The Widows of Braxton County

by Jess McConkey

  The screen door opened and Joe stepped out between the two women. “Where have you been?”

  Trudy shot Kate a smirk. “You may not have to answer me, but you do your husband.” She spun and slammed back into the house.

  “You’ve been off work for hours. Where did you go?”

  She couldn’t tell him she’d been at Rose’s. “Please, Joe, not now. I’m tired,” she said, trying to put off his questioning.

  “Maybe if you’d come straight home, you wouldn’t be so tired.”

  There was no getting around it. “I did. I was working late,” she lied.

  “That’s not true,” he said, his face flushing. “When you didn’t come home, I drove into town to check on you. Your Jeep was gone and the office was closed.”

  “It’s not a big deal,” she said in a tired voice. “I went for a drive.”

  “With Will,” he spit out.

  Great, she thought, rubbing her eyes with her fingertips. It didn’t take the rumors long to circulate.

  “No, I wasn’t with Will Krause,” she replied. “Can’t we talk about this later?”

  “No, we’ll talk about it now.” He towered over her. “How long have you been sneaking around with Will?”

  “I’m not,” she cried.

  “You were in Flint Rapids with him.”

  “To get a car,” she exclaimed, pointing to her Jeep. “You weren’t any help. Will introduced me to his friend who fixes up old cars and sells them. That’s all.”

  His eyes became slits as he glanced over at the Jeep. “You bought that from a friend of his? Get rid of it,” he said, not waiting for her answer.

  “How am I supposed to get to work?”

  “You won’t. You’re going to call Doc Adams and give him your two-week notice.”

  “No,” Kate replied in a hushed voice.

  He came forward. “What did you say?”

  “I said ‘no.’ ” She shoved her hands on her hips. “I like my job. I like having my own money.”

  “And I said you’re quitting. I’m not having my wife catting around and stirring up gossip.”

  “Listen, Will is a friend, nothing more. And,” she said with a jerk of her head toward the house, “if anyone’s stirring up gossip, you have your mother to thank. Her and her friends have had a grand time trashing me.”

  A vein began to throb on Joe’s forehead. “That’s not true.”

  “Oh yes, it is,” she declared, “and I’m sick of it. You make a choice. Either you get your mother out of this house, or I’m gone.” Kate got in his face. “And don’t bother lying about the apartments. One has been vacant for months.” She stepped back and turned, reaching for the screen door, but her hand never made contact. Joe grabbed her shoulders and spun her around.

  “You are not leaving me,” he said, giving her a shake. “Who do you think you are?” He gave her another shake. “You don’t tell me what to do. My mother can stay here as long as she wants.”

  From the back of the house, she heard the music box begin to play.

  “I’m your wife,” Kate yelled. “I’m not living in the same house with her.”

  He shook her harder, jarring her head back and forth. “You will if I say so.”

  Kate stood, stunned, the discordant notes of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” seemed to surround her. She struggled, but she couldn’t loosen his grip on her shoulders. And the harder she tried, the more forcefully his fingers dug into her shoulders. She winced in pain.

  “Joe,” she gasped.

  He stopped, then released her. Holding his hands in front of him, he stared at them as if they were foreign objects.

  The music suddenly stopped, and Kate pressed her fist to her mouth and fled. Once in the bedroom, she slammed the door and locked it. Breathing hard, she threw her back against the door and wrapped her arms around her waist.

  When would she learn? Shame ran through her. She should’ve never given him an ultimatum. Bucking away from the door, her eyes widened. No. He’d lied about Trudy living with them from the beginning and she’d put up with it. Looked the other way. Tried to avoid touchy subjects with him in order to keep the peace. She’d worked hard to please him and received blessed little in return.

  Enough. She’d told Rose that everyone made a choice and it was time to make hers.

  She started toward the closet, then stopped when her grandmother’s voice echoed in her head. You’ll screw it up. You can’t do anything right.

  “Shut up,” she muttered to herself and returned to the door. After unlocking it, she opened it and ran down the hall to the spare room. She grabbed her suitcase from the corner and returned to the bedroom to begin emptying the closet.

  When she’d finished that task, she started on the dresser, tossing things into the suitcase in no particular order. Suddenly she stopped.

  Where did she think she was going? Not back to her grandmother’s. She’d rather live in a ditch. She could ask Doris to take her in, but with three adolescent boys, Doris had enough to do. A motel? She had a little money and would be able to afford a few nights, but the money wouldn’t last long. A sob escaped as her vision blurred with tears. She placed both hands on top of the dresser, leaning against it. Hot blood flooded her face and she bowed her head, letting the tears plop on its surface.

  What was she going to do?

  A brush of air cooled her cheeks and she raised her head. Staring in the mirror, she noticed a shadow by the door, but when she pivoted, the shadow had disappeared.

  Kate inhaled slowly. She didn’t know if it had been Joe or Trudy spying on her, but she was relieved they’d left. The thought of being watched spurred her on. With her arms full of her things, she crossed to the bed and dumped them in the suitcase. Ten minutes later, she hauled the suitcase out of the room and down the stairs.

  Joe waited at the bottom.

  “Kate—wait—let’s talk,” he pleaded.

  She skirted around him and headed for the front door.

  “I suppose you’re going to Will’s?” he asked in a tight voice.

  She shot him a withering glance over her shoulder and kept walking.

  Kate sat at the crossroads trying to figure out which way to turn. Right, left, or straight ahead? Turning around and going back was not an option. Thoughts of Rose popped into her head unexpectedly, and as if with a will of their own, her hands turned the Jeep to the left.

  As she approached Rose’s house, she saw the porch light shining like a beacon in the distance. And when she pulled in the drive, Rose was standing on the porch, waiting, as if she’d expected her. After Kate rolled to a stop, she came to the Jeep and opened Kate’s door.

  “You look done in, child,” she said, drawing Kate out. Placing an arm around her shoulders, she began to guide her to the house. “I wondered if you wouldn’t be back.”

  Kate, too emotionally exhausted to respond, looked at her, perplexed.

  “Have you eaten?” she asked, guiding her into the house.

  “No, but I’m not hungry.”

  “You need to eat. I’ll make you a sandwich.”

  Once in the kitchen, Rose steered her toward the chair, then busied herself making a ham sandwich while Kate gave her the short version of her fight with Joe. Rose’s face flooded with anger when Kate related the part about Joe shaking her.

  “Do you need to see Doc?”

  “No, the muscles in the back of my neck are stiff, but I don’t have a headache. I’ll be okay.”

  After placing the food and a cup of hot tea in front of Kate, Rose took her own seat and waited silently as Kate tried to choke down the sandwich. Finally, Kate pushed her plate away.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t finish it.”

  “That’s okay. Drink your tea. I’ll make you a big breakfast in the morning.”

  Aghast, Kate stared at her. “I can’t stay here.”

  “Why not? I’ve four big bedrooms upstairs.”

  “It would be an imposition.”

&n
bsp; “Nonsense. I told you if you needed anything—”

  “Bet you didn’t expect it to be this soon,” Kate broke in, blinking hard to keep the tears at bay.

  “Do you want to know the truth?” Rose hooked her arm over the back of her chair. “I knew trouble was coming. I heard about you and Will.”

  Kate covered her face with her hands. “Nothing—”

  Rose reached over and drew her hands away. “I know it’s nothing more than a lot of talk. Will’s not going to go chasing after another man’s wife, and from what I’ve heard, you’re not the type to let yourself be chased.” Leaning back, she grimaced. “I knew it wouldn’t be long until Trudy got wind of the rumor and went running to Joe with it. And I’m sure she added her own spin.” She tugged on her bottom lip. “You know you didn’t deserve the way he treated you, don’t you.”

  “I guess.”

  Rose smacked the table, startling Kate. “There’s no guessing about it, and I hope to hell you’re not planning on going back.”

  “I’m not,” she answered with a brittle smile. “I’m tired of the lying, the heartfelt apologies that only last until the next time I make him angry, and Trudy.”

  “Are you moving back to your home?”

  “I don’t have a home—just my grandmother’s.”

  “The stingy one?” Rose asked with a faint smile.

  “Yeah. I lived on her charity for eighteen years.”

  “And she never let you forget it.”

  “No, she didn’t and I’m not living with her again. She’s almost as bad as Trudy, only sneakier.”

  Rose stood and picked up the plate. After carrying it to the counter, she placed it in the sink, then turned to Kate. “Stay here tonight. You can decide what you want to do tomorrow.”

  “That’s very generous of you,” Kate said in an astonished voice. “You’ve only met me twice.”

  Rose chuckled. “I’m a very good judge of character. Essie—”

  “Essie?” Kate interrupted.

  “My grandmother, Esther Winter Lloyd, but everyone called her Essie. She always said that I had eyes and ears too big for a child.” She lifted a shoulder. “Great-Grandpa Winter had said the same about her, so I took it as a compliment.”

  “So it’s a family trait?”

  “One of them, I guess.”

  “There are others?”

  “I’d like to think so, but that’s a long story. It’s off to bed with you.”

  Rose helped Kate to her feet and gave her a quick hug. “I know you feel pretty bleak right now, but it’ll get better. I promise.”

  Chapter 21

  Fall 2012, the Clement family farm

  The next morning Kate woke up disoriented. Where was she? This wasn’t her bedroom. It all came crashing back . . . Joe . . . the fight . . . the accusations. The confusion was followed by a clutch of fear. She sat up in bed and rubbed her sore shoulders. She had to come up with a plan and dawdling here in bed wasn’t the way to accomplish it. After dressing in jeans, a cotton shirt, and loafers, she left to find Rose.

  The smell of fresh coffee guided her. The table was set for two, and Rose stood at the stove scrambling eggs. She looked over her shoulder as Kate entered.

  “Hungry?”

  Kate began to deny it, but her stomach gurgled loudly, giving her away.

  Rose chuckled. “Help yourself to the coffee and the eggs will be ready in a minute.”

  “Thanks. Is there anything I can do to help?” Kate asked as she grabbed a cup and poured her coffee.

  “Nope. Sit and we’ll eat.”

  They were silent for a few moments while they both dug into the plates of scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast. Rose was the first to break it.

  “Did you sleep well?”

  Kate lifted one shoulder. “All things considered . . . yes, I did. And I can’t thank you enough for putting me up last night. I’ll be out of your hair today.”

  “I told you last night that you’re not an imposition,” she said with a steely look, then smiled. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

  “I can’t sponge off you, Rose.”

  “Who said anything about sponging? Everyone needs a hand now and again.”

  “Yeah, but I prefer to pay my own way. I’m going to ask Doc for more hours, but if he can’t, then I’ll look for a second job.”

  “Okay, then stay here and pay room and board.”

  “I don’t have much. I think I’d be better off staying at a cheap motel.”

  Rose’s eyebrows shot up. “Sharing a room with roaches and living on Ramen noodles? I don’t call that better off.” She extended her hand across the table. “Look, I really don’t need extra money right now, but I could use a little help around here—” The expression on Kate’s face stopped her. “Oh, don’t worry. I wouldn’t work you half to death like Trudy did.”

  Kate flushed with embarrassment. “I don’t think that—I—um.”

  “Stop,” Rose said and laughed. “It’s okay if you suspect my motives after the way you’ve been treated. You really don’t have much reason to trust me.” She paused. “Yet.”

  “Essie was right. You do have big eyes.”

  “Yes, she was, and I’ll say this before the thought pops into your head. I’m not like your grandmother. I don’t want you to feel beholden to me for helping you.”

  Grateful for Rose’s insightfulness, Kate smiled. “You’re an amazing woman, Rose.”

  Rose’s cheeks colored. “I don’t know about that,” she replied self-consciously. “But I did have a wonderful example in my grandmother. She was insistent about the need for women to help each other instead of turning a blind eye.”

  “She sounds like a wonderful person.”

  “That she was. Helping you isn’t totally unselfish of me. I get something out of it, too. I get to feel useful and so many people my age don’t. Instead of getting out there and doing for others, they’re sitting around waiting to die.” She tapped her chest. “Not me. I’m going out kicking and screaming.”

  Kate laughed.

  “See,” she said, wagging a finger at Kate, “I made you laugh and that makes me happy. Don’t think this is a one-way street. I benefit from you staying here, too, and those benefits don’t have to be monetary.”

  Kate thought for a moment. Staying with Rose would be a great help. She wouldn’t be rushed into making a decision that she might later regret. She’d have the time to think about what direction she wanted to take in her life.

  “Okay, you’ve got a deal. Will your daughter mind if I live here for a while?”

  Rose’s expression turned cagey. “My children learned not to dictate to me a long time ago. They know they’d be wasting their breath. Besides,” she said with pride, “my daughter, Annie, looks at things the same way I do. She’ll be fine with the idea.”

  Her face grew serious. “I do have errands today. You’re welcome to go with me, but I’ll understand if you don’t want to.”

  Kate sniffed. “As long as it doesn’t have anything to do with Trudy and her church ladies, I’ll welcome the distraction.”

  “It doesn’t, but it still might be difficult for you.”

  “Why?”

  “I do volunteer work in Flint Rapids on Tuesdays.”

  “Even better. I’ll get out of Dutton for the day.”

  “At a women’s shelter.”

  “Oh.”

  “See what I mean?” Rose asked kindly. “Given what happened to you yesterday, I understand if visiting a shelter is the last thing you want to do.”

  Kate picked up her coffee and sipped it slowly. She felt torn. On the one hand, Rose had been so kind and gracious and driving her to Flint Rapids would be one small way to begin to repay her. But did she want to face other women in situations similar to hers? Setting her cup down, she pursed her lips and looked across at Rose’s blank expression. She was letting Kate make up her own mind without pushing one way or the other.

  Kate stoo
d. “I’ll clean the kitchen then drive you to the shelter.”

  Following Rose’s directions, Kate turned onto a quiet street in a residential section, then stopped in front of a large Victorian house. A brick walkway led across the yard, past two large maple trees, to the wraparound porch. White with blue trim, the house looked well cared for and spacious. Kate helped Rose out of the Jeep and walked around to the back, popping the rear door. As she grabbed two sacks of groceries, the sound of children’s laughter caught her attention.

  “We have a small daycare out back in the old coach house,” Rose explained, picking up a third sack of food. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to the staff and we can get the boxes of clothes and toys later.”

  Kate followed Rose up the brick path to the front porch and stood on the top step while Rose rang the bell. The door opened and Rose motioned her forward.

  “Hello, Rebecca,” she said cheerfully as a young woman with laughing eyes took the sack.

  “Hey, Rose,” she responded, sneaking a peek at Kate.

  “Rebecca.” Rose placed her hand on Kate’s upper arm. “This is my friend Kate. She’s visiting me for a bit and kindly drove me today.”

  “How’s it going, Kate?” Rebecca said. “Come on in,” she continued without waiting for a response. “We’re back here in the kitchen.”

  Together they proceeded down a wide hall to a room at the back of the house. Two women sat at the table, chopping vegetables. Obviously pleased to see Rose, their expressions became more guarded when introduced to Kate. During the introduction, one of them quickly turned her face to the side, but not before Kate noticed a yellowing bruise on her left cheek.

  “Rose,” Rebecca said, “why don’t you help Pam and Sharon with the vegetables while Kate and I bring in the rest of the boxes.”

  A few moments later, Rebecca and Kate were hauling the boxes out of the back end of the Jeep and stacking them in the entryway. With the last box in her arms, Rebecca glanced at Kate.

  “I’m sorry for your troubles,” she said quietly.

  Surprised, Kate almost dropped the box she carried. “Excuse me?”

  Rebecca gave a little shake of her head. “Rose didn’t say anything, if that’s what you’re thinking.” She scrutinized Kate. “You have that shell-shocked look around your eyes.”