Miss Ruby sat quietly for a minute, rocking slowly and sipping the coffee she had poured for herself and Beau. She gazed at the serene green pastures, remembering for a moment how raw and wild Beau was when he first came to her after his failed summer in New Orleans. He was physically strong and mentally sharp, but lacked discipline and had no direction. She needed help with the horses and the store, and Beau needed help with his life.
“Well. You know. I’m not one to give up on folks easily,” she said, looking at Beau fondly. And I guess she did leave that charm jewelry on purpose so we could find her. That’s something. I’ll give her that much. So far. I could use help in the store. I could give it a try. Maybe.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Beau called out, relieved. “You won’t be sorry, Miss Ruby. I promise you won’t be sorry.”
West River’s changing rhythms inched in slowly as the long summer months finally yielded to cooler days and chilly nights. The new crop of high school football heroes had no memory of the former captain who had held the post with conceit, vanity, and disdain for teammates with lesser talent. Tammy’s brother Chip suffered an injury in his first year of college, which rendered him useless on the field and his scholarship was not renewed. He had never known success in the classroom, but clung to minor local notoriety as coach to the girls’ softball team, maintaining his flamboyance by cruising around West River in his red convertible. Tammy Boone’s once infamous brother was now a used car salesman, a position that reframed his standing in his father’s opinion and equalized the sibling relationship. Hardly anyone took serious notice anymore. His shine was gone.
A fresh squad of cheerleaders, all volunteers without competition, led pep rallies at the school and performed high-flying gymnastic feats at the Friday night games, bouncing with youthful energy and toned bodies adorned with tasseled boots and colorful uniforms bought by school fund raising projects. The Ouachita Valley Nature Preserve and Community Center designated a portion of its donations to the West River High School athletics department, rewarded by an impressive community center emblem on the uniforms. West River High School sports were no longer for sale. Community pride had returned along with the elaborately showcased ancient vessel that bridged past with present, its theft unleashing a series of occurrences that no one could have predicted and few fully understood.
Tammy’s foray into her unfamiliar world of redemption produced surprising, even astonishing results. Her untapped talent for entertaining children proved a hidden jewel to Reverend Dunn’s Sunday school program. Who could have guessed that singing and playing games, based on scripture, could produce such wildly successful interest and participation. Teenagers wanted a program, too, and Tammy led the way. She stopped dying her hair and toned down her heavily lined cat-eyes and bright red lips, revealing a natural beauty that also manifested in a kinder personality. Her magnetism attracted young and old alike and the sins of her former self were quickly forgiven. She blossomed rapidly in her new role and found herself savoring the attention that Reverend Dunn’s son Joe David was showering on her. She liked him back. A lot. A God-fearing, Bible-quoting son of a pastor. Her new boyfriend.
Miss Ruby came to see her potential early on, and under close supervision taught her the art and finer points of equestrian care. Tammy’s riding skills, already notable, transferred easily to teaching lessons. Her new found following of young people at church fed a busy and profitable endeavor that allowed Miss Ruby to give her a modest weekly salary. The esteem it funded was priceless. Furthermore, after many sessions sipping coffee on the front porch, Miss Ruby could see that Tammy’s father fixation had all but evaporated. She seemed to pay him little attention anymore, as she continued to build a life that brought her reward. Tammy had named the new foal “Second Chance” and tended to mare Lizzie’s offspring like it was her own.
Nelle learned of Tammy’s riding school program mainly through Miss Ruby’s grandson Junie, who by now had become a constant presence keeping company with Christine in the main house. Nelle noticed the return of brightness to her younger sister and loved to hear the sound of laughter as Junie and Christine played dominoes and sat close together on the back steps, talking and dreaming about uncharted futures. Nelle took comfort knowing that Christine was going to be fine and didn’t mind that her younger sister needed less of her.
The mending and settling of earlier disruptions coincided with the arrival of autumn. Changes in the landscape mirrored the progression of altered lives adjusting to different seasons. Pain and disappointments went dormant as different patterns took shape with transformed relationships.
Nelle concentrated once again on studies and exams, finding she was increasingly eager to finish her work and get on with her own future. She had grown tired of preparation through study, felt worn down by worrying about others and was depleted by attending to matters necessitated by the unpredictability of life. At times, she wondered if this was what being grown up was, and concluded she did not care for it much at all. Mostly, however, she felt she was in the stage of becoming, like a chrysalis, waiting to emerge into a new self, and she grew increasingly impatient with the wait.
Flyers on bright green paper began appearing on light posts, telephone poles, car windshields, and on storefronts the first week in December.
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH COMMUNITY!
Ouachita Valley Community Center Saturday
December 23, 4:00 to 7:00 pm
Bring a dish to share and a decoration for the tree. Food and fun for the
whole family.
SANTA COMING! CHOIR PERFORMING!
Come give thanks for our blessings and bounty
and to praise the birth of our Lord!
Donations Welcomed
Sponsored by Word of God Holy Ministry Church &
Ouachita Valley Nature Preserve and Community Center
Nelle folded the flyer and drove home from her class thinking about what she might bring. The radio station played continuous Christmas carols catapulting her into welcomed uplifting Christmas spirit. She hummed and swayed her head to O Holy Night and burst into full-throated song with Joy to the World. Christine makes great fudge, she thought. I’ll do cookies. She was out of her doldrums at last.
The annual West River Christmas party was the only other large community event that attracted neighbors and families from all across town in addition to the annual summertime jubilee. The holiday celebration tended to be short and social, sometimes held in the high school auditorium, sometimes in the church gathering hall. This was the first time the party would be held at the community center whose construction had once been a source of controversy and division by developers and farmers. Now a gleaming modern gem in West River, it had become a magnet for tourism, ecological study, and economic growth.
The new location of the party added to the excitement and interest. Henry Gavin Doucet, or “Hawk” as he was known, took his role as administrator very seriously and ensured the community center displays included everything from museum quality artifacts, to a gallery wall depicting sepia photographs of past heroes and original buildings of the paper mill and storefronts on Main Street. Bright watercolor art submitted by the first and second graders at the elementary school was rotated frequently, and preserved specimens of unique and indigenous wildlife reminded visitors of the extraordinary land held in stewardship. Hawk’s appointment as administrator and curator was the most important work of his long life. He would have worked at the job for nothing.
Reverend Dunn was eager to give his young choir an opportunity to perform in an inviting space with good acoustics. Not all voices mixed well, but enthusiasm made up for off key, and the experience, he knew, was of far greater value than the expectation of perfection. Christmas carols sounded good on just about any voice.
Talk in the grocery stores, gas stations, school hallways, beauty parlors, and church pews centered on the upcoming party and exchanges of what best to bring. The choir was rehearsing in the afternoons after school,
ladies were talking on the telephone frequently to avoid duplication of food items, and the knitting circle was busy making small colorful stockings to hang on the tree.
Hawk’s partner, shy Ernie LeBlanc, delivered a ten-foot pine tree that he had cut down himself from the property they shared on the outskirts of town where they had lived together for more years than either of them could remember.
Ernie hauled the big tree to the center on the back of his pickup and dragged it through the back door. Pine needles clung to his flannel shirt, covered his mud-stained jeans and stuck out of his gray streaked ponytail. “She’s a beaut ain’t she, Hawk?” he said proudly, panting heavily with beads of sweat forming on his forehead. “Going to almost hit the ceiling. Real pretty.” He wiped his forehead with the back of his sleeve. “Take two of us to get it in the stand though. Let’s get her set up.”
“You sit down and catch a breath first,” Hawk said. “I’ll get you some water. That was a big job to do alone, Ernie. You should have waited for me,” he said in a gentle scold.
“Wanted to surprise you. Thought it would make you happy,” Ernie said with a slight grin.
“Well you did. Both ways. Surprised and happy.” Now sit down and rest a minute,” Hawk said, placing his hand on Ernie’s shoulder. “You got enough work ahead of you cooking for the party. Saturday will be here before you know it.”
Revered for his crawdad etouffee and corn soup, no one had ever been able to duplicate his dishes and he had no inclination to share his recipes. Not bribing, sweet-talking, or promises of riches had ever swayed him. It was the one thing that gave the shy, reclusive man respect and the only topic he could talk about with strangers.
It was Christine’s idea. In preparation for the party, she would hold a Friday night cooking session of cookies and fudge with the help of Junie and Pete. Pete expanded on the idea to include pizza first for dinner and Junie surprised them with a large bag of potato chips and six-pack of Dr. Pepper.
Nelle was surprised to see Junie give Christine a familiar peck on the cheek. “Hope this is okay. I don’t cook,” he said. “But I love to eat! Miss Ruby says to tell you to make an extra big batch of fudge. It’s her favorite.”
Pete stepped up behind Nelle placing his hands on her hips. “You’re my favorite,” he whispered in her ear. “They’re cute together,” he said, noting her big sister reaction.
Nelle turned around to face him and sighed. “I know,” she whispered back. “It’s just…just…” she didn’t finish.
“Well hurry up while the pizza’s hot!” Christine shouted loudly as she stacked four plates next to the hot pizza boxes. She threw down a pile of napkins and tore open the bag of potato chips. “There!” she announced proudly with a big grin. “Junie, open me a drink will you? Who else?”
Nelle was not accustomed to seeing her younger sister in charge, but did as she was ordered and liked taking a back seat. She was beginning to see Christine in an entirely new light.
What surprised Nelle even more was the enjoyment the four of them were having together. Junie making silly jokes. Christine laughing at all of them. Pete trying to outdo him, failing miserably, and Nelle laughing hysterically at his attempts. They poked fun at each other in innocent competition, and whatever niggling problems they harbored inside evaporated into an evening of relaxed companionship and amusement.
“Okay. Now,” Christine said in her newfound command voice. “Two teams. I’m captain of fudge team. I pick Junie.”
Junie beamed at her.
“Where does that leave me?” Pete kidded.
“Well. Sorry, Pete. But you’re not the captain of cookie team,” Christine shot back playfully.
Nelle giggled. “Ha! You’re stuck with me. Have to do what I tell you.” She blew him a kiss.
Their banter continued through the night as they bumped into one another in the small kitchen, vying for space in the sink, on the stove, on the tiny counter, and small table. Granddad’s antiquated kitchen was built for one, with his meager baking supplies reflecting his simple needs. The lack of equipment made for more improvisation and elevated the competition. Soon the house was filled with the delectable smells of rich chocolate and freshly baked cookies. Captain Fudge and Captain Cookie both claimed victory.
Pete escorted Nelle to the garage apartment under a black sky that twinkled with brilliant stars and held suspended a thin crescent moon that cast a pale opal light. The air was crisp and bracing, the shock of cold invigorating after their evening in the warm kitchen and cozy house.
Nelle took a deep breath of the fresh, cold air. “That feels good!” she said, moving closer to Pete.
He put his arm around her. “So do you,” he said tenderly. I’m not going home tonight, Nelle. That’s okay isn’t it?”
Nelle’s expression gave him the answer. “Is Junie going home?”
Pete shrugged his shoulders. “Leave them alone. They’re fine.” He opened her door and ushered her ahead with the palm of his hand low on her back. “Little sisters grow up.”
Nelle didn’t bother turning on the light as they headed upstairs.
Cars overflowed from the full parking lot into the grassy areas and street spaces surrounding the community center. Bundled up children pulled mothers and fathers along toward the entrance, eager to greet Santa and place a decoration on the tree. Women carried platters and men carried heavy pots, greeting each other with affable Christmas spirit. Inside the building, the crisp piney fragrance of evergreen boughs permeated the air with the smell of Christmas.
Children ran toward the tree, a magnificent sight that glittered and sparkled with lights and tinsel thanks to the women’s church club. Several ladies stood sentinel, receiving decorations from exuberant children and assisting them with gentle direction in hanging the new adornments on the massive tree. Bright shiny bulbs, popcorn strings, candy canes, and angels and reindeer fashioned from old pipe cleaning sticks gave the tree unique West River personality. Young ones squealed as they pointed to their handmade decorations now on display.
Hawk mingled among the growing crowd dressed as jolly Santa handing out his signature peppermint candy treats to old and young alike. He picked up little children and tolerated their inevitable tugs on his real white beard extracting promises for good behavior in the coming year. His eyes twinkled in delight and he threw his head back and bellowed his Santa ho-ho-ho as children gathered around him like a Christmas Pied Piper. Santa was the undisputed star of the Christmas gathering.
A long line had already formed in front of Ernie LeBlanc’s table. The aroma of his spicy etouffee with onion, celery, and green pepper infusing the air added to the seasonal mood and mixed deliciously with the piney scent of the holiday. His rich corn soup was a favorite among the children. Ernie was too busy serving to do much talking. He had to keep the line moving and hoped his cheerful smile was conversation enough.
Offerings of chicken and dumplings, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, and warm potato salad lined up on long tables served by church volunteers who doled out generous portions with Christmas joy. Not a soul in West River would go home hungry tonight. The dessert table, crowded with cookies, cupcakes, brownies, pecan pralines, and fudge, required no servers and was thronged by children whose parents had relinquished supervision so they could enjoy themselves. Teenagers took full advantage, piling plates of sweet treats, and congregating together as far away from the adults as the center space would allow.
Reverend Dunn couldn’t get the microphone to work and his attempts to gain the crowd’s attention with the loudest voice he could muster were futile. It was impossible to compete with Santa Claus and the sumptuous buffet. He finally gave up and turned around to face his eager youngsters who were growing impatient. Fearing some might abandon his effort altogether, he raised his two index fingers and gave a nod of his head. “Jingle Bells!” he shouted, and the choir took off belting out their best.
The murmuring of the crowd stopped. All heads turned toward the choir,
many joined in. Jingle Bells rocked the house. To Reverend Dunn’s delight and relief, folks began to gather in front of the choir and take part in the gay singing. Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer featured Santa Hawk leading the group with a surprise guest. Tammy Boone pranced in front of the crowd wearing a reindeer suit with antlers and a bright red nose, leading eight hopping first grade reindeer children. Tammy had come home. Families went wild.
Chief Boudreaux stood on the sidelines with his buddy Sergeant Howard enjoying the night with a sense of homey pride. These were his people. He belonged.
Suddenly Sergeant Howard turned toward him, sniffing the air. “What’s that smell, Chief? You smell that?”
He sniffed deeply, too. It was a familiar, pleasant, comforting smell.
“Biscuits. That’s biscuits, Chief.”
As he spoke the words, Chief Boudreaux felt a poke on his backside and turned quickly around.
“Merry Christmas, mes amis,” Emmie said sweetly to both of them, holding up a basket of her biscuits. “The flyer was stuck on a truck that came in. I wanted to come.”
Sarge took the basket from her, peeling back the napkin that covered the mound of Emmie’s freshly baked biscuits. “Oh! Best present of the night!” he declared, eagerly taking one and biting into the flaky crust.
Emmie smiled as Beau put his hands on her waist and stared at her with shock and surprise. “You’re here!” He pulled her close and gave her a quick kiss. “Merry Christmas,” he said, stepping back to look at her. “I’ve missed you, Emmie.”
Emmie responded with a pleased sigh. “That café Sarge told me about…the one on Main Street? I’m going to rent it. Do you mind?” she asked, unsure of herself. “I’ll live in the apartment on top. I’ve missed you too, mon cherie Beau. More than I can say.”
The Road to Home Page 19