by Linda Apple
“Oh, my word.”
“You better believe she got plenty of attention after that. More than she wanted I’d vow. She didn’t like it one little bit. But even with all her doings, she has turned out to be a fine woman. I don’t know a harder worker or a better grandmother.”
Cladie put her hand to her heart. “Molly Kate a grandmother to teenagers. Mercy, Lord, I’m old.”
“Cladie Mae.” I put my hand on her arm. “You will outlive us all.”
She patted my hand. “I hope not. I’ve got a home in Heaven and some days, I’m anxious to get there.”
“Well, not anytime soon, okay? Besides, who would sit next to me at church?”
“Oh, that reminds me. Fifth Sunday supper is coming up next weekend. I need to decide what to take.”
“Why, Cladie, you already know what you are taking. Your famous chicken spaghetti, of course. There would be an uprising if you dared bring anything else.” I hugged her. “Now, don’t you even think of leaving us for a couple of decades yet.”
“Honey, if the glory train comes for me, I’m getting on. But I’m not in any bit of a hurry.”
“Good. We need you here.”
And we did.
After I left Cladie’s, I ran through a mental checklist on my schedule as I walked home. This was my day to volunteer at the Life Source Homeless Shelter. Since it was grocery day, I would spend the next several hours sacking food from the warehouse for the homeless to pick up and take to wherever they had set up housekeeping. When I stepped onto my lawn, I noticed my drooping ferns. The weatherman warned today would be a scorcher—like every day of summer in Mississippi wasn’t. I had just enough time to water before I left. While I hosed down parched plants I thought about the last biscuit I’d eaten at Cladie’s. Ugh. Why couldn’t I say no? My self-control was non-existent when temptation lay before me. Therefore, to pay penance, I made up my mind to walk the four blocks in the intense morning sun instead of driving to Life Source. Then walk home in the scorching afternoon heat. The exercise would do me good.
Watering done, I tossed the hose aside and turned the spigot off. “Besides,” I reasoned out loud. “If I skip lunch, I just might eat an extra helping of that better than sex stuff.”
I’m hopeless.
****
The four blocks to the shelter more than paid for my gluttony. Like Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West, I melted. My sweat-soaked bangs clung to my forehead like ivy on a brick wall. I found Ricki, the supervisor, in the kitchen sticking a food thermometer in the pot of soup. Bless her. She was so conscientious. The last thing our homeless patrons needed was food poisoning. Especially our HIV positive folks.
“Hi, Ricki. I’m going to get busy bagging groceries.”
She looked up from the soup and nodded toward the serving line. “Would you mind serving? The kids from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes are sacking for us today.”
“Sure.”
“Thanks.”
I went to the linen closet and found an apron. After slipping it on, I took my station at the serving line. There were two other volunteers. One served the bread and drinks. The other worked the dessert station. As people passed, I filled bowls and asked the regulars the same thing I asked every week, “How are things?” Their answers were always the same. “Fair to middlin’. Thanks for the soup.”
It all seemed so shallow to me. I knew feeding them helped. But it just seemed like they needed more. They needed...well...respect. As I scooped out ladle after ladle, I watched the familiar faces and wondered what I could do.
Lost in my thoughts, a new face caught my attention and pulled my mind back to the present. A man I’d never seen. His appearance struck me. His wavy, stringy hair wasn’t anything new. Neither was his bushy beard, or the dirt under his fingernails or the layers of dirty clothes. His eyes. Dark and soulful. They drew me in.
I stood there, mesmerized, holding my full ladle in midair. He didn’t say a word but simply glanced at his bowl and then back at me patiently waiting.
“Oh, sorry.” My face burned. It had probably turned every possible shade of red. “It’s just, well, I...You are new to these parts aren’t you?”
He smiled. “Yes. I’ve come here looking for a job.”
I poured the soup in his bowl, and then gave him a little extra. “Well, I hope you find one. Welcome to Moonlight, by the way.”
“Thanks.” He nodded and moved on.
I watched him walk to the dessert area wanting to know more about him. His name to begin with. And what kind of job was he seeking? Maybe I could help him out.
“Miss?” A lady stood with her child waiting for soup.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Here you go.”
When everyone had been served, I scanned the room hoping to see that man again, but he had left. It didn’t make sense for me to be thinking like this, but I fervently hoped he wasn’t passing through like so many did. There was something about him, and whatever that something was, I had to find out.
Chapter 5
JEMA
Friends
The walk home dissolved me into a wet, stinking heap. I had just enough time to hop in the shower before going to Cladie Mae’s for supper. After I dried my hair, I slipped on a loose sundress and skipped the make-up except for lip gloss. After all, it was just us girls.
Since we were having pork, I chose a bottle of cabernet and hurried out the door. Molly Kate called from the sidewalk. “Hey, Jema.”
“Hey, girl.” I waved my bottle of wine in the air and noticed Lexi hurrying toward us with her bottle in hand. For such a short thing, she could cover distance in no time. Her red hair glowed in the sun. It suited her, fiery and exciting.
“Hi, y’all.” Lexi wiggled her eyebrows and raised her bottle. “Looks like we all had the same idea. Good thing we live in walking distance.”
Molly Kate chuckled. “Walking distance? With the spread Miss Cladie puts on, it’s a good thing we all live in rolling distance.”
Avalee called from the porch. “Come on in everyone. Momma says it is ready, and you know how she hates serving lukewarm food.”
Lexi pumped her bottle. “Get your corkscrew and wine glasses ready. We have a bottle for every course.”
The savory aroma of roasting pork permeated my senses. I followed my nose to the dining room to find the table laden with food. Pork roast, mashed potatoes, butterbeans, fried green tomatoes, peas, creamed corn, sliced tomatoes, and purple onions. Molly Kate set her basket of hot wheat rolls by the butter.
Lexi opened a bottle of wine, filled our glasses, and said, “A toast to Miss Cladie, the reason no one in this room is a size six.”
We all cheered, “Here, here.” All except Avalee. She said something like, “Oh dear.”
Miss Cladie clapped her hands together. “Girls, let’s give thanks and get down to business.” We took our seats, gave thanks, and turned into Hoover-mouths. By the time I finished a second helping, my stomach begged me to stop. But my mouth told my stomach to shut up. Finally I had to push away. “Lordy, I can’t eat another bite.”
Avalee unbuttoned her pants. “I bet I’ve gained five pounds in less than forty-eight hours.”
“Oh, hush up, Avalee.” Molly Kate rose from her chair and struck a pose. “There is nothing wrong with a size sixteen. We ample figured women rock.”
Lexi jumped up and popped another cork. “You got that right, girl.” She refilled our glasses. “And who cares? Men don’t worry about their big guts. Why should we?”
Molly flipped her hand. “You are no bigger than a flea, Miss Lexi Lowe.”
“Hardly,” said Lexi. “And when you are short, one pound looks like ten.”
“But Lexi has a good point. The men I’ve known think they are fabulous. Big guts and all.” I got up and started gathering dishes. “We can at least work off some of our supper by helping Cladie Mae with the dishes.”
Cladie jumped up. “No girls. All of you skedaddle on out of here and go drink your
hooch on the porch. I can take care of this. And when I’m finished we’ll have dessert.”
I groaned with the rest of the girls. But truth be known? I had no doubt I would somehow find room for dessert.
We lumbered to the porch, and I sank onto the rocking chair. The evening star glinted in the pink and purple twilight. Normally, this was the loneliest time of day for me since Ray died. But now, here with these women, it felt so right and beautiful. I held up my glass. “Here’s to friends, old and new.”
“Amen.” Lexi stuck out her glass. “To being here for each other no matter what.”
Molly Kate raised her glass. “To forever friends.”
My insecurity raised its head. “Forever friends?” I looked around. “That sounds so nice. I wish I’d grown up with you girls.”
Lexi leaned forward and faced me. “Sugar, let me tell you something. You didn’t have to grow up with us to be our forever friend.” She pivoted around. “Ain’t that right girls? Jema is one of us.”
“She sure is.” Avalee stood and held up her goblet. “To the women of Washington Avenue.”
We followed Avalee’s lead, clinked glasses, and drank to friendship.
Lexi opened the last bottle and refilled our glasses before joining Molly Kate on the swing. “Well, Avalee, I have to say, you could have knocked me over with a feather when Ty told me you were home.”
Avalee rocked next to me. “I planned on surprising you after I left Molly’s. But when I saw Ty…” Tears filled her eyes and slid down her cheeks. She took a drink and shook her head. “I know it is silly, but I had to talk to Marc, so I spent the afternoon in the cemetery.”
“Not silly at all, hon.” Lexi got up from the swing and went to her. Wrapping her arms around Avalee, she said, “We do what we have to do.”
I nodded. “I visit Ray’s grave, too. It helps somehow.”
The sky deepened into inky blue, and sequin stars glinted against it. The air grew heavy with humidity. The crickets’ and tree frogs’ song became a dirge.
“All right, girls. We have to stop this right now.” Molly jiggled her empty glass at Lexi.
“Now, MK, that’s just tacky. Have a little heart here,” Lexi said as she stood to fill glasses.
Molly Kate shook her head. “Hear me out now. I know life is hard. But we have to think on the good things.” She raised her finger. “I have an idea.”
Lexi stopped mid-pour and looked up. “What?”
“Listen, we all have a lot to be grateful for, right? But face it, life can be a pain, too. So let’s set aside one day a month to complain.” She snapped her fingers. “Whine Wednesday. We will drink wine and complain all night about the things that really irk us.”
Lexi nodded. “I like that. Whine Wednesdays.”
“Want to meet at my place?” I asked.
Molly Kate bobbed her head. “Love it. Whine at Jema’s. Now which Wednesday? How about the third one of the month?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Lexi returned to the swing. “It’s a date.”
The drone of the katydids along with the throaty calls of frogs and the warm, melting effects of wine made me drowsy. I rested my head against the chair. For the longest time we all rocked in silence. Then, in the dark, Lexi’s voice broke the stillness.
“I have another idea.”
I lifted my head. “What?”
“Mondays suck. Right?”
“Pretty much,” said Molly Kate. “So, your idea is?
“Martini Mondays. The first Monday every month, we will meet at my house to laugh. We will watch funny movies and old television shows like I Love Lucy. We can share funny stories and laugh until we need to wear Depends. It will give us something to look forward to each month.”
“Great idea,” said Molly Kate. “And if it has been an especially hard week, we can call for an extra Martini Monday.”
“Sooooo,” Avalee said. “Should I also check to see when AA meets?”
Lexi threw her napkin at Ava. “Oh, shut up. You love the idea, and you know it.”
“I do.” She sighed. “I really do. It’s so good to be home with my southern sisters.”
“Girls?” Miss Cladie turned on the porch light. “Dessert is dished up, and the coffee is hot. Come and get it.”
We squinted at her, put our hands to our stomachs, and groaned. Then we looked from one to another, smiled, and rushed to the dining room.
Chapter 6
LEXI
Rant
After my second helping of better than sex, I staggered to the porch swing and fell onto the cushions. Thanks to Miss Cladie Mae Preston’s cooking magic, I’d eaten myself into a food stupor. Why do I always forget my five-foot-three frame cannot keep up with my five-foot-six-and-beyond friends?
Avalee, Jema, and Molly Kate followed me out of the house. Ava flopped down beside me, but Jema and Molly Kate walked to the steps. Molly turned and said, “Are you coming, Lexi?”
“I’m miserable. I can’t move.”
Molly put her hand on her stomach. “Aren’t we all? Want us to walk you part way home?”
“No. I can’t budge. In fact, I’m seriously considering sleeping on this swing.”
“All right, then. See you at the shop tomorrow morning?”
“Yes, and make the coffee extra strong.”
“Will do. Love you girls.”
Avalee waved. “You too. Night.”
In the darkness, I heard Avalee snicker. I groaned. “What’s so funny? I’m dying here.”
“Me too, believe me.”
Being with the girls at Miss Cladie’s reminded me of the sleepovers we had as kids. Some nights after her parents went to bed, I’d convince them to sneak out of the house and go to the playground at the end of the street. That sparked an idea. “Hey, how about taking a stroll to the playground for old times’ sake and walk some of this misery off.”
“It’s after midnight. Don’t you have to go to work tomorrow?”
I waved her off. “Quit acting like you are over fifty.” In mock surprise I put my hand to my cheek. “Oh. Wait. We are over fifty.”
“Okay.” Avalee laughed. “You made your point.”
The night air had cooled, and a velvet breeze caressed my skin. As we meandered down the street, we reverted back to twelve-year-old girls giggling about the boys we used to crush on. Our conversation reminded me about what she said about Ty. “So, Ty brought back memories?”
Her sigh spoke volumes. “This whole town brings back memories. Before going to Mom’s, I stopped at the lake to visit Marc’s and my spot. And then at Molly Kate’s, I looked up and saw Ty. It was as if Marc had walked in the bakery. I almost fainted.”
“Sweetie, Marc’s been gone so long. Why are you letting him dominate you from the grave?”
A defensive chord struck her voice. “What do you mean? He never dominated me.”
“You never married after him, did you?”
“Well, no. But not because of him...exactly. I mean, it’s not like I haven’t dated. I’ve had a lot of relationships. But I got caught up in my career. There really wasn’t time, and besides, I didn’t want to be tied down. What about you? Why haven’t you remarried?”
“Puleeze.” I shoved my hands in my back pockets. “I’ll never marry again. I’d say twenty-eight years of wedded bliss is enough for anyone.”
“Ah, I hear bitterness. What happened?”
“I didn’t like his anniversary present.”
We passed the Smith’s, and their beagle raced to the backyard fence barking to beat the band. Stupid dog nearly made me wet my pants. At this rate he was sure to wake the entire neighborhood.
“No, really. What happened?”
“It’s true. For our twenty-eighth wedding present, Toby brought home an expensive bottle of wine and said there was something we needed to discuss. I remember thinking, ‘Oh boy, he’s going to take me to Europe.’ We had talked about going to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, France, maybe even Greece,
someday. He promised me as soon as he got a partner at his medical clinic, he’d take off and we’d travel. So the year of our twenty-eighth anniversary another doctor joined him. Then a couple of months later another doctor joined. Now there were two docs to cover for him. I just knew he was going to produce brochures and airline tickets.”
We reached the park at the end of the street and headed to the swings. I gripped the chains and lowered on the sling seat.
“So after we toasted our anniversary, he started stammering around, making no sense at all. I wondered what on earth he was so nervous about, but when I asked him what was wrong he didn’t answer. He just slugged more expensive wine down and filled his glass again. By the time the bottle was empty, I guess he had enough liquid courage to finally tell me he had impregnated a woman young enough to be his daughter and wanted to know what we should do about it.”
“We?”
“Yes, we. Can you believe that? Well, I gotta tell ya, for the first time in my life, I was struck speechless. And girl, a fire so hot it would singe Satan rose up in me, but I quenched it. I kept my wits about me. I didn’t say a word. I got up, walked to the liquor cabinet, and chose another bottle of wine. Then I opened it, poured myself a glass, walked to Toby, and tossed it in his face.”
“Oh no.” Ava put her hand to her mouth and stifled a giggle. “What did he say?”
“He said he guessed he deserved that.” Come to think of it, it was kinda funny. At least now it is. I started chuckling. “I went to the linen closet and got him a pillow and blanket, took it to the living room, and tossed them to him. Then said, ‘You are sleeping in here tonight. I have to think on this one. We will talk in the morning.’ Then I poured myself another glass and went to the bedroom.”
“I’m guessing you came up with a killer plan?”