I was getting whiplash from her mood swings. Shocked, confused, and a little bit saddened, I looked her straight in the eye. “No, I don’t. Every momma I know feels like they’re a terrible mother some of the time. All kids are too trusting, it’s part of being a kid. That’s why they say it takes a village to raise one. And you couldn’t have picked a better village.” I gave her a sincere smile. “Trust me, Jackson’s in good hands. In fact, he’s at the house now, playing with the kids.”
Regina’s brow rose slightly.
“My sister’s watching them. Wait’ll you meet Sharon. You’ll love her. Everyone does. Especially the kids. She was never able to have children, so she babies everybody else’s to death. Jackson’ll be adopted by the end of the day, just wait and see.”
Regina sighed, uncrossed her arms, and smiled. “Sorry I blew up.”
“Think nothing of it.” I stood and pushed in my chair. “Moms worry.”
She followed me to the door. “Thanks, Carol. I appreciate it. I just lose it sometimes.”
“We all do.” I chuckled. “I should go before Sharon gives the kids too much sugar and makes them all superhero capes out of my drapes.”
“No wonder they love her.” She laughed.
“I’m not even exaggerating.”
She pushed her hair behind her ear. “Thanks for the cake. And the company.”
“You’re welcome.” She seemed so lonely, so heavily burdened, so defeated, all I wanted to do was embrace her. So that’s what I did. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tight. Then I took her by the hand and said, “I know you’re going through a lot right now, and I can’t imagine the stress you’re under. If you need help watching Jackson, he’s always welcome at the house. Once school starts, he can even get off the bus with the kids. And if you just need a friend to talk with, my door’s always open.” I waited to let what I said sink in before I released my grip.
She gave me a nod. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
I smiled and let myself out.
“Bye, Carol.”
Looking over my shoulder, I waved. “Bye, Regina. Have a good day.”
I walked the gravel road back to my house, wiping the sweat from my face and fanning the gnats away so they wouldn’t stick to my eyeballs. Perspiration was dripping off my body, running down my back and into the waistband of my shorts, and rolling down my neck into my cleavage. By the time I got back home, I looked as though I was lactating, and thanks to the humidity, my hair looked like I’d been to Tina Turner’s stylist.
Sharon was sitting at the breakfast nook, skimming through the newspaper when I came through the front door. “Hello there, sexy.” she said, looking up from the paper. “Trying out a new hairdo, I see.”
Huffing and snorting, I walked right passed her and went straight to the refrigerator to get a Gatorade. It was cold and felt amazing in my hand, so I rubbed it all over my face and neck before I opened it.
“Wow.” She laughed. “Are you auditioning for a commercial or something?”
I shot her the stink eye and drained half the bottle.
“The heat must really be getting to you.”
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Typically, when women your age have that much boob sweat—”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Um. Well. You know, when your titties sweat?” She ran her index fingers back and forth under her breasts. “And it shows through your shirt? That’s boob sweat, sugar.”
“I know what boob sweat is, Sharon! I meant, ‘women your age’? I’m only six years older than you, dumbass. Five years and a couple of months, to be exact.”
“Right! Sorry. I forget sometimes.” She chuckled.
“Mm-hmm.” I glared at her through slits in my eyes as I finished off my Gatorade. “Forgetting things, huh? Happens as you age.”
“Oh, ha-ha. You’re a real comedian.” She flipped me the bird, and I returned fire. Then we both laughed at our silly, juvenile behavior. “Go shower. You’re a hot mess.”
“Thank you,” I said, screwing the Gatorade lid back on and tossing the empty bottle into the trash. “That’s what Bobby says.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her. “He likes it when I’m dirty.”
“Good grief!” she shouted, then folded the newspaper, and tossed it at me. “Get outta here!”
I screamed, dodging the missile.
She pretended to gag. “I swear I’m about to throw up on this table!”
I laughed at her theatrics as I headed down the hall. My sister’s sense of humor was a lot like mine, and I loved it. But she was right. I definitely needed a shower. “I’ll be right back,” I sang.
“Hope you had a nice visit,” Sharon sang back.
“Tell ya about it inna minute. Jumping in the shower.”
I closed my bathroom door and undressed, peeling everything off and throwing it on the floor in a wet, stinky pile. I turned on the water and stepped in, letting the coolness run over the top of my head and down my body. Taking a shower was on my top ten list of favorite things. After washing and conditioning my hair, I scrubbed with soap and rinsed off. Thoughts of Regina ran through my mind. I couldn’t recall ever meeting such a bizarre person. The poor woman was a train wreck. I dried off and twisted my hair up in a towel before getting dressed.
“Much better,” I said to myself and walked back toward the kitchen to chat with my sister.
“Well, how’d it go?” Sharon asked with a big grin.
I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. “How ‘bout this? If I wasn’t so dehydrated, I’d be hitting the liquor cabinet.”
She giggled. “That bad?”
“Let’s just say I thought I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone.”
We both laughed. “I see you didn’t bring the cake back, dammit.”
“Yeah, she loved it.” I sat down at the table, propped my feet up, and guzzled my water. “Where are the kids? Did you feed them?”
“They’re playing out back. I pushed them on the tire swing and helped them build a fort with some of your old sheets. And yes, they ate. Crustless PBJ sandwiches, Cheetos, apple slices, and some grape juice. We had a picnic under the magnolia tree with the ants.” Her green eyes twinkled as she grinned. “Jackson is a doll. Think I can adopt him?”
I finished my bottle of water as she was talking. “They’re where?” I asked, getting up to look out the sliding glass door.
“In the back yard, where it’s all shady. Don’t you see their fort, or is your vision going too?”
“They can’t play back there! They’ll step on a snake!” I snatched the door open and yelled, “Hey, kids! Y’all come inside!”
“Carol!” she snapped. “They’ll do no such thing! Now you let them play. There ain’t no snakes out there. I walked all over that property with Cricket this morning, and we didn’t see the first sign of any snake.” Cricket was Sharon’s little Chihuahua, who happened to be curled up, sleeping in her lap at the moment, despite all the commotion.
“Oh, all right.” I sighed and slid the door closed since it didn’t appear they’d heard me anyway. “I’ll let ‘em play a little bit. But they’re coming inside in five minutes. Besides, I told Regina we’d keep a close eye on Jackson.” I stood there, glaring through the door. They’re all three gonna die from a snakebite for sure or be covered from head to toe in poison ivy.
“Hey, worrywart, come sit down. I wanna hear about your visit.”
Although I’d never admit it, she was right, I did worry too much. That was probably why I had all those stomach problems. I walked back over to the table and took a seat across from her and her tiny pooch. My baby sister wasn’t a gossiper, she simply liked details—a total information junkie.
In school, Sharon was a bookworm, and it paid off too, because she had graduated high school at the top of her class, got a full scholarship, and kept right on going until she had earned a Ph.D. in Psychology. And she continued spending hours and h
ours doing research, conducting studies, and attending conferences to learn more and become the best in her field. Sharon was about to be twenty-five, and her husband Max was my age, thirty. They didn’t have any children, unfortunately. But with the schedule they kept, it was probably a good thing.
As a police psychologist, she performed psychological profiles, which meant she had a crazy schedule. Her husband was the Niceville Police Department Chief of Police, so they work together occasionally, but she was always busier than a one-armed paper hanger. Honestly, they didn’t have time to make babies, much less raise any. But they doted over Rebecca and Timmy as if they were their own, spoiling them to death, and I adored them for it.
“So tell me about The Twilight Zone.” Sharon got up and carried Cricket over to the sink and took a plastic bowl out of the cabinet. “I’m gonna grab me a Coke. You want another water?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.”
Sharon filled the bowl with water and sat it and the pup on the floor. “Drink up, sweet baby.” The little dog lapped up the water, then followed Sharon’s high heeled sandals as they clapped around on the kitchen tile. “That’s Momma’s baby right there. Yes, it is.” She talked baby talk to Cricket while she made herself a glass of Coke. “Come on, girl. Let’s go sit down.” She brought her drink over to the table and took her seat. Cricket followed and yapped once to be picked up.
I smiled and shook my head. “Spoiled rotten little shit.”
“Don’t talk about your fur niece like that!” Sharon scolded me as she picked the little dog up and kissed her between the ears. “She didn’t mean it, my sweet wittle baby. Aunt Carol wuvs you.” Cricket licked Sharon’s face, returning the affection. “Aunt Carol better be nice. Huh, baby?”
I rolled my eyes and sighed. “You’re right. That was mean.” Then I leaned over and scratched the dog under her chin and started talking baby talk too. “Sorry, wittle Cricket. You’re not a wittle shit. But you are a wittle spoiled.”
Sharon giggled and rolled her eyes. “So, spill the beans all weddy! I’m about to wooze intwest.”
We laughed again at our silliness. Over the next fifteen minutes, I proceeded to tell her all about my visit with Regina. Her eyebrows arched a few times, and she made a couple of interesting faces. When I was finished, I asked, “So, is she psycho or just batshit crazy?”
Sharon sat quietly for a moment, studying my face. “Hmm. It seems she does have some issues, but psycho’s a strong word. Sounds more like she’s suffering from anxiety.”
“So, you don’t think my new neighbor’s a serial killer?”
“No. With her taking those pills in front of you, she’s scared of something. Or someone.”
“I wish I knew what the pills were. And what the deal is with her husband.”
“Bingo!” Sharon pointed at me. “That’s probably the source of her anxiety, right there. What’s her last name?”
“I assume it’s Strickland since that’s Jackson’s last name. But her maiden name is Owens. Why?”
She winked. “I got my reasons.”
Chapter Three
Mrs. Ruby
Thursday, August 7, 1980 ~ Rotten Fruit
I had just finished cutting up a chicken for supper and was getting ready to watch TV when I heard my screen door slam. Well, that beats all I’ve ever seen. Company, just when The Guiding Light’s about to start!
“Momma?” Regina called out.
“In the kitchen, shug,” I yelled. Jack bought us a little TV so we could watch our shows while we ate. I’d gotten so used to it that I didn’t even care to watch TV in the living room anymore.
“Hey, Momma. Whatcha doing?”
“Shelling these peas. ‘Bout to watch Reva.” I motioned for her to sit down.
“Fresh peas?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Thought they’d be good with some chicken and dumplings.”
“Sounds wonderful. Wish I could eat with y’all.” Regina took a seat across from me.
“They’ll be plenty left, shug. Don’t worry. You going to work?”
“Yeah. Just wanted to come by and see you a minute.”
I smiled at the gesture. With Regina, I had to take what I could get. “Jackson outside?”
“No. He’s playing with the kids across the road.”
I stopped shelling peas and squinted harsh eyes at my daughter. She knew I didn’t approve of her leaving Jackson alone, but I’d raised her to be a better momma than to pawn him off to total strangers. I swear, she never saw no harm in nothing. This child of mine was grown, but she didn’t have the sense God gave a goose.
“Whose kids?” I grimaced.
“You remember Bobby Sharp, Momma? He worked at Daddy’s store a long time ago.”
My brow relaxed as my anger was suddenly replaced with delight. Do I remember Bobby? Better believe I do. A fine young man if ever there was one. Smart, good-looking Bobby. When he started working at the store, that’s all Jack ever talked about. Bobby was his best worker—never late, never complained, and always took care of the customers. He was pretty much Jack’s golden boy, and we’d all but claimed him as our future son-in-law. Jack tried everything to get a fire sparked between him and Regina, even invited Bobby over for supper one night. Then afterward, he told Bobby to drive the Bel Air and take Regina out for a milkshake. Well, that about embarrassed Regina to death, and I reckon it did Bobby too, cause he said, “Mr. Jack, as much as I’d love to drive your car, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Then Bobby thanked us for supper and went home. He still worked hard at the store, but he never came back to the house for supper again.
A slight smile played across my face. “Sure, I remember Bobby.”
“Well, he and his family live in that gray brick house across the road from me.”
My jaw about fell in my lap. “The one with all them pretty palm trees?”
Regina nodded. “That’s the one.”
“Mercy, shug! The front yard looks like it belongs on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. I can just imagine what the inside looks like.”
“Probably just as nice,” Regina said, her voice flat.
I shelled another pea. “Been years since I seen Bobby. I reckon he’s done good for himself.”
Regina picked at her fingernails. “His wife stopped by to say hello this morning.”
“That so?”
“Her name’s Carol. Nice lady. Brought a pound cake to welcome us to the neighborhood.”
“That was mighty nice of her. I always knew Bobby’d marry him a good woman.”
Regina’s eyes turned cold. “Anyway…” She let out a long sigh. “Jackson’s over at Bobby and Carol’s, playing with their kids.”
“Do Jackson some good to be around that family, I expect. Show him some stability.”
“Stability? As if I’m not stable, Momma? I can’t believe you sometimes.”
I scrunched my brow. “What?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.” She crossed her arms. “You’re doing the same thing you always do!”
I pinched my lips together. “Regina, I didn’t say nothin’. And you can quit all that hollerin’!”
She arched her brow. “You don’t have to say his name for me to know you’re talking about Frank, Momma. I know you think he’s a bad father. And I agree. Frank Strickland is a bad father. He’s the worst. And I’m a shitty mother. I just wish you’d quit throwing it in my face!” She pushed herself up from the chair and stomped over to the cabinet to get a glass.
“I ain’t throwin’ nothin’ in your face.”
Regina spun around to face me. Her eyes filled with fury. "Yes, hell, you are! You and Daddy made it crystal clear how y’all felt about Frank from day one. Y’all didn’t even give him a chance because nobody but Daddy’s golden boy would ever be good enough!”
I flipped my hand at her as if I were shooing a fly. “Nonsense.”
Regina clenched her fists. “Momma, you know what I’m s
aying is the truth!”
“Listen! If all you gonna do is fuss, just go on to work. My story’s on anyway.”
“Well, you started it,” she blustered, then walked over to the sink and filled her glass with water. I knew exactly what she was doing, and I hated it. She wouldn’t listen when I warned her she’d get addicted to them pills. But that didn’t surprise me. She never listened to anything I told her.
After a good minute, Regina sat back down. “I’m not fussing, Momma. I’m just telling you how I feel.” She was calmer, but her eyes were filled with sadness. Made me feel awful. Maybe I did start the quarrel. When it came to Frank, none of my thoughts were good.
“Well, shug, there ain’t nothing wrong with telling me how ya feel. It does us good to talk.”
Regina just looked at me with a blank face, like she was daydreaming. I don’t know if she heard me or if it went in one ear and out the other, but it didn’t matter. I knew she’d never completely open up to me. Never had.
“I expect you need to get going so you ain’t late for work. I’ll take supper over to Jackson later.”
“I was hoping you’d go sooner.” She picked at her fingernails again.
“Sooner? Why?”
“’It worries me to leave the house empty for too long. Someone could break in and rob me.”
“Rob you? What in the world?” Them pills has done and got her paranoid. “Ain’t no use in worrying about that. Not around here. Not with the chief of police living just a few miles away.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any safer.”
“Well, it should. I’ve lived here my whole life, and nothing’s ever been stolen.”
“Except for one thing. Remember?” She smirked.
I looked at her with spearing eyes. “You know good and well who stole that car. And one day he’s gonna get what’s coming to him. I just hope I’m still alive to see it.”
“You go ahead and believe what you want, and I’ll keep worrying about getting robbed.”
“Life’s too short to worry all the time, Regina.” I let out a long sigh. No use in arguing. She was as hardheaded as the day is long. “Ain’t none of us promised tomorrow. Thought you’d realize that with your daddy dying.”
Worth the Risk Page 3