The Truth About Grace

by Cassie Dandridge Selleck

“Uh, is there anything else, Miss Dovey? We were just about to start our meeting.”

  She sat up straight, then reached down and tugged at the back of one of her polka-dot Keds. She was still tugging when she looked up at me like she just had a bright idea.

  “Hey, how ’bout if I sit in for a bit? I know y’all are gonna need more help when she comes home.”

  I know my mouth had to have been hanging halfway open, because I just could not make it form words from the thoughts racing through my head. This woman is crazy. How can she…? What do I…? What do you say…?

  The doorbell rang again. I opened it a crack to see Cheryl standing a foot from the door. I stuck my head out.

  “Is she here?” Cheryl whispered.

  “Yep,” I said, my eyes raised in mock distress.

  “Oh, God,” she clapped her hands over her cheeks. “Was she invited?”

  “Nope,” I whispered back.

  Cheryl pushed the door open and brushed past me.

  “Mama? Mama, what in the world are you doing here?” she demanded.

  “I’m just tryin’ to help, Cheryl Lynn. Don’t be rude.”

  “You’re the one being rude. You just come home right now. We are not going to interrupt these people in the middle of…” She looked at me in horror. “What are y’all doin’? Has something happened?”

  I couldn’t help it. I laughed out loud.

  “What’s so funny?” Cheryl wailed like she was afraid to hear the answer.

  “Miss Ora is fine. We’re just meeting with everyone to figure out the best way to move forward. It was easier to hold the meeting here. That’s all. We’ve got to plan for Miss Ora to come home, and she’s going to need help.”

  “Well, that’s why I’m here,” Miss Dovey said. “I wanna help y’all.”

  I nodded. “I know you do, and that is very kind of you. I will let you know as soon as I know exactly how you can help. Will that work?”

  “Well, I was just…” Dovey said.

  “That will work fine,” Cheryl interrupted. “Come on, Mama. It’s time to go home.”

  Cheryl pushed her mother toward the porch and mouthed I’m sorry over her shoulder as she closed the front door behind them.

  I was still chuckling when I got back to the table.

  “What was that all about,” Re’Netta asked.

  “Oh, Miss Dovey thought maybe Miss Ora had died.” I rolled my eyes upwards. “That woman.”

  “She means well,” Grace said, and we all burst into laughter. Miss Ora instructed us long ago this was just about the worst thing you could ever say about someone.

  “Cheryl came and got her. I honestly believe she wants to help, which is wonderful. But family meetings are for family.” I pulled out my chair and sat back down beside Kamilah. “What’d I miss?”

  “Grace was just telling us she passed another test yesterday,” Kamilah said. “Super good news there.”

  I wasn’t sure whether to bring up the money or not. I didn’t want to embarrass her, but it was an important part of the story.

  “I told ’em about the money, too, Sister.”

  The way she said it, I figured she read my mind. She sounded a shade resentful.

  “You both did exactly the right thing,” Kamilah said. “You followed the plan. Grace is stepping up, and you are stepping back. This is how it works. Proud of both of you.”

  Grace and I looked at each other then and we both smiled. The thought crossed my mind that this was the first positive thing we had shared in a long, long time, and the relief was palpable.

  It didn’t last long, but I still cling to the experience as something I want to recreate.

  Aunt Tressa shuffled a stack of papers and cleared her throat.

  “Patrice asked me here to help with any legal matters that might come up now or in the future. I was able to meet with her family attorney yesterday at the hospital. He has been overseeing the details of her living trust and is currently a joint trustee with Mrs. Beckworth. She has decided to go ahead and make Patrice a co-trustee with Mr. McClellan instead of herself. That’s the biggest legal change right now. Well, that and the fact that Patrice has also been given a Durable Power-of-Attorney to handle her business affairs while she is incapacitated. For now, we wanted to figure out how to handle the running of Mrs. Beckworth’s household and her healthcare when she is allowed to come home. I don’t want to tiptoe around this, so I’m going to be blunt. The issue includes Grace’s recovery and the care of her children, especially over the summer. Patrice has, of course, been their guardian and caregiver, and will continue to be. But with everyone working full-time, it seems prudent to parse out a few things amongst all of you so that no one is bearing too great a burden.” Aunt Tressa paused for a minute and the table was silent. “Now’s your time to chime in. Any suggestions?”

  Danita piped up then. “I’m happy to help. I’m only working part-time this summer down at the Y, and Alex is lifeguarding there. We figured Mica can hang out and swim when we’re working, but she also has church camp for two weeks. We could see if Shawn and Rochelle want to go, too. It’s up in the mountains. Mica loves it.”

  “I’m definitely working full-time, but it gets slow in the summer at the salon. I could take Rochelle a couple of days a week if she didn’t mind hanging out at the shop.” Re’Netta laughed then as if she just thought of something funny. “I was going to say Shawn, too, but ain’t no way he’d be happy listenin’ to the hens chatter all day.”

  “I bet I can get him a job as a lifeguard. We still have some openings,” Danita said.

  “I could also come by after work a couple of days a week and help Miss Ora a little,” Re’Netta offered. “I could do her hair for her, help her take a bath or pay some bills, whatever she needs. How much do you think she’ll be able to get around? I feel bad I haven’t been by the hospital, but with all the prom and graduation stuff, it’s just been real busy at the salon. And I can make at least a meal or two a week. That’d be nice, I think. I could spend a little time with Miss Ora and Grace and the kids. I’d like that.”

  I noticed Grace starting to fidget when Re’Netta started talking. Aunt Tressa apparently noticed, too.

  “What is it, Grace? Do you want to say something?”

  “Am I allowed?” Her voice was thick with sarcasm. It seemed to drag all the goodwill out of the room.

  “Grace!” I snapped. “What is wrong with you?”

  “I live in this house. I live here ’cause Miss Ora asked me to and y’all actin’ like I ain’t even in the room.”

  Kamilah sat up a little straighter but didn’t speak right at first.

  I glared at her. “Did we ignore you? Did we tell you not to speak? If you have something to say, say it. It’s a family meeting. Nobody stuffed a sock in your mouth.”

  Kamilah put a hand on my leg, but still didn’t speak. Aunt Tressa looked uncomfortable, and Danita patted Grace on the shoulder in a soft random rhythm. I took a deep breath.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t think anyone was ignoring you, though. If you have suggestions, we’d like to hear them.”

  Grace did not respond, just sat staring at her hands in her lap.

  Kamilah rose from the table then. “Grace, can we chat just a minute? Maybe out on the porch?”

  She waited for Grace to rise, then followed her silently out of the room.

  “What was that all about?” Re’Netta asked.

  I sighed. “I want to say I don’t know, but I think I do. And I’m not even sure she’s completely wrong. She has always been the baby of the family. I think she just wants to be treated like an adult.”

  I’m not sure where that even came from, but the four of us sat with it for a few minutes before we started talking about Miss Ora again.

  45– Grace

  Kamilah followed me out to the porch and we sat there for a minute just rocking.

  “You want to tell me what’s going on?” she asked finally.

  “
Why doesn’t anybody think I can handle taking care of my own kids? Why can’t they just stay here with me and Miss Ora this summer?”

  She hesitated like she was thinking, then let out a big sigh. “Grace, you are doing so well, and I am proud as I can be of your progress…”

  “But what?” I asked.

  “But I don’t think you’re there yet. I’ve seen this so many times and I’m afraid that much responsibility could undo all the work you’ve done. Nobody is saying you can’t pitch in with Miss Ora. There’s a lot you can do. What they’re trying to do is help you so nobody is overwhelmed.”

  “I won’t be overwhelmed. I can do this.”

  “I believe you can. But I don’t think it’s the best thing for you or your children. We need more history of success first. That’s the way this works. You create a new history with time and consistent behavior. So, the fact that you are pushing for something you haven’t earned is actually concerning to me. I’m asking you to trust me. I’m asking you to consider that those women in there – your family – are there to help you. Let them do this. You concentrate on yourself right now.”

  I wish I could make her understand how much I want to be well this time, but I can’t. I have to show her. This is what she’s telling me. And yet, my blood just boils from aggravation. Everybody thinks they know better than me, but they ain’t in my head.

  “Okay,” I said. “I get it. But could you talk to them about lettin’ me take care of Miss Ora? I need to feel good about myself. I need to feel like I can make a difference to somebody. I can’t explain it. I just need it.”

  “You don’t need anyone’s approval to do that, Grace. When Miss Ora gets here, you can do whatever you like. If they hire someone to do it and it’s already done, you’ll have shown them you are reliable and determined. Don’t ask for permission. Just do it.”

  We talked for a little more and then went back inside to finish our meeting.

  I started to get mad all over again when I realized they didn’t wait on us. They’d already decided a schedule and everything. But then Patrice said it was just ideas for a schedule and what did I think about it. I studied it a minute ’fore I said anything. Looked like they did have some time where I was there with Miss Ora and the kids. Problem was, it was mostly in the mornings.

  “Well, I guess one thing that worries me is my AA meetings. I been goin’ every day around lunchtime. I’m wondering how much time she can be left alone, ’cause I don’t want to miss any meetings. I can go at night if I need to, but it’s a little scary walkin’ after dark.”

  Re’Netta looked at me funny for a second. “Why are you going to AA? Shouldn’t it be the one for narcotics?”

  Kamilah scrunched her face up. I think she thought that was gonna upset me, but it didn’t.

  “I prefer the AA meetings. It’s hard bein’ around other addicts. There’s always somebody there been ordered by the court and they’d just as soon sell you somethin’ as get clean.”

  “Ohhhh,” she said. “I never even thought of that.”

  Kamilah winked at me then. “I like the way you’re thinking, Grace.”

  I couldn’t even keep the smile off my face. I like feeling good about myself for a change.

  Aunt Tressa got us back on track. “So some of this is going to depend on how Mrs. Beckworth is feeling when she gets home, but there shouldn’t be a problem working out your meetings, Grace. Certainly, they are a priority.”

  “Don’t forget that Miss Dovey offered to help some. Maybe she could come over and sit while you go,” Patrice said.

  I ’bout busted out laughing. “That’ll make Miss Ora wanna get well, won’t it?”

  We all got tickled then.

  “Any port in a storm.” Aunt Tressa had her mouth all tight like it was all she could do not to laugh. She all dignified most of the time. I’d give a lot to see her cut loose jus’ once.”

  We got as much settled as we could not knowing when Miss Ora would be coming home, then we jus’ sat around and talked like old times ’til the kids come down hungry and squabblin’ over who had the most points on some game I ain’t never heard of. Patrice ordered pizzas and the kids went out back with me to help me deadhead the tea roses and water the garden while it was still light and halfway cool outside. I planted tomatoes out there last month and they comin’ in good now.

  I’ve never been good at bein’ patient. I think that’s part of bein’ an addict. You want what you want when you want it. But I’m not in control of when I get my children, so I’m gonna do what Kamilah say and just try to prove I can do it.

  46 – Patrice

  We moved Miss Ora to a facility close to town so Grace can walk down to visit when she wants to. It would be easier for everyone if Grace had a car, but I don’t think any of us are ready for that kind of freedom. Still, it would take some pressure off my schedule if she could manage some of the things that require transportation.

  I met with Rebecca again last night. She had looked into the discrepancy with the police report. No wonder Horace Lindsey looked so upset when the knife appeared to be omitted from the report. The knife was there, on the ground beside Skipper’s body. It had been marked, photographed and noted in his report to the crime scene investigation team.

  Rebecca pulled out her notebook but didn’t open it. “Mr. Lindsey is pretty sure Ralph Kornegay is the one who stripped the report of any mention of the knife. He said he asked him about a fingerprint report on the knife and said the chief was evasive at first, then admitted the fingerprints hadn’t matched Eddie’s. When Lindsey asked another question, Kornegay exploded. Lindsey figured it was just the emotional stress of losing his only son, so he backed off.”

  “Wow, that’s…that’s big.”

  “Mr. Lindsey is cooperating with the investigation. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want his own record tainted. He’s going to do some searching in the old records, if he can get access, and see if he can turn up a report on the fingerprints. Otherwise, there is little to go on, other than the inconsistency in the reports. There may be DNA evidence on Skipper’s clothing, but it’s the state attorney’s call whether to have them tested or not. I can put pressure on him for the story, but no guarantee he’ll comply.”

  “Have you spoken with Barry Garrett yet?”

  “Uh, briefly. He doesn’t have much to say. Just told me to let him know if I uncovered anything that might be of interest to him. He gave me a copy of Miss Ora’s confession, though. The story she dictated to…oh…what was her name? Claire…Clara…”

  “Clara Jean Smallwood.”

  “That’s the one.”

  “Yeah, I haven’t read it yet,” I said.

  “You should,” Rebecca nodded, her eyebrows raised and chin tucked down a bit. “It’s an interesting read.”

  I frowned. I was surprised he just handed the document over to her like that.

  “Mrs. Beckworth says she confronted Ralph Kornegay. She basically threatened to expose the chief’s son as a rapist if he interfered in any way.”

  “Interfered in what?”

  “Mr. Mims’ confession. He intended to enter a guilty plea.”

  “I do remember that. My mother was heartbroken.” I sighed and shook my head at the memory.

  “Mrs. Beckworth told the chief if anything else happened to Mr. Mims…if he was harmed in any way, or treated badly in prison, she’d expose the whole thing, even if she went to jail herself.”

  Rebecca was like that. If anything got too personal, she just acted like you hadn’t said a word. I was sitting there trying to think of what to say when she spoke again.

  “Do you think she’d have done that?” she asked.

  “Done what?”

  “Gone to jail if anything else happened to Eddie.” Rebecca’s face was all pinched up and she was tapping the eraser end of her pencil on the outside of her leather notebook.

  “I don’t know, but you can certainly ask her.”

  “I could,” she said, “bu
t I’m asking you. I want to know what kind of woman she is, if she would let an innocent man go to jail to save her ass?”

  I’m not sure I’ve thought of it that way. “My understanding was that she was simply following my mother’s wishes.”

  Rebecca looked at me like I had two heads. “Your mother didn’t know about Marcus.”

  “Well, yeah, but I’m referring to what set the whole thing in motion. Grace was raped. Mama didn’t report it. If that hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t be sitting here today.”

  “But we are sitting here,” Rebecca said reasonably. “And it’s partly because Ora Lee Beckworth manipulated a lot of people in this town.”

  “I honestly think she meant well,” I clamped my hand over my mouth.

  “Maybe so. I’m not sure it turned out all that well, though.”

  “Clearly not,” I said. “But how would you have handled it? I mean, knowing what you know now. Hindsight being what it is.”

  “I don’t need hindsight,” she snapped. “I know what I’d do every single time. I’ve always known.”

  I sat up straight then, and I looked her dead in the eye. “And you’ve always been white,” I said.

  “So is Ora.” Rebecca sneered like she’d caught me in some kind of lie.

  I willed myself calm. I paused a minute and weighed my words.

  “I hope this isn’t the tack you’re taking on this story. My family and I do not blame Miss Ora in any way, and neither did my mother.”

  “Did your mother know the truth? The whole truth?”

  She had me there, and she knew it.

  47 – Grace

  I went to see Miss Ora today. They moved her into the nursing home yesterday. I don’t know what I was expecting. The way they were talking, I thought it was just a place where people went to get well, but it’s all mixed in with people who just layin’ there dyin’ with nobody to take care of ’em. I know Miss Ora thought the same thing, ’cause when I went in her room, she looked scared half to death.

  She reached for me the second I went up to her bed.