Down Home Blues

by Phyllis R. Dixon

  “I was wondering where you were,” Beverly said. “You haven’t signed the card.”

  “I was working on something for Raymond, and I needed a break from the heat.”

  “Well, I hope you’re not getting ready to leave. We haven’t given Daddy his surprise yet,” Beverly said as she pulled a gift bag from under the sink. “Daddy is really going to be surprised.”

  “Oh yeah, don’t I owe you some more money?” I asked as I took my wallet out of my pocket.

  “You’re good,” Beverly said. “But Cecelia, I do need your money.”

  “You said Paul sent enough money to cover everything,” Cecelia said.

  “He did, but we all still need to contribute. The gift is from all of us. We’ll just give Daddy the extra money.”

  “So that gold digger can get her hands on it? I don’t think so,” Cecelia said.

  “Who are you to dictate what he does with his money?” Raymond said as he entered the kitchen. “Just like you give your money to those machines, Daddy can give his money to anyone or anything he pleases.”

  “We understand if you’re a little short,” I said. “I can put in for you.”

  “I can pay my share, thank you very much. I don’t see why you all are so determined to let this woman keep using Daddy. What are we going to do about this?”

  “About what?” Raymond asked.

  “Daddy getting married. We can’t let this happen,” Cecelia said.

  “There is no we,” Raymond said. “It’s not up to us. Daddy is happy. That’s all that should matter.”

  “I can’t believe you’re all just going to sit by and say nothing. So much for loyalty,” Cecelia said.

  “Cecelia has a good point. It does seem like we’re just tossing Mama’s memory to the side,” Beverly said.

  “You haven’t even given her a chance,” Raymond said.

  “A chance to do what – spend Daddy’s money?” Cecelia said.

  “I asked Daddy about a prenuptial agreement and he wouldn’t even consider it,” I said.

  “So, if there’s nothing you can do about it, just be happy for him,” Raymond said.

  “There is something we haven’t talked about. People Daddy’s age don’t always make the best financial choices and there are avenues we can take to protect his interests,” Cecelia said.

  “There you go with that we again,” Raymond said as he grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator.

  “Are you talking about legal action?” Beverly asked.

  “Carolyn’s a lawyer. Aren’t there legal avenues for situations like this?” Cecelia asked.

  “I doubt if she wants to get in the middle of something like that,” Derrick said as he walked across the room. “It’s never a good idea for family members to —”

  “What you’re talking about is durable power of attorney,” I said. “But it’s usually used when people have Alzheimer’s or other debilitating illnesses. Daddy hardly fits—”

  “You’re talking about having Daddy committed? You’re the one that needs to be committed for even thinking such a thing,” Raymond said. “We didn’t take away your rights when you were throwing your money away and running around meeting other men.”

  “This is not the same thing, and not that it’s any of your business, but I was not meeting other men.”

  “Just be honest. You’re not worried about protecting Daddy’s interests. Beverly saw the hospital notices and we know you’ve lost your job and you’re broke. Looks like you’re the one making poor choices,” Raymond said.

  “I did not lose my job. And Beverly, if you’re going to snoop and tell my business, you need to at least get it straight.”

  “I wasn’t snooping. I was looking for some papers my attorney needs for the divorce. It is my house.”

  “If you want me to leave, just say so. I’m looking out for all of us and I’m the one getting attacked. We want Daddy to live a long time, but what happens if he dies before Emma?”

  “If you don’t mind my saying so, Cecelia is right,” Derrick said. “I handle all of my grandmother’s affairs and we’ve discussed everything regarding her final wishes.”

  “This is different,” Beverly said, rolling her eyes.

  “Daddy didn’t get where he is by being careless. I’m sure he’ll update his will,” Raymond said.

  “Maybe he will and maybe he won’t. Emma is talking him into a lot of things we didn’t think he’d do. You talk about me gambling – that’s a gamble,” Cecelia said.

  “Daddy has always taught us to protect the family legacy, but this is nothing we should decide based on a kitchen conversation,” I said. “This is a holiday. Let’s talk about this another time.”

  “This is the perfect time,” Cecelia said. “We’re all here.”

  “Maybe we should bring our concerns to him as a group,” Beverly said. “None of us thinks any legal action is necessary, but I’m sure Mama would want him to consider his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren before taking such a big step. Miss Emma seems like a kind lady, but dollar signs do change people.”

  “Look who’s here,” Carl loudly announced as he accompanied Miss Emma into the kitchen.

  “You didn’t have to bring anything, but I’m not complaining,” Raymond said as he rushed to relieve her of her bags. “This looks good.”

  “C.W. loves German chocolate cake,” Emma said.

  “Daddy is borderline diabetic. He shouldn’t be eating German chocolate cake,” Cecelia snapped.

  “I made it with Splenda instead of sugar and I used sugar-free applesauce instead of butter. I’ll bet you won’t even be able to taste the difference.”

  “We’re so glad you and your cake could make it,” Carl said.

  “Well, I overheard part of your conversation, and I’m not sure that’s a true statement,” Emma said. “I understand your concern. C.W. is blessed to have children that care about him. I want you to know I love your father and I can’t wait to be his wife.”

  “So you’re glad our mother is dead?”

  “Cecelia, hush,” Beverly said.

  “Of course not. Lois was a lovely person.”

  “We don’t need you to tell us about our mother,” Cecelia said. “Let’s just cut to the chase. Daddy is a man, and like all the rest of them, he’s letting his body rule his mind. You can seduce him with fake cakes and phony airs, but if you think you’re going to get your hands on his money, you can forget it.”

  “I know that’s coming from a place of love for your father, so I won’t take it personally—”

  “Oh, you can take it personally, or any way you want to,” Cecelia said. “But I tell you what you’re not going to take—”

  “I cannot believe my ears,” C.W. said as he entered the room. “I’ve been standing in the hall outside the bathroom and I don’t know what’s gotten into you. This was so hard to listen to, but once you started disrespecting Emma, I had to step in. I am so sorry you had to hear this. Let’s go,” he said as he gently touched her elbow.

  “C.W. this is supposed to be your day. I don’t want you to leave because of me. The last thing I want to do is come between you and your children.”

  “They aren’t children. They are grown, and they were taught better than this,” Daddy said as he grabbed Emma’s hand. “Y’all act like I’m some senile old man with one foot in the grave. I’m going to live what time I got left the way I see fit and anybody don’t like it – too bad.”

  “Daddy, it’s just that we care about what happens to you,” I said.

  “I hope that’s it, and not that you’re counting my money.”

  “And for the record, I’m not counting his money either,” Emma said. “I am not after your father’s money, or land, and if he wants me to sign something, I will.”

  “Emma, honey, you don’t have to explain yourself.”

  “Let me say this,” Emma said. “I know I can’t replace Lois and that’s not my goal. But I do want us to be friends, an
d I think we will be if you give me a chance. We all want the same thing and that’s for your father to be happy. C.W. is a wonderful man. Your mother took great care of him and will be a hard act to follow, but I’m honored to try. Nobody is more surprised than I am to be talking about getting married at this time in my life. Girls, if you think the pickings are slim now, wait until you get my age. The few single men out there are either looking for a home or a nurse.”

  “I didn’t realize I was such a hot commodity. Maybe I shouldn’t limit all of this to just one woman,” C.W. said with a wink.

  “In the words of Bill Withers, you’re too much for one but not enough for two,” Emma said. “Look, I’m going on home. C.W. you stay here. Enjoy your family. I have to get up early and go pack the last of my things in my classroom. Raymond, I’ll see you at the staff meeting tomorrow.”

  “Well, I guess they told us,” Raymond said, as C.W. walked Emma to her car.

  “Time will tell,” Cecelia said.

  “Well, the mood for Father’s Day has dissipated. I guess we’ll be getting on home,” Derrick said. “We both have early days tomorrow.”

  “I’m going to stay and help clean up so Beverly and Cecelia can get back to Memphis before dark,” I said as I began loading the dishwasher.

  “Cecelia, we know you mean well, but sometimes you need to just be quiet,” Carl said, when Raymond came back in the house.

  “I know you’re not trying to say this is all my fault just because none of you have the nerve to speak your mind.”

  “Some would call that tact,” I said. “As Mama used to say, it’s not always what you say, but how you say it.”

  “Mama also said, ‘God bless the child that’s got his own’. I work with life and death situations and I’m trained not to waste time. I’m sorry if little Miss Emma’s feelings got hurt, but you of all people know if things aren’t in writing, it doesn’t mean a thing.”

  “This isn’t about Miss Emma’s feelings,” Raymond said. “But by insulting her, you insulted Daddy.”

  “I cannot believe you are ganging up on me. I’m looking out for all of us.”

  “Well, stop doing us favors,” Carl said.

  “I would think you would be the main one concerned about this train wreck since you’re the one who’ll be homeless.”

  “Carl will be fine. Stop trying to deflect your money woes on everybody else,” Raymond said. “We’re not stupid.”

  “You know what? I’m leaving. I’m tired of everybody blaming me for everything. Excuse me for being loyal,” Cecelia said as she grabbed her purse and stormed out the door.

  “Now we have two family members with hurt feelings,” I said. “Should we go after her?”

  “Let her stew,” Beverly said. “She won’t get far. I drove.”

  CECELIA

  “So how long were you going to sit out here?” Beverly asked as she opened the car door.

  “Luckily you didn’t lock your door,” Cecelia said. She was sitting inside the car playing a game on her phone. “Glad you finally came out. My battery is running low and these mosquitos are tearing me up.”

  Beverly loaded her ice chest of ribs, chicken, and turkey legs in the trunk, then got in the car and headed toward the highway.

  “Why is Daddy being so stubborn?” Cecelia asked. “Emma said she would sign anything he asked her to.”

  “He’s interpreting your position as trying to tell him what to do and he doesn’t like it. He sees that as a sign of getting old and wants to show he can still make his own decisions. The argument isn’t about money, it’s about control.”

  “I see daytime TV teaches you a lot about relationships.”

  “Being a beautician is like being an unpaid therapist. I hear all kinds of stories. Most people aren’t trying to hurt each other. There are two sides to every story, and the truth is usually in the middle.”

  “I don’t know that there’s a middle ground on Daddy getting married, but it bothers me for him to think I’m plotting against him. This is no way for us to end Father’s Day. I want to talk to him.”

  “Call the house phone. He rarely answers the cell.”

  “No, I want to talk to him in person,” Cecelia insisted.

  “Now?”

  “Yes. The shop is closed tomorrow and I’ll drive back if you’re tired.”

  “All right,” Beverly said as she pulled over, checked for the state police, then made a U-turn heading back to Eden.

  Cecelia couldn’t understand why she was being made to be the bad guy. Black folks are too emotional, she thought. That’s why we always come up on the short end of the stick when it comes to money. We try to be fair and logical and sentimental. Money has no soul or allegiance. Just like the slot machine will pay off to someone who’s just sat down even though someone else fed it all night.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this highway at sunset,” Cecelia said, as she let the window down. The sun was so big in the western sky, it looked fake. Corn was waist high and the road to her father’s house looked the same as it always did. Unfortunately, everything was different. No more family trips down home with the kids. No more pulling up to see Mama and Daddy rocking on the porch. And no more of her mother’s tight hugs. She knew she was right, and her mother would want her to look out for the family, but she didn’t want to win her battle with Emma and lose her dad.

  Beverly parked behind her father’s truck and the sisters went to the porch. Cecelia pulled the screen door, but the hook was on. “We know he’s in there, maybe he’s sleep.”

  “Let’s leave him a note,” Beverly said.

  “Wait, did you hear that?” Cecelia asked, and cocked her head to the side.

  “It’s probably the TV,” Beverly said.

  “No, it sounded like a moan or a cry,” Cecelia said.

  “I think I do hear something,” Beverly said, as she started knocking.

  “Maybe all this stress gave him a heart attack. Don’t you have a key or something?”

  “Not to the screen door, but the back door screen doesn’t latch.” Beverly dug her father’s house key out of her purse and the sisters rushed to the back door. Beverly fumbled with the lock before opening the door.

  “Daddy?” Cecelia shouted. “Do you have 911 service down here?” she asked Beverly, as they rushed through the house. They found the master bedroom door closed.

  “Daddy, are you alright?” Beverly asked as they pushed the door open.

  C.W. was standing next to the bed in his boxers. “What in the world are you girls doing?”

  Beverly and Cecelia stood at the door with their mouths open, as they watched Miss Emma pull the seven hundred thread floral sheet to her chin.

  CAROLYN

  Geneva and I made quick work of the dishes. I had forgotten how much easier kitchen clean-up was when you have a dishwasher. “Do you think Daddy is really mad?” I asked Raymond as he walked me to my car.

  “Yep.”

  “I’ll call him and Miss Emma tomorrow and apologize. But I still feel like he needs to consider some of these things we were talking about, but it’s not worth upsetting him. As far as the grant application, I did as much as I could, but I wish you would have asked me earlier. Some of the facts about the injunction aren’t quite right. I would have included more information about upcoming events. Even the number of people at the meetings would be good to include. Grant donors like numbers.”

  “I didn’t want to impose. I know you’re busy,” Raymond said.

  “And since when has that stopped you?” I said as I playfully punched his arm.

  “After I talked to Derrick—”

  “What do you mean after you talked to Derrick?”

  “He called and asked me to limit your CARE involvement. He told me about your pressures at work and you’ve been seeing a doctor—”

  “He had no right to do that and you should have talked to me.”

  “Don’t go getting all mad. He’s just looking out fo
r his wife. He’s right to be concerned.”

  “Let me work on it some more tonight. I’ll email it to you first thing in the morning.”

  “I appreciate it. We need every penny we can get, but I don’t want my brother-in-law thinking I’m taking advantage of you.”

  “You let me worry about your brother-in-law.”

  Raymond had cooked way too much food and had sent us all home with plenty of barbeque. I brought enough home for Derrick and me to take for lunch. I planned to freeze some of the meat, but I had promised Raymond I would finish editing the CARE grant application. The humidity had wreaked havoc with my hair and I really needed to curl it if I was going to have any trace of a style tomorrow. I was wiped out and thought maybe I’d just get up two hours earlier and do my hair, put the meat in freezer bags, and complete the application in the morning.

  “Hey, baby. I dozed off and didn’t hear you drive up,” Derrick said as I walked through the living room. “I put some wine in the ice bucket. I thought we’d take a bath and get the barbeque smell off of us, then see where the night leads.”

  “I’m tired and I’m going to bed. I need to get up extra early to work on the CARE application before I go to work.”

  “You spent half your time today working on it and now you’re going to get up before daybreak to work on it?”

  “Maybe I wouldn’t have had to spend Father’s Day working on it if you hadn’t told Raymond to limit my involvement.”

  “If you won’t speak up for yourself, I will.”

  “I don’t need you to speak up for me. I know what I want to do and what I can and can’t handle. It was not your place to butt in.”

  “This is silly. Sometimes I think you just look for things to argue about. Now come over here,” Derrick said as he patted the couch. “I’ve been missing you.”

  “Derrick, you can’t be serious.”

  “I figured since we were talking again, we could get back to loving again.”

  “Well you figured wrong. And the fact that you don’t get why I’m upset about you talking to Raymond behind my back is even more evidence that we have a problem.”