Wild Swans

by Patricia Snodgrass

  “Althea what are you going to do?” Jake asked as he struggled to get back onto the dock. “You’re not gonna tell anyone about us are you? Your momma is wicked mean with that shotgun.”

  Althea turned her back on him and walked away, offering him the one finger salute as she went. I don’t need him any more, she told herself, as Jake’s soft cries carried off into the distance. He’s just a boy and a louse at that. I can do better. I will do better and it won’t be with Jake the Louse or with Holy Hank, the Jesus Boy.

  **Bravo,** Mr. Lindt’s voice whispered in her mind. **Bette Davis would be so proud.**

  **Are you going to tell my mother what I did?**

  **I wouldn’t dream of it.**

  **I really don’t care if you do or not.**

  **That’s what you say, but not what you’re feeling.**

  **What I’m feeling is none of your business.**

  **What, may I ask, brought on this moment of sexual liberation?** Lindt asked after several moments lapsed.

  **Don’t you know?**

  **I’m not God,** he told her dryly. **I don’t know everything.**

  **I’ve sworn off men, starting with Jake,** she replied as she stomped up the rise and onto the lawn. She could see her family sitting on the porch. She wondered off hand how much of a show she put on for them. Had they seen? Did they have the indecency to watch? No, she decided as she grunted up the last few yards to the porch. If they had, Mom would have broken it up. With that shotgun of hers, no less.

  **No one knows but me,** Lindt said, confirming her suspicions. **And as I have indicated before, I have said nothing.**

  “What happened?” Ruby asked as Althea stomped up the steps. “I thought I heard a splash.”

  “You did. It was Jake taking a backwards dive off the pier.”

  Mr. Lindt guffawed.

  “Lord, girl what did you do?” Cally asked.

  “I took care of Jake that’s all. He won’t be coming back. And if he does, pepper him good with your shotgun for me, Mom.”

  “That’s good to know,” Ruby said, relieved. She sighed, settling back down into her favorite chair. “I was afraid you’d take him back after all that Matilda business.”

  “Not a chance. He tried to give me the whole, ‘a man has needs’ bit. I didn’t buy it.” Althea looked around. She paused, giving the veranda a scathing appraisal. “This dump is such a bore,” she said. “Old Lady Cathar was right about that much anyway.”

  “I don’t know. I think it’s perfectly charming,” Lindt said.

  “What’s got you so upset, bay-bay?” Cally asked. “You haven’t been right since you and your momma had that spat this afternoon.”

  “I’m bored, that’s all. Bored and sick and tired and disgusted and, oh I don’t know,” she said, leaning against the railing.

  “There’s plenty to do if you look for it,” Cally said.

  “You’re right Tante. I want to go to the Bijou. Where’s that man of mine?” Althea said loud enough for anyone inside the house to hear. Hank? Where are you at? Still fumbling with those stupid beads?”

  “Althea that’s no way to be,” Ruby scolded.

  “You know what? I just don’t care.”

  Cally leaned toward Ruby and whispered, “must be that time of the month.”

  Althea scowled.

  “It’s not a good idea to go out after all the strangeness that’s been going on.” Ruby warned. “I think you should stay close to home.”

  “Nothing weird has gone on for quite a while now,” Althea replied. “I think it’s stopped.”

  “I certainly hope so,” Ruby agreed. “I don’t think I could put up with much more of that.”

  “I’ve been thinking about les moiselles,” Cally said. “I heard that army ammunition plant over in Karnac, Texas has been dumping Lord knows what into Caddo lake. I know it’s a ways from here but you don’t suppose they might have poured something radioactive out into the lake and it got down here do you? Started mutating bugs and stuff?”

  “Cally I swear I don’t know where you get that imagination of yours,” Ruby said. “That sounds like something right out of a science fiction movie.”

  “Stranger things have been known to happen,” Mr. Lindt said softly.

  Ruby turned and stared at the man who was partly obscured by a tangle of overgrown azalea bushes and crepe myrtle growing a tad too close to the porch.

  “Somehow,” Ruby said as she studied him, “all this oddness seems to have begun just about the same time you showed up. For all we know, you’re an alien or something. Is that what you are, Mr. Lindt? An alien?”

  Mr. Lindt laughed. “No.”

  “Don’t let him kid you. He’s got an eye in the back of his head.” Althea said, deadpan. Mr. Lindt laughed harder. He took out a white hanky from his pants’ pocket and wiped his eyes.

  “Now who’s sounding weird,” Cally commented. “I think you’ve both lost your minds.”

  “Just what kind of work do you do, exactly?” Ruby asked.

  “Construction,” Mr. Lindt said.

  “I know that but what kind? Do you build houses or roads or something like that?”

  “I’m into superstructures,” Mr. Lindt said. He absently took out a couple of cigarettes, and lit them, handing one to Cally who giggled and accepted it.”

  “Since when did you start that?” Ruby asked Cally.

  “Oh a few days ago. Relax, Ruby. Anybody who’s anybody smokes these days.”

  “If I catch Althea getting into that filthy habit I’ll hang the both of you.”

  The couple laughed. Althea walked to the door and stopped, tapping her foot, belying her inner agitation. “Come on Hank,” she called into the dark inner recesses of the house. “Don’t you hear me? What on earth are you doing in there?”

  “In his room still counting those silly beads I suppose,” Cally replied as smoke from her Pall Mall curled around the top of her head. “He’s the most religious boy I’ve ever met. I swear, he’s been locked up in his room since he got here.” She shifted in her seat so that she could look her sister in the face. “That boy ain’t right, Sister. There’s something peculiar about a kid who’d rather spend his time counting the rosary than being outside with a lovely young lady like Althea.” She lowered her voice. “You don’t suppose he’s a fag or anything do you?”

  “No of course not,” Ruby countered. “It’s his first night here, and he’s just a little shy that’s all. It’ll take a bit for him to get used to us.”

  “Maybe it would have helped if Hank wasn’t dumped on us like a stray puppy,” Cally said.

  “Don’t you start,” Ruby warned.

  “Well I’ll go tell him since I’m the answer to his prayers.” Althea flounced across the threshold and into the darkened foyer.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Ruby asked.

  “To Hank’s apartment.”

  “Not unescorted you don’t.”

  “You didn’t object when I went down to talk to Jake.”

  Ruby turned around to stare at the door. “You said it was because you wanted to get rid of him.”

  “It was and I did, so what? Are you afraid I’m gonna give Hank the boot too?” Althea asked as she stepped back across the threshold, her arms folded across her chest. “Because it ain’t a bad idea from where I’m standing.”

  “I don’t want you spoiled before your wedding day,” Ruby said through gritted teeth.

  “I’m not all about jumping in the sack, mother. Not like some people I know.”

  “I know you’re not a bad girl, Althie, but listen. I know about men and how they can be deceitful when it comes to that sort of thing.” Ruby said.

  Mr. Lindt harrumphed.

  “Well it’s true,” Ruby reiterated.

  “That’s what all this really boils down to,” Althea seethed. “You don’t want to see your bastard begetting any more bastards. Lord knows I might run off with a black boy from the bottoms and have a
slew of mulattos, then leave them on your doorstep to raise.”

  “That’s not fair,” Cally snapped.

  **That was tres vulgar,** Lindt said inside her mind. **Foolish and racist comments do not become you.**

  Althea ignored him.

  Ruby stood abruptly, tipping the chair backwards as it went. The green metal lawn chair landed against the side of the house with a startling crash.

  “Don’t you ever say that again.”

  “Why not? It’s the truth.”

  “Althea,” Ruby hissed, her fists clenched, “don’t start with me girl.”

  “Why, scared you’re uppity friends will find out I don’t have a daddy?”

  “Don’t say that so loud,” Ruby hissed.

  “Oh yes, God knows, Hank shouldn’t hear the dark and ugly truth about his bride-to-be. After all who wants to be saddled with a girl who’s bound for hell just because her momma didn’t have the decency to keep her legs together?”

  The hurt in her mother’s eyes was more painful to Althea than a slap in the face. Nevertheless, she plowed forward.

  “You know Ruby,” Althea said, “You can stuff all this pretentious garbage. I’m sick of you. I’m sick of your meddling ways and I’m sick of Hank and Jake and—”

  “Shut up,” Cally said.

  Althea’s head rocked back as if she’d been struck.

  “What did you just say to me?”

  “I said, shut up. Close your mouth and keep it that way or I swear to God I’ll go upside your head.”

  “Mom, are you going to let her talk to me like that?”

  “Tuat t'en grosse bueche.” Ruby snarled.

  Althea looked at Mr. Lindt, who had made a point to observe his fingernails.

  “What you said to your mother is a lie,” Cally was saying. “An awful, dreadful lie. You have no idea what your momma’s been through, nor have any right to call her a putain because you don’t know the circumstances that—.”

  “And I don’t care!” Althea screamed at her aunt.

  “Yes, you do,” Mr. Lindt said as he dug something out from under a fingernail. “I think you care very much.”

  Althea burst into tears. She wanted to stand up to her mother, to tell her to butt out of her life and let her make her own decisions. She wanted to be like Bette Davis, tough, courageous and self assured. Sadly she was none of those things. Lindt was right and she knew it. Althea’s tender heart loved her mother so very much and couldn’t bear the devastated look on her face. Ruby went into debt so she could have a happy ever after. Something her mother obviously never got. Could Tante be telling the truth? Althea wondered. She must be; she’s never lied to me in my life.

  “I think going to the movies is a good idea,” Ruby said with uncharacteristic quietness. “And you’re right, Althea. There hasn’t been any strange goings on for a while now. It should be safe enough to go to town, provided you go with an escort.”

  “Mom,”

  “Forget it, Althea. You’ve been under a lot of strain and it’s starting to show. A night on the town would be the perfect thing for you now.”

  “I’ll be happy to escort them,” Mr. Lindt offered. “It’s a lovely evening for a walk into town. He stood, bowing gallantly to Cally. “Would you care to assist me in chaperoning the children to town?”

  “Why, Mr. Lindt,” Cally said, her rich voice filled with pleasure, “I’d just love to.”

  “Let’s not go down the bayou path,” Althea advised. “We’ll stand less of a chance getting snake or gator bit if we walked up the road.”

  “But that’s the long way,” Cally protested. “Nearly four miles of long way.”

  “So?” Althea shrugged. She offered her aunt a faint smile, “I thought you’d like to walk with Mr. Lindt in the moonlight.

  “Sound advice,” Mr. Lindt replied. He smiled and shrugged. “I have no desire to get ‘gator bit.’”

  “Neither do I,” Cally agreed.

  “Hank,” Althea called as she stepped into the house. “Hank quit playing with your bibitte and come on out here. We’re going to the Bijou.”

  “What’s playing?” was his muffled reply.

  “All About Eve.”

  “That’s old,” Hank complained. “Besides, I don’t like Bette Davis. How about we watch something else instead?”

  “What’s wrong with Bette? She’s my favorite actress.”

  “She’s too forward. A woman should never be so forward.”

  “Says you, bub.”

  There was a pause. Althea visualized him genuflecting, grimacing as he did so. Althea tapped her foot in annoyance.

  “I’d really like to watch something else,” Hank repeated.

  “Okay, fine,” Althea said, bristling. “What do you want to see?”

  “How about Anything Goes?”

  “Are you kidding me? Bing Crosby?” She snorted. “That’s for old people.”

  “It’s a good wholesome film.”

  “No. It’s as boring as mud water.”

  “I’m the husband.”

  “Not yet you’re not, couillon, so don’t start pushing me around.”

  “Okay, okay,” Hank said smiling as he stepped out onto the veranda. He held his hands up as if to ward her off. “I’m easy. What would you rather watch?”

  “Besides All About Eve?”

  “Yes.”

  “How about the Atomic Man?” Mr. Lindt suggested.

  “I don’t know,” Althea said sounding for a moment exactly like her mother. “What do you think?”

  “I think,” Mr. Lindt said confidentially has he and Cally led the couple toward the porch steps, “that the two of you will be more interested in each other than in the film. Besides,” he added loud enough for Ruby to hear, “I’ll buy.”

  “You have a deal,” Hank laughed.

  Chapter Twelve

  “We’re walking up ahead,” Althea said to Cally and Mr. Lindt as she took Hank by the hand and pulled him forward. “We want some time alone to talk. You won’t tell Mom will you?”

  “No, of course not, chere,” Cally called in response. She slipped her arm around Mr. Lindt’s and added, “Mr. Lindt and I are going to enjoy the moonlight for a while. You two go on up ahead.”

  Althea, her mood lifting somewhat despite the ugliness from earlier in the evening, gently tugged Hank’s hand. “Come on,” She teased. “I’m not Jezebel. I’m not gonna lead you astray.”Hank smiled down at her and said, “I know you’re not.”

  “In fact, I’m fixing to save you from a life of domestic boredom,” she said as a plan took shape in her mind. “Can I get a hallelujah?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean,” Hank replied.

  She considered it before, but wasn’t daring enough to pursue it. Now, while walking underneath moonlit trees punctuated by the pungent aroma of Spanish moss and hyacinths, Althea felt as if anything were possible.

  “Look,” she whispered as she led Hank further away from the adults. “We’ll be in town in a few minutes. We’ll be passing by Saint Bernard’s Church. All you have to do is go in. Make some kind of excuse, I don’t care. Just go inside and go to confession.”

  “But it’s after dark,” Hank protested. “There aren’t any priests available at this hour.”

  “Father Donahue stays for late confessions,” Althea replied. “Now, quit fighting me. I’m trying to help you.”

  Hank stopped, sighed and said, “Okay, what?”

  “Like I was saying, go into the church. Tell Father everything. Tell him about this corny marriage setup, how you don’t want to marry me and that you have a vocation and want to become a priest. Beg for sanctuary if you have to, but just go and do it okay?”

  “I can’t,” Hank said helplessly. “I promised my parents. I can’t go back on my word Althea. I know you can’t understand, but a man is only as good as his word. If I back out now what kind of man would I be?”

  “You’d be a miserable man with a bitter harpy of a wife and a
sham of a marriage. Because that’s what’s going to happen if we go through with this. We’ll be dreadfully unhappy, and I’ll become old and bitter and...and hateful...And you’ll hate me too. Don’t you see?”

  “I see that we have to go through with it. A man keeps his promises, Althea.”

  “Even if we’re both miserable for the rest of our lives?”

  “It’s a sacrifice for the greater good.”

  “The greater good of whom, Hank? Honestly. Nobody is going to benefit from this match, especially not us and not any children we’d have together.”

  Hank bowed his head. “You just can’t understand what’s in a man’s heart,” he whispered. “I’ve got to go through with this. We both do. We are commanded by God to honor our parents.”

  “Isn’t lying a sin too, Hank? Ain’t this whole thing an awful lie?”

  When Hank didn’t answer, Althea snorted. “I thought you had some guts. I guess I was wrong. You are just a damned coward. A boy who is too scared to stand up to his mommy and daddy.”

  “I am not a coward, and please don’t swear. It’s unbecoming for a lady to swear.”

  She offered him a sideways glance. “You seem to know an awful lot about men but nothing about women. All you do is parrot stereotypes.” She glared at him, her expression contemptuous. “What makes you think women don’t understand what a person’s word is worth? And what is your word worth when you are about to accept something that’s based on nothing but lies and deceit? What else are you willing to sacrifice, Hank, on the altar of deception?”

  “I don’t expect you to understand.”

  “Then what do you expect, Hank? What do you expect out of this marriage?”

  “I expect,” he said softly, “to have a loving, obedient wife.”

  “Obedient to who, you or God?”

  “To both, just like the Bible says.”

  “Well you’re not going to get it. I promise you that.”

  “You will.”

  “Or what? Are you going to make me?”

  “If I have to.”