LIZZY

by Jim Wetton

  “No Lizzy, that’s where you’re wrong.” Breedlove smiled. “Your husband signed a beneficiary note indicating you as the sole beneficiary in case anything ever happened to him. No ma’am, it is legal. Every I is dotted and every T is crossed. I’ve had my lawyers draft up the note and with one signature, your bank will receive a draft for $2,000,000 in the name of Lizzy Monroe McKeever. How about you going outside and telling your friends and family about your latest 75th birthday present?”

  Lizzy could only begin to comprehend what had happened. She turned to Nellie, who was also in shock.

  “Well, I’ve done what I came to do and now I must say goodbye.” Breedlove began to rise. “My only regret is that I couldn’t have thanked your husband in person, but in some odd way, I know I just may very soon.”

  Lizzy felt too weak to escort Breedlove to the door. She extended her hand and thanked the woman for coming and for “making Martin a very happy man.”

  Nellie walked Breedlove to the door and as she said good night, Breedlove turned to Nellie and said, “Miss, you had a very kind and giving father who believed in me. I thank you for that and please extend my gratitude to your mother as well, when she recovers, that is.”

  Breedlove’s smile was radiant and wide as she turned and bid Nellie goodnight. Nellie closed the door and turned towards her mother.

  “You all right in there?”

  “Don’t rightly know.” Lizzy giggled. “It all hasn’t sunk in yet. Millionaire? My word, who’d of thunk?”

  Nellie began to laugh but was interrupted by the ringing of the telephone. She looked at Lizzy, who waved her to answer it.

  “Hello,” Nellie answered. “Slow down . . . who? What? Is that you, Edith? Woody had a what? I’m sorry, I can barely hear you, dear; please speak up. What do you mean, Woody can’t move? Paralyzed? What do the doctors say? Stroke? Edith, you’re breaking up, what was that last word you said? It sounded like you said stroke.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Changing Times

  1920

  “I did my best! I know I’ve let you down, but I did my best! Tell Papa not to be mad; I did my best. For God’s sake, I did my best. Can’t anyone see that I did my best?”

  “Momma, Momma, it’s me. Wake up. It’s me, Nellie; wake up, Momma, wake up!”

  Nellie felt Lizzy’s forehead before placing a new wet cloth over her eyes and forehead. “You’re burning up, Momma. I’m calling the doctor again.”

  “No, no, no, he was just here and said all that was needed. I’m dying of old age and as a failure. I told her not to count on me in ’81, but she wouldn’t listen. No, I’m old and a failure. Where are my shoes? Did you get a new car? What kind did Bonnie and Teddy get? I’m sure really fast ones. Did you see my shoes?”

  Nellie replaced the wet cloth again. She could see that her mother was mumbling to herself. Her eyes were closed, lips were dry and her hair matted against her scalp.

  “I’m old and a failure,” Lizzy’s voice trailed off.

  Nellie turned the fan up a notch to circulate the air in the room. She stopped at the doorway and looked back at her mother lying on the bed, her covers discarded long ago.

  She walked out to the front porch and sat. She’s real bad, real bad. Wonder if . . . ?

  “No, it’s not time, not even close!” She scolded herself for having such a thought, then settled down and looked up into the oak tree in her mother’s front yard. But it could be. It always could be. “No, she’s just dealing with a fever and congestion, that’s all. She’s had worse, much worse.”

  A horn honked in front of the house as a bright red and yellow 1920 Roadster convertible scooted in between two larger sedans. Hearing the brake set and the door open, Nellie couldn’t help but smile though she scowled at the appearance her twenty-year-old was making.

  She watched him slide around the front of his new car and open the passenger door for his passenger. Adeline slowly let one leg out and then the other before sliding off her seat and then standing upright next to Teddy. They exchanged a long, and to Nellie’s objection, rather seductive kiss before turning up the sidewalk towards Lizzy’s house.

  “You two aren’t married quite yet, so let’s not give the neighbors something to complain about, OK?”

  “Of course, Momma,” Teddy said and then turned and kissed Adeline one more time.

  They both laughed at Nellie’s expense, but she had to admit it, they were indeed in love.

  Once Lizzy and Nellie had finalized the distribution of proceeds from Martin’s investments, she’d left out enough to give her two children enough to buy a new car, redo their wardrobe and have a little on the side to celebrate their good fortune.

  Teddy had purchased his dream car and before going shopping with Adeline, he had thrown every last stitch of clothing away. He said it all reminded him of the war and the aftermath of the flu pandemic. He wanted everything new and though Nellie was somewhat apprehensive at first, she gave him enough to do just that.

  As they approached the porch, Nellie asked Teddy to turn around slowly and then did the same with Adeline.

  “Whooooheeeee, you two should have your pictures taken for the cover of Ladies’ Home Journal; yes sir, you two look really smashing!”

  Teddy was dressed in light cream-colored oxford pants. His white polo shirt was tucked in nicely with a light beige scarf around his neck. He’d been wearing a light grey fedora but had taken it off when he leaned over to kiss Adeline. He’d recently cut his hair and now wore it with his part on his left side rather than down the middle and it was slicked down with gel that caused his hair to shimmer in the sunlight.

  “Picked up four new suits today, Momma. Two plain and two pinstriped, all of them dazzling and sharp, if you ask me.”

  “I’m sure you’re going to look radiant in anything you’ve purchased.” Nellie laughed at her son’s new-found love for shopping. “But I don’t think you’ve captured the stage, dear son. I do believe the spotlights are now shining on this gorgeous woman standing next to you. May I still call you my daughter-in-law when the date arrives, or are you going to leave us for the lights and glamour of Hollywood?”

  “Oh, Nellie, it’s just me under all this,” Adeline said shyly. “But I do have to tell you how nice it all feels. So much silk and lace. I never could have imagined I’d even get inside the stores we went into let alone have the ability to purchase anything.”

  “You can thank your soon-to-be late grandfather-in-law for his very nice and unexpected gift.”

  Adeline took off her mink wrap and Nellie raised her eyebrows. The once very young and innocent girl who fell into the family by an act of fate now stood in front of Nellie wearing a black and gold flapper dress, its hem farther above the knee than Nellie was ever accustomed to. She wore a headband with a large feather on its right side and four sets of white beads that hung low but not as low as the neckline of the dress that showed much more cleavage than Nellie thought proper.

  Teddy extended his arm and assisted Adeline up to join Nellie on the porch. As they sat, Adeline removed her headband and placed it behind her on her seat. “Still not sure about the feather thing. They said it was in style, but I think I’d prefer just a simple hat.”

  Nellie stared at both of them as she slowly shook her head. “Oh my, have times changed; my, oh my!”

  They all shared a laugh until it was interrupted by the honking of a car coming down the street. They crooked their necks and could see that it was Bonnie coming down the street in her new car. She’d decided on a simpler vehicle versus her brother’s roadster. She parked her 1920 Liberty Six, hopped out with her hands full of packages and crossed the street to join the others.

  Nellie may have been astonished at Adeline, but seeing Bonnie nearly caused her to faint. She too was in a flapper dress; hers was light blue with a frilly lace hem. Her neckline was more modest, but her hem line was far shorter than that which Adeline had on. Her silk stockings went up to her thigh and Nellie c
ould see a peak of a garter holding them in place. As Bonnie plopped down next to Nellie, she gave out a breath of relief. “Shopping’s hard work!”

  “OK you three, Nana’s not feeling well, so let’s keep our conversations low and if we can, stay out here.” Plus, if Mother could see your outfits, she might die on the spot.

  “Is she . . . ?”

  “Yes, she’s just fine,” Nellie interjected, seeing their worried expressions. “I think the fever is breaking, but she’s still mumbling. Something about letting Great-great-grandmother Hannah down. I’m telling you, kids, that poor woman’s blaming only herself for not getting the chance to vote.”

  “This is the year, too; I’m hearing that Wilson won’t be getting the nod. Heard something about his health or something,” Teddy said as he shifted in his seat.

  “Edith says he’s just fine, but yes, he most likely will not be re-elected,” Nellie reaffirmed. “She says that Mr. Wilson has been feeling great, his health is fine and they are both doing just dandy.”

  Nellie diverted her eyes so her children wouldn’t see the white lies she was sharing. She knew all too well from the many conversations she’d had with Edith that Wilson’s health was not doing better. He did have a stroke and Edith had actually been running the business of the nation in lieu of her husband. She’d told Nellie that it’s been so quiet and hidden that most of the staff and those at the White House think he’s just been swamped with material covering his proposal for the League of Nations. Nellie had often consoled her dear friend the best she could and, with the help from Lizzy, had diverted any so-called gossip away from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. She and Lizzy had an inside joke about how ironic it was that they were trying so hard to bring the vote to the women, while at the same time a woman was running the country.

  “What’s actually been good for us is that as Mr. Wilson continues to rest, Edith has his ear and it was always filled with the passing of our amendment.”

  “So odd,” Bonnie proclaimed. “They can pass an amendment to make the drinking, selling and distributing of liquor illegal, but they can’t pass an amendment to give a voice to a woman.”

  “Ah, dear sister, that is where you women need to get your facts straight!” Teddy announced defiantly. “It is NOT illegal to drink, just illegal to distribute and sell. And speaking of that, wonder if Nana has any of her brandy handy?”

  “Teddy, you’re not twenty-one yet, so back off!” Nellie’s voice was firm, but was quickly followed with a laugh. “My rules. Don’t give a hoot about what the law says, so mind yourself, young man!”

  “Sounds like if things go the way they are, it’s going to be Warren Harding and James M. Cox in November’s election,” Adeline said. “Not that we’ll have any say in it. Guess we’ll just have to wait another four years and maybe, just maybe we’ll get our chance to cast a vote. Sad thing though, is that your Nana might not see that day and that’ll just break my heart.”

  “Oh, I’ll see that day, child. No doubt about it! Even if it’s the last day that I ever do see. I’ll see it!”

  Everyone turned in surprise at Lizzy’s voice at the doorway.

  “Momma, what in the devil’s name are you doing out of bed?”

  “Whoa, Nellie, now don’t you be getting’ friendly with the Devil, child. I’d definitely miss you,” Lizzy laughed, followed by a deep cough. “Speaking of the devil, it surely seems like I’ve been talkin’ with him a lot for the past few hours, mumbling the way I’ve been.”

  Lizzy looked at Nellie and smiled apologetically. “But, hey, feeling like a spring chicken on Easter Sunday now, so how about you youngsters making some room for an old lady to sit?”

  Teddy rose and pulled over a couple of chairs, one for Adeline and one for him. “Here, Nana, you take the cushioned bench; it’s more comfortable. We’ll move over here.”

  As Lizzy moved across the porch and turned to sit, she paused halfway down and stared at Bonnie, Teddy and Adeline conspicuously. She looked to the floor, sat and breathed in slowly then exhaled with a gust. “Oh, it feels good to breathe again, yes sirree. The mighty Lord still has work for me to do, I guess. At least I didn’t miss the invite to the ball.”

  Lizzy looked at the puzzled looks on the faces of her grandchildren and Adeline. She turned to Nellie, who gave her a knowing smile.

  “Or was it a masquerade party that I missed? Whatever it was, I’d sure like to hear why you three are all dressed up the way you are. I know it’s not for my funeral, ’cause I’m still kicking.”

  “Nana, it’s the new style,” Teddy offered his explanation.

  “All the girls are wearing these flappers, Nana, it’s so, so emancipating,” Bonnie added.

  Lizzy chuckled at Bonnie’s term “emancipating.” “Child, in my day, emancipating was freeing up the Negro from slavery and what it means to me now is freeing up women to vote. It doesn’t mean to flaunt around in public in your underwear.”

  Bonnie leapt to her feet in protest. “That’s just not fair, Nana. I like the way I look and I’m sorry that you don’t and I intend to continue looking this way, even if it doesn’t fit in with your Washington elite.” She gave Nellie a scowling look as she raised her eyebrows at Teddy’s teasing before she stormed off the porch and headed towards her car. After a few attempts and misfires, she started it up and soon, raced down the street in a huff.

  “She’ll get over it, Nana,” Teddy said. “As for me and Adeline, it’s just something new. To be honest, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the fast lane of high society. Kind of like it the way it used to be before, well, you know, before.”

  “Before you knew that we were rich,” Lizzy said solemnly. “I’m proud of you, boy, real proud. We raised up a family, your grandpa and I, to be God-fearing and loving people. People who work for a living treat others with dignity and respect and give to those in need. It gives me a sense of peace hearing you talk the way you just did, ’cause I will be able to rest well once I’m gone. Believe it or not, that day will come sooner than later.”

  Nellie walked over to the bench and sat next to her mother. Adeline moved closer to Teddy and put her hand on his. “You’ve taught us all well, Momma, and I think I can speak for myself, Teddy and Adeline, when I say that we will always treat the Family Trust in the way you’ve intended it to be treated. I’m sure Bonnie will come around. She’s just a bit excited right now, that’s all.”

  “I know. She’s my Bonnie Louise and if I can survive my ‘Whoa, Nellie’ then I’m sure your Bonnie Louise is going to turn out just fine.”

  “What about Nancy Lee?” Lizzy asked. “How’s she handling the news?”

  “Oh, she’s nineteen, Momma,” Nellie answered with a slight frown. “She says she wants nothing to do with wealth. Says she wants to dedicate herself to saving the poor, or fighting for the underprivileged, or even saving the whales on the West Coast. She knows she has her name in the Trust, but at this point she will have nothing to do with it.”

  “Sounds like my Nancy Lee.” Lizzy smiled appreciatively. “She always was the one person in this family to stand up for any and every cause that came her way. I’m actually quite proud of her for doing that.”

  “Interesting that she’s never joined our cause, though,” Nellie added. “I always envisioned all of us girls following right behind you to cast our first ballot. All of us together.”

  “Well, unfortunately, Nancy Lee will be too young this time around, but she sure will be able to do it in ’24. I’ll be long gone, but just knowing that’s what she’ll be doing gives me such pleasure, you can’t imagine. No, I’ll take Nancy Lee for what she is today in a heartbeat. I know that she’s a lot like me. She’ll make her mark someday and who knows what that may be.”

  “You’ll see it, Nana.” Teddy laughed. “You’re gonna outlive us all and it will be you watching Nancy Lee conquer the nation and become the first woman president. I can see it now.”

  “Oh Lord, don’t know, Teddy.” Lizzy coughed. “T
he way I’ve been feeling lately, I just don’t know if I want to live that long. Plus, I’ve got a heap of family waiting for me up in heaven and you know what they say: can’t let those in the clouds wait for too long; they may send down a storm.”

  Nellie laughed. “Who says that, Momma?’

  “I don’t know. Thought it sounded profound.”

  Teddy and Adeline excused themselves and went inside so Adeline could change.

  “When did you say the date was?” Lizzy asked the couple as they were leaving. “Early December?”

  “Yes, Nana, right after the election,” Teddy had turned back to confirm. “Thought we’d have a little reprieve from the, you know, the. . . .”

  “The lost cause?” Lizzy said gruffly, followed by a fit of coughs.

  “You really should be back in bed, Momma. I’m not in the mood to lose you right now, OK?”

  “I’m fine, child.” Lizzy patted Nellie on her arm. “I’m breathing and I’m sitting here with my girl. What more can an old lady ask for?”

  Lizzy’s voice trailed, causing Nellie to become alarmed. “Momma?”

  “I’m fine, I said, quit your worrying,” Lizzy replied. “I was just thinking of what Teddy just said. ‘Liked it kind of the way it used to be.’”

  Lizzy leaned back and rested her head on the back of the bench. The sun had just set over the neighbor’s roof and a cool breeze filled the porch. The street lamps had yet to come on, something Lizzy still marveled at.

  “Liked it kind of the way it used to be,” Lizzy repeated as her soft voice cracked. “Oh, Nellie. Society is changing so fast; I dare to wake up tomorrow just for the mere fact so much will have changed. Congress passes bills to stop people from drinking but they can’t pass a bill to give us our rights. Then again, are we as women deserving anymore? We wear flappers with our breasts hanging out. We drive fancy cars, smoke cigarettes in long stems that are supposed to be classy. We go with men to petting parties and stay out until the sun comes up. Is this the image of what we are now? If so, why should we be given any rights to make conscientious, moral and God-fearing decisions with a vote in a ballot box?”