Music Of Home

by Murray, Tamela Hancock

  “I wasn’t thinking of you, genius. You don’t have a criminal bone in your body. But if you get any ideas about who might have made off with my cuff links, let me know.” He made a quick exit.

  “He sure is out of sorts about them cuff links,” Drusie noticed.

  “I would be, too, if I lost something that valuable. You don’t think anybody made off with ’em, do you?”

  “I sure hope not. If they did, they’re in a heap of trouble with Archie.”

  ❧

  Two nights later, they were getting ready to perform again when Drusie noticed that the woman in fur was back. She couldn’t seem to take her gaze from Elmer. He caught the lady’s eye once or twice during the performance as he played the fiddle and played the straight man for a few rehearsed jokes.

  So the mystery woman does have a reason to be here!

  Concentrating on the music, Drusie didn’t have time to ponder anyone’s romantic life except for that of each of the protagonists in her songs. But after the show, she hurried to the hole in the wall that passed for the dressing room she shared with Clara. All she wanted to do was change out of her sequined dress and into a plain skirt and simple cotton blouse so she could get back to the motel and sleep.

  Just beyond her door, she noticed a couple hovering. Elmer and the mystery woman were in deep conversation. Drusie winked at him, but instead of a jovial smile and wink in return as she expected, Elmer looked shaken. The woman turned to peer at Drusie. Her mouth opened, giving her a stricken look, and she darted away. Drusie pretended not to notice that their behavior was strange. Yet moments later, as she changed her outfit, she couldn’t help but wonder why the couple acted so distraught. Elmer wasn’t married or entangled with any woman as far as she knew. Surely the mystery woman wasn’t married. She hoped not. But why else would they have seemed upset at being spied?

  Lord, if somethin’ wrong is happenin’ under our noses, please offer Elmer and this woman friend of his Your light to the right path. Show them their error and set them straight.

  But what if she was wrong?

  Lord, keep me from being a busybody. Amen.

  Clara entered the dressing room.

  “Hey, you’re just in time to help me with this button that’s so hard to reach.”

  Clara assisted Drusie. “You gotta be a contortionist to get dressed anymore. Once I get rich, I’m hirin’ a maid. Then I won’t have to do nothin’ I don’t wanna do.”

  “Like dress yourself?” Drusie slithered out of her costume.

  “Maybe.” Clara grinned. “As long as I can shop, I’ll be happy.” Clara turned so Drusie could help her slip out of her garment.

  “You don’t need a maid. You got me.”

  “Not for long,” Clara quipped. “Gladdie will have you home and in a family way before you know it.”

  “Clara! Must you?” Drusie felt heat rise to her face.

  Her sister laughed. “Hey, you missed signin’ autographs.”

  “I ain’t worried none about that. The fans that really want my John Hancock will sure enough catch us on our way to the motorcar.”

  “But you won’t be wearin’ your gown.” She grabbed a hanger. “And I won’t be, neither.”

  “You know I don’t care nothing about wearin’ no gown.” Drusie sighed and hung up her outfit.

  “You seem mighty thoughtful tonight. What’s wrong?” Clara asked. “Feelin’ puny? I have to say, that bean soup I had for lunch didn’t set well with me. I could use a glass of ginger ale to settle my stomach. You don’t happen to have none, do you?”

  “No.” She took a stick of peppermint candy out of her purse. “Try this.”

  “Thanks. Well, if you ain’t sick, then what’s the matter?”

  “Did I say anything’s the matter?”

  “You don’t have to. This is me, Clara. Remember? I can see when you’re slow.”

  “Oh, all right. Give me a sec.” Drusie cracked open the door and peeped at the spot where she had seen Elmer and the mystery woman. Not locating them, she glanced around and saw no one in sight. The coast was clear.

  “What’s with the cloak and dagger stuff?” Clara hissed. “Who do you think you are, the Phantom?”

  “No,” Drusie responded in a loud whisper. She drew close to her sister. “I know it’s none of my business, but I saw Elmer and that mystery woman in the fur coat, standin’ by one of the dressin’ room doors just now.”

  “So he knows her after all.”

  “Seems stranger he wouldn’t wanna own up to it. It ain’t like he’s married.”

  Clara flitted her hand at Drusie. “Oh, you know how shy he is and how hard it is to have a private life around the band.”

  “True.”

  “If I was him, I’d be likely to keep it a secret, too. And I say good for him. He’d do good to land someone as pretty as that one is.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. All I know is they acted awful strange when they saw that I was noticin’ them. She shot out of there like a raccoon with a hound dog on its tail.”

  “Wonder why.”

  “I don’t know. I just hope she ain’t married or somethin’.”

  Clara opened the door wider to exit. “I hope not, too. I say he just wants everybody to mind their own business, that’s all. But you’re right. It sure ain’t up to us to be busybodies about it.”

  Approaching, Archie interrupted. “What’s none of our beeswax?”

  Drusie held back a grimace. How did Archie always manage to run up on them right when they were talking about something important? “Nothin’.”

  “Aw, don’t give me that. You two were talking about something. What’s your story, morning glory?”

  “We were just talkin’ about Elmer’s love life, that’s all,” Clara volunteered.

  “What’s the matter? Is he dizzy with a dame?”

  “Oh, we might as well say. You won’t let up until you know,” Drusie said.

  “That’s right. If I ever decide to quit music, I could be a detective—a house peeper.”

  “We just noticed he was hangin’ around the woman in the fur coat who comes to every show,” Drusie elaborated. “I’m sure it’s nothin’. Besides, I have somethin’ more important to ask you. When are we going to end this tour? Soon?”

  “End it? You can’t mean that. You’re doing so well.”

  “We do fine when the producers pay. Not so fine when they don’t,” Drusie noted.

  “Yeah, well, I’ve taken care of that. Like I said before, from here on out, you don’t sing until we get paid. And you’ll be getting paid plenty over the next year.”

  “The next year?”

  “Sure. Why are you acting so surprised? Your father signed you both to a two-year contract. You have to expect to work.”

  “But—but I had no idea I’d have to stay on the road that long. Gladdie and I will never marry at this rate.”

  “Sure you can. You can marry the next time you go home, in the church and everything. I’m not such a bad guy that I don’t let my stars go home once in a while.”

  “But even if we did marry, what kind of life would that be for a newlywed couple?”

  Archie shrugged. “If you love each other, you’ll survive.”

  Eleven

  With so many people around them, Gladdie hadn’t spent much time alone with Drusie on the tour. But even a few sweet moments in relative privacy were enough to brighten his day. When they did manage to break away to a diner for a cup of coffee, he held those moments close to his heart.

  They had been to a lot of diners—with and without the other performers—since Gladdie joined the tour. At first, eating out had been a treat, but now the diners, food, and even waitresses all seemed to look the same.

  Drusie sat across from him in a nondescript booth. They were surrounded by what had now become familiar scents of diner food—gravy, vegetables cooked in ham hock, grits with butter, and beef cooked fork tender. Still, he longed for one of his mother’s home-cooked meals
.

  “I sure will be glad when this tour is over. I’m thinkin’ we shouldn’t wait until spring to get married.” He leaned closer to her. “Hows about we try for New Year’s Day?”

  “New Year’s Day?” Drusie’s expression hinted at vague disappointment.

  Had Gladdie not known her so well, her lack of enthusiasm would have left him crushed. He decided to sweeten the pot. “Remember that jewelry store we passed on the walk over here?”

  “Sure. What about it?”

  “I noticed a weddin’ band with orange blossoms on it. That band would look mighty pretty on your ring finger.”

  A smile touched her pink lips. “Yes, it would. But not yet.”

  “I know. We have to wait until New Year’s Day.”

  The pained expression returned to Drusie’s face. “If we want a settled life at home in the mountains, we got to wait longer than that. I just found out that Archie signed us up for two years’ worth of tourin’.”

  Gladdie gulped. “Two—two years?”

  Drusie’s lips drooped. “That’s a powerful long time.”

  “But how did he manage to do that without you knowin’ about it?”

  “Pa signed for us.”

  “But I thought he understood that we wanted to marry soon, and he didn’t even seem all that excited about you goin’ on the road to start with,” Gladdie protested. “Why do you think he signed you up for such a long time?”

  Drusie sighed. “I think he thought it was best for Clara. And I’m sure he figured we would make more money that way in the long run. To his way of lookin’ at life, he must have thought the longer contract offered us more security. He always was one to look into the future and not take any chances. ‘A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush,’ he always says. Anyway, I don’t know for sure. But whatever he thought, it’s done now.”

  Gladdie understood. As long as the sisters lived under his roof, their pa would see to their affairs. It would be that way even if the sisters lived to be a hundred. Sure, city gals with big ideas might rebel against their fathers taking charge, but not Drusie. Since the cards had been played, everyone involved would have to work within the confines of the deal.

  “I know he thought he was doin’ what was best for you.” Gladdie patted her hand. “I reckon he was taken in by Archie’s smooth talkin’, too. You know he can be persuasive. So try not to blame your pa.”

  “I know it. I keep rememberin’ God’s commandment to honor our parents. Pa’s a good soul, but he can be a trial without even meanin’ to. I know the Lord knows I don’t mean nothin’ disrespectful in that.” She stared into her half-empty cup.

  “I believe the Lord understands. I know I do.” He shook his head. “That Archie. I imagine he wants to make as much money as he can while he can. After all, you always said you weren’t plannin’ to be with the group long. Do you still feel that way?”

  “It’s better with you here, but as long as we’re on the road, I don’t see how we can get married. Don’t you care nothin’ about our marriage plans?”

  “I do. Why else would I be offerin’ to buy you a weddin’ band today? You know I do. I don’t want to wait, either.” He stirred two spoonfuls of sugar in his coffee.

  “Archie did say we could get married now.”

  “Now? But I don’t want our first year of marriage to be spent on the road.”

  “Me neither, but there ain’t no other way without waitin’. Once the two years are up, I can make a home with you, Gladdie. A real home. Not just some slipshod, halfway doin’s. I want to get up every morning, early, and put on a white starched apron and fry you up some eggs for breakfast. I want to greet you when you come home every night from work. I don’t care if that work is loggin’ or farmin’ or clerkin’ at the store. I just want to be there for you.” Her eyes took on a dreamy look, like she was watching a romantic movie with Gloria Swanson playing the glamorous leading lady.

  “That does sound wonderful. Too wonderful. And contract or no contract, I’m gonna get you out of it.” He placed some change on the table and rose from his seat.

  Drusie followed suit and talked to him as they walked. “No, you’re not. We cain’t go against Pa. And what about Clara? She’s blossomed since bein’ on the road. I cain’t take that away from her. And even though I dream of livin’ in Sunshine Holler, life on the road ain’t all bad.”

  “I know. But you don’t want to be on the road forever, right?” Gladdie held the door open for her as they exited the diner.

  “Well, not forever.”

  “Then you have to think of your own feelin’s and not just Clara’s. I know you never think of yourself, and in a lot of ways, that’s good. But now it’s time to. You cain’t be Clara’s keeper forever. Like you said, she’s blossomin’. She’s got Archie lookin’ after her so close that nobody can get near her. She’ll be fine.”

  “I think so, too, but Pa will be powerful mad if he finds out I left her. I cain’t do it, Gladdie. I’ve got to stick to it—for the whole time. Pa will never let me go back on his word.” She walked quickly to keep up with Gladdie’s stride, holding her wool coat close to herself.

  “That’s right. It’s his word, not yours. I don’t think much of that. I was just plannin’ on helpin’ the band out until we went home for Christmas. I ain’t comin’ back for two years. Even though you’re right—in some ways, it’s kinda fun amongst all that hard work.” They passed the jewelry store where the little wedding band shone through the window. He noticed that Drusie glanced inside, and he wished the store could be their destination.

  He slowed his pace. “I want to wait for you, but it’s hard. I’ve waited for you for years, since we was young’uns, and I’m tired of waitin’. We said we’d get married in the next few months, and now that your pa has signed you up to be with Archie forever and a day, I just don’t know what to do. We don’t need all this money you’re making—or I’m makin’—’cept maybe to save up for the future, which is a good idea, I reckon. But we’re simple folk. We don’t need much money to live. I can work the farm and split the profits with Pa. Or I’ll go back to my job at the store, even if I cain’t own it.”

  “You don’t want to do neither of them things and you know it.”

  “I’m the man here,” he snapped. “You let me worry about how to make the money.”

  She flinched as though he’d slapped her. Maybe his retort did hurt. But she was saying hurtful things, too.

  “I’m leavin’ the band today. And that’s final.”

  She didn’t answer. Had she given in that easily? He didn’t think so. Her silence seemed ominous. What was happening in that quick mind of hers?

  As they approached the motel where the band was staying, Buford waved at the young couple.

  “What’s the good word?” Gladdie asked as soon as they drew close enough so there was no need to shout.

  “Not much. I’m looking for my money clip. Have you seen it?”

  “No,” they both said.

  “That’s too bad. I had over twenty dollars in it.”

  “Twenty dollars!” Drusie clapped her palm against the base of her neck. Her mouth dropped open.

  Gladdie let out a whistle. “That’s an awful lotta money to lose.”

  Buford nodded. “You said it. You know, a lot of valuables have turned up missin’ lately. What do you make of it?”

  “I don’t much like it. What else has turned up missin’?” Gladdie asked.

  “Archie’s cuff links, remember? And my necklace,” Drusie said.

  Elmer approached and interrupted. “What’s the news?”

  “My money clip is missing,” Buford informed him. “I don’t reckon you’ve seen it, have you?”

  “What would make you think I’ve seen it?”

  “I’m askin’ around,” Buford said. “So much stuff has turned up missin’—a few dollars here and a few dollars there. Plus, one of the stage managers said he can’t seem to locate his pocket watch.”

>   “Is that so?” Drusie asked.

  Buford nodded. “Turned up missin’ just this mornin’. Seems mighty suspicious to me.”

  June and Betty joined them. “Say,” Betty asked, “how come there’s a party and nobody invited us?”

  “Yeah,” June added with mock derision.

  “I wish we was havin’ a party,” Gladdie answered.

  “We’re tryin’ to figure out who done took our stuff,” Drusie elaborated.

  “What stuff?” Betty asked.

  As Buford explained, Gladdie glanced at June and noticed that her expression indicated she was as mystified as everyone else. Either she hadn’t taken anything, or she could act even better than she could sing. Gladdie observed that Betty seemed stunned, too. He had a feeling Drusie’s hunch about June being the thief was off. But if neither June nor her best friend and partner, Betty, knew anything about the missing items, who did?

  Gladdie joined in the conversation. “I wonder who could be responsible. It could be almost anybody. We’re around so many different people in so many unusual places, it will be almost impossible to find a thief.”

  “Unless he’s in our midst,” Buford said.

  In his mind, Gladdie ran down the list of people he knew. “I wonder if it’s that woman that keeps following us.”

  “You mean the woman wearin’ the fur all the time?” Drusie asked.

  “That’s the one.”

  Elmer bristled. “Any woman wearin’ a fur doesn’t need to steal. Come on, Buford. I’ll help you look for your money clip.”

  “Sure.”

  They walked away, and Drusie noticed that Elmer’s steps were determined. “He sure seems upset,” Drusie said.

  “A little too upset about us suggestin’ that woman, if you ask me,” June remarked.

  “I’ll see if I can find anything. You girls wait here.” Gladdie searched the automobiles parked on the patch of dirt that served as a parking lot. “I see Archie’s car. He must be back from town. I’m goin’ to meet with him now.”

  “And say what?” Drusie asked. “We ain’t leavin’ the tour.”

  “I know it. But I can give him a piece of my mind.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t.”