Joe McAllister, and if you can put up with my insufferable family, who am I to question yours? And Violet was right about one thing. I’m miserable without you.”

  “You won’t regret it. I swear. I love you, and I’ll never let anyone hurt you if I can help it.”

  Sliding my hand into his hair, I pulled his mouth to mine. “I know.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  When Joe left Monday morning, I didn’t even try to pretend to be happy about it. Joe was torn between leaving me and taking me with him, even though I insisted I had to go to work and give my notice.

  “I’ll come back Wednesday night and I’ll help you start boxing things up.”

  I nodded, worried I’d burst into tears.

  “Are you sure you can’t just call with your notice?”

  “I could, but I may as well do it in person. I have to stay in town. Violet and I have an appointment with the probate office on Wednesday. The sooner w
e get that taken care of, the sooner I’ll be free.”

  “Okay.” He hesitated.

  “You need to go or you’ll be late. We can’t both be unemployed.”

  “We could travel the world. I could take you to Italy.”

  “Well, the difference between your job and mine is you actually enjoy it. So you go to the job you love, and I’ll figure out what I want to be when I grow up.”

  “You could always go back to school. I’m sure the University of Arkansas in Little Rock has an elementary education program.”

  He knew how much it had bothered me that I’d quit college my freshman year to take care of Momma after Daddy died. I was surprised he remembered my major. I’d only mentioned it once. But it was an option. I had my money from my birth mother. I could use it to pay for my tuition.

  Joe took my hand and I walked him to his car while Muffy ran around looking for the perfect spot to pee. “Maybe you can come up to Little Rock this weekend since this last one didn’t work out.”

  “Sorry about that.”

  “Promise me you won’t do anything illegal.”

  That was easy. I wasn’t on jury duty anymore. “I promise.”

  “And be careful. Before you do something, ask yourself ‘what would Joe think if he knew I was doing this’ and if you have the smallest inkling I’d be upset, then don’t do it.”

  That one was harder. “Okay. But you’ll do some digging into who’s in charge of the construction project and Forest Ridge?”

  “I’ll do my best, but I have a busy week scheduled. I might not get to it for a couple of days.” He held up a finger when I started to protest. “I’ll get to it as soon I can. Now come here and kiss me goodbye.”

  He leaned against the car door and pulled me to his chest, kissing me as though he wouldn’t see me for three months instead of three days.

  “I love you, Joe.”

  “I love you too. Stay out of trouble.”

  I smiled. “I never used to get into trouble until you showed up.”

  “Somehow, I seriously doubt that. But try to stay out of it anyway.”

  He drove away and I looked across the street, not surprised to see Miss Mildred watching out her front door with a frown.