by Chris Pike
An hour passed and the trip to the burbs was uneventful. The time had come to part ways—Ethan and Becca’s family going one way, Lexi and Joe another way.
It had been decided to leave the car with Becca’s family since Tyler knew how to drive it.
Reaching the end of the tollway, thirty miles from the inner city, they drove past the suburbs and to the community of Fulshear. Churchill Fulshear, one of Stephen F. Austin’s original Old Three Hundred, was granted the right to settle the area in the early 1800s. In 1888, Churchill Fulshear, Jr., granted San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroads to build railroads through his property. This tract would later become FM 1093, then later extended to the well-known Houston street of Westheimer, and finally the Westpark Tollway.
Churchill Fulshear Jr.’s decision in the late nineteenth century proved to be the pathway leading to the rising number of settlers making Texas their home. It eventually led to the development of Houston and the surrounding cities of The Woodlands, Katy, and Sugar Land, all rising to be major metropolitan hubs of the 21st century.
Due to Fulshear’s close proximity to Houston, it caught the eye of developers who were snapping up pristine land with gently rolling hills full of magnificent oaks, native plants, clear creeks, and pastures for grazing.
Roads had been widened and houses built to meet the demand of the exploding population.
Tyler braked the Model T to a stop along a dusty back country road. He kept the engine running, not trusting it to start again. “Is this the right house?” he asked dubiously. He glanced over his shoulder at Lexi.
Towering oaks obscured most of the weathered, two-story farmhouse set back from the road about fifty yards. The surrounding amenities of a windmill, smokehouse, barn, water well, and a cistern added to its old world charm. Thick brush grew near the fence line.
Lexi rested her head on Joe’s shoulder. She thought about how to tell her grandmother about how Wanda had died at the stadium. She thought about how devastating it would be for a woman to learn about her only daughter’s death. While Lexi and her grandmother hadn’t seen each other for a while, Lexi had fond memories of her, and no amount of time would break the bond they shared.
“Are you okay?” Joe asked.
“It’s hard.”
“I know. I’m here and not leaving you. We’ll help your grandmother get through this. From what you’ve said, she’s a great lady.”
“Is this where she lives?” Tyler asked again.
“Yes. This is the house.”
“It’s very…um…” Tyler trailed off, wanting to describe it as ‘bleak’, then decided it best to keep his mouth shut.
“Livable?” Lexi said.
“Yeah. Exactly the word I wanted to use.” Tyler diverted his eyes, afraid he’d give away the fact he’d lied.
“Don’t worry,” Lexi reassured him. “I understand. It doesn’t have any of the modern conveniences like cable TV or internet, ‘cause my granny never believed in any of it. She grew up in this house, and the only means of communication back then was a party line.”
“A party line?” Tyler asked. “You mean to tell me information came from standing in a line at a party?” He scrunched his face in disbelief.
“No.” Lexi chuckled. “A party line is to modern telecommunications like the iPhone, as the Wright brothers’ first plane is to a space shuttle.”
“Ahh, I get it. Like Cro-Magnon man to modern man.”
“Exactly.”
“Don’t tell me we’ll be living in caves soon,” Tyler said.
“Never say never.” Lexi cracked a smile.
“Like the James Bond movie.”
“Great analogy. Well…” Lexi sighed a long breath, exhaling the stress from the past several days. “I guess this is where we part ways. Thank you for your help. Ethan, take care of Becca and her children. And don’t let anybody steal this thing…a Model T, right?”
“The Cro-Magnon of cars,” Ethan quipped.
“If you need anything, remember we’re not far from here,” Becca said. She retrieved an old receipt from her purse and scribbled down her address. “Here’s where we live.” She handed the piece of scrap paper to Lexi. “It’s not a bad walk. Perhaps five or seven miles.”
“I appreciate it,” Lexi said. “And the same goes for us. If you ever need anything, you know where we are.”
“We’d better get going,” Joe said. As he reached for the lever to open the door, the hair on the back of his neck prickled. The sensation rocked him back from pleasant good-byes to the reality they were in a life and death situation. Without showing any shoulder muscle movement, he casually placed his right hand on the rifle’s trigger.
“You put your hands where I can see them, mister, or I’ll blow a hole as big as Dallas in your head with my shotgun. And your brains will splatter on that pretty thing next to you. I ain’t no fashionista but I know from experience that gray brain matter won’t win any fashion or art awards, unless your name is Jackson Pollock, and even then, I could paint better than he could any day, standing on my head with one hand tied behind my back, and make more money which is in short supply these days.”
The woman’s calm voice indicated she meant what she said, and though she appeared to be a country bumpkin, she was self-educated and could debate anyone on current affairs, art, or politics. She was a woman who worked the land, who got her hands dirty doing chores, and one who didn’t oblige to anyone about to trespass on her land. She carried few extra pounds on her small stature; her shiny silver hair was pulled into a bun. Wispy strands of white hair framed her face covered by a wide brimmed hat, decorated in flowers, protecting her skin from the effects of the hot Texas sun.
Lexi moved her hand to Joe’s thigh and squeezed it. “Do as she says.”
Ethan bumped his elbow against Becca. “Don’t move,” he said under his breath, forming words without moving his lips. “Looks can be deceiving.”
“Same goes to you too,” the woman said, motioning with the gun. “You, the man in the flight suit. There ain’t nothin’ wrong with my hearing, and nothin’ wrong with my looks. My wrinkles are from age and wisdom, and since you have smooth baby bottom skin, it’s apparent you’re lacking wisdom. And who the hell sneaks up on someone’s land? Now I can understand why the whipper snapper driving wouldn’t have the brains of a worm, but for the rest of you? I mean, come on. You’re lucky I haven’t shot you yet. I’m surprised the youngster – who also needs a haircut by the way – can even drive one of the finest cars made, by one of the finest entrepreneurs this century has ever seen. Or was it the last century? Oh, never mind what century it was.”
“Oh, God. I can’t believe this,” Lexi said. She lowered her head in embarrassment.
As Lexi swiveled her head to face the woman, the woman said, “Same goes for you too. Are the ramblings of a mature woman offending your pretty raven hair?”
“I’ve had enough,” Lexi announced, projecting her voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
“You want enough?” the woman asked. “Just come on out and I’ll give you enough you’ll never forget. And next time you address a mature woman of stature, you need to say ‘Ma’am’. Got it?”
“Don’t,” Joe pleaded. “The woman is crazy.”
“I know,” Lexi said.
“No talkin’!” the woman yelled.
“Graaannnnny!” Lexi over-enunciated each sound, ending her annoyance with a high pitched eeee.
“What’d you say?”
“Granny!” Lexi lowered the tone of her voice, cutting the word short. “It’s me!” Lexi’s eyes blazed, angry for not being recognized and embarrassed at her grandmother’s behavior. “Is this how you greet your only granddaughter and visitors?”
“Lexi darling, is it really you?”
“It is.” There was a touch of petulance in Lexi’s voice. “And for God’s sake, don’t point your gun at us.”
“Sorry, hun. My eyesight and hearing ain’t what they used to be. My mind
is goin’ too.”
Lexi leaned into Joe and whispered, “Don’t believe that for a minute. She has the eyesight of a hawk and the hearing of a nervous cat. Smart as a whip too.”
“You have no idea how glad I am to see you, Lexi. Praise the good Lord. Aren’t ya gonna introduce me to your friends?”
“Everyone,” Lexi said, using a compulsory tone, “this is my granny, Debra Sue. She’s a real pistol, so don’t let her granny appearance fool you.”
“My goodness,” Debra Sue said. “Come on in and let me get you something to eat. I don’t mean no offense, but y’all look like you fell into a cesspool, which reminds me of the time a little boy who came to play with me when I was no taller than knee high to a grasshopper who wanted to impress me by trying to walk across the board over the cesspool.
“I told him not to, but oh no. He wouldn’t listen to me, of course most men don’t listen to women, a trait they must be born with, and lo and behold, he fell into the slimy, stinky goo and weeds and mud and bugs, and God knows what else. Speaking of mud and bugs, there might be some of those tasty mudbugs in the ditch we could wrestle out of their holes sometime to make some gumbo, but never mind, so getting back to the little boy who fell in the cesspool, his brand new little boy cowboy duds and boots were ruined, and I still remember his mama runnin’ out of the house, waving her arms, yelling and carryin’ on about this and that, and—”
“Granny!”
“Yes, darling?”
“Maybe now’s not the best time.”
“I’m sorry to be rattling on. Just come on in, won’t ya? And bring in that gorgeous dog you have. He must be a great judge of character because the whole time I’d been talking, your dog never growled or showed any type of aggression towards me. Yes sir, that’s a find dog. Is he yours because if he ain’t, I’d love to have a good guard dog.” Debra Sue waited for an answer. “Well? Speak now or forever forgo your claim to the dog, because I’d love to have a dog. Okay then, I’ll take him.”
“Granny, the dog’s name is Oscar and he belongs to my friend here.”
“Then that solidifies my observation. He’s a good judge of character.”
While Debra Sue fawned over the dog, Ethan waited for Becca’s response regarding the offer to stay, or to go to her home as soon as possible. If it was up to him, he’d stay and eat. Becca offered no clue about her thoughts. He took that as a sign she’d like to stay.
“Becca. I don’t know about you,” Ethan said, “but I could use a hot meal.”
“Me too.”
“Great. I’m starving.”
Becca glanced at her children. “Kinsey, Tyler, this nice woman is gracious enough to offer us hospitality. I’m for staying.”
“I’m okay with it if you are, Mom,” said Kinsey.
“Miss Sue, do you have any sausage from the hog by any chance?” Tyler asked.
“Got loads of it,” Debra Sue replied. “Oh my goodness, it’s been a long time since I’ve been called Miss Sue.” Debra Sue smiled bashfully. “Ma’am,” she said addressing Becca, “you’ve done raised your kids right.”
“Thank you. My husband would be proud.”
“Tell me, is the fine gentlemen sitting next to you, your husband?”
Becca shook her head. “My husband passed away last year.”
“My condolences.”
“This gentleman next to me is helping us,” Becca explained.
“It must be comforting to have his help. A woman needs a man as much as a man needs a woman.”
Becca smiled.
“Well then. Tyler, right?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Would you mind if I drive that fine example of American ingenuity up close to the house?”
“You can drive this?”
“I learned how to drive my great-grandpappy’s old Ford in a pasture not far from here.”
“It’s okay with me,” Tyler said.
“Great. Better put your seatbelts on.” Debra Sue winked. “I’ll set a table for all of us.” Debra Sue paused, eyeing over the group’s haggard appearance. “If you need a shower, there’s running water and a bar of soap behind the tool shed. Clean towels too. I don’t got no running water in the house or a fancy bathtub, so it’s the best I can offer. Come to think of it, you could take a bath in the water trough the cows use, and if you need to take a shi—”
“Granny!” Lexi cut in. She hung her head and covered her face with her hands.
“What?” Debra Sue’s annoyance was obvious. “Everybody’s gotta go.”
“Granny, be nice okay?”
“Alright. What’s the big deal?” Debra Sue huffed and rolled her eyes. In the poshest voice she could muster, she said, “If you need to use the men’s or ladies’ restroom, you’ll find it behind the house.” Debra Sue pointed to an outhouse. “There’s also a bidet to clean sensitive areas, and a wash basin to cleanse your hands afterwards with a lovely bar of lavender scented soap I made.”
“Thank you, Granny.”
“Now let’s get on home. I slaughtered a wild hog the other day, and cooked a delicious rump roast. Damn hogs, tearing up everything and gettin’ into my vegetable garden. I’ve been killin’ as many as I can, but one old woman can only do so much. Maybe some of you able bodied men can—”
“Granny, there’s something I need to tell you. It’s weighing heavy on my mind,” Lexi said.
“What is it, hun?”
Lexi stepped over to her grandmother and gave her a hug. A lump welled in her throat as she thought about how to tell her grandmother about the death of her only daughter. A deep pang of regret had hung over Lexi like a black cloud, and Lexi’s guilt was eating at her. When the Blue Angels’ jet crashed into the stadium, it had clipped the upper deck where the private rooms were, including the one where Lexi and her mom would have been guests. The deck had been obliterated. If only Lexi hadn’t mentioned the hors d’oeuvres or the fact Wanda only needed to mention she was Lexi’s mom to be allowed into the room. If only the jet hadn’t crashed. If only…
“Hun, you’re crying. What is it?”
Lexi sniffled and wiped her eyes. “Granny, I don’t know how to tell you this.”
“What? You’re worrying me now.”
“Mom is…” Lexi hiccupped, took a big breath and glanced at Joe for help, pleading with her eyes for him to help her.
Joe squeezed Lexi’s hand to let her know everything would be okay. His silent gesture indicated she was the one who needed to break the terrible news.
“Mom is—”
“Here!” Debra Sue explained.
“What did you say?”
“Your mom is here, in the house. She’s the one who’s been thinking you were dead.”
“Mom is alive?”
“Yes, hun. She’s fine. A few bumps and bruises. Nothing else.”
During the few seconds it took for Lexi to gather the courage to tell her grandmother about Wanda to learning her mom was alive, Lexi experienced a Yellowstone size range of emotions. “Where is she?”
“In the house.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You didn’t give me the chance. And once I knew it was you, I was completely overjoyed and happy to see you and gave praise to our good Lord he had spared you.” Debra Sue dipped her chin and cocked her head ever so slightly. Raising her eyebrows, she hesitantly asked, “I’m sorry. Are we good?”
“Of course.” Lexi jumped from the car and gave her grandmother a big hug and stepped back from her grandmother. “Mom’s in the house?”
Debra Sue nodded.
“I’m going to surprise her.”
Before Debra Sue had time to stop Lexi, she had taken off running towards the house. “It’s a good thing the Carter women have strong hearts, otherwise I’d be afraid Wanda would have a heart attack when she sees Lexi.”
“Hop in,” Joe said. “Let’s not be late to the happy reunion.”
“I’m driving, remember?” Debra Sue said. “
Better put your seatbelts on. Oh wait, these old cars don’t have seatbelts, so you’d better hold on tight. Now I remember when seatbelt laws came into being. Nobody, and I mean nobody wanted to wear seatbelts. It felt so unnatural to be strapped into a seat, not being able to wiggle. Take for example if there was something in the backseat I needed, well, one time I twisted around to reach for whatever it was, and I pulled my back so bad I was walking like an old hunched over woman. I finally had to go to a chiropractor. Do any of y’all believe in chiropractors? Let me tell you, I was skeptical, but that man worked my body, pushing on this and that, turning me in ways I hadn’t been turned in like the time with…oh never mind. You don’t need to know about that because if you did, you’d need to hold on too, like now, so get ready for the ride of your life!”
Before anyone had time to take a breath, hold onto a bar, or comment on women drivers, Debra Sue put the Model T in gear and gunned the engine. The motor creaked and groaned under the strain, the tires spun, and gravel and dust flew up into the air.
“Yeehaw!” Debra Sue screamed.
Chapter 29
Lexi burst through the front door, slamming it against the wall. “Mom?” she shouted. “Mom, are you here?”
Holding a dish towel, Wanda walked from the kitchen and down a short hallway to the front living room. “Sorry, what did you say?” she called, thinking it was her mother.
Lexi stood in the entryway, unable to speak. Wanda dropped the dish towel, and mother and daughter ran to each other and held an emotional embrace.
“Mom, I thought you were dead.”
“Oh, baby, I thought the same about you. I prayed and prayed for a miracle.” Wanda stroked her daughter’s hair. “Let me see you.” She placed her hands on Lexi’s shoulders, holding her at arm’s length. “Are you hurt? Oh my, what’s the bruise on your face from?”
“I had to have a tooth removed.”
“The one you should have seen a dentist about?”
“Umm, yes.”
“Next time I tell you to see a dentist…” Wanda paused. “Never mind. Baby, I’m so happy to see you.” Wanda hugged Lexi again. “My prayers have been answered.”
