Stolen Lives

by Joy Redmond

  Aunt July grunted and Ali didn’t know if she was agreeing or if she was dreaming. She tiptoed out of the room, hoping with all her heart that her aunt would stay asleep. “Mr. Puss,” she whispered. “Would you mind to sleep with her tonight? Purr and keep her asleep like you used to do for me when Mama Jane was on a rampage.”

  Mr. Puss softly meowed and jumped up on the bed, curled up on Aunt July’s pillow, and began to purr. Ali thought it sounded as if he were purring a lullaby. She tenderly patted his head and whispered, “Thank you. I wouldn’t have ever made it this far in life if it hadn’t been for you. I love you, old boy, and I’ll miss you tonight, but I really need you to keep her asleep.”

  Mr. Puss continued to purr as if he were making sure he didn’t break rhythm and break the spell he had cast on Aunt July. Ali tiptoed out of the room. She sat on the edge of the bed, tears stinging her eyes and she whispered, “Dear Mr. God. Help us make it through the night. Please keep her asleep and please help me make an A on my test tomorrow. Thank you for listening. Yours truly, Ali Monroe.”

  The next morning, Aunt July wasn’t able to get out of bed. Ali was frantic. She had to get to school. She had to take her test, but she couldn’t leave her aunt. What was she to do? Then she eyed the phone. She dialed Sister Bea and explained the situation and asked if she could please hurry over and stay until school let out. Sister Bea didn’t seem happy about it, but she agreed.

  Ali hung up, ate a piece of toast and got dressed. She stuck her head into Aunt July’s bedroom. “Sister Bea is on her way over. I’m off to school.”

  “Why did you call Sister Bea? You have no shame in you at all. I don’t need her. I can—”

  Before Aunt July had finished her sentence, Ali was out the front door, running to Toots’ house, hoping Nancy had cooked extra bacon. Dear Mr. God. Help me survive all this.

  As soon as Ali got home from school, she called Dr. Tully’s office and demanded to speak with him. The receptionist put her through to the nurse who said that Dr. Tully was at the hospital making rounds but she would get a message to him and he would call her back.

  “Call me back?” Ali cried as she dropped the receiver into the cradle. “When? After she drives me completely crazy?”

  Sister Bea came into the living room. “Ali, she’s getting worse and you can’t do this all by yourself. The church sisters will take turns coming over in the mornings and staying until you come home from school. She refuses to go back to the doctor and I really believe the cancer has come back. But we’ll pray and maybe God will heal her. That’s all we can do.”

  “Thank you, Sister Bea. I can really use the help. Just six more weeks and school will be out. Then I’ll take full charge like I’ve done the past two summers. I’m waiting on a call from the doctor. Maybe he can do something for her.”

  “Well, I don’t put too much faith in doctors. I think it’s in God’s hands now.”

  “Do you think you or Sister Bertha could come tomorrow? It’s Saturday and I really need a break. I like to go visit my friend for a few hours.”

  “I think that can be arranged. You do need a break, child. This has been very hard on you.”

  “Thank you so much. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Sister Bea left and Ali sat by the phone. Two hours passed. No call.

  Aunt July woke up and called for Ali. Ali hurried to her bedside. “Did Nancy send any more of those vitamins? I sure could use some.”

  “No, she said she was out and she might not be able to get anymore. She said she didn’t think they were good for you.”

  Aunt July looked as if fire was going to shoot from her eyes. “Why that know-it-all bitch!”

  Ali sucked in a breath so hard she almost choked. She finally managed to say, “Aunt July. Shame on you!”

  “Don’t you be shaming me, girl. She’s just an old dog bitch!”

  “She’s one of the best women I know and I won’t stand for you calling her names,” Ali said as she perched her hands on her hips. “She’s been better to me than you ever have. I want you to know how I feel about that!”

  “And you’re a trampy, dog bitch! I’m ashamed to call you my niece. You’ve done nothing but drag the Monroe name through mud since you were thirteen and carrying on with that school teacher. I’m sorry I even took you in. Now, get out of my sight. I can’t stand to look evil in the face!”

  “You’ve got it old lady. I’ll be getting out of your sight for now. But you haven’t seen evil yet. That I promise.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Ali ran to her bedroom, picked up Mr. Puss and sat on the bedside. “Did you hear what she called me? It wasn’t the vodka talking because I took that away from her. It wasn’t the pain pills talking because she doesn’t have any. She’s just being her old mean self. So, I’m a trampy bitch dog? Well, then I don’t want to disappoint her. I’ll see if I can live up to my name—”

  Before Ali could finish her sentence, she heard a knock on the front door. “I guess that’s some church people wanting to pray Aunt July back to health. I wonder if they think they can pray her back to life when she dies.”

  Ali slowly made her way to the door and opened it. A strange man holding a black bag was standing in front of her. He took off his hat and said, “I’m Dr. Tully. I got a call saying it was an emergency.”

  “Oh, Dr. Tully. Come in,” Ali said as she opened the door wide and stood aside as the doctor stepped in. “May I take your hat and coat?”

  Dr. Tully slipped out of his overcoat and handed it and his hat to Ali. “Thank you, and who might you be?’ he asked kindly.

  “I’m Ali, Miss Monroe’s niece. I’m the one who called. My aunt is in terrible pain and she’s getting out of control. I just wanted you to call her in a prescription for some pain pills. I didn’t mean that it was an emergency and you needed to come. However, I’m glad you’re here. Follow me please.”

  Dr. Tully followed Ali into Aunt July’s bedroom, where they found her asleep. Dr. Tully eased himself down on the bed beside her, picked up her hand and softly said, “Miss Monroe. Can you wake up for me?”

  Aunt July opened her eyes, gasped and yelled, “Get off my bed! You look old enough to know better than to come into a lady’s bedroom. Get!” she yelled as she pushed him.

  Dr. Tully stood, and then bent over her. “I’m a doctor and I’ve sat on many bedsides of my patients. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m here to help you. Your niece tells me you are having a lot of pain.”

  Aunt July blinked her eyes. “Oh, I didn’t recognize you. I’m sorry. I get confused a lot lately. And yes, I’m in terrible pain. I think that cancer has come back. But I’m telling you right now there will be no more cutting on me, and I don’t want to hear about that chemo stuff, I just want you to give me some more of those pills so I can die in peace.”

  “I understand. And I think you’re right about the cancer. I think it has come back and I think it has spread to others parts of your body. So surgery or chemo won’t help you. I do have something that will help with the pain.” He opened his black bag and pulled out a big bottle of creamy looking liquid. “This is an old time medicine, seldom used nowadays, but I’m an old doctor and I happen to think it works better than the new stuff. It’s call Laudanum.”

  “Please give me some,” Aunt July said.

  Ali hurried off to the kitchen, grabbed a teaspoon, came back into the bedroom, and held it out to Dr. Tully. Ali was still seething from being called names by her aunt, but she did hope the medicine worked. Mostly she hoped it would put her aunt to sleep and maybe she wouldn’t wake up again. If the doctor thought the cancer had come back and spread to other parts, then Ali thought it would be humane for her aunt to die in her sleep.

  Ali watched as Dr. Tully filled the teaspoon four times and Aunt July took it as if it tasted like honey. “I sure hope it works fast,” Aunt July said.

  Ali wanted to feel sorry for her aunt but her anger was stopping any sympathy at that moment. “Dr. Tu
lly. How much do I give her and how often?”

  “I just gave her a double dose, but the way I see it, there are no directions at a time like this. Give it to her when she needs it and as much as it takes to keep her comfortable. When she runs out, I’ll bring her more. This isn’t something that I can write a prescription for.”

  Aunt July closed her eyes and deeply sighed as if she was thankful for fast relief.

  Dr. Tully and Ali stepped out of the bedroom and walked back into the living room. “I don’t mean to sound harsh or uncaring, but she doesn’t have a chance in getting well. She might last a few months or just a few weeks. But I’ve done all I can for her. That stuff is opium, the strongest thing there is for pain. It does have side effects and everybody reacts differently, so she could act strange and say some strange things. Good luck, girl. This is a lot to lay on your young shoulders. You call if you need me,” he said, patting Ali on the back. Then he slipped on his overcoat, carried his hat, and went on his way.

  When Dr. Tully headed out the door, Ali picked up Mr. Puss. “Act strange? Say strange things? That’s nothing I’m not used to. She’s been strange all her life,” Ali whispered to Mr. Puss. “And if the church sisters take the opium away from her, well, they haven’t seen what a bitch dog I can be. And tomorrow, I’m going to start living. My way!”

  Ali walked back into Aunt July’s bedroom and found her sound asleep. She pulled a light weight blanket around her aunt and left the room.

  She went into her bedroom, pulled out her journal that she hadn’t made an entry in, in a long time, then sat in the middle of her bed and began reading from the first page. She giggled at most of her ramblings which had been written when she was angry with Aunt July. “Not much has changed. She can still get my dander up faster than anybody on earth, except for Grandpa and Grandma. But poor Grandma was never allowed to be her true self.” Ali felt her feelings toward her grandmother softening. As for Aunt July, her emotions with her were still as they always had been— on a seesaw.

  She chewed on the end of her pen for a few minutes after she had read to the end, but nothing seemed worth writing about and she decided to turn in. Within minutes, she was in a sound sleep.

  Ali awoke when she heard a knock on the front door. She looked at the clock on her bedside table. “It’s only six-thirty in the morning. What’s going on?” she asked as she got out of bed and slipped on her robe. She went to the front door where she found Sister Bea and Sister Bertha, ready for duty.

  “Well, I wasn’t expecting you this early, but come on in. Aunt July is still asleep but I’m sure she’ll be awake soon. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll get dressed and be on my way. Thanks for coming and giving me a break.”

  “What does Sister July like for her breakfast?” Sister Bertha asked.

  “I have no idea what she’ll want today. Some days nothing. Some days she likes eggs and toast. I’m sure she’ll tell you when she wakes up. The doctor brought her some medicine last night. When she asks for it, give it to her. And give her as much as she wants and as often as she wants.”

  “Did he bring her any of that stuff that’s going to turn her into a drug addict?” Sister Bea asked.

  “The bottle doesn’t have a label on it. And not to be rude, but what difference does it make? She’s dying!”

  “We’re praying for her and she’s not going to die, young lady. And we’ll make sure she doesn’t become an addict. It’s our Christian duty. Where is the medicine?” Sister Bertha asked.

  “It’s on her bedside table. And if you really want to do your Christian duty, you’ll see that she doesn’t suffer. I think the doctor might know a little more than you two do. So you just pray all you want to as long as you give her the medicine.”

  Sister Bea and Sister Bertha marched past Ali and headed toward Aunt July’s bedroom.

  Ali hurried into the bathroom where she could hear the sisters talking. “I’ve never see this stuff and it doesn’t even have much of a smell. It seems kind of strange that the bottle doesn’t have a label on it but I guess if the doctor said to give it to her, then I guess we should. I don’t want to see her suffer,” Sister Bea said.

  “I reckon we should go by the doctor’s orders,” Sister Bertha said. “But Ali didn’t have to be so smart-alecky. However, she’s always been too much like her mother. Sister July has done her best with that child and she took on more than I ever would have. Some people are just born wicked and I guess they stay wicked.”

  “Amen to that,” Sister Bea answered.

  Ali seethed. Oh, you haven’t seen wicked yet.

  Ali took a quick bath, dressed, pulled her hair into a ponytail, told Mr. Puss goodbye, and headed out the door. Then she ran to Toots’ house. Her heart hadn’t beaten so fast since the day she learned that Jane was her mother and that she had grandparents who were coming to get her.

  Ali knocked on the front door, hoping Nancy was up and getting ready for work.

  To Ali’s surprise, Toots answered the door. “Hey, you managed to get away. Good. I’ve got a big day planned if you have a few hours.”

  “I’ve got all day, but I’ve got this day planned for myself. Is Nancy up?”

  “She’s in the kitchen. What are you gonna do? Can I do it with you? Mama said I only had to work at the beauty shop for about an hour, then I’ve got the rest of the day.”

  Ali didn’t answer Toots. She hurried into the kitchen where she found Nancy frying bacon and drinking a cup of coffee. “Well, morning, Ali. Would you like to have some coffee while you wait for breakfast?” Nancy said.

  “I think I will have a cup. I’ve never had coffee before. It’s the devil’s spit, you know, but I’ll give it a try.” Ali poured a cup of coffee. She blew on it for a few minutes and then she took a sip. “Wow. This stuff is bitter.”

  Nancy laughed. “Coffee is something you have to acquire a taste for. Put some cream and sugar in it. I like mine black but when I first started drinking it, I’d load it with cream and sugar. You know where things are, help yourself. I’ll have breakfast ready in a minute. Are you hungry?”

  “I’m always hungry for one of your breakfasts.” Ali poured cream into her coffee cup, dumped in two teaspoons of sugar, stirred, and took another sip. “Much better. And I’m always hungry for bacon. And I so enjoy eating with a family. It makes the food taste better.”

  “Then you better fill your plate before Frank, Rick and Toots get in here,” Nancy said with a laugh.

  Ali sat at the table with Toots’ family and it made her feel warm and fuzzy. The coffee tasted better with each sip, and she poured a second cup.

  As she helped Nancy clear off the table, she said, “Nancy, are you booked up for the day?”

  “I think I can squeeze you in. Do you want your ends trimmed? I think your bangs need another trim too.”

  “I want it all cut off. I’m tired of carrying around ten pounds of hair.”

  “All cut off? Are you trying to get both of us shot?”

  “I don’t think Aunt July is in any condition to shoot anybody. And since she seems hell bent on calling me a tramp, I think I need to play the part. I want it cut to just above my shoulders. Then blow it straight and use the hot iron and smooth it out. I don’t want bangs. I’m going to wear it parted down the middle. That’s how Mama Jane wore hers and I think I’ll give her style a try.”

  Nancy shook her head. “It’s your funeral,” she said.

  “No, it’ll soon be Aunt July’s funeral.”

  “I’m sorry, honey. That was a bad choice of words. I meant no disrespect for your aunt. Is she getting sicker?”

  “She dying. The doctor said maybe a few months, maybe a few weeks. And I can’t say that I’m sorry. I mean I’m sorry that she’s suffering, but she’s hurt my feelings for the last time. She’s called me a bastard for the last time. She’s done all she’s gonna do to me for the last time. I mean it!”

  Toots came back into the kitchen. “I’m ready. Ali, don’t you want to chan
ge clothes before we head out?”

  “I’ll slip on a pair of jeans. I’ll wear the blouse I’ve got on and just let the tail hang out.”

  By the time Ali had pulled on a pair of jeans and used the bathroom, Nancy and Toots were ready to go.

  Ali’s heart pounded like thunder during the drive to the beauty shop and she hoped she didn’t have to wait long before Nancy got around to cutting her long mop off.

  Nancy unlocked and opened the door and flipped on the fluorescent lights. “How about I do you first, Ali? My first appointment won’t be here for an hour. Toots will get out all the supplies and have things ready before Mrs. Jones gets here. Come on, girl, let’s get to it.”

  Ali held her breath as Nancy held a long strand of hair and made the first cut. She glanced down as her hair hit the floor. “Keep it going, Nancy. I want to see the floor piled with hair by the time you get all around my head.”

  “There will be enough to stuff a mattress by the time I’m finished,” Nancy said, then looked at Toots. “Get the broom. You’ll have to sweep fast. Then put it all in a bag for Ali to keep as a souvenir. I’ve still got a little bag full of your hair when I gave you your first haircut.”

  Finally, the cut, shampoo, blow dry, and hot iron smoothing was done. Nancy spun the chair around. “Dear Lord! I see Jane Monroe staring back at me. Oh, my, Ali. You’re so beautiful!”

  Ali could only stare. Her eyes stung and she thought she was seeing Mama Jane again after almost eight years. “I can’t believe my eyes. I am pretty. I had no idea. I love it, Nancy,” Ali said as she ran her hands through her hair. “Could you do one more thing? Use the hot iron and turn the ends under. That’s how Mama Jane fixed hers. She called it a pageboy, I think.”

  “That’s what that style is called. I can do that. Hold still, it’ll only take a minute.”