by Tyora Moody
I commented, “Well, life happens. We all sometimes end up on a path we don’t plan.”
“I strayed off my path because I got caught up with the wrong guy. Carmen was always good about not dating and hanging out. She stuck to her studies. I guess that’s why she’s a physician now. I, on the other hand, got pregnant, dumped by the guy I thought loved me, lost the baby, and somewhere I lost myself. My mom wanted me to go back to school, but I have just worked different jobs over the years, mostly retail and waitressing.”
“It’s understandable. My daughter has had some difficulties after losing her best friend in a tragic accident. She’s just now finding her way.” I asked, “Is that what you do now? Waitressing?”
Jocelyn glanced at me. “I get decent tips. I have been saving to go back to school.”
“Good for you! I was asking because the detective seemed to be concerned about William recognizing you somewhere. I just thought maybe he saw you at work.”
Jocelyn was quiet for a moment “I have seen William Hopkins before last Sunday, but I didn’t know who he was at the time. I just thought of him as an obnoxious customer.”
“You served him at your job?”
“Yes, I did. He was there with some young guy. They always seemed to be talking business and I think I overhead something about some healthcare app. Sounded interesting.”
“How many times do you think you’ve seen William?”
Jocelyn shrugged, “Hard to count. Maybe about three or four times?”
“He must have really liked the food at the restaurant.”
Jocelyn glanced at me. “I’m sure there were other aspects that he liked. I work at Hooters. It’s known for very pretty waitresses who don’t mind showing…”
“I think I know.”
“You can see why my mother stays disappointed in me. I don’t even know if it was worth it to try to find my grandmother.”
“Why would your mother be so angry? It made sense to try again. It helps you know your own roots.”
Jocelyn was quiet again before responding. “I think my mother blames Louise, you know, for my grandfather’s death.”
Why blame Louise? I wanted to say more, but decided to hold my tongue. It sounded to me like Louise and August naively fell in love at a time when it was not acceptable to be an interracial couple. They both were so young and I knew from personal experience becoming pregnant as a teenager wasn’t the ideal time to enter motherhood.
We soon arrived at the Manning sisters’ home. They lived in a neighborhood similar to Sugar Creek. As Jocelyn slowed down in front of a brick house, I heard her take in a sharp breath. “Oh no. She’s not supposed to be here.”
I leaned forward. “Who?”
Jocelyn pulled into the driveway behind a white Mercedes. She cut off the engine and sat staring ahead.
“Jocelyn, is this still a good idea to visit?”
She turned to me. “I don’t know, it maybe your lucky day, Ms. Eugeena. You will get to meet my grandfather’s sisters and my mother.” With that Jocelyn opened the driver’s side and stepped out, her face full of anxiety.
I opened the passenger door, feeling a bit nervous. I was about to meet Louise’s long lost daughter in the flesh. How is Clarice Miller feeling about her biological mom now? Would she ever want to meet her? She was Louise’s only living child.
Chapter 23
I was reminded of Aunt Esther and Cora’s home when we walked into the Manning house. The furniture wasn’t old or shabby, or modern, but well cared for over the years. While the sisters didn’t continue a public memorial, the seventeen years August Manning had lived were memorialized in many places in the living room. The same photo that Aunt Esther gave me hung larger than life above a fireplace.
I followed Jocelyn through the living room to where three women sat at a dining room table. They were laughing and enjoying what appeared to be a coffee cake. The women stopped talking and looked towards us. It was my first time seeing August’s sisters. I could tell both were very pretty women when they were younger. Both in their seventies, they were very beautiful, sharing the same rich dark chocolate complexion as their deceased younger brother. Their large brown eyes and smile were warm and kind. I looked from them to the woman I really wanted to see up close.
Clarice Miller looked even more like Louise today. Her eyebrow was raised in that same way Louise’s eyebrow would arch when she inquisitive. I also noticed how blue Clarice’s eyes looked against her honey-colored skin. Her hair flowed down her back reminding me a bit of the actress Vanessa Williams. She was Louise’s daughter with no doubts.
Jocelyn cleared her throat. “Mom, Aunt Ruth and Thelma, this is Ms. Eugeena. She’s the lady I told you about. Her aunt was one of grandfather’s teachers.”
I wasn’t sure what angle Jocelyn wanted to go with after that introduction, but I stepped forward and stretched out my hand to both sisters. “It’s so nice to meet all of you.”
Ruth didn’t stand, but I gathered from the walking cane that leaned against the table, she had some difficulty. She looked over at me over glasses that sat perched on her nose. Her smile was kind. “Who was your aunt? If she taught August, we probably had her as a teacher too.”
I answered, “Esther Gibson.”
Thelma clapped her hands together, “I remember Ms. Gibson. She was one of August’s favorite teachers.”
Ruth looked at her sister. “Ours too. I think we both became teachers because of Ms. Gibson.”
I smiled. “That’s good to know Aunt Esther had that kind of influence. I just retired after thirty years as a social studies teacher, and I must say she inspired me too.”
I glanced at Clarice who was looking at me with interest and giving her daughter questioning looks. Jocelyn was looking everywhere except her mother’s face. This was going to be an awkward conversation and I wondered how I could get some of my questions answered with Clarice present.
Thelma stood. “Let me get some more coffee made for us. Have a seat, Eugeena.”
“Thank you.” I pulled out the dining room chair noticing the set was the kind of furniture you don’t find anymore. The chair was sturdy and beautifully assembled cherry wood. I sat down next to Jocelyn who seemed to being avoiding her mother’s stare by staring at the center of the table.
I smiled at Clarice. “What do you do? Are you a teacher too?”
Clarice looked at me. “No, I probably have the most boring job of us all. I’m an accountant.”
“That’s pretty important.” I thought to myself Clarice was a woman of details. She probably didn’t miss much. I did want to know what happened to make her so angry with Jocelyn, and why she wouldn’t try to touch base with Louise again.
Thelma stepped back into the dining room with a pot that was steaming. “Here is some fresh coffee. There are some plates there if you want to help yourself to the coffee cake.”
I answered, “Oh I better not. I have diabetes and it’s been a struggle trying to stay away from sweets.”
Ruth and Thelma looked at each other and giggled. Ruth reached over and patted my hand. ”Honey, you can eat this cake. We know all about diabetes since both of us are diabetics. We used Splenda with this recipe.”
“Oh, well, then I would love to try a piece.” I reached for the knife and cut off some cake placing it on a paper plate. When I brought the fork to my mouth, I savored the flavor. “Mmm, this is so good. I’m going to have to get this recipe.”
Thelma shook her head, “Glad you like it. Now what did you want to ask us about August?”
The room which was full of energy before seemed to have changed. I swallowed the last piece of cake in my mouth and looked over at Jocelyn. “Well, I was really interested in how August passed. It appears like no one has ever solved his case?”
Ruth shook her head, “No, they haven’t and we are content in our spirits that we will probably never see justice.”
I asked, “Why is that?”
Thelma shook her head
. “People were afraid to tell the truth back then and now it’s just been too long for anyone but us to care.”
Out of curiosity I inquired, “Do you have any idea who was responsible?”
Thelma looked over at Ruth. The sisters seemed to talk intimately with their eyes. Thelma finally responded, “We talked to the police and told them the names of the boys we suspected.”
“Aunt Esther mentioned Bill Hopkins and Chuck Nelson. Sounds like others in the community suspected this too. I’m having a hard time about Bill Hopkins.”
“Why is that?” Clarice who had been silent finally spoke. Her voice was sharp and piercing.
I glanced over at Jocelyn who stared at her mother as if to quietly tell her to calm down.
It was probably time to let Clarice know why I was really here. I leaned forward. “Bill Hopkins was my neighbor for many years. I’m good friends with his wife.”
Clarice’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She seemed shaken. “What is this, Jocelyn? What’s going on?”
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. “Mom, I came to talk Aunt Ruth and Thelma. I didn’t know you were going to be here.”
Clarice stood from the table, “So you’re talking to people who know Louise Hopkins behind my back.”
I frowned. “Louise and Bill were good people.”
Clarice leaned forward on the table with her arms as if to steady herself. “Louise married the man who could have been responsible for dad’s death.”
“From what I’ve heard, Chuck Nelson was more in love with Louise. Bill may not have had anything to do with August’s death.”
Thelma reached over to touch Clarice’s hand. “Clarice, please sit down. There’s no need to be upset.”
Clarice sank into the chair as if some force pushed her down.
Thelma continued, “That’s true. Chuck grew up with Louise. In fact, Thelma and I have always suspected it was Chuck who went after August. It wasn’t the first time he threatened him or tried to fight with August. He had an ugly temper.”
Thelma chimed in, “Though Bill seemed to follow what Chuck said, he wasn’t around that day. We think he probably suspected what Chuck did and didn’t come forward.”
Clarice spat, “That made him an accomplice.”
Jocelyn slapped the table. “Then everyone who knew what Chuck did was an accomplice. It sounds to me like the police knew, but they didn’t move forward because the Nelsons had power here.”
Ruth and Thelma both nodded in agreement with Jocelyn.
I hadn’t realized the family who owned the car dealership had more stakes in Charleston. “Clarice, would you mind if I asked what happened the day you tried to see Louise?”
Clarice looked at Jocelyn. “Why are you telling strangers my business?”
Jocelyn snapped back. “It’s not just your business. Louise Hopkins is my grandmother. I’m an adult. The same way you chose to have a relationship with Aunt Ruth and Thelma, I can reach out and find out more about her if I want to.”
Ruth held up her hands. “Calm down, both of you. There’s no need to have this type of anger. Clarice, when you went to see Louise you were angry that day.”
Clarice looked in the other direction.
I suspected she was near tears as I saw Jocelyn wipe away wetness from her own face. I felt helpless, but drawn to this family drama playing out. Secrets had devastated these women, but I really admired the Manning sisters. In all these years, they harbored no bitterness and didn’t want that to infect the next generations.
Clarice turned around and spoke. She looked directly at me as though she wanted to break down any perceptions I may have had about Bill. “Mr. Hopkins answered the door that day I came. I already knew who he was from talking to Ruth and Thelma. I had these thoughts of how could he and Louise be married if he had something to do with my father’s death. After he opened the door, he just looked at me. He finally asked who I was and I just told him my name was Clarice Miller and I wanted to meet Louise. He told me that it wasn’t a good time and that it would be too painful for her. He thought I would bring back the past and all those memories.”
Ruth added, “The day that Clarice went to see Louise, it was the anniversary of August’s death.” Ruth looked over at Clarice. “I told Clarice when she returned that Louise really did love August. I felt like he was her first love and she probably was grieving him, not knowing that Bill was keeping her child from her.”
I sighed, thinking about what Bill did. I commented, “Bill was very protective of Louise. He sheltered her from her own son, William, and all his craziness when he could. Bill probably died a year or two after you came to see Louise that first time. Why didn’t you try again? I believe she would have loved to have met you.”
Clarice stared at me. “You know her that well. Did you even know I existed before my daughter showed up?”
Clarice had a point. Even though Louise didn’t share her secret with me, I knew some things about her that the women in this room didn’t. “Here’s what I know. Louise had a child she miscarried in her first marriage. It was a boy. She married Bill later and she had a boy. I know when I had my daughter, Louise talked at length about always wanting a daughter and she so wanted grandchildren. Those are the things I know about Louise.”
Clarice wouldn’t look at me.
I continued, “She just lost her son. It would be lovely for her if she could have that chance to be a part of your life and your family. I saw it in her eyes. August is still close in her mind all these years later.”
Clarice stood. “I can’t. I just can’t. Because she never searched for me.”
Ruth spoke up. “That’s not true. She did want to find you. Years ago she came to see us.”
Thelma nodded. “She sat right here at this table and told us how she missed August. She never forgot about the child she gave up. That’s why when we met you, we sent you to see her.”
Clarice looked torn. “I have to go. It was good to meet you, Ms. Eugeena.”
My heart sank in despair as I watched Clarice leave. I was hoping that Clarice would say she would be in touch or she would at least consider reaching out to Louise.
Chapter 24
The first thing I noticed when Jocelyn dropped me off at my house was Amos was back. His truck was parked out front. Now, of course, I would never admit to missing him, but after being around Jocelyn, her aunts and Clarice, I needed a breath of fresh air.
Jocelyn turned and parked her car in my driveway. There wasn’t much I could say. I felt for Jocelyn who I sensed wanted peace with her mother. I looked at Jocelyn, “Your mother will eventually come around. We will pray her desire to be connected to her biological mother will grow.”
“I’m hoping she sees we need family. I’m glad we’re connected to my grandfather’s side of the family, but I want us to be connected to our grandmother too. It seems to me like we all need each other.”
I thought at that moment that Jocelyn with her struggles and quirky clothes was a very wise woman. I didn’t know her well, but felt proud of her. I patted Jocelyn on the hand. “We will keep in touch. I will work on getting us a meeting with Louise.”
“Thank you, Ms. Eugeena.”
When I stepped out of the car, I had an urge to walk over to Amos’ house, but thought I would wait. I still wondered what he had been up to this past weekend.
I said to myself out loud, “Eugeena, you really need to mind your business.” I started laughing before I reached my porch steps. “Yeah right.” By the time I opened the door, I figured I would check on Porgy and let him walk out in the backyard and then stroll next door.
Porgy ran around the yard taking time to sniff everything in sight while I stood on the patio. I looked over to Louise’s house thinking of the times we would talk across the fence. A conversation from the past made me smile. I was outside with Leesa who was around two years old and was running as fast as her little legs would carry her over the grass. Louise was looking over the fence and laughing, tears
of joy illuminated her blue eyes. She had said, “Eugeena, you are so blessed to have a girl. I imagine girls are fun.”
Yes, girls could be fun and also a lot of work.
After I finally rounded Porgy back inside, the doorbell rang. Who could that be?
I opened the door and couldn’t help but smile. ”Well, someone must have missed me.”
Amos grinned. “It’s good to see you, Eugeena.”
“You’ve been busy.”
“I have been very productive.”
“I certainly would like to hear more.”
“How about we talk over dinner?”
I opened my mouth and closed it. Now I have cooked many meals for Amos and on rare occasions he has cooked on the grill or fried fish for us, but this invitation sounded a bit different.
Amos ignored my speechlessness, probably grateful that I wasn’t running my mouth. “Someone told me you have a birthday coming up this Wednesday. I know your family would be around so I’d like to take you out for a birthday dinner tonight. If that’s okay with you?”
“Oh.” I held my hand to my chest. “That’s quite nice of you, but…”
“I have lots to tell you. I can guarantee you will be interested.”
Well how can a girl say no to that? “Okay, what time do you want to go to dinner?”
“I will come back around six o’clock.”
“Sounds good.” After I closed the door, I looked at the clock, noticing it was four o’clock now. Is this considered a date? Regardless, I had two hours to figure out what to wear.
Porgy watched me as I banged open my closet door and spent the next thirty minutes pulling out twenty pieces of clothing. I felt like I’d regressed in age. Who was this giddy teenage acting woman, because I certainly didn’t recognize her? I finally settled on a comfortable, but very elegant purple sweater dress. It was a classic and had been hidden in the closet for some time. I used to not like to wear it because it showed off my rolls. I know they have spandex for hiding those areas of the body, but if I was going out for a special dinner with Amos, I at least wanted to enjoy my food.