Stolen Lives

by Joy Redmond

  “I’ll drive you home.”

  Ali smiled and said, “I think I need to walk. I’ve spent a few hours in the car and I need to stretch my legs. Thanks anyway—and the car is gassed-up. Come over and see me tomorrow after you get off work.”

  “Will do,” Toots answered, and waved as Ali and Mr. Puss headed down the sidewalk.

  The next day, Ali walked to a hardware store and bought a For Sale sign. When she got home she found four nails and a hammer. She went outside and started nailing the sign to the large oak tree in the front yard. Just as she had put the last nail in she heard a loud scratching of tires, as if somebody was braking to keep from hitting a child who was chasing a ball across the street.

  She turned her head in the direction of the noise. She watched as a lady walked around the car and headed in her direction. She had a cigarette dangling from her mouth and Ali thought she was a combination of Dolly Parton and Mama Jane.

  “Hey, honey. Are you puttin’ that house up for sale?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Oh, my goodness. I’ve been wantin’ this house for years. I stopped by one day and asked your mama if she’d we willin’ to sell.” She dropped the cigarette and ground it with the toe of her high heel shoe. “Well, your mama didn’t make any bones about it; she didn’t like the looks of me at all and—”

  Ali interrupted. “She was my aunt. And she passed away.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry, honey. I didn’t mean no disrespect.”

  “It’s fine.”

  “Is it okay if I take a peek inside? I love that big lot behind the house too. I can fence it in and turn my dogs loose. I’ve got six of them, you know. They’re my kids.”

  No, I didn’t know but I don’t care if you put horses out back. I just want to sell this house, Ali thought. “Come on in.”

  “Oh, my name is Myrtle Mae. What’s your name, honey?”

  “I’m sorry. My name is Ali Monroe. Nice to meet you, Myrtle Mae.”

  Myrtle Mae was high stepping and passed Ali before they reached the front porch. “Oh, I love this big porch. And the lawn furniture is perfect. I can’t wait to see the rest of it.”

  Ali opened the door, stood aside, and Myrtle Mae hurried inside. She stood as if she had been hit with a stun gun. Her eyes darted around the living room. “Oh, my. Beautiful furniture. It’s antique, ain’t it?”

  “Everything in this house is antique. Come on, I’ll show you the rest.”

  Myrtle Mae followed Ali as if she were an excited puppy and Ali thought she heard her panting as they went from the living room and into the kitchen. Mr. Puss was sitting by his bowl as if he were wondering if Ali was going to feed him.

  “Oh, goodness. It’s a cat. I don’t like cats. Sorry, honey. Please don’t let it get too close to me.”

  Ali rolled her eyes, picked up Mr. Puss and carried him as the tour continued.

  “I can’t hardly get my breath. I ain’t never seen anything as pretty. It’s so homey and comfy. Would you consider selling any of this furniture?” Myrtle Mae asked.

  “I have all intentions of selling every piece. So just let me know what you want.”

  “Every piece! Get outta here. I’ll take everything in this house. I mean right down to the salt and pepper shakers on the stove. I’ve never had anything but junk in my whole life. Since my old husband finally decided to sell all that land that he inherited from his parents, and all those horses that we couldn’t even afford to feed, we’ve got a nice sum of money and I told him I was gonna find us a pretty home and fill it with pretty furniture. He said I could. So the way I see it, I’ve found the house of my dreams and all this furniture makes it more than I ever dreamed of. Now, go take that For Sale sign down and tell me your price. I’ll give you a check right now.”

  “I’ll have to study on a price if you want it all. And we need to get a lawyer who can draw up the proper papers so everything will be legal and binding. You just hold on to the check until we can get an appointment with a lawyer. And I’ve got to go through Aunt July’s stuff and find the deed.”

  “I’ve got a lawyer. He’s the one who done all the paper work when we sold our land. I’ll give him a call, then I’ll call and tell you when. Can I have your phone number, honey?”

  Ali wrote the phone number down. Myrtle Mae kissed Ali’s cheek. “You have no idea how happy you’ve just made me, honey. I’m gonna be livin’ like a proper lady in this here pretty house with all this nice stuff. Are you sure you don’t wanna keep some of the pieces?”

  “I’m sure. It’s all yours.”

  “Well, I’ll be calling, honey. I can’t wait to get home and tell my old man.”

  “I’ll be here,” Ali answered, and her heart warmed by the woman’s happiness as she watched her run out the door.

  “That sure didn’t take long, Mr. Puss,” she said as she hugged him tightly.

  Mr. Puss meowed, but Ali wasn’t sure how to interrupt his tone. It was different than any she had ever heard from him. Was he upset? She was the happiest person in the world. She tenderly stroked Mr. Puss. “We might as well go have a talk with Toots and tell her we’ve sold the house and soon we’ll be moving. This won’t be easy but we’ve got it get it over with.”

  Mr. Puss gave another sad meow.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  On a bright sunshiny morning in July, Ali made a collect call to Clifford before the phone was shut off.

  “Hi, baby girl. I’m glad you called. How are things going?”

  “I sold my aunt’s house and I was wondering if you’d come get me. I want to get out of this town and start a new life. If you and Dorothy could just put me up until I can find a job and get a place of my own—”

  Clifford didn’t let Ali finish her sentence. He chuckled and said, “We’ve been waiting and hoping for this call. We’ve already started fixing you a room. You can stay with us for the rest of your life, if you want to. I’ll head your way in a few minutes. Let me write down your address.”

  Ali gave Clifford the address.

  She hung up the phone, picked up Mr. Puss, and headed to Toots’ house. She had already said her goodbyes to Toots and Nancy and she was glad they would be at work when she got there.

  Mr. Puss slowly trotted beside Ali.

  Ali headed for the backyard when she reached Toots’ house. She got a shovel out of the shed and began digging up Mama Jane’s coffee can. Tears were blinding her as she lifted the can from the ground. Then she filled the hole and smoothed the dirt. She looked at the cross but decided to leave it in place. “Maybe Toots and Nancy will still put flowers by the cross even though Mama Jane is going to a new home.”

  Mr. Puss made another strange sound. “Hush, big boy. We’ve gotta do this. Things will be okay. You’ll see.”

  When Ali got back to Plum Street, she set the coffee can on the front porch. Then she went inside the house. She picked up a suitcase that contained a few outfits that were Marylou’s castoffs and Aunt July’s Bible. The Bible had family history written in it and she supposed that someday it might mean something to her. At the moment, the Monroes were people whom she wanted to forget.

  She picked up the tote bag full of cash and made sure the check she had received from the lawyer was still neatly tucked inside. She set them on the porch beside the coffee can along with her shoulder strap purse, which contained all of her makeup.

  She went back inside, walked through the house, lingering in each room for a few minutes, remembering the good times, the bad times, and the times that were just plain confusing. Then she walked out the front door, locked it and put the key under the doormat.

  She walked around the yard, remembering all of her hard work to keep it pretty. She glanced at the old garage, remembering the day that Aunt July had collected her from Nancy’s and she was terrified that Mr. Puss wouldn’t be allowed in the house. She chuckled again, remembering how her aunt had stood up to Grandpa and Mr. Puss was allowed to perch in the windowsill so he could sun himself.
“Aw, Aunt July, you had your good side and you did the best you could. Rest in peace.”

  She walked over to the dogwood tree and stood under it, remembering the first day at her aunt’s house when she had stood under the tree and prayed, Mr. Puss at her heels. Again, Mr. Puss was at her heels as she folded her hands in prayer. “Thank you, God and the angels for getting me through it all. Amen.”

  She headed back to the front porch, glancing at her watch. “He should be her soon, Mr. Puss,” she said as she sat down on the top step and stroked his head.

  Her eyes brightened as a black Buick pulled up to the curb in front of the house. Her heart started racing as she saw Clifford step out of the car.

  “Hey, baby girl,” he called out as he walked toward her.

  “Hey,” she said as she threw her purse over her shoulder and picked up the coffee can, then picked up Mr. Puss.

  “Hold on, there. I’ll get your stuff,” Clifford said as he reached the front porch. He looked at the one suitcase and tote bag. “Is this all you gotta take?”

  “Yep. It’s all I need, and all I want.”

  Clifford picked up the two cases and headed toward the car. He opened the trunk and placed them inside. He reached for the coffee can, but Ali said, “I’ll hold this.”

  Clifford opened the passenger side door and Ali climbed inside.

  Clifford slid behind the steering wheel, glanced over at Ali, and asked, “Is that cat gonna go all crazy on my ass when I start the car?”

  Ali laughed. “This cat will do whatever I want him to. And he thinks he’s a people anyway. I think he’s mad because I didn’t bring him with me the first time.”

  They both laughed as Clifford pulled away from the curb.

  Ali left Morrisville with Mr. Puss, her heart filled with happiness, and as they crossed the Liberty County line, she knew she’d never return to the town that held nothing but heartache and bitter memories.

  She was going to miss Toots, but her best friend had promised that she would come for visits. Ali hoped she would.

  When they reached the main highway, Clifford glanced over at Ali. “What you got in that old rusty coffee can?”

  “Mama Jane’s ashes.”

  “What?” Clifford eyes bugged.

  Ali told Clifford the story, then laughed as she watched him wipe sweat from his brow. “I was hoping I could bury her under that big elm tree that you like to sit under. That way you can be close to her and talk to her. I talk to her all the time.”

  Clifford swallowed hard. “I’ve never had anybody buried in my backyard, but seeing it’s just a can of ashes, I reckon it’ll be okay. I sure hope it don’t spook Dot and the boys. They kind of funny about stuff like that.”

  Ali laughed. “I think they’ll be alright with it once they get used to it. This will be the third time I’ve buried her and she’s hasn’t haunted anybody yet.”

  * * *

  It was almost dark by the time they reached Evanston.

  Dorothy was beaming as they walked into the house. “Hey there, baby. I got your room all fixed up. I took all the junk outta that back room and got it looking all girly. I hope you like it. Just follow me.”

  Clifford carried the suitcase and tote bag, and Ali followed with Mr. Puss in her arms. Ali stood in the middle of the floor, turned in circles, and she almost burst into tears. Dorothy had the bedroom looking like a picture right out of a magazine. “It’s perfect. I sure appreciate all the hard work you did. I think me and Mr. Puss will be very happy in here.”

  Mr. Puss jumped out of Ali’s arms and ran under the bed. She knelt down, pulled up the hem of the dust ruffle and said, “I know you’re scared, big boy. You just stay under there until you feel like coming out. It’s all gonna be okay. I promise.”

  Mr. Puss tucked his head and didn’t make a sound.

  Ali looked at Clifford. Do you have a box lid or something I can use for a litter box? He might have to go since he hasn’t done anything for a few hours.”

  “I’ll go find something. I don’t have any kitty litter but I can get some tomorrow.”

  “Just put dirt in it. That’s all he had in his first box that I fixed for him. I’ll take him out in the back yard tomorrow and let him get used to his new surroundings.”

  Ali left Mr. Puss under the bed and went into the kitchen with Dorothy where she found a wonderful cooked dinner waiting on the table.

  The twins came home, entering through the back door, and when they saw Ali sitting at the table, they ran to her, hugged her and welcomed her home.

  After the dishes were done, the family gathered outside and each told about their day. Ali realized it was a daily routine and she thought it was wonderful. She loved to hear the stories from Dot, which had her laughing until her sides hurt as she told about the elder lady she was taking care of. The twins were comedians and told one tall tale after the other. Clifford didn’t have much to say, he just chuckled the deep chuckle that Ali loved to hear.

  Ali went into the house from time to time to check on Mr. Puss, but he refused to come out from under the bed. When everybody turned in for the night, Ali lifted the dust ruffle. “Are you gonna stay under there and pout all night or are you gonna sleep with me?”

  Mr. Puss slowly crawled out. Ali picked him up and placed him on her pillow. She climbed into bed. “Purr to me, big boy. I’ve got to adjust too. I’m happy but this is a big change to me and I’m nervous. I have no idea what our future holds, but we’ve always stuck together and things always worked out for us.” Ali reached over and patted the coffee can that was on the night stand. “Goodnight, Mama Jane. You’re finally with Clifford.”

  Mr. Puss began to purr. Soon, Ali was in a sound sleep.

  The next day, after Dorothy had gone to work and the twins had left to mow yards, Ali and Clifford went out in the back yard. Ali held the coffee can while Clifford dug a hole under the elm. Then she placed the can in the hole and using both hands she raked the dirt over the new gravesite and smoothed the top soil. Mr. Puss roamed the backyard while the activity took place.

  When the burial was finished, Ali said, “I really would like to have a cross to mark the spot. I left the other one in Morrisville. It was in bad shape anyway and her name was almost unreadable.”

  “I think that can be arranged. There’s a place here in town that sells crosses. People buy them and place them on the highway where one of their loved ones was killed in an accident. They’re made out of good stuff and they last a lifetime. I’ll be washing up, then I’ll head on over there and it’ll be my pleasure to buy a cross for Jane. They’ll also write her name on it and it won’t fade out.”

  “Thank you. Me and Mr. Puss will wait for you. I need to get him settled down. He’s awful antsy for some reason.”

  Clifford left and Ali picked up Mr. Puss. She sat in the chair that Clifford always sat in and Mr. Puss lay in her lap. “We’re home, Mr. Puss. We finally made it. Mama Jane is here with us and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I know this is a hard adjustment for you, but we’re all home, at last.”

  Mr. Puss softly meowed.

  Clifford came back with a nice cross and when Ali read the name Jane Monroe, a knot formed in her throat.

  Clifford hammered the cross into the ground. Then he pulled his lawn chair closer. “You finally came home to me, Jane. We’ll talk every day. I’ll take care of our daughter, and now I hope you can rest in peace. Thank you for my beautiful, baby girl.”

  Ali listened to his sweet words and watched him wipe his tears., She had never experienced the love she felt in her heart at that moment. Her parents were together.

  For the next three days, Mr. Puss lay on top of Mama Jane’s grave. He didn’t want to eat and he didn’t want to drink. Ali tried to pick him up several times, but he squirmed and softly meowed as if he were saying. “Please leave me alone.”

  Ali sat on the ground beside him and stroked his fine fur and tears streamed down her face. “I wish you could be happy for me
.”

  Clifford walked over to Ali. “Baby, he’s trying to adjust to all this. He’ll be okay. Just give him some time. Come on in the house and let’s fix some lunch.”

  Ali and Clifford fixed fried bologna sandwiches with mayonnaise and a slice of tomato, just like Mama Jane used to. They laughed and talked and it was the best lunch that Ali had ever eaten. Love seemed to make everything taste better. And her new home was brimming with love.

  After lunch, Ali and Clifford went back outside. Clifford sat in his usual chair next to Mama Jane. Ali pulled another lawn chair beside him. “Would you tell me all about your side of the family? Do I have grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins?”

  “Baby, you have no idea how big your family is. And as soon as I can get arrangements made, I’m gonna have a family reunion and I’ll fire up that old barbeque pit and cook for two days. I hope all the family can fit in the backyard. There’s a bunch of us. I can’t wait for you to meet them, and mostly, I’m busting a gut to introduce you as my daughter. I just hope my mama don’t get all tuckered out from that long trip up here. She lives in Natchez with my baby sister.”

  Ali almost lost her breath as she exclaimed. “I’ve got a grandma?”

  “You sure do, baby. She’s ninety-one, but her mind is still sharp as a tack. I’ve already called and told her all about you. She’s so excited. She was a school teacher and she and my pa never married. It wasn’t allowed in them days. So after seven years they had what’s called a common law marriage. The way I see it, that’s as good as any paper you need to be considered married.”

  Ali hopped up and down like she did as a small child. “Do I have a grandpa?”

  Nah, your Grandpa passed a few years ago, but you’d a loved him. He was a hardworking, kind soul, and he loved everybody. He wouldn’t stand for any of his family making smart remarks about people. When one of us slipped up, he’d say, ‘Is you perfect? If ye ain’t, then ye need to shut yo mouth till ye is.’” Clifford chuckled.