It was starting to become a reality: shopping with Joseph’s mother, soon to be her mother-in-law. My mother, a bride again: Joseph’s new wife.
Martha stood up. “I took the dress up about three inches, Ella, so now it’s about six inches above your ankle.”
Helen circled my mother, examining the hem. “That looks good, Martha. Wedding dresses sure have changed. My wedding dress fell all the way to the floor… And we all wore tight corsets. We wouldn’t dare show our legs,” she said as she checked each pin.
“I wore a corset under my first dress, but with the drop waist, I don’t need one. It’s the new style—and much more comfortable, I might add,” my mother said as she looked at herself in the hall tree mirror by the front door.
“Ella, why don’t you step down and put on your shoes so we can see how it will look?” Martha reached out her hand.
“All right,” my mother said as she stepped off the stool.
Martha turned to me. “Oh, before I forget to tell you, Fritz: Cliff called today, and he’s going to be performing on a Rochester radio show!”
“Oh, yeah… When?”
“He didn’t have the exact date, but he said that it was going to be either at the end of February or sometime during the first week or two of March.”
“That’s great!”
“He was thrilled because there were only three students selected from his class to perform on the show.”
“When you talk to him again, tell him I said congratulations.”
“I’ll do so,” Martha said with a proud smile. “I’ll have the show on at the store for anyone who wants to listen. It’ll be a nice evening.”
“I’ll plan on being there,” I said, feeling a little envious of his talent.
Martha inspected the dress. She started at the shoulders, down to the waist then down to the hem of the dress, which hung above my mother’s ankles and white shoes. “All right, Ella: you can go upstairs and take it off, but be careful of the pins.”
“I’ll be careful,” my mother said as she held the skirt away from her legs and headed toward the stairs.
“Why don’t I help you?” Helen suggested, and followed my mother. “Then I can make sure the pins don’t fall out. I’m going to try to sew the hem tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Helen,” my mother replied.
Martha began to place the scissors and unused pins back into my mother’s sewing basket. “Fritz, your mother told me that you’re not going to be moving in with her and Joseph after the wedding.”
“Yeah, I’m going to stay here for a couple of years. It’s closer to the farm and Valerie,” I said as I placed another log in the fireplace and rubbed my cold, chapped hands together.
“That’s good!” Martha said. “I’m glad that you’ll still be around. But we’re really going to miss your mother when she moves. I’m sure Helen and I will make a trip out to Batavia from time to time, and I’m sure she’ll come to visit.”
“Of course she’ll visit. She’ll probably come out here once a week.” I glanced up at the ceiling, listening to my mother and Helen talking upstairs. “She sure looked beautiful in her dress. I’m really excited for her!”
“Yes, she did. She’s a beautiful woman with a beautiful heart to match. And we’re all excited for her too. Your father was such a good man, and I know how devastated you both were when he passed. Helen and I are so glad she found a good man to take care of her. She didn’t want to grow old alone.” Martha sat down on the sofa.
“It’s the best thing that could have happened to her.”
“I agree.” Martha nodded with a smile. “So what about you? When are you getting married?”
“Married?” I asked and began to laugh. “Thatwon’t be for a while.” I sat down in the rocking chair next to the fireplace and prodded the logs with the iron rod. I paused for a moment and glanced up at the ceiling again, listening to my mother and Helen laughing.
“So are you thinking that you’ll eventually move to Batavia then?”
I nodded. “I haven’t really thought about it, but probably.” I stared into the fire for a moment and then looked over at Martha. “After all that has happened, I’m not sure I trust anyone around here.”
“Does Valerie want to move?” Martha asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, she wants to move now.”
“Well, I certainly can understand why, Fritzy. We never did find out who cut our wires. Well, I’m glad that my children are grown and have lives of their own. And you’re right, after all that has happened, I can’t blame you for wanting to move. There were a few people talking about moving away right after what happened to Florence. But it seems everyone stayed put.”
“We’ll visit all the time. Valerie’s parents and Junior are still here.”
“Well, you and Valerie are young. At our age, we ain’t going anywhere. I have a store to run.” Martha’s face looked as if she had drank a cup of vinegar. She shook her finger at me. “It’s been our home for over thirty years. And we’re not going to be chased away.”
Mom and Helen were chatting and laughing as they came down the stairs. Helen was carrying my mother’s dress over her shoulder.
“Ella, I should have this finished in the next couple of days,” Helen said.
“That sounds good. And there’s no hurry. I didn’t even expect to find a dress today.”
Martha rose up from the sofa. “Are you ready, Helen? I have to check on Mom and start supper.”
“I need to start supper too. Travis will be home in about an hour,” Helen replied as she headed toward the kitchen.
“Ella, that turkey smells wonderful!” Martha commented as she grabbed her coat off the kitchen chair.
“Yes, it does! Joseph found himself a good woman and a good cook,” Helen said as she carefully placed my mother’s dress over the kitchen chair.
“Thank you. Well, you know that I’ve always enjoyed cooking.”
“Is he coming for supper tonight?” Helen asked as she slipped on her wool coat and then gently picked up my mother’s wedding dress.
“Yes, he should be here within the hour.”
“Good, because I’m hungry,” I said.
Helen opened the door. “Have a good night.”
“Thank you so much for all of your help with my dress today.”
“It was our pleasure, Ella,” Martha said as she waved.
“Yes, it was,” Helen echoed. “Any time.”
My mother turned to me. “I’m so grateful. After Genevieve brought me home, I called Martha and told her that I found a dress, but it needed to be hemmed, and they came right over. They’ve been here all afternoon. We had a really nice time. I’m going to miss them when I move.” She opened the cupboard and placed three dishes on the table. “Joseph will be here soon. You better go upstairs and wash up.”
“All right.” I began to unbutton my shirt as I headed toward the stairs.
I heard a quick knock at the door, and then the door opened.
“You’re early,” my mother said with a bright smile spread across her face and a tinge of excitement in her voice.
With my foot on the first step of the stairs, I watched through the doorway. The setting sun’s rays streamed through the branches of the bare trees, casting a warm romantic glow into the kitchen. As Joseph walked in, my mother threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. I was really happy for her. But it was alsomore than I wanted to see. Trying to forget the sight of my mother kissing, I headed up the stairs, feeling a little tarnished.
Twenty-One
”Mom!” I called out. Then, I threw my wool coat over the kitchen chair. There was no answer. The aroma of chicken and gravy filled the kitchen. I was starving. There were two small pots on the stove and a plate of biscuits on the counter with an empty plate sitting next to it.
I untied my icy boot laces, set my boots next to the door, and wandered over to the cellar door and opened it.
“Mom, you down there?” No answer.Huh…
I removed the lids off of the two pots. One was filled with steaming, moist shredded chicken, the other with simmering gravy. I broke off a piece of biscuit and dipped it into the gravy, then placed it in my mouth.Mmm…that’s good! I set three small biscuits on my plate, grabbed a fork out of the drawer, and piled the shreds of chicken on top of the biscuits. Then I picked up the ladle and poured a heaping amount of gravy on top. I sat down at the table and began to eat. Then, I saw the note next to the salt and pepper.
Honey,
I tried to call you at the farm, but there was no answer. Joseph called and we have a 5:30 appointment to look at a house. After, we’re having dinner with Joseph’s parents. I should be home around 9:00.
I made chicken and biscuits for supper. The chicken and gravy are on the stove.
Don’t forget, Cliff’s radio show is tonight at 7:00. Martha invited everyone over to the store. Tell Martha I’m sorry for not being able to be there tonight, but let her know we will have the show on during supper.
Love you,
Mom
After I finished eating, I washed up, changed, and headed out. It had finally stopped snowing. I took a deep breath and filled my lungs with the brisk, fresh air mixed with the scent of burning firewood. I strolled down the hill among the slumbering trees that were resting in a soft blanket of fresh snow. The sun had just sunk behind the hills, allowing the darkness to show the sparkling Big Dipper across the sky. I pulled out my pocket watch: 6:10.Just enough time to stop in and see Valerie.
As I traipsed through the icy ruts in the road, I saw the light was on in Mrs. Adleman’s window. I knocked at the door and waited a minute before Valerie opened it.
She signaled with her index finger for me to wait a minute. “Let me grab my coat.” She shut the door for a moment, and then came out wearing her powder blue wool coat. “It’s freezing out here!”
“I know.”
“At least it stopped snowing.”
“I just stopped for a minute. I’m on my way over to the store.”
“For what?” She paused. “Oh, that’s right: Cliff’s on the radio tonight. I almost forgot about it. My dad and Uncle Matt are going too. What time does it start?”
“7:00.”
“Is your mom going?”
“She was planning on it. But Joseph called, and her plans changed. She left me a note. They had a 5:30 appointment to go look at a house. Then they were going to have dinner with his parents.”
“That’s good. I can’t wait to hear about it… Hold on a second.” Valerie turned, opened the door, looked inside, and then shut the door behind her. “I just wanted to see if she was done eating. I’ll ask Mrs. Adleman if she wants to listen to the show. I’m sure she will.”
I grabbed her hand and gently pulled her over to the corner of the porch, away from the window. “You look cold.” As we moved over, I gently moved a strand of hair away from her eyelash. I heard two gunshots. “Who the hell is shooting at this time of night?”
“It’s probably my brother… Yesterday he said he was going to shoot those tomcats that had been fighting under his bedroom window the past couple of nights.”
I walked over to railing of the porch and looked down the road. I could see Junior’s small house. Sure enough, Valerie was right. It was Junior. He stepped onto his porch. It looked like he had something in his hand. I watched him walk through his front door.
“You’re right. It looks like he took care of ’em. I just saw him go inside,” I said as I walked back over to Valerie. “Here, let me warm you up.” I leaned in and kissed her and kept kissing her as I rubbed my hands up and down her arms. “Did that help?” I whispered.
“Yeah; any more of that and I’ll have to take off my coat,” Valerie smiled and started to giggle.
“That’s the idea,” I whispered and kissed her again.
Valerie began to laugh as I brushed my lips against hers. She pulled away. “All right, mister, you need to behave yourself and move along to where you were going.” She leaned in and our lips locked again.
“It’s a little hard when you keep kissing me,” I said and began to laugh. “All right, I better head over there. I’ll stop back on my way home, so watch for me around 8:30 or so.”
Valerie stepped toward the door and placed her hand on the door knob. “See you in a little while.” She leaned forward and gave me a quick peck on the lips. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.” I smiled and then headed to Morgan’s store.
I stamped my icy boots on the rug in the store’s entryway.
“Hey, Fritz, I’m glad you could make it.” Merle rose up from the stool behind the counter. “Where’s your mother? I thought she said she was coming too.”
“She was planning on it, but Joseph called, and they had to go look at a house. It must have come up suddenly,” I said as I threw my coat over the back of Mrs. Harrison’s rocking chair.
“Hey, Matt, is Senior coming?” I tossed my leg over the stool in front of the counter and set my cap down in front of me.
“He’s supposed to be.”
Matt pulled a ciggy out of his front pocket and held it up to his mouth. “Did you hear the gunshots on your way over?”
“Yeah, it was just Junior shooting at those pesky tomcats. Valerie said that they’ve been keeping him up at night,” I replied.
Matt struck a match and lit his cigarette. The smoke curled above his head as he puffed away. “It’s hard to believe one of our boys is about to perform on the radio. I bet Martha’s proud!”
I heard footsteps on the porch and wondered who else was coming on such a cold night.
“She’s very proud! She’s been telling everyone that has come in the store for the past month,” Merle said as he strolled over to the window and then opened the door.
Martha walked in and stamped the snow off her boots onto the rug. “Hello, Fritzy. I thought you’d be here with your mom; is she coming?” she asked, gripping a handful of letters as the icy air blew in behind her. She wiped her boots as she pulled her scarf off and placed it on the counter.
“My mom left me a note that they had to go look at a house tonight. It must have come up suddenly. She wanted me to tell you that she’s sorry she couldn’t make it, but they’ll be listening.” I nodded as Merle set a glass of cider in front of me, and I sipped the cold sweet cider.
“Well, I hope they have some luck. I know they’ve already looked at a couple of them.” Martha turned to Matt. “Is Ellie coming?”
“Nah, she’s been in bed most of the day. I think she has a bit of the flu.”
“That’s too bad. I’ll have to make her some soup tomorrow and bring it over,” Martha kindly offered as she set the mail on the back counter next to her new wooden radio. A jazzy melody played from the radio that reminded me of my promise to Valerie about taking her to the Richmond Hotel.
“Thank you, I know she’ll appreciate that,” Matt replied with a grateful nod, a smile, and then a sip of his cider.
“Merle, before you lock up tonight, can you unload these crates in the back? Follow me, and I’ll show you the ones I’m talking about.”
Merle followed Martha to the back of the store as the 6:35 train whistle blew, rattling all the glasses on the shelves behind the counter. After a few minutes the sound of the train trailed off into the distance.
“Is my milk pail out there?” Martha asked from the back of the store.
My eyes scanned the back counter. Then I leaned over. The tin pail was on the floor. “Yeah, it’s here. Do you want it?”
“I’ll get it. I have to grab my scarf anyway,” Martha replied as she strolled behind the counter, picked up the tin pail, and then wrapped her scarf around her head. “Well, I’ll be back in a few minutes. If my mother happens to call down, tell her I ran over to Helen’s for the milk.”
I heard heavy steps coming up the porch, and the door swung open. Senior was standing at the door with a cheery smile.
“Where’s everyb
ody?” he asked, his eyebrows in a slight twist.
“Everett, Leon, and Felix should be here soon. But I’m not sure who else was planning on coming,” Merle replied.
“It is really cold out there. I can’t say I blame them if they don’t,” I said.
“Have a seat. I’ll pour you a glass of cider,” Merle said as he grabbed a glass off the back shelf.
“Where’s Ellie?” Senior asked as he sat down on the other side of his brother.
“She ain’t feeling so well. What about Mertie: is she coming?”
“Nah, she’s tired. Did you stop and see Valerie already, Fritz?” Senior asked.
“Yeah, I stopped in on my way here.”
“Mrs. Adleman’s son, Ted, called me earlier today. He told me that Valerie’s doing a really good job for her.”
“I’m sure she’ll be glad to hear that,” I replied.
“But I’m not sure how long it will last. That was the reason he called. He told me that he might be selling the house and moving his mother to Warsaw with him and his wife.”
“Well, it was going to have to end sometime, I guess.”
“Martha,” Grandma Harrison called down from the top of the stairs.
Merle walked over to the doorway to the stairs. “She just left for Helen’s to get the milk,” Merle replied. “She shouldn’t be too much longer.” Merle turned to us. “What time did she leave, anyway?”
I shrugged my shoulders and pulled out my pocket watch again. “It was just a few minutes ago… I think it was around 6:40 or so; it was just after the 6:35 train.”
“What time is it now?” Merle asked.
“It’s about ten minutes to seven,” I replied.
Merle turned to the stairs. “She should be back any minute.”
“I just looked out my window and Helen’s house is dark,” Grandma said. “Well, when she gets back, tell her I need her.”
“I’ll tell her as soon as she walks in,” Merle replied.
I heard Grandma Harrison’s door close.
“On my way here, I left my pail on their back steps. The house was dark, so I didn’t think anyone was home,” Matt said. “So she’s right.”
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