by Stuart, Amie
My heart hammered in my chest as I hustled up the steps, pounding on the door with all my might. Somebody had to do something! I was still so in shock, so angry, I couldn’t catch my breath. Going to get her was one thing. Going to get her was bad enough, but bringing her to our house was totally and completely un-fucking-acceptable! The door swung open, and I threw myself at Aunt Betti, giving into my tears.
“Why Rene honey, what’s the matter?” She pulled me inside and closed the door behind her, wrapping both arms around me and letting me cry.
“Calling Aunt Susie! Dad’s lost his mind!”
“Well my goodness, Rene, what in the world is going on?”
I’d had no idea Gram was here too. She must have skipped church. Aunt Betti led me toward the couch as Uncle Ty entered from the kitchen.
He took one look at me and said, “This has girl talk written all over it,” before disappearing.
Aunt Betti got me settled next to Gram, whose shoulder I continued to cry on, and went to whisper something to Uncle Ty. Listening to them coo and kiss only made me bawl harder.
“Stupid men!” I beat my fist on the denim couch but fought the urge to kick the heavy coffee table. Behind me, I heard the front door click shut. Aunt Betti reappeared, settling next to me.
“Alrighty, Rene, I’ve never seen you so upset. What’s this all about?”
From my other side Gram softly cleared her throat. “I have a feeling it has something to do with a late-night phone call we got from Tim.
I curled up in a ball and winced at the feel of burs in my socks. “He’s home, and he brought her—The Witch.”
“Who in the world?” Aunt Betti pulled me against her and I sagged against her side.
“Her—The Witch—Toni from the dancehall,” I explained. “He brought her back. To our house!” I burrowed against Aunt Betti’s side and looked at Gram. “How could he bring her here after what she did to him...after she hurt him?”
Grandma sighed. “This is about that bartender, isn’t it? The one he wouldn’t bring around for us to meet.”
“Sure sounds that way,” Aunt Betti replied. “He must be in pretty deep. But he never said a word when she left, and I didn’t even knew she was gone until Susie told me.”
“He cried. He cried in front of me for very first time ever. And he said he loved her more than my mom. Your daddy is not supposed to cry in front of you!” I insisted at the top of my lungs. “How can you love somebody so much that you’d go back for more after they kicked you around and treated you like dog shit?” I sucked in some air and sniffled back my tears. “He was so sad, Gram.”
From behind me Aunt Betti spoke up, “Honey, love is an awfully difficult emotion to explain, and frankly as much as I love your Uncle Ty, I’m not quite sure I even understand it myself.” She squeezed my shoulders. “I just don’t know if I’m equipped for a talk like this.”
“Frankly, I don’t know if I am either.” Gram’s words really shocked me. I figured if anybody could make sense out of it, she could; if anyone could make me understand, she could. “Even after more than thirty years of marriage I still don’t understand, Rene. I love your grandfather beyond anything. I love him more now than I did the day I married him—”
“Even though he cheated on you, Gram?”I blurted it out, regretting my question instantly. “I’m sorry.” I shook my head and cried harder. “I’m so sorry, Gram.”
“Yes, Rene. Even though he’d cheated on me. It’s not all cut and dried, and hurt and pain and grief make us do awful things to one another.”
“So does pride,” added Aunt Betti softly.
“Marriage...any good relationship begins with love, but being in love, or loving someone doesn’t guarantee a bed of roses. It only guarantees the person who loves you will stand by your side no matter what, whether they’re your spouse, your soulmate, your parents or any one of a dozen people who love you as you go through this life. Can you understand that, Rene?”
I curled into a ball and thought about Gram’s words while Aunt Betti added her two cents. “Love is what binds you, but it’s not what solves your problems. Love gives people the strength to stand by your side through thick and thin while you solve your problems.”
“But what if she hurts him again?”
“Rene honey, you’re dealing with some awfully grown up issues.”
“But I saw him. I saw my dad cry. He’d stand by me if someone hurt me, right?” I looked over my shoulder at Betti, praying she’d understand what I was trying to say.
“Yes, honey, he would. That’s why you have to stand by his side while he struggles through this with her. You have to stand beside him and let him figure this out on his own. You’re not supposed to figure it out for him, and not just because you’re a kid, but that, too.”
I turned and rested my head on her chest and wrapped my arms around her waist. She was the only one I’d do that with. Snuggle. Not even with Gram. “So, there’s nothing I can do?” I asked softly.
“Well,” she hemmed and hawed a bit. “There may not be much you can do, but your Aunt Jessa and I can do plenty. And of course, Maggie, you’re more than welcome to join us.”
“Jerrod would kill me,” she said with a chuckle.
I relaxed at the feel of Aunt Betti’s long nails slowly scratching my back and at knowing she and Aunt Jessa would take care of The Witch.
“I will, however, call Jessa and Susie for you. She definitely needs to know what’s going on. Rene, just be patient with your daddy, and if either of you needs us, you know we’re here, okay?”
I mumbled my agreement but didn’t bother moving, only settling in deeper against Aunt Betti’s chest. I could hear the muted sounds of Gram in the kitchen talking on the phone.
With a squeak of the swinging door, she was back. “Jessa’s on her way, but Susie wasn’t home. And on that note, I’m going home.”
I struggled out of Aunt Betti’s arms and ran to hug Gram, glad she’d been here, too.
“Everything will be fine, Rene. Even if it doesn’t end just how we want it to, everything will be fine.” She patted my back and held me a few minutes longer, as if she sensed my reluctance to let her go. I couldn’t recall, in all my thirteen years, any place I’d ever felt safer, except for Daddy’s lap. And that was no longer an option with The Witch invading my castle.
I stood on the porch arms wrapped around Aunt Betti against the chilly wind and watching Gram walk home. From the opposite direction we heard a door slam and watched as Aunt Jessa waddled our way. Her progress was almost painfully slow as she wrapped her arms around her belly. You’d think she was having twins.
“What’s this about coyotes?” she huffed from the bottom of the porch steps a few minutes later. I couldn’t understand why they both started laughing.
“Let’s go inside.” She held out a hand and Jessa used her hand and the porch rail to maneuver her way up the steps. “I’ll put on a pot of that herbal tea that you like.”
Inside, over a cup of Aunt Betti’s favorite chai tea, they told me the story of when Aunt Jessa threatened Aunt Betti about running with the herd or getting eaten by coyotes. Once again, Boudreauxes took care of their own–even if they were Boudreauxes by marriage. Their story made me feel a little better. I wasn’t in this alone. “So that’s what we’re gonna do to her—The Witch?”
“I’ll speak to her, Rene, but you’ve got to promise me something.” Aunt Jessa wrapped her hands around her cup and pinned me down with her eyes, waiting for my answer.
“What’s that?”
“You have to promise me to at least give her a chance. People change, and it’s been a couple of months. Even after three months, your daddy loves her enough to go get her in the middle of the damn night. That’s saying something.”
“What do you know about her?” Aunt Betti asked softly.
“Not a lot. She keeps to herself, she’s a hard worker. I know Susie was sorry to lose her as a bartender. But other than Kellie, she never go
t too friendly with the staff.”
“I’ll try, but I’m not making any guarantees.” I chugged back the last of my almost cold tea and put my cup in the sink. “Y’all ready, or what?”
“Let’s get this over with,” Aunt Betti said with a nod.
I wrapped my flannel shirt a little tighter around myself and followed them across the road, shivering a bit at the cold breeze that snuck across my neck. I’d be glad when spring came.
Daddy met us at the door, his face stone cold. “Don’t tell me my little shit of a daughter convinced y’all to put together a lynch mob?”
“Zack and Rene fed the horses for you this morning.” The frown on Aunt Jessa’s face was a sight to behold. Of course, so was her swollen belly.
Fierce and determined were the first two words that came to mind. Now I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt why she was the only female saddle bronc champion in rodeo history. In the nine months I’d known her, this was the first time I’d seen her get really riled. Maybe I’d been hasty, maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut. Aunt Jessa and Daddy were business partners now, and I sure didn’t want to cause any problems.
I was going soft.
“Don’t you have horses to shoe, or something?”
I frowned at Aunt Betti. Daddy never shoed horses; he just called the farrier.
He chuckled. “Y’all want me to get lost, don’t you?”
“And let us in, while you’re at it. It’s damned cold out here, Tim,” Aunt Jessa groused.
Daddy held open the door, and I followed Aunt Jessa into the house, Aunt Betti right behind me. I pulled up short at the sight of her in the kitchen doorway, a dishrag in her hands. What had she been doing in my kitchen? I might not cook much, but it was still my kitchen, by damn.
I stood with arms crossed while Daddy made the introductions.
“Get lost, Tim. We won’t hurt her.” Betti wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
His parting shot stung. “See that you don’t,” he said, staring right at me. He picked up his jacket and walked over, kissing her goodbye. I resisted the urge to stick my finger down my throat and make gagging noises. I settled on scrunching up my face instead, causing Aunt Jessa to quirk one dark eyebrow at me. Daddy slipped past The Witch and out the kitchen door, slamming it behind him.
“You’re an awful small lynch mob.” She leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms, waiting.
Aunt Jessa breezed right past Toni and into the kitchen. With a nudge from Aunt Betti, I followed suit, never taking my eyes off of her.
“This won’t hurt a bit, honey.”
I had to hand it to Aunt Betti, she had a real way with words. In the kitchen, I settled down at my usual spot and shoved the half-full coffee cup out of the way. Aunt Jessa sat across from me and Aunt Betti slid in the back. Our prey took the one remaining seat across from Aunt Betti. Daddy’s chair. That stiffened my resolve.
“I’m not one to mince words, as I’m sure you remember,” Aunt Jessa began. “So I’ll make this as brief as I can—”
“Try and be a little more tactful with her than you were with me.” Aunt Betti tapped the table with one of her long, dark purple nails for emphasis.
“You hurt my Daddy again, and I’ll hunt you down and gut you.” I narrowed my eyes at Toni. Both of my aunts laughed, but she didn’t. “I’m serious.”
“Damn, Rene, and I thought I had no tact.” Aunt Jessa held her belly and lost herself in another fit of laughter. I never took my eyes off The Witch while they got themselves under control. She stared at me as long as I stared at her, but I couldn’t read her. She was closed tighter than a drum, tighter than Daddy ever thought of being.
“I didn’t mean to hurt your father. I never meant to hurt him.” Her voice broke and she stopped to clear her throat, her eyes on the table.
No mercy. I didn’t care. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
“Speaking of hell, shut the hell up, Rene.” Aunt Betti had never snapped at me before.
I stared at her, my mouth hanging open in shock.
“It’s time to get serious now. You let me talk, understand?”
“Yes’m,” I grumbled.
“Boudreauxes take care of their own,” Aunt Jessa began.
“For God’s sake, Jessa, don’t give her that speech.” Aunt Betti sighed and held up her hands. “I got the floor, okay you two?”
The Witch chuckled.
“We love Tim.” She paused and looked up at Aunt Jessa, a frown on her face. “I never realized how difficult being tactful really was. Nothing personal, okay, but if you hurt him, we’ll take turns kicking your ass. And don’t underestimate the pregnant one. She’s damned mean. Any questions?”
“Blondie’s just as mean as I am,” Jessa said.
“I would never deliberately hurt anyone,” Toni said.
That was it? That was all they had? I was seriously disappointed in my aunts.
“Jessa,” Aunt Betti warned before turning back to Her. “Be good to him, and we’ll be good to you. It’s as simple as that.”
“That’s all y’all got?!” I stared at the two of them.
“Little one—”
“I ain’t your little one!” I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms over my chest. I wasn’t giving a fucking inch.
“If I promise to be good, will you let me stay?” She looked deadly serious.
I blew out a breath and turned to Aunt Jessa, who just quirked one dark eyebrow at me. Aunt Betti shrugged. I had promised. “Just be sure you pick up after yourself. I ain’t your damned slave.”
What a waste of time! To hell with all of them.
This was war.
I STRUGGLED NOT to laugh at the little one. She was so tough and serious…and angry. After her last proclamation, she hustled out of the kitchen and up the stairs, clomping back down a few minutes later in boots and a jacket. “I got work to do.”
“Will you be home for dinner?” I leaned back in my chair and watched her, standing in the doorway wrapped in her heavy winter coat.
“It’s meatloaf night at Grams.”
Her aunts and I sat silently until she was gone with a slam of the door. I exhaled and a little chuckle slipped out. “That one is something else,” I sighed.
“She’s not used to having a woman around,” the blonde—
Betti—explained. I’d seen her at the dancehall once or twice, She didn’t look like a rancher’s wife—not like Jessa with her no-fuss hair and flannel shirt and jeans.
“I understand.” I smiled and offered more coffee, but they both declined.
“Just give her some time. She’ll come around.”
I poured myself another cup and settled back at the table. “When did Ty get married?”
“About two months ago.” Her full lips curved into a smile. Her long, blonde corkscrew curls looked natural, but she came with a full regalia of makeup, lined red lips, lined bedroom eyes and long mascaraed lashes. I felt naked beside her, despite her friendliness.
“That’s good. He always reminded me of a big pussycat.” I grinned, and she returned my smile. “And how is the baby cooking.” I looked over at Jessa and took in her swollen belly again, smothering a twinge of jealousy.
“I will be so glad when April gets here.”
“Oh Lord, I’ve got to get going. I’ve got some afternoon clients and bills to pay.” Betti hopped up and squeezed my shoulder on her way by. “Just be patient. She’s never had a woman around, and she’s prickly, but she’s a good kid.”
“Thanks, Betti.” Somehow I got the impression I wasn’t the only one she’d given a hard time to, but this was different. I was her father’s...girlfriend. Which sounded so juvenile. I resisted the urge to squirm at the feel of it in my head. Jessa’s next words to Betti caught my attention.
“I thought you weren’t going back to work until after the first of the year?”
“I’ve got a couple clients that just couldn’t be squeezed in anywhere
to suit them,” she sighed. She must have noticed my frown of confusion. “I own a hair salon.”
“Oh, I see. Did you take off for the holidays?”
“I had a miscarriage,” she said softly. “I’ve got to get going. See y’all later.”
Once the door clicked shut behind her, I turned to Jessa. “Shit! I really opened my mouth that time.”
“It’s not you. She’s still having a hard time, and that’s to be expected. It’s been just over a month since she lost the baby.” She crossed her arms. “So, where the hell you been for the last three months?” Her lips pursed as she waited for me to find a response.
“Beaumont,” I offered up, hoping she’d be satisfied with one word, though I doubted it. Jessa had always struck me as the tenacious type. My reasons and last night with Tim were my business, though.
She was silent for a moment and then slowly nodded before responding. “Kellie missed you. She’s been moping around the dancehall since you left, so be sure you call her before she hears you’re back from someone else. As for Tim, the last time I stuck my nose in someone’s marriage, I got in big trouble with my husband. So, I’ll leave it at, be good to him...and Rene. He deserves it. They both do.” She stood, preparing to leave.
“Any suggestions on the little one?” I reluctantly asked.
That earned me a chuckle, and she sat back down. “How determined are you, and how long do you plan to stay?”
“I’m just taking it day by day,” I confessed softly. What about Nichole? a tiny corner of my heart whispered.
“Where Rene is concerned, you need to. If you don’t plan on hanging around forever, leave her the hell alone. If you do, I can only tell you what works for us. Delaney and I treat her like a kid sister, and for the most part, she minds me when I get on to her. She loves Travis, so Zack and I have that over her. Susie and Maggie use the no-nonsense approach, and she respects them enough to toe the line where they’re concerned. Betti smothers her every chance she gets, but she’s the only one really allowed to.”
We both chuckled then. Despite her flamboyant attire and attitude, Betti was very much the mother-hen type.
