Under the Sassafras

by Hattie Mae

  “He found his wedding ring and has been trying so hard to remember why it was in his pocket. I just thought you would have triggered his memory about her.” MaeMae leaned back in her chair.

  Sara sighed. “No. I have a lot to tell him but when I checked with the doctor he told me to try and let him remember on his own. But I can give you a little history about William. He met Marion in college. Tony introduced them, Tony and Marion ran in the same circle.” Sara tilted her head. “Tony and William had been friends since we were kids. I never cared for him, he seemed too fickle as a friend, always getting in a huff and ignoring William for a week or more.”

  MaeMae leaned a little closer and let Sara talk.

  “Marion and Tony both came from very wealthy families, so different from ours. Tony's family was what you would call an old money family. But when Tony’s parents died his brother was named the one in charge. He ran through that money like it was water. Tony was different after that.”

  Sara leaned back and sighed. “Marion's family made theirs fast on some real estate deal her dad came up with. Having money was new to Marion, and she loved it. With William's intelligence, and good looks, and her money they became known as the ’Golden Duo.’ Other people thought they were a great couple, but I never thought they should have married.”

  “Why?” MaeMae asked.

  Sara shrugged. “I don't think Marion ever loved anyone but herself. But Marion is not the problem any more.” Sara paused as if to choose her next words then shook her heard. “I'm sorry I think I've said more than I should say. Just know that William is a man of his word and he promised for better or worse. It would go against all of his values to break a promise, regardless of his feelings.” Sara wiped away the tears filling her eyes. “I must be on my way. He's waiting for me. He wants the good-byes to be said quickly to minimize the hurt. Thank you so much for taking such good care of my brother. I know we can never repay the kindness. I now know why he loves all of you so much.”

  Sara bent over and kissed MaeMae’s cheek.

  MaeMae caught her face in both her hands. “You take care of my boy. That is the only thanks I need. Don't you let anyone hurt him and don't you let him forget us. Promise?”

  Sara smiled sweetly. “How could anyone forget you MaeMae, or any of you? But, yes, of course, I promise. Goodbye MaeMae.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  T-Boy lay with his back to the door. Possum sat at the side of the bed.

  “Is he asleep?” Mansir asked.

  Turning over to see them, T-Boy smiled. “Did you bring it?”

  “Hey Mr. Hero.” Possum grinned and gave Mansir his place.

  “I said I would, didn't I? Maybe Possum and your Mom could go down to the cafeteria and eat some lunch and you and I can start a lesson.” Mansir put the chess set on T-Boy's bed.

  “Are you sure?” Joelette asked under her breath. “Maybe when I bring him home tomorrow would be a better time?”

  “No, I can't put this off. He deserves to know and he deserves to hear it from me. I'll try to make him understand.” He had his hand on Joelette's arm.

  “When you help him understand, then help me, will you?” Joelette and Possum closed the door behind them.

  “What was all the whispering about?” T-Boy asked.

  Mansir looked at the boy who looked even smaller than usual lying in the hospital bed. His heart shattered.

  “I still get to go home tomorrow, don't I?”

  “You bet, little man. Your mom and I just had a few things we needed to tell each other. Now let's get this chess game started.”

  Mansir explained the game of chess to T-Boy, the placement of the pieces and their moves. T-Boy caught on fast just like he had on the projects they'd made in the woodshed.

  “You're a very smart boy, T-Boy. Promise me that you’ll always apply yourself. You are going to be able to be anything you want to be. Don't forget that.” Mansir swallowed hard, trying to ignore the reality that he wouldn’t be here to see T-Boy become a man.

  T-Boy looked into Mansir's face. “Are you what you want to be?”

  The question startled him. “I don't know,” he answered honestly. “I haven't thought about that for years. But maybe it’s time I did.”

  T-Boy lay back on the pillow. “I'm tired. Can we finish later?”

  “Sure we can.” Mansir took the chess set and placed it in the box. “May I talk to you man to man, T-Boy?”

  T-Boy puffed out his chest. “Yeah, sure.”

  Taking both of T-Boys hands in his, he took a deep breath. “I know you heard the news program the other night where they broadcasted my lack of memory on national television. Someone else saw that program, T-Boy. My sister, Sara.”

  “Wow, you have a sister. Did she call and tell you your name?”

  “She did better than that.” Mansir squeezed T-Boy’s hands. “She came to get me. When I saw her, I remembered everything, well, almost everything. There are still some parts that are a little foggy. But I remember the main things.”

  T-Boy continued to watch Mansir's face. “What do you mean, she came to get you? Where are you going?” Big tears began to fill the saddened eyes of T-Boy.

  “I'm sorry, son, I have to go home. I live in California.”

  “No! You can't do that.” He pulled his hands out of Mansir’s “You told me you loved me. You told me you would help me in school.” T-Boy’s voice shook as he continued. “You called me son.”

  Mansir could see the boy fight so hard not to cry.

  “T-Boy, don't shut yourself off. I meant all those things I said to you, I do love you with my whole heart. I'll never forget you and I'll keep in touch.” Tears now flowed freely down both of their faces. Mansir gathered T-Boy in his arms and rocked him as the little boy cried. “I'm so sorry. I know it hurts to say goodbye, but just think if we would have never met. I would never have learned all the things you taught me.”

  Pulling away from him, T-Boy wiped the tears with the back of his hand. “Leave me alone.” His voice was hard and firm. “You lied. You lied!”

  Joelette flung the door open and flew to T-Boy's side. “It's okay baby. Go ahead and cry. Mommy's got you.” She cooed as she held her son in her arms.

  “No mommy, I can't. I can't cry anymore.” T-Boy tried to sit up straight, but the cast on his leg prevented him. “I have to be the man of the house again. Mansir is leaving.”

  “T-Boy, wait. Let me explain,” Mansir said.

  “Please step outside,” Joelette said. “Let me talk to him. Possum, will you please wait with Mansir? I've called for a nurse to see if we have upset him too much. Please. I'll be out as soon as he settles down.”

  Mansir watched as Joelette continued to rock T-Boy in her arms. A nurse bustled in past him.

  “We are not needed here.” Possum guided Mansir into the hallway.

  Another nurse came down the hall with a shot in her hand and entered the room.

  “What have I done, Possum.”

  Possum blew his nose and cleared his throat. “You did nothing my friend. You gave them love and they all thought you would stay. Life played a big trick on all of us. Don't blame yourself.”

  “Be here for her Possum, she trusts you, and she’ll need you.”

  ###

  What seemed like hours went by as Joelette sat by her T-Boy’s bed, waiting for him to go to sleep. He finally closed his eyes and his breathing became regular, she looked at his beloved knight she held in her hand. T-Boy had thrown it across the room, and after he went to sleep she picked it up.

  Please don't let him withdraw again. Losing Mansir would be like losing his dad all over again. Please give me the strength to give him what he needs. She stepped outside the room and found the two men.

  “Is he okay?” Mansir went to her side.

  “He's asleep. I don't think you should go back in and see him. He’s too upset. I think that was your goodbye.” She took a deep breath and with shaking hands brushed the hair out of her face.
“If you want, you can write him a letter from California. But tomorrow morning when you leave don't come by. It's going to be hard enough for him as it is.”

  “I think I'll go sit by his bed, if that's okay with you,” Possum said. He turned to Mansir and held out his hand. “Keep in touch, Amie.”

  “Thank you for teaching me, Possum. You will definitely hear from me soon. Take care of yourself and save some shrimp for me.

  Joelette looked in Mansir’s eyes and knew. “You're leaving today, aren't you?” She was too tired emotionally and physically to feel anything but numb. But she still needed to know.

  “Yes, Sara is waiting outside. Walk with me, Joelette, please.” He walked as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. “I didn't want to drag this out anymore than I had too. I've caused enough hurt. We’re driving to Lake Charles to spend the night. Then we fly out tomorrow.”

  They were in the lobby before she was ready.

  “I’ve always been truthful with you Joelette and I can’t stop now, I remembered something else last night. It has to do with why I was running. My wife, Marion, and my best friend, Tony, were having an affair. I don’t know exactly what I was planning to do but I have to go back and face the two of them.”

  “Do you still love her?” She’d stopped walking and was looking at him, trying desperately to hold herself together.

  “I can honestly say I don’t know. In my heart I don’t think so but I have to see her and Tony and fix this mess. They were such a big part of my life for so long. Understand?”

  Joelette tried to grab onto some thought spinning through her mind. Was he going back to make things right with his friend and his wife. He must still love her, to be so ready to leave and return to his life in California. She took a steadying breath. “You have to do what you have to do.”

  He tried to take Joelette's hand but she put them behind her back. “I have so much I want to tell you, but I've run out of time. I wish we had met under different circumstances. I do love--”

  “Don't say it,” she interrupted him. “Not now when I can't bear to hear the words. I believe that you could never hurt another person, but you still have so many holes in your mind, still so many pockets of your past you need to fill.” Tears came in choking spurts she wiped her eyes. “I gave you all my trust. I let you in here.” She said pointing at her chest. “Goodbye, William.”

  She could feel Mansir’s eyes on her back as she walked away. “Goodbye m'lady.” She heard him whisper.

  The words cut through her like a knife. She could never be his lady.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  “Hi MaeMae, I've decided to spend the night with T-Boy. I think he needs me here.” Joelette could hear the exhaustion in her own voice. She twisted the phone cord as she listened to MaeMae.

  “Are you alright?” MaeMae asked.

  Joelette released a weak laugh. “I’ve been better, but I’ll be alright. What about you?” Joelette placed her head in the palm of her hand.

  “I'll be fine. Don’t you worry about us,” MaeMae said.

  She let out a moan and switched the receiver to the other ear. “Possum suggested that he stay over with you and Ozamae in case you need something.

  “Is Ozamae okay?”

  “He’s fine. Playing with those wooden animals.”

  Joelette let out a sigh. “We’ll talk more tomorrow when T-Boy and I come home.” Joelette pushed her finger against her forehead and tried to make the dull headache go away. “Tell Ozamae I love him, and thank you.”

  She moved in slow motion as if in a fog as she hung up the phone. Everything happened so fast, the wreck, the returned memory, the goodbyes.

  A woman walked toward her down the hall of the hospital with a camera crew behind her. “Mrs. Benoit, if I could have a moment of your time.”

  “What is this about?” Joelette asked the woman she recognized from the local news station.

  “We hoped you would grant us a short interview about your son and the accident. I promise it won't take long.”

  Joelette released the breath she held and focused on the woman's smile. So sure of herself, you could tell she knew exactly what she wanted in life and how to make it happen.

  “What do you want to know?”

  The woman motioned for the cameras to roll. She held a microphone in front of Joelette. “This is Ellie Evans with Channel Five coming live from Lafayette Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Joelette Benoit has agreed to answer a few questions about the awful school bus wreck on the Whiskey Bay Bridge.”

  The camera pointed at Joelette, bright lights blinding her and then the microphone shot in front of her mouth. What had she agreed to do? Her head hurt, and her eyes blurred. Her mouth went dry.

  “Mrs. Benoit, where were you when you heard about the bus accident?”

  “What? Oh, at home with my younger son. Possum, I mean Mr. Sonnier, came and brought me to the hospital.”

  “How is your son doing?”

  Joelette smiled and thought she could do this for T-Boy. He would think being talked about on television cool. “T-Boy is doing much better, thank you. Are we on television now?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Benoit. Just a few more questions if you don't mind.” Joelette watched as the small pink tongue of the reporter efficiently darted out of her mouth and moistened her lips. Her own lips felt dry and cracked.

  “What can you tell us about the mystery man that saved your son along with the other children? How long has he been living with you and your family?”

  “I don't have anything to say about him. His sister saw his interview on television and recognized him. He has regained most of his memory and they left today. He’s a good man. He saved my son's life. I wish him well.” Tears stung at the back of her eyes, and she knew she needed to seek refuge. “Excuse me, but I have to go check on my son now.” The reporter stilled Joelette's steps with more questions.

  “Where is his home? Does he have a family?”

  “Somewhere in California. Please, I need to go now. I know nothing about the man.”

  Joelette turned and stumbled over the woman's foot and could hear her telling the camera the mystery man had returned home and she would keep the audience aware of any follow up information about the hero of Whiskey Bay Bridge.

  She found T-Boy's hospital room and took hold of the door handle then bit her lip to force back the tears. Joelette straightened her stance, then opened the door and with a smile said, “How's my boy?”

  “I’m okay. Is he gone?” T-Boy asked.

  “Yes darling, he's gone.”

  “I hate him,” he said as he sat up in bed his little fist clenched on the blanket.

  Joelette stood beside T-Boy's bed and pushed back his hair from his forehead. His cheeks were still tear-stained and a worried frown covered his tiny brow. “No, T-Boy you can't hate him.”

  T-Boy’s jaw jutted out at a stubborn angle. “I can hate him if I want.”

  Her own emotions were so close to the surface, she had to take a moment. She couldn’t bear to let the love her son had once felt simmer into hate. “Think of all he did for us. He helped me get the field ready. Remember how he tutored you in math, and look at your grades now. He made you a gift you will always treasure. Think of the times he made us laugh. But the greatest gift he gave, to all of us, was when he saved your life. You can't hate him, T-Boy, he loved us.”

  “But not enough to stay,” T-Boy said softly.

  Joelette crawled into bed with T-Boy and held him in her arms. “Baby, he couldn't stay. You know that it wouldn't have been right for him to stay. He has a home and a family.” They lay in silence holding on to each other. T-Boy shifted and looked into Joelette's face.

  “Do you think he'll ever come back?”

  “I don't know baby, maybe he won't be able to, but you can write him if you want. He left his address.”

  T-Boy picked up the knight that Joelette left on his bed, and turned it over in his hand. “Alright I won't hate him, but I
don't think I'll write him, first anyway.” Joelette couldn’t hug T-Boy tight enough. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

  Joelette let T-Boy show her how to play chess, as much as he remembered. “Maybe we can check out a book in the library on chess,” Joelette suggested.

  “Can we on our way home tomorrow?”

  “We'll see.” Standing up, she rubbed the back of her neck.

  A nurse came in carrying a dinner tray. “Hello, Mrs. Beniot, I didn't know you were still here. Would you like a dinner tray?”

  “Yes, please.” Joelette suspected her churning stomach would not accept food, but she had to eat, or at least try.

  “Are you also spending a night?” The nurse asked when she returned with the tray.

  “Yes, I thought my son and I could use a night away together.” Joelette winked at T-Boy, then laid her head back.

  “What's the matter, Mom?”

  “I'm tired baby. I think I'll read a chapter to you from the book I brought and then turn in.”

  “I'm kind of tired myself. Crying sure makes your eyes tired.”

  “Yes it does. Let's not cry anymore tonight.” She gave him a squeeze. “Why not think of all the fun things we are going to do when we get home? You know you have a little brother that worships you, a grandmother who dotes on you and a mother that is so proud of you.”

  Tomorrow, she would think about what she had to do to put this family back together.

  ###

  “Mom, is that the place the bus went over?” T-Boy asked, straining his neck as they crossed the area on the other side of the bridge. Yellow tape marked the place.

  “The bus didn't go over the bridge. Possum will be able to tell you more in detail.” Joelette still got sick in her stomach when she thought of that day. But she knew he would want to rehash every detail.

  MaeMae and Ozamae met them at the truck and covered T-Boy with hugs and kisses.

  “Wow, you have crutches. Do you get to keep them? I made decorations and MaeMae made cookies. Did you get a shot?” Ozamae bounced around T-Boy like a new puppy.