Wings and Faith

by Joy Redmond

  “That’s why I don’t talk to him. I refuse to yell and lose my voice. Anyway, I’m going over to Dad’s. He wants me to help him paint his bathroom.”

  “I’m going to get dressed, then make the rounds and check on my grandchildren. Most likely, I’ll end up bringing them home with me like I usually do. I wanted to be a part of my grandchildren’s lives, but I sure didn’t plan of raising them. I wanted to be the doting nana who spoiled her grandchildren rotten, then sent them home. But I can’t send them home, and I have to be the disciplinarian. Where’s the fun in that?”

  “You bring that on yourself,” Abbie said.

  Mandy waved her hand in the air. “Just wait until you’re a mother and grandmother. Then and only then, will you understand.”

  The next morning Mandy woke up after having a dream about Amos. She wasn’t sure what the dream was about, but it had unnerved her. Then it dawned on her it had been several years since she had talked to Effy.

  She got out of bed, shuffled through her purse and found her address book with phones numbers of family and friends. She thumbed through the book and found Effy’s number. I hope she still has the same number, she thought, as she headed into the kitchen. She turned on the coffee pot, then picked up the wall phone and dialed the number.

  The phone rang five times and just as Mandy was about to hang up a male voice said, “Hello.”

  “Is Effy there?”

  “Yeah, hang on,” the man said, as if he were half asleep.

  Mandy giggled. A boyfriend, huh? Since he sounded as if I woke him, I’m thinking I didn’t interrupt anything.

  Just as the thought ran through her mind, a sleepy Effy said, “Hello.”

  “Hey, girl. I’m sorry to wake you up, but—”

  Before Mandy could continue, Effy yelled, “Mandy! Girl, I thought you had dropped off the face of the earth. I called the last number I had for you but it said the number had been disconnected. So I thought I’d just wait until you called me. I had no idea it would be this many years. What—”

  “Hold your drawers. I’ll get you caught up.”

  For the next hour the two women talked and Effy gasped in disbelief as Mandy recapped the past six years. “My God! You’ve been through hell and back a few times.”

  “Pretty much,” Mandy said, “but enough about me. What’s going on with you?”

  Mandy smiled as Effy told about her past six years. Her life had been smooth sailing. “Now, here’s the part I dread telling you,” Effy said, and she swallowed hard.

  Chill bumps rose on Mandy’s arms. “It’s Amos, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is. He died before my very eyes. I’ll never get over it.” Effy was quiet for a moment, then she continued. “He came into the Elks as he did every day. I had just fixed his second Old Charter and Coke, set it in front of him and he said, ‘Watch my drink. I need to use the little boy’ s room’.” Effy choked up.

  Mandy didn’t say anything. I know the rest of it, she thought. But she gave Effy a minute to collect herself and go on.

  “He stood up, took about three steps, then hit the floor.” Again Effy choked, but Mandy waited. “He was unresponsive and I called an ambulance. He was DOA when they got him to the hospital. As far as anybody knows, he had a heart attack. It was horrible, I tell ya. I’ve never watched somebody drop over dead before my very eyes.”

  “I’m so sorry, Effy. I know that had to be a horrible thing to see. And I’m sorry he's gone, but after losing Jillian and her baby, he really didn’t have anything to live for. So, I’ll just try to be happy believing that he is with them both now.”

  “That’s exactly what he said every day when he came in. After a couple drinks, he’d say he had nothing to live for. You know, they never did find out who killed her. Amos couldn’t stand that whoever took his little girl from him just plum got away with it. So he drank to numb the pain and ended up drinking himself to death.”

  Mandy felt a knot building in her throat. “I need to go, Effy. I promise I’ll be in touch soon. So good to talk with you. I’m happy things are going well with you. Love ya, girl.”

  “Love you too. Call anytime.”

  Mandy hung up the phone, her heart hurting. It took ten years but my vision was right. Not exact, but close enough. Rest in peace, sweet Amos. Hug Jill and her sweet baby for me.

  Another year rolled on by. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened since the glass shattering, but Mandy was exhausted from working all day, coming home to scream at Otis, and most every afternoon, she would barely get changed out of her uniform when three to five grandchildren would be dropped off. There was no way to keep then all contained to two rooms in the house, and Otis pitched fit after fit.

  One Friday afternoon, Mandy refused to babysit. She couldn’t believe she was turning her back on her grandchildren, but she was at her breaking point. She took a long soak in lavender bath salt, feeling tension and anxiety slowly leaving her body and mind. She wasn’t in the mood to watch TV, so she decided to write and fill up the last journal she had started, then she was going to read until she fell asleep. She settled in bed, comfy with pillows around her.

  She wrote for a few hours, then she started reading. She heard the front door open and close, then she heard the extra bump that would make the lock catch. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. It was midnight. Abbie’s home, she thought. She was anxious to hear about Abbie and Clark’s night out. She adored the two lovebirds. She threw back the blankets, slipped her feet into soft slippers, opened her bedroom door and stepped out into the hallway.

  Abbie was nowhere in sight. Mandy walked down the hall and knocked on Abbie’s closed door. No answer. She opened the door and called, “Abbie,” No answer. She flipped on the ceiling light. No Abbie. She went from room to room, softly calling, “Abbie.” Abbie wasn’t in the house.

  Mandy went to the front door and pulled on the knob. It was locked. She looked out the front window of the living room. Abbie’s car wasn’t in sight. “Okay, whoever you are. That’s not funny. Neither was your glass breaking. If you’re trying to give me a message, you’ve got to learn how to communicate a little better. And if you’re a prankster, then knock it off!”

  Mandy went back to bed, turned out the lamp, and she was about to doze off when she heard the front door open and close, then she heard the extra bump. Yeah, you think I’m going to get up and search the house again. Nope. Just have your fun, she thought. She turned over and tucked the pillow under her head.

  Just as she was comfortable, she heard a light tapping on her bedroom door, then Abbie softly said, “Mom. Are you asleep?”

  Mandy rolled over and turned on the lamp. “I’m awake, honey. Come on in.”

  Abbie came into the room and her eyes were bright as two stars. She sat down beside Mandy and picked up her hand. She lovingly caressed her mother’s hand and said, “Clark asked me to marry him. And I said yes! I don’t have an engagement ring yet. He said he hasn’t found the right one.”

  Mandy grabbed Abbie and hugged her tightly. “I’m so happy for you, honey. Clark is your soul mate. I’ve known that since you two started dating.”

  “We’re going to wait another year before we get married because Clark will be up for a big promotion and I’m sure he’ll get it. He’s racking in big accounts for the company.”

  “Well, what’s one more year? You’ve survived two years in this nut house. I think you’ll make it another one.”

  “In the meantime, I’m going to college part-time and work part-time.”

  “Oh, Abbie. I couldn’t be happier for you. Clark is a great guy. He’s ambitious, and when you get your degree you two will have it made.” Then she went ashen. “Honey, I can’t afford your tuition and you can’t afford it by only working part-time.”

  Abbie’s smile broadened. “I talked to Granddaddy a couple days ago. I had to yell my brains out, but I finally made him understand. He said he’d pay my tuition. And I want to work part-time so I’ll have so
me spending money, and I’ve got insurance payments on my car.”

  “Fantastic! And there’s another reason that we were meant to come back to Kentucky. Here is where you were to meet your soul mate. It’s amazing how things are revealed to us as time goes by.”

  Mandy and Abbie hugged.

  “Now let me tell you what happened a few minutes before you came home.” Mandy told about the happening. “I think there’s a spirit in this house that doesn’t want us here. Too bad. Since we can’t leave, then it can leave. Or it can put up with us.” Mandy shook her head. “Crazy things just keep happening.”

  Mandy and Abbie just sat beside each other for a few minutes, both smiling and holding hands. Suddenly, the front door opened and closed. But there was no extra bump to make the lock catch.

  “Maybe that spirit decided to leave,” Mandy said.

  “I’m not about to go check it out, Abbie said, as she kicked off her shoes. “Scoot over. I’m sleeping with you. Clothes and all. And don’t snore all night!”

  “You know I’m going to snore, but you better not push me out of bed like you did when we were sleeping together in the front bedroom. When I hit the floor I thought we were having an earthquake. You scared the pee outta me.”

  “I was just trying to make you turn over. I didn’t mean to push you as hard as I did. But you stopped snoring.”

  They both giggled and snuggled up.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Mandy got off work, March 1st, and as she went to her car, it dawned on her it was the date that she and Abbie had made their daring escape from Georgia, three years ago. She smiled as she drove home and pulled into the garage. She walked into the kitchen and noticed Otis was asleep in his recliner. She picked up the mail that Otis placed on the snack bar between the kitchen and his sitting room. There was a blue envelope with no return address on it, but it was post marked Valdosta, GA.

  “Oh, puh-leeze, Gill. Don’t start your shit again,” she mumbled as she headed to the trash can. Just as she was about to give it a fling, she felt pressure on her hand. A tingle ran up her arm and a thought zipped through her mind as if it were a gentle whisper— Open it.

  She took the envelope into the living room, sat down on the couch and ripped it open. She pulled out a sheet of notebook paper, unfolded it, and a check fell into her lap. She picked it up and felt faint as she read the amount. $5,000.00. “Holy shit!” she cried, then started reading the note.

  My Dear Mandy,

  I know this is only a drop in the bucket for all the money you invested in me and my elusive dreams and schemes, but it’s the best I can do. Not that you care, but Susan and I only made it three mouths, then she went back to her other ex-husband. I remarried, but that marriage only lasted a year.

  I’m in bad health and I don’t think I’ve got much longer to live. I sold my go-carts, the new trailer and other stuff that I could get a few dollars for. Anyway, I want you to have this. I want to tell you thank you for the best seven years of my life and to tell you goodbye. I’ll go to my grave loving you. Be happy and have a great life.

  Love forever,

  Gill

  Mandy dropped the note. He’s still full of bullshit. This is just a ploy to get my sympathy, and he thinks I’ll come running back to him before he dies. It won’t work, Gill. But I sure thank you for the money. Now, I can give my baby a beautiful wedding and I don’t have to use a credit card, which would take the rest of my life to pay off.

  On May 21st, Abbie stood by her handsome fiancé and love radiated from her when she turned and looked into her betrothed’s eyes. Mandy had to catch her breath several times as she looked at her daughter and thought her the most beautiful bride she had ever seen.

  Tears came unbidden to her when Billy walked their baby girl down the aisle. When the minister asked, “Who gives this woman in marriage?”

  Billy softly said, “Her mother and I do.” Billy joined Abbie and Clark’s hands. Then he took a seat beside Mandy, reached over and picked up her hand and gently caressed it as the ceremony continued. When the minister pronounced them man and wife, Billy kissed Mandy’s cheek and sweetly whispered, “Well, we did one thing right.”

  “That we did, Billy. We made the perfect daughter.”

  Abbie and Clark made their way outside and the congregation followed. Mandy stood on the church stoop and watched people throw rice as the newlyweds hurried across the lawn. Billy said, “I’m heading on to the reception hall. I’ll see you there.”

  “I’ll be there soon,” Mandy said, as the knot in her throat grew bigger. Mandy stood as if she had taken root and watched as Abbie and Clark drove away. “There goes my life,” she whispered.

  Billy and Mandy danced the mother and father dance. So far, so good, she thought, as Billy kissed her cheek and escorted her to her seat. Soon after, Billy kissed Abbie goodbye and went on his way.

  Mandy sighed with relief. Go get your bottle, Billy. Thank you for not getting drunk and embarrassing our daughter on her wedding day.

  Mandy looked at Abbie. Abbie winked and Mandy knew that her daughter understood. Billy had done his part and he’d done it sober.

  When the reception was over, Mandy and Otis loaded the car with wedding presents and went home. Once they had brought the presents inside the house, Otis said, “That was a beautiful wedding, and I haven’t been up this late since your mother and I got married.” He kissed Mandy’s cheek. “I’m going to bed. It’s been a great day and night for this old granddaddy.”

  “Goodnight, Dad.”

  Mandy waited until Otis closed his bedroom door before the dam burst and her tears flowed like a river, and she felt as empty as a cockle shell.

  She stepped outside and lit a cigarette. She looked toward the heavens and whispered. “My last baby is gone. Bless her marriage and keep her happy.” As she wiped her tears, a beautiful butterfly landed on her shoulder, flapped it wings, then flew away. “I can’t believe you’re out this time of night, but thank you. Carry my prayers to the angels.”

  Another year passed, and Mandy marveled at how things had changed in the four years she had been back in Bon Harbor.

  Kati was working in the lounge at the Ramada Inn as a bartender, and she was raking in tips. She bought a car, and so far she was keeping her bills paid. Mandy would come home from work just as it was time for Kati to drop off Tina and Leigh, then go to her job. She and the girls played beautician, and the girls fixed Mandy crazy hair-dos, and they caked her face with more makeup than a street walker would wear. They howled with laughter.

  Tony and Belinda were attending AA meetings, and were clean and sober. Tony finished welding school, and he had a job making excellent money. Mandy kept Braxton, Belle, and Ian on the weekends. She packed a picnic and took them to the park. She felt like a child herself as she went down the sliding board, pumped her legs as she made the swing go higher and higher, and bailed out in mid-air, which sent the children into fits of laughter. Now this is what being a nana is all about, she thought, as she listened to the children’s gleeful laughter.

  Otis had finally given Mandy full reign of the kitchen, day and night. He’s eye sight had gotten so bad, he didn’t know when the stove burners were on the right heat, and he wasn’t sure what he was picking up from the pantry. Mandy cooked for him and they ate the evening meal together. Otis had also mellowed in many ways. He no longer fussed about what his great-grandchildren did, even when they were acting like wild Indians, running through the house, yelling and fighting with each other.

  Christmas was upon them and Mandy and the grandchildren decorated every room and put up a beautiful tree. Otis came into the living room and sat on the couch. Then he stretched out and closed his eyes.

  Mandy said, “Hey, kids. Granddaddy is asleep. Why don’t we decorate him?”

  The children stuck bows on his bald head, wrapped his arms and stomach with tensile, then hooked bulbs through his socks. They were laughing and Mandy noticed the corners of Otis’ mouth turned up f
rom time to time.

  Mandy laughed. “Kids, he’s not asleep. He knows what you’re doing and he thinks it funny. Just keep decorating. When you’re finished, I’ll take a picture of him and we’ll have something to pass around Christmas Day, and the rest of the family will have a big laugh.”

  Mandy spent two full days in the kitchen, baking and fixing dishes that she could put into the fridge, and she prepped the food that she would cook the morning before the family arrived.

  It was the best Christmas that Mandy had fully enjoyed in years.

  Three months after Christmas, Lee called. Mandy was overjoyed and she apologized for not being able to come see him. “I’m bound here, Lee.”

  “I know, Sis. You’ll get down here when you can.” They talked for thirty minutes, each telling what was going on in their lives with children and grandchildren. Right before they hung up, Lee said, “Have you heard about Gill?”

  “I haven’t heard from him in a long time. And truthfully, I hope I never I do again.”

  “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about it. He died. A friend of mine from Hinesville called and said he was found dead on the floor of his living room. Nobody had seen or heard from him in a few days, so somebody, I’m not sure who, went to check on him and found him. Apparently he had a heart attack.”

  “I’m sorry he died alone. That’s sad. And I’m sorry for his family. As for me, I have no feelings one way or the other. He was as good as dead to me when I left Georgia. Thanks for telling me.”

  “Sure, Sis. Call me when you can. I love you.”

  “I love you, Lee.”

  Mandy hung up the phone. For the first time in his life, Gill wasn’t bullshitting. Too bad.

  The next four years brought more joyful Christmases, and the last Christmas, after everybody had gone home, Abbie announced that she and Clark were expecting a bundle of joy.

  “Oh my God! I’d begun to think you two didn’t know how to make a baby.” She laughed. “My first five are more than half grown. It’s been eleven years since I’ve had a new grandbaby. It couldn’t come at a better time. My first five have outgrown me. This one will be a new lease on life for me!”