Stolen Lives

by Joy Redmond

  Todd came over that Saturday night but things were very uncomfortable for them both. He came back a few more Saturday nights, then he started seeing another girl. A few more boys asked Ali for a date but they had to come to the house and Aunt July laid down the rules.

  They could sit side-by-side on the couch, as long as their bodies didn’t touch—and that meant no handholding. Aunt July stipulated what programs were appropriate and she stuck her head through the door every thirty minutes to make sure her rules were being obeyed. Mr. Puss wasn’t happy about Ali’s boyfriends and he made sure that he was between them. After one date with Ali, the boys never asked for a second one. Aunt July and Mr. Puss were more than they seemed to be able to contend with.

  * * *

  Ali entered her junior year of high school and the dating rules stayed the same, but Aunt July did allow Ali to spend Saturdays with Toots. Nancy still collected clothes for Ali and she would change into peddle-pushers and pullover tops. Sometimes she wore shorts and halter tops. She painted her toenails bright red, applied makeup, and she strutted like a peacock when she and Toots went uptown to the Dairy Queen. The young boys went ga-ga and the girls were green with envy. Ali was frequently questioned about how she dressed when she came to school and how she dressed on Saturdays. And she was asked why she was never out driving around with friends on Sunday.

  Ali flatly stated, “Because I have a crazy old aunt whom I have to live with and it’s her rules.”

  Some of the kids expressed their sympathy and some merely laughed at her.

  Another school year slowly passed.

  * * *

  Ali celebrated her seventeenth birthday as she had all the rest; cake and ice cream with Toots, Mr. Puss and Aunt July. She didn’t get a present from Aunt July, but she and Toots had a great day planned as soon as school was out the coming week, and it would be the greatest present to Ali. Toots had already gotten her driver’s license and she had kept the driver’s manual for Ali. Ali had studied it thoroughly and she was sure she would pass the written test. The problem was getting away from Aunt July on a Tuesday, which was the only day the test was given.

  Luck was with her. Aunt July started going to quilting bees at Sister Bertha’s house. Ali was supposed to stay home and do gardening while Aunt July was gone. The following Tuesday, Sister Bertha picked up Aunt July earlier than usual. As soon as they were out of sight, Ali called Toots. “Come get me. I’ve got to take the test and get back home and get the gardening done before the crazy old bat comes back.”

  “I’m on my way,” Toots said.

  Toots drove Ali to the courthouse. She took the written test, aced it, and got her permit to drive. After that day, Toots picked her up every Tuesday while Aunt July was at the quilting bee, and Ali drove around town, then they went out on the busy highway. Ali seemed to be a natural at the wheel. “I’m going to ace the driving test too. The only problem is, I can only take it on Thursday. I have no idea how I’m going to get away from Aunt July.”

  “We’ll put our heads together and come up with a plan,” Toots said.

  One afternoon, Todd called and asked Ali if she could go to the pavilion with him. Ali was so excited. All the high school kids spent the summer nights at the pavilion, the most popular hangout. I’ll have Todd stop at Toots’ house and I’ll change into pedal-pushers and matching top. I’ll be the prettiest girl there, she thought.

  She hung up the phone and headed to the sewing room where she found Aunt July. “Todd just called and asked me out tonight. I know it’s not Saturday, but I don’t have school tomorrow and I thought it would be alright to accept. I know one date a week is all I’m allowed but since I haven’t had a date in months and I’m seventeen, I was hoping I could go out on dates now. We want to go to the pavilion.”

  “You will never be allowed to go to the pavilion! It’s nothing but a honky-tonk. I’ve seen it. I know what it is.”

  “Honky-tonk! It’s an open building. No doors, no windows, just a floor with posts holding up a roof.”

  “Open or closed, it’s the same thing. There’s a jukebox and dancing. And there’s probably drinking. I know how kids your age like to sneak a bottle into places. You can go to an indoor movie house and that’s it. If I ever hear of you going to a drive-in theater, I’ll skin you alive. I know all about what goes on there too.”

  “I hate you! I’ll hate you till the day I die!”

  Mr. Puss arched his back and hissed.

  “Hate me all you like, and that goes for Mr. Puss too. Someday you’ll know it’s for your own good. Someday you’ll be a mother and you’ll understand. Now go on, I’ve got work to do,” Aunt July said, waving her hand in the air as if she were shooing a fly.

  Ali ran outside, sat on the ground under the redbud tree, and burst into tears. She looked upward. “Mama Jane, I can’t take anymore. Sometimes I feel like killing myself so I can just come and live with you. But I know that’s not the right thing to do. I’ve got a lot of good years ahead of me, once I get away from Aunt July. Just stay with me and guide me.”

  Mr. Puss meowed as if he were assuring Ali that life would get better.

  Chapter Fifteen

  One Tuesday, Ali came home from driving out in the county with Toots and she was confident that she was one of the best drivers on the road. Only one more week and she would be eligible to take her test and get her license. But how was she going to get away from Aunt July?”

  Ali was outside in the garden, hoeing as fast as she could when Aunt July came home from the quilting bee. Ali looked up at her and wiped sweat from her brow. Aunt July had a worried look in her eyes. “Ali, I need to talk to you about something. Come on in the house with me.”

  Ali propped the hoe beside the back of the garage, wiped sweat, and braced herself for a tongue lashing and probably being grounded from spending Saturdays with Toots. Aunt July had found out about the driving, Ali was sure.

  She walked into the kitchen where she found Aunt July sitting at the table drinking a glass of water. The look in her eyes was grave as she motioned to a chair and said, “Sit down.”

  Ali swallowed hard and took her seat.

  Mr. Puss crawled under Ali’s chair as if he were ready for the bomb to drop too.

  Aunt July cleared her throat as if she was about to choke. She finally managed to say, “I found a lump in my breast about a month ago. I didn’t think much of it and I’ve been praying about it but it’s gotten bigger and I finally talked to Sister Bea and Sister Bertha about it today. I actually showed it to them and you know how modest I am, but I was kind of worried about it after all this time.”

  Ali’s eye widened. “What do you think it is?”

  “I don’t know, but the Sisters think I need to go to a doctor. Now you know I don’t believe in doctors and I’ve never been to one in my life.” She took a deep breath and continued. “And the church doesn’t believe in doctors either—we pray our way back to good health. Me nor the Sisters want to go against the church but we all agree that this is something that can’t be taken lightly. So I agreed to go see a doctor that Sister Bea knows. She’s going to take me this Thursday—” Tears welled and Aunt July didn’t seem to be able to finish her sentence.

  Ali felt fear in her heart too, but she couldn’t hold back her happiness about her aunt being at the doctor’s office on Thursday. She could take her driving test. “I sure hope everything is okay. Maybe it’s just one of them things they call a cyst. They usually go away or they can be removed and—”

  Aunt July reached over and took Ali’s hand. “That’s what I’m hoping for too. So we’ll just pray and believe that it’s nothing to worry about and I’ll be fine.”

  “I surely will pray for you, Aunt July,” Ali said, and she had never seen her aunt look so sad, not even when Grandma and Grandpa died.

  Ali had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. What if Aunt July died? Where would she go? She knew the state wouldn’t allow her to live on her own since she was only
17. She knew Nancy couldn’t take her in because there was just barely enough room for her own family. What if she was made a ward of the state? She wouldn’t be allowed to take Mr. Puss. She was going to pray her heart out for Aunt July.

  It was then that Ali noticed that her aunt had lost weight. Aunt July had always worn loose fitting dresses but her dress seemed to be looser. “It looks like you’ve lost weight.”

  Aunt July stood and pulled on her dress. “Yes, I think I have. I don’t rightly understand it. I still eat like a pig but my clothes seem to be hanging on me nowadays.”

  Ali also noticed that her aunt looked a bit pale. Why don’t you go lay down and take a little nap? I’ll fix us a nice supper. You did teach me how to be a good cook.”

  “Did you get all the hoeing done? I don’t really feel like getting out in the hot sun today.”

  “I’ve got most of it done. I’ll get it finished in time to start cooking. Now, you go take a nap and leave things to me. You taught me how to be self-sufficient, you know,” Ali said with a smile.

  * * *

  Thursday afternoon, Sister Bea picked up Aunt July for her doctor appointment.

  Ali waited for the car to disappear around the block before she took off running to Toots’ house.

  Toots was waiting on the front porch. “I see you made it. I was wondering if you’d pull it off.”

  “I hope I have time to take the test and get back home before Aunt July does. She went to the doctor and I don’t know how long that takes since I’ve never been to one. We’ve only got ten minutes to get to the courthouse. They start giving the driving tests at two o’clock. I want to be the first in line.”

  “Get in the car. We’re off!” Toots said.

  They got to the courthouse and found a parking space a block away. They hurried on their way, entered the courthouse, and took the steps two at a time until they reached the second floor. They went to the room where people signed in and waited for Ali’s name to be called to take the driving test. Ali was the second person called. She proudly walked outside with the State Trooper and slid under the steering wheel. She remembered all the things the manual said to check before she started the car.

  The Trooper told her to start the engine. Then he gave her instructions on what to do first. Ali was nervous but she felt confident. Finally, the test was over and they headed back to the courthouse. Ali parked the car. The Trooper handed her a piece of paper and said, “Take this to the clerk, pay your fee and collect your license, young lady.”

  Ali almost ripped the paper from his hands. “I passed! Thank you.” She had the urge to hug the Trooper but she didn’t think it would be appropriate. The Trooper smiled, got out of the car and headed toward the courthouse.

  Ali jumped out of the car and saw Toots waiting outside. She ran toward Toots, waving the paper and yelling, “I passed. Come on let’s get my license and get me home.”

  They hurried inside the court house and on to the county clerk’s office. Ali waited in line until the two people in front of them had completed their business, then Ali handed the clerk the paper.

  The clerk smiled, then pointed to a chair with a curtain behind it and told Ali to have a seat. Ali sat, pushed her hair behind her ears and smiled. The clerk snapped a picture. “Have a seat over there,” the clerk said. “I’ll call you when I get your license fixed.”

  Ali and Toots sat down. Ali tapped her feet, hoping it wouldn’t take long. Hoping she’d make it home before her aunt. Before long, Ali’s name was called. She collected her license, paid her fee, and she and Toots ran for the door. “Let me drive to your house, Toots. Then I’ll run home and if I don’t make it in time, well, I’ll think of something.”

  Toots pitched Ali the keys and she caught them in mid-air.

  Ali parked in front of Toots’ house. She stepped out of the car, pulled her license out of her purse, kissed it and said, “Someday I’ll own a car. Someday I’ll travel all over the United States. I want to see all there is to this beautiful country. I’ll stop in a few towns along the way, find some odd jobs, make a few dollars, then take off. Eventually, I’ll settle down in a place that has a beach. I’ll bask in the sun every day and think of Mama Jane. Living near a beach was her dream and I’m going to fulfill it for her. Someday.” Ali gazed toward the heavens as if she thought Mama Jane would show her a sign, letting her know that she was rooting for her and they would bask in the sun together.

  “That all sounds well and good, Ali, but you better hurry on. I’ll see you when I can.”

  “Oh yeah. I got a little carried away there. I’m just so happy and proud that I’ve reached another milestone in life.” She gave Toots a peck on the cheek, thanked her again, then took off running toward Plum Street.

  Ali slowed her pace as she headed toward the front porch. She didn’t hear a sound when she opened the front door. Mr. Puss came running toward her. She picked him up. “So, we’re home alone, huh? That’s good. I’ve got time to change my clothes before the Big Bad Wolf gets home. I got my driver’s license today. We’ll be taking long trips in a couple of years. You just hang with me, big boy.” Ali kissed him and dropped him to the floor. She hurried off to her bedroom, changed clothes, and just as she came back into the living room she looked out the front picture window and saw Sister Bea leading Aunt July toward the house. Aunt July looked a bit unsteady.

  Ali hurried for the front door and opened it. “Do you need some help?”

  “I’ve got her. She’s just a little weak but she’s fine,” Sister Bea answered.

  Aunt July headed for the couch. She stretched out and asked Ali for a glass of water. Ali quickly filled a water glass and hurried back to her aunt’s side. “What did the doctor say?”

  Aunt July took a few sips of water. “He sent me over to the hospital and they did what they called a biopsy. They numbed me up and cut out some tissue. That’s supposed to tell the doctor what the lump is all about. I’ll get the results in about three days. That shot they gave me after they cut on me sure has got me feeling funny. My head is a bit swimmy and I’ve got the urge to giggle. Strange stuff if you ask me.”

  Ali saw a look in her aunt’s eyes that reminded her of Mama Jane’s eyes after she had taken a few nips before she got mean drunk. She almost giggled. Aunt July had no idea that she was drunk.

  Sister Bea handed Ali a bottle of pills. “She’s supposed to take one when she hurts.”

  Ali took the bottle of pills. “I’ll see that she gets one when she needs it. Thank you for taking her to the doctor and staying with her while they did the biopsy. I’ll take care of her now. You just go on home and if we need you, we’ll call.”

  “You’re both welcome. It was my Christian duty and I’m glad I was able to be with her. And you be sure to call and let me know how she’s doing even if you don’t need anything. I won’t call because she might be resting and I don’t want to disturb her.”

  “I sure will, Sister Bea. And thanks again.”

  Aunt July said, “Thanks, Sister. You’re a good friend and a good Christian woman.”

  For the next three days, Aunt July didn’t feel like doing anything. She mostly lay in bed and read her Bible. A few times she sat on the couch and turned on the TV. Ali was shocked when her aunt sat through a whole hour of Lawrence Welk. She said nothing about the dancing and she seemed to enjoy the Lennon Sisters, who were wearing short dresses and makeup. She also bobbed her head as if she was trying to keep up with the bouncing bubbles. “That man sure can play an accordion,” she said.

  Ali had no idea what kind of medication her aunt was on, but she hoped there was plenty of it.

  Three days later the doctor called. Ali watched Aunt July, trying to read her facial expressions. Aunt July just held the phone as if she was closely listening, then merely said, “Thank you,” and hung up. She turned toward Ali. “The biopsy said I have cancer and the doctor says he has to take my left breast off.”

  Ali felt the blood drain from her face. “I’
m so sorry, Aunt July. I know you must be scared to death.”

  “No, I’m not scared. I know I’m in God’s hands. I’ll agree to have the surgery, then all the church brothers and sisters will have special prayer for me and I’ll be healed. And come to think of it, what do I care if I have one breast gone? It’s not like I have a husband. It’s not like anybody will miss it—not even me,” Aunt July calmly said. “Honey, would you bring me one of them pills. They really seem to make me feel better.”

  Terror ran through Ali’s body. If her aunt had cancer, she might die. If she died, what would happen to her and Mr. Puss? Her heart was sad and she wanted to hug Aunt July and tell her that she too believed that God would heal her. But it would have been a lie. She didn’t think cancer could be prayed away.

  “When are you going to have the surgery?”

  “I’m on the schedule for next Thursday.”

  “I’ll be there with you, Aunt July. I’ll pray very hard for you.”

  “Thank you, honey. Now where’s my pill.”

  “Coming right up,” Ali said.

  The night before Aunt July had her surgery, she lay in bed and Ali sat beside her. “I’m a little nervous, honey. I’ve never been to a hospital except to visit the sick. I guess I never though I’d ever be a patient. We’re gonna pray very hard tonight and believe the surgery is gonna get all the cancer and I’ll live another twenty years.”

  “Me and Mr. Puss will pray extra hard for you. And I’m sure the doctor will give you plenty of pills. Now, I’ll go get you one and you’ll sleep good, and before you know it morning will be here, Sister Bea will pick us up, and we’ll be right there until the surgery is over. And in the morning if you’re still nervous, just take another pill and you’ll calm right down. You probably won’t even care when they wheel you to the operating room.”