by Joe Woods
Mrs. Bray called out, “Come over. I’ve got some fresh iced tea. Would you like a glass?”
“Mrs. Bray, that would be very nice. I do have one phone call to make. Give me a couple of minutes.”
Willow went inside and dialed information for Manhattan, New York. When the operator answered Willow said, “I need the number of the Manhattan Transfer Company.”
The operator connected Willow to that number and she placed a request for the company to ship her Jaguar to Vicksburg.
“I need to make arrangements for you to pick the car up at my condo and deliver it to me in Vicksburg, MS.”
She gave them the necessary information on whom to contact at her condo and a detailed description of the car to include her license plate, WIL K MC, and address to make the delivery.
“When can you deliver and what will it cost?”
“Ma’am, I can have it on the road within two hours and it will arrive at your destination within twenty-four hours. It will cost you $1.50 per mile.”
“Good, I’ll be expecting it. Here is my credit card information. Put the charges on it.”
“Will do.”
“Thank you.”
Willow joined Mrs. Bray and Mamie for that glass of iced tea.
“Ms. McKenzie, do you want me to come back tomorrow?”
“Mamie, I’m not sure exactly what we’re going to do, but yes, I would like for you to come every day for a few hours until I’ve had time to settle in.”
“No problem. I’ve been coming three times a week. I could come five days a week with no problem.”
“Good. Mr. Woody has told me how good you’ve been to Daddy. I sincerely appreciate that. I want you to continue.”
“I usually carry your daddy a good home-cooked meal two times a week. He likes my cooking better than what he gets at the assisted living home.”
“Then, maybe we should increase that to five times a week, maybe lunch and dinner.”
“I would be happy to do that. Just let me know. Do you want me to cook for you, also?”
“That would be super. To have a Southern home-cooked meal once a day sounds like an outstanding idea.”
“Thank you, Ma’am. I really need this job. My husband is gravely ill and unable to work, so I’m the bread winner for our family.”
“Mamie, I’m sorry to hear that. Does your husband need medical treatment?”
“No Ma’am. We’re getting all we need through Medicaid.”
At that moment, Mrs. Bray returned and poured Willow a glass of iced tea.
“Thank you. It is so nice to be home and sit under a big live oak tree and enjoy Southern hospitality again.”
“It is time for me to go home. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at eight, if that is okay.”
“I’ve got a guest coming in late tonight. Please wait until noon tomorrow.”
“I can do that. Thank you.”
For the next twenty minutes, Willow and Mrs. Bray recounted some of Willow’s childhood antics. They both laughed when recalling a time when Willow fell out of the tree and broke her right arm. It wasn’t funny then, but in hind sight, remembering all of the hustle and bustle, it was hilarious.
Standing up, Willow said, “Mrs. Bray, this has been absolutely delightful. But, I must go unpack my bags. I’ll visit again very soon.”
“Before you go, I have one question. What has happened to Connor? You haven’t mentioned him and as I remember bygone days, you two were inseparable.”
“I think it is enough to say, we’re no longer a couple.”
“Well, Okay. It is great to see how you have grown into a beautiful woman. I’m glad you’re back home.”
When Willow stepped inside and closed the door, a wave of emotion flooded her senses. There she stood, in her childhood home, alone in the house for the first time in her memory. In the past, either her daddy or Connor was always present. But, not this afternoon. She thought, I want to sit in my old chair, watch WLBT Channel 3 news and sports. The stillness was almost too much to bear. Sitting in her favorite chair, memories of bygone days caused tears to well in her eyes. Those memories were quickly replaced with the realization of what lay in front of her. After the news, Willow thought, since I have about two hours of daylight, I think I’ll take a trip to the spiral tower. I’ve been wanting to do that and it is for certain that I’ll have to go it alone. Connor obviously isn’t going to go with me.
All Willow had in her traveling bag were pantsuits and she didn’t want to ruin those climbing up and down the bluffs. I’ll just stop at the Outlet Mall and get a pair of jeans, a flannel shirt and a pair of walking shoes.
In a flash, she was out the door and, equally as fast found suitable clothes for her adventure to the tower.
* * *
After parking the red Mustang, Willow stood at the base of the tower trying to determine the best route to the cave. With flashlight in one hand and a walking stick in the other, she carefully eased her way down the bluff to the cave’s entrance. Although the briers and other vegetation made her trek difficult, she was determined to go inside the cave. The blackberry vines grabbed at her flannel shirt as she slowly moved downhill. I should have brought some gloves, too.
Every short, flat, prickle on the vines seemed to hang her at every move. Soon, she was at the entrance and with the flashlight illuminated, she entered. There were a few spider webs at the entrance, but she was able to brush them away with the cane. Willow had gone about thirty feet into the cave when she stumbled on a large wooden box. That was new to her. No such box was there the night she left the cave thirty-five years ago. She flashed the light along the floor and walls, seeing the sheet of plywood with all of the plastic bags of jewelry still attached. The bed was still there, just as she remembered. But what was missing was the ‘limb cross’ they had placed on the baby’s grave. This was getting to her, so she decided to retreat. I’ll come back with help the next time. Her curiosity and sense of anxiety had been satisfied. She knew for certain what her plan would be. Carefully, she climbed the bluff and returned to her car.
It was after sundown when she arrived back at 530 Windward Way. I need to take a nap so I’ll be fresh when Tony arrives. She set the alarm clock to wake her at eleven-thirty and finally drifted off to sleep.
When the alarm sounded, she jumped up, rushed to the bathroom, and took a warm shower. She was exited that Tony was coming and looked forward to his visit.
As Willow was stepping from the shower, her cell rang. Looking at the number displayed, she recognized it as Tony’s.
“Hello, this is Willow.”
“Hi, Willow. I’m leaving Jackson and headed your way. How long did you say it would take me?”
“You can make it easily in an hour. Don’t exceed the speed limit and attract the attention of the Mississippi Highway Patrolman.” Laughing, Willow added, “With your Yankee accent, they might detain you for a while.”
“Think so?”
“No, I’m kidding. According to my watch, it is twelve-seventeen. I’ll meet you at the Waffle House between one-fifteen and one-thirty.”
“Sounds like a winner. Bye.”
Slipping into the loosest fitting blouse and pants she had, she stood in front of the mirror and admired her slim figure. She brushed her hair back and forth alternating from a bouffant style to a more hippy look. I really do look good for my age considering the miles I’ve traveled. Connor will regret what he’s lost. But, I’m moving forward and I’m certain somewhere along the way Mr. Right will show up.
Putting her hair into a pony tail, she thought, I need a baseball cap to top this look off. Looking around her bedroom, she spotted a Mississippi State University cap. She wondered how many years it had been since she last wore it. Putting it on and pulling the pony tail through the band, brought back memories of years ago. Looking in the mirror, she was satisfied with her appearance. All of her years of exercising and eating the right foods were paying off.
Shortly, she was out the d
oor and seated in the red mustang. She thought, it surely is dark and looking around discovered that the street light was out.
She had been seated at the Waffle House less than five minutes when her cell rang.
“Hello, Tony. Where are you?”
“I think I passed a sign that read Bovine. Is that right?”
“I think you pronounced it incorrectly. The last letter is an ‘A’ not ‘E’. But, you’re almost here now. Take your time. I’ll be watching for you.”
In six minutes, Willow saw the rental car turn off the frontage road. She stood up and walked to the door. Tony saw her and waved as he parked next to the red mustang.
Stepping out, Tony said, “Hello, Willow. It is so good to see you.”
Hugging him, Willow said, “It is great to see you, too.”
Tony, held her at arm’s length. “My, My. I’ve never seen you dressed like this. It is very becoming.”
“Tony, this is my ‘Southern girl’ look. And remember, flattery will get you everywhere. Come on in. Let’s get a cup of coffee.”
Tony locked the rental car and followed Willow to a corner booth. “This weather is so much better than that mess I left in New York. This is really nice.”
“Yeah. We do have nice weather most of the year except in the summertime when it is so hot and humid. During the summertime, it would be nice to escape to the Adirondacks. But, year round, I’ll take this weather over any other place I’ve ever been.”
“Do you want an omelet with your coffee?”
“Good idea. I didn’t take time to eat before I left New York, and as you know, nothing is served on the flights these days.”
In about thirty minutes, Willow and Tony had finished eating, and a second cup of coffee.
“Let’s go to my house,” Willow said. “Follow me. I’m getting out on Interstate 20. I’ll try not to run too fast, but this machine loves to run.”
“Whose car is this?”
“It’s my Cousin Woody’s car. You’ll have to meet him soon. He is a cool dude and I’m sure you’ll like him. He has survived some tough times, having been kidnapped and imprisoned in a Mexican jail for a while. He’s got lots of stories to tell. But, enough.”
Tony left a $10 tip on the table and as they walked out, the waiter said, “Thank you, sir. Come again soon.”
Waving, Tony said, “Will do. Thank you.”
Willow cranked the Mustang and goosed it a couple of times, and smiled at Tony. Pulling up to the frontage road, Willow hit the accelerator and peeled out leaving two black streaks on the pavement.
Smiling, Tony realized she was really enjoying herself.
Before she got to the traffic light at Indiana, a City Patrolman flipped his blue lights on. Willow thought, damn I didn’t see that guy sitting in the parking lot.
The policeman walked up to the side of her car asking, “May I see your license, registration, and proof of insurance?”
Willow opened her wallet and handed the cop her New York license.
The cop said, “ma’am, I see you’re from out-of-state.”
“Yes, officer, that’s right.”
“Is this your car?”
“No, it belongs to my cousin who lives in Warren County.”
“And who is that, ma’am?”
“Woody McKenzie.”
“Ma’am, I know it is late, but can you get in touch with your cousin and get him to verify?”
“Officer, I would rather not wake him at this hour of the night. Let me tell you who I am. You’re familiar with McKenzie Towing, aren’t you?”
“Yes Ma’am. They have an office in the shopping complex up by the newspaper.”
“That’s correct. I’m the daughter of the owner, Rupert McKenzie.”
“Ma’am, I don’t know Rupert McKenzie. I know Mr. Connor Peppler. I thought he was the owner. Would you like to call him?”
“Oh, no. Don’t call Connor. I’ll call my cousin.”
The phone rang at the McKenzie Estate.
Olga answered, “Hello.”
“Olga, this is Willow. I really apologize for waking you, but I’ve got a bit of trouble... I’m sitting on the north frontage road in Woody’s mustang and a cop has stopped me. I need Woody to tell this nice gentleman that it’s okay for me to be out driving his car.”
Olga rolled over, tapping Woody on the shoulder saying, “Woody, it is Willow. She needs something.”
Blinking his eyes to wake up, Woody said, “Hello, Willow. What’s going on at this hour of the night?”
“Woody, I’m really sorry for this, but a cop has pulled me over. Will you please talk to him?”
“Pulled you over?”
“Yeah. I was showing out for my New York friend and let the Mustang get away from me.”
“I told you that car was a beacon for the cops. Let me talk to him.”
Willow handed the phone to the cop saying, “This is Woody McKenzie, owner of this car.”
“Good morning, sir. This is Officer Stephens.”
“Officer, I’m Woody McKenzie, cousin to the lady you have stopped. Unless she is intoxicated, please let her proceed. She has my permission to drive my car.”
“That’s fine, sir. But, I’m going to issue her a ticket for reckless driving. She fish-tailed and left tire marks for about thirty feet.”
“No problem, officer. Stick it to her. May I speak to her again?”
“Willow, I’ve taken care of everything. He is going to issue you a reckless driving ticket. Take it with a smile, make no comment, and go home.”
“Will do, Woody. Thanks so much.”
Tony was sitting back at the ramp onto the frontage road, watching every move. Shortly, Willow was on her way again, ticket in hand and Tony close behind.
Five minutes later, both cars were parked in the driveway. Willow and Tony were inside, doors locked and all lights off.
* * *
It was eight-thirty in the morning when Willow woke. Seeing Tony still asleep, she eased out of bed and went to the kitchen to make coffee. Tony was soon awakened by the aroma. He slipped his boxers and a tee shirt on, and followed his nose to the kitchen.
Willow said, “Good morning, sleepy head. Did I wake you?”
“You might say that. The smell of the coffee is what really did it. But I guess since you made it, it is safe to say you woke me.”
“Are you hungry?”
“I think some toast with jelly would go good with the coffee.”
“So, what are your plans?”
“My only plan was to come see you. From here, the planning is up to you. I’m on your turf and I don’t have to report to work for seven days.”
“That’s good. I have a proposal. I called last night, and my Jag is being shipped here, but won’t arrive for a couple of days. What do you think about going to New Orleans to car shop? Have you ever been to New Orleans?”
“No. I’ve heard quite a bit about the ‘Big Easy’ and Bourbon Street, but have never visited.”
“Then, I suggest we get showered and shined, and head out for a couple of days. I’m not going to buy a car, but would like to see what’s available in the new models. I’ve got to shop for some clothes and we can do that, too. Do you have what you need?”
“I think so. I’ve got dress clothes, as well as a couple of casual pants and shirts.”
“Then, let’s do it. We need to be out of here by noon; my maid comes at that time.”
Looking around, Tony asked, “So, this is where you grew up, huh?”
“Yes, this is my ole home place. I left here after college graduation and moved to New York thirty–five years ago.”
“Willow, I see this nice picture of you and a boy in soccer uniforms hanging in the den. Who is the boy?”
“That’s Woody, my cousin, whose car I borrowed. Daddy spent a lot of time with us when we played soccer. Sometimes the games interfered with his work, but he rarely missed a game.”
“Woody, huh? When am I going to meet hi
m? What does he do for a living?”
“He is the chairman of the board for the largest electric power association in the Southeastern United States.”
“Impressive.”
“And what about your Daddy?”
“He’s in an assisted living complex about three miles from here. Since I was away, he chose to move in there with some of his longtime friends. It is a really nice facility. When we return from New Orleans, I’ll introduce you to my family.”
Looking at a sixteen by twenty-four picture, also hanging in the den, Tony asked, “And, who might this be?”
“Oh, that’s Connor. He went to school with Woody and me. He came from a nice, but poor family up north of Vicksburg. Connor rode the bus to school each morning, but stayed with me afterwards because his parents didn’t get home from work untill late every day. Connor and I hung around school where Mama taught, until her classes were out. Then he would ride home with us and around six in the evening, Mama and I would take him home. He became the son Daddy never had. Daddy grew to like him so well that at age thirteen, he hired Connor to work odd jobs around the office. Connor worked very hard and Daddy saw potential in him. He offered to pay for Connor’s education at Mississippi State. But, Connor attended only two years before returning to Vicksburg. He knew Rupert would hire him full-time anyway, even if he didn’t graduate with a degree.”
“So, where is he now?”
“That’s a long story, which I’ll save for later.”
“Were you and Conner boy/girl friends?”
“Yeah, pretty much. When I went to New York, we didn’t keep in close contact. I would talk to him, occasionally, and visit with him, occasionally, when I came home.”
“So, there was no romantic connection?”
“Tony, we were high school sweethearts. He and I had different life plans. He wanted to stay in Warren County and work for Daddy. I wanted to get out on my own and see the bright lights.”
As Willow was packing her bags for the trip to New Orleans, she discovered the letter she had written to Woody. Not wanting to pack it to New Orleans and not wanting to take time to go by the Post Office, she decided to hide it by taping it to the back of the picture of her and Woody. By eleven-thirty, Willow and Tony were traveling in the red mustang down Highway 61 toward Louisiana. Remembering the ticket she got just a few hours earlier, she consciously stayed at or slightly below the speed limit.