“I’ll tell you what the problem is. I’m tired of you acting like I’m Chris Brown and Ike Turner rolled into one. And another thing, when I say it’s time to go, you should come with me. It’s like you look for an opportunity to make me look bad. You need to get over yourself and start acting like my wife.”
All sorts of snappy responses were rolling through my mind, but I was tired. Maybe I should just fake it. He’ll be satisfied and fall asleep, then I can get some rest, I thought as I took the CARE folders out of my bag. I had arranged the surveys in order, so all I had to do in the morning was fill in the spreadsheet.
Derrick walked over to the table and swept all the papers on the floor. “Let’s go to bed.”
“What are you doing?” I yelled and bent over to start picking up the papers.
“You must think I’m stupid. You’re making excuses not to be with me because you’re seeing someone else.”
“I am not seeing anyone. Although you certainly make it tempting,” I said as I stacked and sorted the papers.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Derrick said as he slammed the table, causing the lamp to fall to the floor. “Look at me when I’m talking to you. I can’t believe you’re acting like this because I tried to help you.”
“Help or control?” I asked. “And you’re yelling and knocking over stuff like King Kong. You cannot talk to me like that.”
“It’s better to yell about it than to pout for weeks like you do. At least I get it out and over with. What happened to our promise not to go to bed angry?”
“What about your promise to be honest? I know about Karen Jones.”
“I told you about her a long time ago.”
“You didn’t tell me you were charged with assault.”
“That was a farce and the judge was a woman. She had her mind made up before I even opened my mouth. You keep bringing up stuff that has nothing to do with us. I think you’re just looking for excuses,” he said as he grabbed my arm so tight it felt like his thumb would bore a hole in my bone.
“Get away from me,” I shouted and twisted out of his grasp. He grabbed my collar from behind and snatched me backwards. The buttons on my blouse ripped, and I was practically choking as he pulled my top dragging me across the room. My gagging turned into vomiting and I think it scared him.
“Jesus, are you alright?” he asked. “Let me get you some water.”
As he walked to the kitchen, I threw a stapler at him. Derrick ducked, and the stapler broke the ceiling fan light, then fell and shattered the glass coffee table.
“I can’t stay here,” I said in what sound I could muster from my throat.
“I don’t know why you make things so difficult. Let’s just go to bed and things will look better in the morning,” Derrick said. “I’ll run you a bath.”
“The only thing I’m going to see in the morning is another bruise on my arm.”
CARL
Raymond was giving Carl a ride home since Carlton had his license and Carl let him take his car to a cousin’s house to play video games. But he needed to drop some more CARE papers off at Carolyn’s house first.
“Here’s the envelope. I’ll text her and let her know you’re coming to the door,” Raymond said, as he handed the package to his brother.
Carl walked to his sister’s front door, but slowed his gait the closer he got, then turned around. He went to the driver’s side and motioned for Raymond to roll down his window. “They’re having an argument.”
“Talk about awkward. I guess we can just leave the envelope on the step and I’ll text her back and let her know you left it outside.”
“They were all lovey-dovey at your house,” Carl said. “I wonder what happened.”
“Who knows? I told her something Derrick told me. I hope she didn’t start fussing about that. It’s hard to satisfy women. They want to be all independent but they want you to pamper them at the same time.”
Carl headed back to the front porch, but again slowed down, then returned to the car. “I heard more hollering and it sounded like something breaking.”
“You said they were lovey-dovey earlier. Maybe they’re getting their freak on,” Raymond said.
“You know I mind my own business, but I don’t think we should leave.”
“You’ve been watching too much daytime TV,” Raymond said as he turned off the car. “I’m sure everything is fine. Let’s both go ring the doorbell.”
CAROLYN
We both jumped when we heard knocking at the door.
“Carolyn, are you all right?”
“It’s Raymond,” I said, as I peeked through the blinds. “And Carl.”
“Just great,” Derrick said. “I’ll get it. Hey guys, this isn’t a good time,” Derrick said as he opened the door just enough to talk through.
“Carolyn said she was going to finish the application tonight, and I found some additional information that might help her,” Raymond said.
“Okay, I’ll give it to her.”
“I’d like to give it to her myself,” Raymond said.
“Like I said, this isn’t a good time.”
“We heard,” Carl said. “We’d like to talk to her a minute. Just want to make sure everything is okay.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but your sister—”
Carl kicked the door and the chain came off, knocking Derrick off balance. “Man, you can’t bust into my house like this.”
“Carolyn, what’s going on?” Raymond asked as he looked around.
“You need to leave my house,” Derrick said. “And one of you is going to pay for that door.”
“We’ll leave, but we’re not leaving her here,” Carl said.
“Carolyn, are you all right?” Raymond asked. “If you want us to mind our own business and leave we will. But you know you don’t have to stay here.”
“I never wanted this,” I said. I tried to close my shirt with tears running down my face. My neck and arm were throbbing, but the tears were more from humiliation than pain.
“If your whining ass had listened to me in the first place, none of this would have happened,” Derrick said.
“I don’t know what goes on in your house,” Raymond said as he stepped over the broken coffee table toward me. “But I can’t let you talk to my sister like that.”
“Your sister is my wife, and I’ll talk to my damn wife in my damn house any damn way I please.” We all turned around when we heard footsteps on the porch. “Now who’s at the damn door?” Derrick said.
“It’s Rick. Is everything all right in there? We got a call about a disturbance.” As the police officer entered the room, he stepped over a lamp. “Your neighbors said two guys broke in.”
“This is my sister’s house,” Raymond said. “You can see she’s upset. It’s a good thing we were here before he did anything else to her. He needs to be arrested.”
“Rick, this is just a misunderstanding. You know things happen between married people. Me and my wife are in our own home. I’m sorry the neighbors were disturbed, and I’m willing not to press charges against them for breaking in my house.”
“Press charges against us? We’re not the ones—”
“Look, I’m sorry you heard what you heard. I didn’t know we had an audience, but I’ll ask you again to please leave.”
“We’re not going anywhere without our sister,” Carl said.
“My wife is fine. Officer, you see what I’m dealing with.”
“If you’re not going to arrest him, I’m not leaving,” Raymond said.
“Ray, I like your family. But right now, what I see is that you and your brother unlawfully entered this man’s home. His door is busted and he’s asked you to leave. I can’t arrest him for arguing with his wife, unless she says something. Did your husband assault you?”
“Well, tell him,” Raymond said.
“Carolyn, we heard you,” Carl said softly. “Don’t be afraid. We’ll make sure you’re okay.”
“That sounds like a threat to me,” Derrick said. “With your record, you need to be careful what you say.”
“I got your record if you put your hands on my sister again.”
“Sounds like another threat. With witnesses too. Not very smart.”
“Well, what do you have to say? Who do you want me to arrest?”
I feel like I’m dreaming, make that having a nightmare. My head is spinning, and it feels like what little is left in my stomach wants to come out. Maya Angelou said, when someone shows you who they are, believe them. I’m finally a believer, but do I really want my husband to go to jail or have a record? This time it will stick. Eden is a small town and everyone will know. He might even lose his job. I can’t do that to the father of my child.
“They call it stormy Monday, But Tuesday’s just as bad.”
T Bone Walker
Chapter 12
STORMY MONDAY
Some off day. Monday is supposed to be my day to run a few errands, then rest. But I didn’t sleep well, and woke up so hot I felt like the sheets had just come out of the oven. It’s not a flash. The air conditioner isn’t working. It’s running, but not blowing cool air. I didn’t know the company that Anthony usually calls, so I spent half the morning calling around trying to find a repairman. I mentioned it to Mark when he called and he called a friend who came within thirty minutes. He diagnosed the problem, but can’t get the part until tomorrow, so I hung out at the shop all day. I had three walk-ins, a lady and her daughters, then I did Cecelia’s hair. I’m pooped. To discourage any more walk-ins, I closed the blinds. Just as I was about to turn the blinds on the last window, Carolyn walked up.
“I was texting you as I walked to your door, but noticed you over here.”
“Is this a professional visit or are you just hanging out?”
“If you have time, I’d like my hair done,” Carolyn said. “But if not, I’ll just visit a while – unless you have something going on.”
“Nothing going on but the rent, as they say. Your hair was looking a little shabby yesterday. That’s bad advertising for me. Come on and get in my chair. What are we having done today?”
“I want my hair cut.”
“You don’t need a trim.”
“I don’t mean trim. I mean cut. Maybe like Halle Berry’s.”
“Carolyn, you can’t be serious. Your hair hasn’t been this healthy in decades and it’s really growing. Just because you’re mad at Derrick, don’t take it out on your hair.”
“Now what makes you think I’m mad at Derrick?”
“First of all, it’s a Monday, not your regular hair appointment day. Then I see your phone lighting up and you not answering it. Now you want to cut your hair because you know Derrick likes it and it’s your way of asserting your independence. It’s passive aggressive behavior and a symbol of making a change. ”
“You should have been a psychiatrist,” Carolyn said.
“Sometimes I feel like one. You’re mad today. Tomorrow you make up.”
“I doubt it. I am beyond mad.”
“Okay, so you make him work a little harder. But whenever you do make up, you can’t paste the hair back. I’ve seen too many cases of cut hair remorse. Just think about it. If you still want it cut, I’ll do it next time. How about we go with a different color instead of cutting it? ”
“Sure,” Carolyn said.
“Let’s go with a honey brunette. I’ve always said you should go lighter.”
“Fine,” Carolyn said.
“Since we’re doing color, why don’t you take this top off? I don’t want to get anything on it. Want me to get you a short sleeve shirt?”
“No thanks. It’ll be okay,” Carolyn said as she rubbed her arm.
“So do you want to talk about it?” I asked.
“Not really, but I do need a favor.”
“Name it.”
“I’d like to stay here a few days.”
“Oh, you got some big project at work?”
“No. I just need a place to stay.”
“You know I’ll help any way I can. When are you talking about coming?”
“Today. I have my bags in the car. If it’s a problem, I understand. I know Cecelia is staying with you. Where is she anyway?” Carolyn asked.
“She’s been having problems with her phone and went to see if it can be fixed. Then she was going to pick up catfish dinners.”
“Wow, she must be having a midlife crisis. She always lectured me about fried food. And I can remember when she would just go get a new phone. That could just be a cover for her to go to the casino.”
“I’m not keeping tabs on her, but I don’t think she’s into gambling like she was. She seems very different.”
“So, how is she?” Carolyn asked. “We didn’t really get to talk yesterday.”
“She seems okay. At first I thought she was just coming for a visit. But she hasn’t said anything about going home, and she came with lots of baggage. She just sits around all day. I think maybe she lost her job. Something else – I found a passport application on the dresser.”
“Maybe she needs some more official identification. She doesn’t have any money to be taking an exotic vacation. And as bad as they need nurses, I don’t see her losing her job. She’s a good nurse. She’s probably just burned out and needs a break,” Carolyn said.
“So that’s her problem, what’s yours?” I asked.
“What makes you ask?”
“Carolyn, you show up on a Monday then announce you don’t want to go home. Doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“Have you talked to Raymond or Carl today?” Carolyn asked.
“No, why?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Well, tell it when you get ready. In the meantime, it will be fun for all of us to be together. I’m just glad I’m here for you guys. Whenever I needed some space, I’d tell Anthony I needed to go help Mama with something. I’d spend a few days with her rocking on that porch, and that was enough to recharge my batteries. Sometimes you just need to get away a few days.”
“I wish it were that simple. Actually I may need to stay more than a few days. I think we’re getting a divorce.”
“Carolyn, no. What in the world happened?” Is there another woman or something?”
“No, unless you count his grandmother.”
“Well, what in the world could it be? That man is devoted to you.”
“Beverly, did Anthony ever put his hands on you?”
“I know you’re not saying he hit you,” I said as I spun the chair around so I could face her.
“Not really, but—”
“Carolyn, what are you doing here?” Cecelia said as she walked in the door. “If I had known you were here I would have ordered three dinners.”
“We’ll talk later,” I whispered as I led Carolyn to the shampoo bowl.
“Cece, I’m going to be away a few days and I really need you to go stay in Eden for a while,” Carolyn said.
“What’s going on?” Cecelia asked. “Nothing’s happened to Daddy has it?”
“No. It’s not Daddy, it’s Aunt Belle. I’ve been checking on her almost every day and taking her meals. She’s fiercely independent, and won’t admit she needs help, but someone needs to keep tabs on her.”
“Oh no. That’s not the job for me. I love Aunt Belle, but we would not get along if I had to be her caretaker.”
“So join the club. She fires every aide that goes over there. She can’t fire family. I just thought with you being a nurse and being off work…”
“As hard as you worked to get assigned down here, now they’re going to ship you off someplace? Why don’t you just tell them you can’t go? You already took a downgrade, what more can they do?” Cecelia asked.
“Why don’t you just think about someone other than yourself for a change?” Carolyn asked. “Beverly said you’re not doing anything all day.
”
“First, you’re reading my mail, now you’re talking about me behind my back?”
“I told you yesterday I was just looking for a document. If you don’t want me to see something, in my house, then you need to move it. It isn’t a hotel,” I said.
“Fine. I don’t plan to be here much longer anyway.”
“Timeout,” Sharon said as she walked in. “I forgot to bring my towels with me on Saturday, and didn’t realize it until I went to do my washing. I’ll just get my towels and you girls can continue with your loving family gathering.”
“Sharon, who’s that with you?” I asked.
Just then a man rushed in and shoved Sharon to the floor, then pointed a gun at me. “Nobody move,” he shouted.
Carolyn screamed.
“Shut up,” he yelled. “Give me your purse. And you” he said pointing the gun at me, open the cash register.
“There’s nothing in there,” I said.
“Open it anyway, and give me your watch.”
As I led him to the cash register, the front door slammed. “How many times have I told you to lock this door? Hey, what the hell is going on in here?”
The gunman turned around and Anthony lunged at him. “Run,” Anthony shouted as he grabbed the man’s arm. I ran to my station and opened my bottom drawer where I kept my peacemaker. I pulled the trigger, just like Daddy taught me.
Gunshots, shattered glass, and screams filled the air.
“I woke up this morning as the rooster crowed
Feeling brand new from head to toe…
I feel like a million dollars inside
Don’t remember the last time that I cried.
I’m smiling. Smiling again.”
Grady Champion
Chapter 13
I’M SMILIN’ AGAIN
Seeing Daddy standing in front of the minister reminded me of my wedding last year when we stood on the beach, under an orchid covered arch, steps away from the Atlantic Ocean. Daddy probably hasn’t been to two weddings in his lifetime, and now he’s been in two in two years. Today was a perfect day for a wedding. The sun was shining brightly, so even though it’s December, it’s not cold. Daddy had on a grey tux and Miss Emma wore a cream colored suit with a faux fur collar. They looked like they belonged in the newlywed section of Jet Magazine.
Down Home Blues Page 24