by T M Morris
Dusty was fuming. He had so much he wanted to say to the cantankerous old fart. But he looked at Miss Addie. The whole tableau was sapping what little strength she had right out of her. “All right then. Miss Addie, I can see we’re wearing you out. I’ll take Lilly out to the house. Is the key where it always is?”
Otter snorted. “I think it’s time we found another spot.”
Dusty nodded. “So it’s still there.” He stepped over to the bed and leaned over to kiss Miss Addie on the cheek. “Rest up Miss Addie. I love you.”
She beamed at him. “Oh, I love you too, young man. I’ve watched you grow up, in and out of my kitchen. You’re a fine young man.”
He blushed. “Thank you, Miss Addie.”
Lilly leaned in from the other side of the bed. “I love you, Mama. I’ll be by after I see your doctor, okay?”
“Okay, hon. I love you too. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re home.”
She walked around the bed and was passing the chair where Otter was sitting. “I love you too, Dad.” He merely grunted.
By the time Lilly and Dusty reached the door to the hall, she was fighting the tears. She wasn’t going to cry. He’d always been unkind to her. Why should she expect now to be any different? She kept blinking quickly and sniffing. She felt Dusty take her hand and squeeze.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “He has no right to be so mean to you and not even bothering to tone it down in front of a nonfamily member. I struggled to keep my mouth shut. I’m chomping at the bit to give him a piece of my mind.”
“Dusty, you practically were raised by my parents. There is no nonfamily status where you’re concerned. You’ve watched him treat me this way my whole life, why would now be any different? I just wish I knew why he hates me so much.”
Dusty jabbed the down button with more force than necessary. His feelings were too close to the surface, and he needed to tamp them down. “I can’t think of any obvious reason. Even my parents don’t understand what happened to him.”
The pair were silent for a moment while they waited for the elevator to open. When Lilly and Dusty got in and the doors slid closed Dusty continued since they were alone. “According to my dad, Otter changed a little when they were in grade school, and he got a whole lot worse a little while before you were born. Believe it or not, he used to be one of the nicest men in the county.”
Lilly made a rude noise. “Yeah, right. I wonder what happened.”
“No one seems to know. All I know is my dad says that Otter rarely lets Miss Addie go anywhere alone. Then, after you were born your dad would barely let Miss Addie out of his sight.”
She nodded, stepping off the elevator. “Dad was controlling, wouldn’t even let her go to the grocery alone. Why he would even drive her to the ladies’ group meetings.”
“Hmm. Otter is most definitely a puzzle.”
“What I don’t understand is why Mama put up with it.”
Dusty shrugged as he pushed open the door for Lilly. “I’m sure she has her reasons.”
Chapter Four
Lilly rolled over and punched her pillow. She’d been struggling to get to sleep for what seemed like hours, and now the sun was peeking through the slats of the Venetian blinds. Sunday morning and it was time for her to get up and get ready for church. Her first Sunday back and she wasn’t sure how she was feeling about it. The church members were her friends and family before she left. They weren’t the ones who told her she couldn’t come back. They were the ones who supported her goals, her dreams and encouraged her. So why was she filled with trepidation about setting foot in the church where she grew up?
Disgusted with herself, she threw the covers off and sat up. “Straighten up, Lilly. You’ve done some amazing things that have scared the pants off you. You can do this too.”
She was not looking forward to the next encounter with her dad. She barely had any contact with him in the four days she’d been home. Was she going to be able to withstand the cold silence or worse his cutting words for the whole thirty-mile ride to town? Steeling her resolve she muttered, “I guess we’ll just have to find out, won’t we?”
Forty-five minutes later she was sitting at the kitchen table, in her old spot, when Otter walked into the room. “Good morning, Dad. How are you this morning?”
“Is there any coffee made?” He walked over to the coffee pot and poured himself a huge mug full. He leaned against the counter and slurped loudly. “At least you can make coffee.”
“Supper last night wasn’t bad.”
“It wasn’t what I like.”
“How can you eat the same fried potatoes, green beans, and cornbread every night of your life?”
It’s not always the same. The meat and the other vegetable are different every night. It’s good, wholesome food. Food is for filling you and giving you the nutrition you need to live. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just good for you.”
“What I cooked was nutritious.”
“You call that stir fried rice stuff nutritious? I was half starved by nine, and I had to fix myself a sandwich. I ain’t never had to do that before. What was that rubbery stuff in it? It was like overcooked egg whites.”
“Tofu.”
“Tofu? Where’d you get that God awful stuff? Don’t fix that anymore. I can’t wait for your mother to get out of that blasted hospital. I don’t like my own cooking and whatever it is you try to pass off as cooking ain’t fit to eat as far as I’m concerned.”
“Fine. Let’s not talk about last night’s supper. Shouldn’t we be leaving shortly for worship?”
He studied the cobweb gently swaying from the ceiling above the refrigerator. “I’m going to the hospital. I can’t trust Miss Addie to behave when I’m not around.”
“What?”
Otter gave her a hard look. “Your mother doesn’t want to ask for something or do anything to inconvenience the nursing staff. She doesn’t want to be a bother if she needs something. I don’t have a problem getting what I’m paying for, great care. I gotta be there to make sure she gets the care she needs. Besides, someone from the church brings the Lord’s Supper around.”
“Okay? Do you mind dropping me off at the church building then? I can get someone to bring me back, or I can visit with Miss Hazel.” She hoped he wouldn’t give her a hard time.
After a long moment of silence punctuated by Otter slurping his coffee, he said, “I reckon I can give you the keys to that old truck of Erik’s. He left it here when he went into the military. I drive it a couple of times a month to keep it running. I guess I can let you use it.”
She smiled brightly. “Thank you, Dad. I appreciate it.”
“Don’t get any tickets.”
She jumped up from the table and went around it to the counter and hugged Otter before she knew what she was doing. She felt him stiffen. She backed away quickly. She said, “I’m sorry. I forgot myself. I know you don’t like demonstrations of affection. Thanks for letting me use Erik’s truck.”
He grunted and took another swig of his coffee. “You best get going, you don’t want to be late. I don’t know when I’ll be home.”
“Okay. I won’t wait up.” She smiled, pretending they reversed their roles of parent and child. “Stay out of trouble.”
He frowned. “I’m not you. I know how to behave.”
Lilly blinked twice. “I’ve always behaved. I’ve never got into any trouble, even after I went to New York. I told you I would behave and I did. I was the only one in the house that didn’t give the house mother any trouble. I’ll have you know a couple got sent home for getting arrested. I kept my promise, Dad.”
Otter cocked an eyebrow. “You expect me to believe you? You can’t trust one thing a female says. All of y’all are liars.”
“What?” Lilly took a couple of steps back. “Is that what you believe?”
Otter pushed away from the counter and placed his cup in the sink after rinsing it out. “You best be off to church.” Without looking
back, he stalked out of the kitchen headed toward the bathroom.
Lilly stood there in the center of the kitchen floor stunned. Her father didn’t trust a single woman on the planet. How could this be? Is that why he never let her mother go anywhere alone if he could help it? The whole subject was giving her a headache. She grabbed the keys to Erik’s truck and went out the kitchen door to the carport. She would think about it later. She didn’t want to be late for church on her first Sunday back home. Maybe she could get a seat next to Dusty. Now, why would she think of him? She and Dusty were friends nothing more. Just friends and she liked it that way.
Chapter Five
A few people were still filing into the building when Lilly pulled into the parking lot. Hurriedly she parked and rushed up the few steps into the building. From the back, she scanned the pews for an open seat. She spotted one next to Miss Hazel. She must have known Lilly would want to sit by her. She made her way along the side aisle toward the pew where Miss Hazel sat chatting with another older woman whose name Lilly couldn’t remember. She noted that conversations stopped as she passed. She wasn’t going to worry about it. She was here to worship.
“Can I sit with you, Miss Hazel?” She touched the old woman on the shoulder.
Miss Hazel turned and beamed. “Why of course my sweet angel, sit down. Sit down. Dimple, you remember Lilly Caldwell, Addie and Otter’s girl? She’s come home.” She would have said more, but the song leader marched up the steps of the dais.
He made the pretense of scanning the audience while he waited for them to stop visiting. When the din had mostly subsided he said, “Morning Church.”
The congregation replied but apparently not to his satisfaction. “Come on now. Let’s try again. Morning Church.”
“GOOD MORNING.”
“That’s better. Now let’s sing praises to the Lord.”
The worship service began with a few hymns. They prayed then followed the prayer with more songs. A man Lilly didn’t remember got up to say a few words before the communion and there was another song. When it came time for the Lord’s Supper, Lilly noticed that Dusty was serving which explained why she hadn’t seen him earlier. They had sung another two songs before the preacher got up to deliver his message.
Dusty tapped her on the shoulder. “Is there room for one more?” She shrugged and turned to look. Miss Hazel was beaming again and pushing Miss Dimple down the pew another foot and a half.
“There is now.” She whispered as she slid down toward Miss Hazel to make room for him. “I’m so happy to see you. I don’t think there’s anyone here I know anymore.”
He leaned over to whisper in her ear, “You’d be surprised how many are just the same. They just got older. I’m sure you’ll manage to get reacquainted with every last one of them here after Bible class. Even Beth is here. She came back to take care of her dad when her mother passed away two years ago.”
Miss Hazel reached over Lilly and punched Dusty in the knee. “Be quiet,” she whispered.
Dusty smiled and turned his attention to the minister, and she followed suit. The sermon was about Joseph and how he endured thirteen years of hardship to become the second in command over Egypt so that God could save not only Israel but many other peoples from famine. She thought, ‘How little do we suffer in comparison?’
Lilly pondered that question for the remainder of the sermon. How little suffering had she been through compared to Joseph? Her father didn’t love her. He disowned her when she left to follow her dream. He wasn’t happy that she was home, but he would tolerate her for her mother’s sake.
Her father didn’t love her. Her father didn’t even like her. Unlike Joseph, her father wouldn’t give her beautiful clothes. Unlike Joseph her father wouldn’t mourn her if someone told him, she was dead. She gave herself a mental shake. There’s no use in having a pity party. At least she had the comfort that her Heavenly Father loved her. She could take comfort in knowing He loved her.
Before she knew it, they were singing the invitation song and bowing their heads in prayer for the closing of the service. No sooner had the man leading the prayer said amen, People she hadn’t seen since her sophomore year in high school accosted Lilly from all sides. They were all calling her name, trying to get her attention. Miss Hazel called over the din, “Y’all act like you’ve never seen her before. She’s just the same old’ Lilly. You can all talk to her eventually. Right now y’all need to get to class. Git. Dimple and I have to get to our class, and you’re blocking our way. Go on now, go.”
Lilly smiled. “You heard Miss Hazel, let’s get to class.”
As everyone moved to let her pass, Lilly caught sight of Beth leading a little boy through the door that led to the Children’s Hall. She nudged Dusty who was leading her down the aisle. “Is that Beth?”
Dusty looked to where she indicated and nodded. “Yeah, that’s her and her little boy, Luke.”
As he was speaking the boy spotted Dusty. He broke free of his mother’s grip and ran toward him. “Uncle Dusty!” He jumped into the air confident that Dusty would catch him.
Dusty caught the slight boy easily. “Hey there, cowboy. Shouldn’t you be going to class? Miss Hazel will be waiting for you.”
“I guess. I just wanted to say hi. Mom says it’s rude not to say hi to someone when you see them.” Luke talked as fast as the speed of light. “Are you coming to my play Tuesday night at the school like you said? It’s at seven. Can you remember that?”
“I said I’d be there and I will as long as there aren’t any emergencies.” Dusty laughed as he set Luke on his feet.
“There better not be any emergencies. This play is important. I have a big part. I have ten lines. Only one other person has more lines, and it’s Becky, and that’s because she’s the narrator.” He stopped and looked at Lilly. He stuck his hand out and said, “I’m Luke. What’s your name?”
“Lilly. And I am pleased to meet you.” Lilly’s voice held a little chuckle as she shook his slight hand.
“Are you gonna marry Uncle Dusty? Mom said she wouldn’t because he’s no count. Would you marry someone who’s no count?” He cocked his head to one side.
Dusty burst out laughing. “Why on earth would your mama say something like that? We’ve not even been out on one date.”
“I asked her. You ain’t real my uncle and Mama’s—“
“That’s enough Luke. Let’s get you on to class.” Beth met them at the back pew. She was flushed right up to her hairline.
“Beth. I’m so happy to see you. You’re just as beautiful as you were when I last saw you, and your son is wonderful.” Lilly wrapped Beth in a hug. She couldn’t help notice how less than enthusiastic Beth returned the embrace.
“It’s good to see you too.” Beth nodded. “Come on Luke. Let’s get you to class.”
As she hurried away with Luke in tow, Lilly looked at Dusty critically. “So, you’re no count are you?”
“I guess some people think so.” Dusty looked after Beth.
“Anything you want to say in your defense?” She followed him down the hall.
“Got nothing to hide. Beth was Erik’s girlfriend until he went off to join the military. I guess there was a bad break up just before he left. She won’t talk about it. I try to help out when I can. Her dad being disabled and all makes it hard for them. I never so much as even hinted at anything with her.”
“Sounds like you’ve made a defense. Can you explain why Beth was rather cold toward me?”
Dusty looked down at her. “I couldn’t tell you. Like I said, I try to help out by doing chores over at their place when things need to get done, and I try to be a man in Luke’s life. Every boy needs a man to be an example for them.”
By this time they were in the classroom and Lilly was again being bombarded by old friends and acquaintances. The teacher had a difficult time getting everyone to settle down for a discussion on the sinful woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears. As the class ended and they were leaving
Lilly heard someone mutter to the person next to them that Lilly would know about being sinful. Stung she turned to see who said such a hurtful thing.
The only people she saw with their heads together were Maeve McHenry and Claudine Jeffers. Those two were always mean to her. She decided it wasn’t worth troubling herself over. Turning, she walked out of the room with her head held high. Small towns sometimes held small minds. Maeve and Claudine were two of the best examples she could think of for small-mindedness, and they hadn’t changed since high school.
Lilly was walking to her truck when Beth approached her. “Lilly?”
“Beth. I’m sorry we didn’t keep in touch after you came back home. I missed you so much.”
Beth looked around uncomfortably. “I missed you too, but our lives have taken very different turns. Are you here until your mom gets better?”
“I just retired, so I’m not sure what I’m going to do. Why?” Lilly studied Beth’s face. She was nervous about something.
“I was just wondering. Maybe we could get together for old times.”
Lilly grabbed Beth’s hands and squeezed them affectionately. “Oh, Beth, I’m the same Lilly I’ve always been. You’re my friend. Of course, I want to catch up. When?”
Beth looked a little overwhelmed for a moment. “I—I’ll have to see when my schedule is open. Between Dad, Luke, and work I don’t have a lot of free time. But I’ll let you know.”
“Call me.”
“Do you still have the same number?”
“Same number. You?”
Beth nodded. “Okay. I’ll call you.”
Lilly watched Beth walk away as she reached the door of her truck. Miss Hazel startled her when she boomed, “You’re coming to my house for dinner girlie. I expect to see you there shortly.”
Lilly smiled. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right behind you. Do you need me to stop and pick up anything?”