I furrow my brows together. “Where do these people come from?”
Momma sadly looks around the room again. “They’re all locals. People who have lost their jobs, or who have become ill and can no longer work or cook.”
“Are there always this many people?”
“No, not usually. It’s Thanksgiving. I think that brought out more people than normal.”
“You ready to start serving?” Levi asks.
“We are.”
Everyone stands and Pops says the grace. Once the food is blessed, we all do our part in serving everyone. Even Sawyer Jackson does something to help. He stands on a chair and hands the plates out for our guests. Once everyone is eating, we all get a plate and sit down at the table to eat. I look around the room, and I see my family has all separated and is eating dinner with other people. It looks and feels like a casual dinner at a diner. I see an empty seat near Savannah Mae and Sawyer Jackson, and I decide to sit there.
I sit down quietly to not interrupt the conversation already going on.
“Are you sure you want a turkey?” someone asks Sawyer Jackson.
“Yep, it’s Thanksgiving. It has to be a turkey.”
“Okay, as soon as dinner is over, I’ll make you a turkey.”
Savannah Mae tries to include me on the conversation already taking place. “Larry here makes the best balloon creations around.”
“Really? That takes some serious talent.”
“Thank you. Unfortunately, it’s talent that doesn’t pay the bills,” Larry says.
Sawyer Jackson pipes in and says excitedly, “Yep, Larry can make anything you want.”
The conversation at the table flows easily. Savannah Mae looks over at my plate and frowns. “Didn’t like my soup?”
I look around the table and everyone has a bowl of soup sitting in front of them. I didn’t take the soup because I didn’t want to take food from the people who need it.
“We’re out of bowls,” I lie.
She leans into me and whispers, “There’s plenty of food and bowls.”
I stand and get a bowl of Savannah Mae’s soup.
After dinner we all clean up. I watch Larry go to the kitchen drawer and remove a few brown, yellow, red, and orange balloons. I decide to observe for a few minutes. I toss the dishrag on the kitchen counter and join Larry and Sawyer Jackson at the table.
Savannah Mae also joins us. Taking a seat across the table from me, she raises a brow, smiles, and says, “Watch this.”
I turn my attention to Larry. He blows the long thin balloons up and ties them off. It makes my cheeks hurt just to watch him. Soon he turns the brown, red, yellow, and orange balloons into a beautiful turkey complete with a beard. Sawyer Jackson jumps up excitedly and thanks Larry for making him the “best turkey, ever.”
Sawyer Jackson jumps down from the table and shows everyone in the room. I look from Savannah Mae, who is grinning ear to ear, before looking at Larry, who is also smiling.
“That’s very impressive.”
Larry looks up at me. “It’s nothin’.”
“How did you learn to do that?”
He runs his hand across his graying beard. “My granddaddy taught me many years ago.”
“That takes skills.” That definitely takes talent.
“A bunch of useless skills,” he mumbles from under his breath as he stands to walks away.
I watch Larry walk away from the table. He joins some of the others at the far end of the room. Savannah Mae turns to face me, and I say, “Not much work in these parts requiring balloon animals.” I look to Savannah Mae, who is still watching Sawyer Jackson.
“No, I guess not.”
Savannah Mae
I watch as Abel Lee looks around the room. I follow his eyes as he watches Sawyer Jackson play with his balloon turkey. I smile. Anytime I watch my son, I smile. He is so young and innocent and pure at heart.
“Please excuse me,” Abel Lee says before he gets up from the table.
After we clean up, Sawyer Jackson and I say our goodbyes before leaving. I search the parking lot, wondering if the murderer is still lurking around. I’m glad that Megan Rose’s murder wasn’t the main topic of discussion at dinner tonight. I saw a glimpse of the broadcast on the news, before Sawyer Jackson walked into the room. I quickly shut off the television. I don’t want my son to be tainted by the ugliness in the world.
I bathe him before puttin’ him to bed.
“Momma, I had fun tonight.”
“You did? Why?”
“Because the food is good, and the people are nice.”
I warsh his face before cleanin’ behind his ears. “The people are very nice.”
“And I got a balloon animal.”
“You got the coolest balloon animal, ever.”
Later, at home, I listen to Sawyer Jackson sayin’ his prayers before bed, and I make sure he is asleep before I shower. I call my sister to make sure the plans for Thanksgiving haven’t changed. They haven’t. I work every day, and make the money stretch as far as I can. The church calls me whenever Bud and Nelly drop off eggs. I am forever appreciative of the church and everything they do for me and for Sawyer Jackson. Without them… I don’t even want to think about it. The church gave me a few bags of soup beans, and I made them with a ham hock tonight. I like makin’ food and volunteerin’ my time at the church for the community supper, but some days, I’m not sure where the food will come from. It’s hard to feed Sawyer Jackson and me some days, so it’s often very difficult to help feed a church full of hungry people.
Sometimes… well, a lot of the time, Sawyer Jackson and I have breakfast for dinner. We call it our special meal. He loves pancakes, and so do I. I can’t tell him we have to have pancakes for dinner because it’s the only food in the house. He doesn’t need to know that. The late comedian Bernie Mac knows that. I heard him say on TV that if you’re eatin’ breakfast food at night, you’re poor. I’m glad Sawyer Jackson wasn’t watchin’.
The next mornin’ Sawyer Jackson and I get up early and go to his grandparents’ house for Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad are excited to see us. Mom is in the kitchen cookin’ with my sister, Samantha Marie, and Daddy is in the livin’ room watchin’ the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Sawyer Jackson runs in and jumps in his granddaddy’s lap.
“There’s my boy. I’ve been waitin’ on ya. Where ya been at?”
“Momma had to do her hair and makeup,” Sawyer Jackson teases, and he makes a face at me. I release a soft laugh. “She wanted to look purdy,” he adds.
Daddy looks up at me and smiles. “She’s beautiful without all that fuss.”
I walk over and bend down to kiss Daddy. “Thank you.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Pumpkin.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Daddy.”
Sawyer Jackson looks at me and asks, “Why did you fix your hair?”
“Because it’s a holiday, and I wanted to look nice.”
“Why are we watchin’ a parade on TV?”
“Because it’s only on once a year,” Daddy says to Sawyer Jackson as he looks up at me. I shrug my shoulders. My son is asking a lot of questions today.
“Why’s it only on once a year?” Sawyer Jackson asks.
Daddy laughs, “Why you askin’ so many questions?”
“Because I don’t know anything — I’m only four. How old are you?” Sawyer Jackson asks.
Daddy laughs. “How old do you think I am?”
I watch Daddy and I also watch Sawyer Jackson think for a moment. “What’s the biggest number in the world?” Sawyer Jackson asks.
I try to hide my laugh and quickly turn to leave before Daddy answers. I help Mom and Samantha Marie in the kitchen, while Daddy keeps Sawyer Jackson entertained in the livin’ room. Daddy keeps walkin’ in and askin’ if the food’s done. Every time he walks in, he samples something before leavin’.
“He’ll be plumb stuffed full before suppertime,” Mom laughs.
Ethan
shows up and spends Thanksgiving with us. It’s more of a benefit for Sawyer Jackson than anything. This is the first Thanksgiving since our divorce, and I wanted our son to have both of his parents with him. I’m grateful that Ethan and I are still on friendly terms. Sawyer likes havin’ him here, and it reminds me that I am doing the right thing for my boy.
After supper, Mom plays a DVD of the Christmas movie Rudolph for us all to watch. I fall asleep on the floor in front of the fireplace. When I wake up, Sawyer Jackson is in my old bed, sleeping peacefully. I kiss him and cover him up before turnin’ to leave. I take a pillow and blanket out of the cedar chest and sleep the rest of the night on the couch.
Chapter Two (Forever Country)
Abel
Thanksgiving Day is just like I remember it as a child. Momma’s in the kitchen, fussing over piecrust that isn’t rolling out right, and Pops is sitting at the bar and laughing at her.
“Bud, if you think you can do it better, go right on ahead.”
“Nelly, it’s gonna be delicious. Just slap it on there, we’re gonna cut it soon anyway.”
She places her hands on her hips. The look on her face says exactly what she is thinking.
He stands up and laughs. “Don’t be gettin’ your panties in a bunch. I’m just sayin’ it’s gonna be delicious and frankly, I don’t care what the pie looks like.”
Did I just hear him right? “Pops, did you just say, ‘panties in a bunch’?”
Everyone in the room starts laughing, including Momma.
Momma tries not to laugh but swats the dishrag at Pops. “Go on and git outta here.”
“Belle, I’m just saying, purdy or not, your pies are the tastiest around.”
I think I see Momma blush. Pops leaves and takes a handful of walnuts with him. Yep, just like ole times.
Just because it’s Thanksgiving doesn’t mean it’s a day off on the farm. We still have work to do, and Levi is here helping. Mia and Mom stay in the house, and Pops, Levi, and I cut more firewood and feed the animals.
When that’s all done, Pops hooks up the wagon to the tractor.
“What’s up?” I ask. I’m not really sure what he has in mind.
“Let’s surprise the girls with a Christmas tree.” Dad sits on the tractor and looks back at Levi and me.
I look at Dad and then at Levi. “Will a live tree last that long?”
Levi answers, “It will. It helps to cut off an inch from the bottom once in a while and to always keep the tree in water. It won’t be in the best shape in a month, but Momma and Mia like to put them up early.” He looks and smiles and me. “Mia will love that, let’s go.” Levi walks into the barn and comes out with a chainsaw and a hacksaw. I watch as he jumps on the wagon.
“Whatcha waitin’ on? You move like you got molasses in your britches.”
Do people really talk like that? “I’m coming.” I shake my head and pray this is one saying I won’t remember.
Pops follows the trail leading to the back part of the property. When we get to the pine trees, he stops and shuts off the tractor. Levi and I follow him and I am once again reminded of my childhood. This is truly country living.
“Pick a tree, Abel,” Pops says, looking around.
I try to remember the rules to follow for selecting a live tree. They look smaller in the open field than they really are. Measure it next to you, and try to wrap your arms around it. I walk around the area with the spruce pines until I find the perfect one.
“Here it is.”
Pops walks over and looks at the tree. “This one right here?”
“Perfect height, perfect width, makes for a perfect Christmas tree.”
Levi hands me the saw. “Cut her down.”
I forgot about that part. Pine needles can be very prickly.
Once we get Momma a tree, and Mia and Levi a tree, we also decide to cut a couple extras. One for the church, and I cut one down for Savannah Mae. Not sure she needs it, but you never know. We’ll have it just in case.
Dinner is delicious and the piecrust looks like a raggedy patchwork quilt. But just as Pops said, it’s delicious. No one says anything about the way the pies look, but everyone raves about the delicious taste. I have no idea how she does it, but the crust melts in your mouth.
No one talks about the murder of Megan Rose, although I know it’s on everyone’s mind.
After dinner, we all help with the cleanup. While we guys put the tree in the stand, Momma and Mia divide the leftover food up into containers. Momma still uses the same ole Christmas decorations she used when I was home, over ten years ago. I shouldn’t be surprised. Once the tree is decorated, Levi and Mia leave. I shower and go to bed. I’m whooped. I mean, I’m beat. Man, I’m turning into a country hick.
Savannah Mae
Everyone in town is talkin’ about Megan Rose. The killer is still at large, and the details of her death still remain a secret. I don’t ask and I try hard not to engage in the conversation about her demise. There’s a sayin’ — “Ignorance is bliss” — that I firmly believe applies to cases like this.
Today is her funeral service and I imagine everyone in town will be there. The church is small, but that’s where the service will take place. Burial will be in the cemetery behind the church. Sawyer Jackson and I dress in our Sunday clothes and walk to the church for the service. Cars are lined up from one end of the road to the other. One advantage of livin’ in a small village is you’re walkin’ distance to everything.
I feel sad when I see Megan Rose’s parents talkin’ to the funeral director. I sent flowers and a personal note, but I didn’t do anything else. I knew her, so maybe I should have gone over to her house and spoken with her parents. When someone dies, it’s hard to know the right thing to do or say.
Sawyer Jackson and I walk up to the closed casket, and I have to wonder if the rumors are true about her death. Someone said that she was unrecognizable when they found her. I shiver at the thought. I see a large, beautiful framed picture of her taken during happier times. To the left of the casket are several collages of pictures. Some are of her alone, some are of her and her boyfriend, and some are of her with her parents and friends.
Sawyer Jackson whispers, “Is she in heaven?”
“Yes, Buddy, she is.”
I speak briefly to Megan Rose’s mom and dad and then to her boyfriend before I take a seat in the back of the room. The line leading to the casket is long, but it moves quickly. I see Ethan come in with Heather Sue. I stiffen. I knew they were together, but I haven’t actually seen them together.
“There’s Daddy!” Sawyer Jackson says excitedly. “Can I go see him?” he asks as he hops up from his chair and runs over to Ethan.
I watch as he makes his way through the full church to the end of the line. Ethan ruffles Sawyer Jackson’s hair, and Heather Sue looks back at me and smiles. I don’t return the homewrecker’s smile.
Nelly, Bud, Mia, Levi, and Abel Lee arrive next. Now, I smile. Abel Lee sees me, but he continues to look around the room. When he sees Sawyer Jackson, he excuses himself from his family and walks over to me.
“Is this seat taken?”
“Only by my son.”
“Good, I’ll sit here until he returns.”
I lean in and whisper, “You don’t want to pay your respects?”
“I sent flowers. I really didn’t know her or her family.”
I watch as he looks around the room. He stares at Megan Rose’s boyfriend, who is standing near the casket with her parents.
“He was her boyfriend,” I whisper.
Abel Lee only nods.
Sawyer Jackson comes back and sits on my lap. Abel Lee doesn’t leave. I’m glad that he sits with us throughout the service. After the funeral and lunch at the church with the surviving family members, we say our goodbyes.
Thanksgiving was last week and I still don’t have a Christmas tree. I told Sawyer Jackson that after Thanksgiving we would put a tree up. I guess I didn’t realize how much they were. I k
eep prayin’ for a good night in tips, but everyone’s pinchin’ pennies this time of year. I try not to think about money, but when you don’t have the money for bills and food, it’s all I can think about.
Tonight at work, Ethan came into the diner with our son. He gave me some more money and said the sales of the furniture have been consistent. I hate to take his money, but I have no choice. When we divorced, we divorced on sort of good terms. I didn’t go after child support, and he vowed to help me as much as he could. We both love Sawyer Jackson more than life, so I have no doubt this arrangement will continue to work. We brought him into this world lovingly, and we’ll raise him with just as much love. Just because I’m single doesn’t mean I’m his only parent.
Just before closin’ time, Abel Lee comes into the diner. He’s the last customer and offers to leave so we wouldn’t have to stay.
“Get in here. We still have plenty of work to keep us busy while you eat.” I wave him into the empty restaurant.
“I don’t want to keep you,” he says, removin’ his cowboy hat.
“Sit at the counter so I can talk to you while I do my side work.” I pat the counter top so he knows I’m serious. If he were anyone else, I would let him sit anywhere he wanted.
He reluctantly takes a seat and asks, “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m positive.” I hand him the menu. “Because it’s so late, we don’t have any specials left.”
He browses the menu and smiles. “I really just want a big ole greasy cheeseburger and some steak fries.”
“Now that, I can get for ya.”
“With a Coke?”
“Comin’ right up.”
We talk about the holidays and laugh about old times. He was a few grades ahead of me in school, but we know a lot of the same people. He says he’s been away trying to find himself and realized when he came back home, that maybe he lost himself along the way.
“Sadly, I know what you mean.”
He lays his hamburger down and looks at me. “Really? You seem to be really put together.”
I can’t look him in the eye, I stare at the counter. “Looks are quite deceivin’.”
Rose Farm Trilogy Boxset Page 5