Stardust: A Novel

by Carla Stewart

I shot Bobby Carl a warning look. “Cut the agent act, all right? Peter’s been away for a few days.” To Peter, I said, “You’ll have to get used to Bobby Carl. He’s starting a business promoting musicians.”

  Peter’s eyes held a hint of caution as he gave Bobby Carl the once-over. “If I decide to take my guitar on the road, at least I know who to call. Now, if y’all will pardon me, I’ll see if Ludi needs my help.”

  Bobby Carl watched him go. “Can’t see what you see in him. Looks like a drifter to me.”

  “He’s a handyman… and good at what he does.” The vessels in my neck throbbed. Peter was back, and I was stuck with Bobby Carl.

  “It’s the propriety of it; I only want the best for you, you know.”

  “Thanks. And I want the best for you, too. Which, at the moment, might be the yummiest crawfish you ever sunk your teeth into.”

  “Not interested unless you’ll be my dinner partner.”

  “Sorry. I’m the hostess and am sitting with my family.”

  I hurried away, but when I looked back, Bobby Carl sat behind the wheel of his sporty car, then peeled out on the gravel. I wove among the tables and greeted those who’d come. Trixie and Bud Matthews, Honey Sheldon and her husband, the mayor of Mayhaw. Hugh Salazar looked up and nodded. I thanked him for coming.

  “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” He smiled and turned back to visiting with the mayor.

  A group rallied around Sally, asking about Hud’s cousin, and she repeated what she’d told me earlier in the week. She added, “The newspapers are literally dripping with stories, telling people not to go out in public. Hud called me this morning and said in Houston they’re asking people to vacation at home in their own backyards.”

  Trixie gave me a sheepish look. “How awful for Georgia if the whole state decided not to leave their towns. Who would come and fill up these adorable cottages?”

  I shrugged. “You know it’s a scare tactic. It sells more papers.”

  Sally sighed. “I’m one of those scared plumb into next week. Honest to goodness, girls, if you’d seen that respiratory ward—”

  “I didn’t think you’d ever gone in to see Hud’s cousin.”

  “We couldn’t actually go in since she’s still in isolation. We had to look through the window.”

  Sheriff Bolander approached with Twila Flynn dangling from his wrist like a sidearm. I had to admit she still had her looks, as Aunt Cora would say. And Sonny looked ten years younger, clapping his hand over hers.

  In a tinny voice, Twila said, “They say polio’s contagious.”

  Sonny nodded. “You can bet we’re keeping an eye on the situation. Couple of counties already issued quarantines on public parks. Heard they even turned out school a week early down south where the thing’s grown legs and run wild.”

  Hands on my hips, I glared at Sonny. “Gee, thanks, for bringing such cheerful news. I think I liked it better when all you fellas talked about was the weather and the fishing report on Caddo Lake.” Not that I didn’t recognize the gravity of it, but I wanted the evening to be carefree.

  Sally, bless her, came to my defense. “You’re right. This is a night to celebrate. Come on, now! Let’s have some fun.”

  I slipped away as Sally chatted about going to see Singin’ in the Rain while they were in Houston and that Debbie Reynolds was “cute as a bug’s ear.” I found Peter in back helping Ludi with the food and manhandling the heavy black kettles that hung from the rod of the stone oven. He had a dish towel tied around his narrow waist, the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up. He must’ve freshened up, and to say he was handsome was an understatement, but no sense entertaining those thoughts. For all I knew he’d come to collect his things and return to San Antonio for the girl who’d called. Betty. It was a nice name, and Peter deserved someone nice. I hoped she was also pretty.

  When I walked up, Peter winked. “Less than ten minutes, according to Ludi. She says this is the finest mess of mudbugs she’s ever seen. Must’ve been two hundred pounds of them Catfish netted.”

  “It smells divine. Perfect amount of spice, I’d say. I hope you’ll join us at the table. You deserve it after all the work you did on the cottages.”

  “No, any sap could’ve done what I did. The landscaping, now that’s art. You go on and enjoy your night.”

  I thanked everyone for coming and asked them to be seated. Newspapers covered the long tables we’d borrowed from the church, ready for the feast. In no time, Peter heaved bucket after bucket of rosy-red crawfish mixed with fresh corn on the cob, tender onions, hunks of spicy sausage, and new potatoes Ludi had insisted on bringing from her garden. Halved lemons meant for flavor added a bit of color.

  I passed out dish towels for bibs and invited everyone to dig in. Rosey held up a crawfish. “Look at me. MeMaw taught me how to eat mudbugs.” She held the head in one hand, the tail in the other. With a squeeze and a twist, she exposed the tail meat, held it in her teeth, and sucked in her cheeks until the meat popped into her mouth.

  Mary Frances chuckled. “That’s my girl.” Her laughter was the Dixie balm I needed.

  Sally clapped for Rosey. “I swan, you’re a true Southerner.” Her own hands were covered in juice, but she and the other ladies of society didn’t seem to mind. You simply had to dig in with both hands and eat when it came to crawfish. And crawfish was as much of a tradition in Mayhaw as genuflecting at the statue of General Robert E. Lee outside the elementary school.

  An hour later, paper-thin crawfish skeletons, wilted lemons, and fuzzy corncobs with the kernels gnawed off were all that remained. The sun kissed the tops of the pines, its neon orange casting a glow on us all. Gold, lavender, and scarlet ribbons streamed across the sky, the dying sun’s reflection playing its reverie.

  The ribbon-cutting was to take place simultaneously with lighting the Stardust sign. Rosey had begged to flip the switch from inside the office and awaited my signal. The Magnolias lined up behind a ribbon held on either end by two of the husbands. I stood in their midst, Avril’s tiny hand clutched in mine. Hugh Salazar, to my surprise, asked to say a few words.

  “Georgia, you’ve taught this old coot I’ve still got a few things to learn. Paddy Palmer, rest his soul, would be proud.” He looked around. “Now who the devil is going to cut this ribbon?”

  Mayor Sheldon, Honey’s husband, waved a pair of dress shears. Jess Porter, the reporter for the Mayhaw Messenger, lifted his camera in readiness.

  I cleared my throat. “Thank you all for your help. I feel completely inadequate to express my gratitude to all who’ve helped—Sally and the Magnolias, and my stars, for all you fellas who did the heavy work and made all those window boxes. Y’all might not know it, but my first memory of coming to Mayhaw is staying right over there in cottage five. You might say I’ve come full circle.” My voice shook, emotion clogging my throat. “Everybody ready?”

  I leaned across the ribbon and waved to Rosey. Moments later, the neon sputtered to life, the points of the star reaching toward the heavens. Mayor Sheldon snipped the ribbon and flashbulbs blinded me as a roar went up.

  My insides trembled, my knees shaky. A pair of hands rested lightly on my waist and a voice whispered in my ear, “Congratulations.”

  Tears I’d held back now sprang to the surface and tracked down my cheeks. I turned and looked into Peter’s eyes. The world stopped spinning for a moment, my head awash in the neon haze. I had a few questions for Peter Reese, but not tonight. Tonight I wanted to celebrate.

  I exhaled, aware again of the bubble of activity around me, and Avril tugged my hand. “Come, Mommy! See the lights!” We marched to the drive and leaned back, craning our necks. A more beautiful sight I’d never seen. I scooped Avril into my arms and twirled around as she giggled. I set her down, found Rosey, and the three of us joined hands, forming a circle. I threw back my head and danced under the neon light of the Texas sky, stardust in my eyes.

  [ CHAPTER 21 ]

  Ludi sat on a metal stool in the was
hhouse, her eyes bright. “Yes’m. That was some doin’s last night. It done my soul good to see all your fine friends sucking the heads of them crawdads, having a high time. Miz Do-reen would be mighty proud of what you done here.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without your help. I came here running from my own shadow, hoping and praying I didn’t make a mess of things.”

  “The Lord knows what we be needin’ ’fore we even ask. The way you come along and pay me now ever’ Saturday. The way you watch after Miz Mary Frances. I believe the Lord Jesus musta whispered into Paddy’s heart ’bout givin’ you the Stardust.”

  “You have more faith than I do, Ludi. Not that I don’t believe things work out for the good, for I suppose they do eventually. You know I’ve sailed a few thank-yous up in gratitude for you and your kiddos. Guess they’re resting up over in Zion today?”

  “Mercysakes, what give you that idea? They’re out there trying to weasel yo’ man Peter into gon’ fishin’. Last I be hearin’ he said they gots to clean up ever’ speck a litter on the grounds and then some ’fore he’s gon’ fish.” She winced and leaned over to rub the side of her foot.

  “I’m glad they’re helping Peter, who, by the way, is not my man—”

  “You don’t be knowin’ that. Maybe the Lord’s got plans he ain’t informed you about yet.”

  “You’re a fright, Ludi. Now let’s get these cottages ready.”

  My intention was to open at noon the day before Memorial Day for those who might strike out on vacation a day ahead of the holiday. That morning I took Mary Frances to the cemetery to place flowers on O’Dell’s and Earl’s graves. I’d chosen an arrangement for Paddy’s grave as well and was surprised to see a dozen or more flower bundles blanketing the soft mound where his body rested.

  Mary Frances held up better than I expected, and I tried to remain aloof and not think too much about it. It wasn’t hard as I had to keep an eye on Rosey and Avril, who had to be cautioned to not walk over the tops of the graves and to stay on the paths. Rosey stood for a long time staring at O’Dell’s grave. To me she said, “Do you think Daddy misses us?”

  “Of course he does. You were his sunshine.”

  She smiled and blew a kiss toward the grave. Overhead, the sun had given way to a bank of clouds, the air heavy, sticky with the scent of roses and daisies and honeysuckle. Sticky like my marriage to O’Dell, but as Mary Frances ran her fingers across the letters of Earl’s headstone, my eyes teared up. At least one of us had happy memories.

  When we arrived back at the Stardust, Peter leaned against his Studebaker, Sebastian at his feet. His straw hat shielded his face, and I wondered if he was waiting to say good-bye. At least if he did, he’d be more courteous than the others in my life who had left me.

  A twinge came in my chest. Good-byes in person didn’t taste any better than notes left in sugar bowls.

  The girls jumped from the car and ran to Sebastian. Peter pulled himself up and took off his hat. “Feels like a rain comin’ on.”

  I fanned my face with my hand. “I’ll say. Anything happen while we were gone?”

  “Matter of fact, Cecil got my car done.”

  “I see that… so I guess you’ll be leaving? Not sure how I can ever thank you for all you’ve done.”

  “No thanks necessary. The way I recall, I came here begging you to take me on, so if anyone’s got dibs on being grateful, it would be me… if I were leaving.”

  “You just said you were.”

  “No, ma’am. You said I was. I said my car was fixed. Two completely different things.”

  My underarms got sticky, my face hot from looking like an idiot. “Sorry. I assumed you’d come back for your car.”

  He held his hat over his heart. “I am glad to get the old girl back. Seems, though, the repair costs were more than we first thought—”

  “Ah, so you need money.”

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “Oh, so you’re the mind reader now?” My voice was more flippant than I intended, and Peter looked away quickly. I had the feeling he was calculating the pros and cons of whether to continue the conversation or just shake hands and drive on down the road.

  Instead, he took my elbow and glanced at the girls playing with Sebastian. “Could we take a walk? I have something to show you.”

  “I hope it’s not another problem with the cottages. Ludi and I checked them thoroughly.”

  “Not the cottages. Something else.”

  “All right.” We fell in stride, silence heavy like the air around us. “I’ve been meaning to ask about your trip. How was it?”

  His face clouded as he shrugged. “Hard. I’m sure you could relate. Burying those you love is never easy.”

  The stormy blue of his eyes stole the air from my lungs. “The woman who called? She died?”

  “Betty? No, her husband. Complications from his injuries in Korea. We were in the same platoon.” He spoke in a flat tone, his eyes aimed at his shoes.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “We all carry the ghosts of our pasts, I guess. You. Catfish. Me.”

  Silence deafened me, waiting for him to continue, hoping he wouldn’t.

  His Adam’s apple bobbled in his throat. His eyes were still moist when he looked at me. “Come on, let me show you what I’ve been thinking.”

  He led me to the clearing out back. Leftover lumber dotted the area in various grids. He pointed under the trees. “What do you think of putting a few picnic tables over here? There’s nice shade, and I could get Catfish to help me cut trees for the lumber we’d need.”

  “You’re assuming, of course, we’ll have guests who will want to take advantage of a picnic spot.”

  “We already have the barbecue. In the summer, people would prefer to eat outdoors rather than take whatever they’ve cooked back to their cottages.” He raised his eyebrows in a questioning look.

  “I had thought of adding a swing set or something for children to play on.”

  “I’ve laid that out over here. We’ll want it far enough away from the cooking area to be safe. Cecil has all sorts of pipe and junk behind his shop I could salvage. We’d have to get new chains and seats for the swings. Maybe later add a teeter-totter and some sidewalks.”

  “Don’t get carried away. We haven’t even had our first customer yet.”

  “You will.”

  “I guess that means you’re going to stick around awhile.”

  “I’ve no place else to go.” His voice was upbeat, but the way his shoulders drooped and his eyes remained dull made me think he would carry the scars of his friend for a long time.

  I was an expert on scars.

  Late in the afternoon a man with a crew cut and ears that reminded me of doorknobs approached the counter. “It says you have a vacancy. Any chance you can put up a family of five?”

  I smiled, giving him the information about the cottages and the rate per night. I’d rented four cottages since noon. I grabbed the key from its hook. “Let me show you before you decide.”

  As we walked across the parking lot, his wife and three small boys with the same round ears as their father and bounding with energy joined us. “This room has a hide-a-bed that should work with the size of your boys here. And there’s a hot plate and separate sink in the kitchen corner. You’re welcome to use the community icebox on the stoop behind the laundry.”

  His wife, a petite blonde with a headscarf tied under her chin, said, “I love it. We’ll take it.”

  She and the boys stayed behind while the gentleman went back with me to make the arrangements. After he paid for one night, I gave him a welcome packet with a map of places to eat in Mayhaw and information about fishing on the bayou. “Ruby’s Café is nice for a family. Just half a block down.”

  “What about fish we catch in the creek?”

  “We have the icebox, but I’d rather you keep them in an ice chest until you can cook them. We have cooking facilities behind the Stardust. If you need an ice chest, C
ecil across the road has a couple different sizes, and the ice plant is two blocks down, take a left, and go till it dead-ends. You can’t miss it.”

  He thanked me and left. Personal service was one of the things I hoped would make guests comfortable and want to return for another stay. Peter’s plan for the picnic tables and swings for the kiddos added to my excitement, and I allowed myself to daydream. Happy children racing through the grass, playing tag or Red Rover, and squealing with laughter on the swings. No Vacancy would flash across the slim rectangle at the bottom of the Stardust sign, and people would drive away disappointed to see we were full. If only we could’ve stayed at that cute place with the cottages that looked like postcards from Switzerland.

  It was a silly fantasy, but one that was materializing before my eyes. Five of the eight available cottages already rented. And as I strutted around, feeling all smarty-pants, Aunt Cora’s voice from the past popped into my head, “Pride cometh before a fall. So get yourself down off that pedestal and make yourself useful.”

  One thing about Aunt Cora, she wouldn’t abide boasting or sassing in any form, especially if it was your own accomplishments that swelled your head. The air in the office was stuffy, even with the fan going. Or maybe it was me feeling the rush of excitement and realizing my folly in being boastful. I pulled out the rubber band holding my topknot and shook my head, letting my hair fall to my shoulders. Although my neck was damp with humidity, it was freeing and made me feel a bit giddy.

  I looked in on the girls in the quarters. “Want to come outside for a while?”

  Rosey had a pencil propped on her ear. “After awhile. I’m the schoolteacher, and Avril’s my pupil. She has to finish her coloring before she can have recess.”

  “Alrighty, then. I’ll be on the steps out front having a glass of tea.”

  If anything, it was more stifling outdoors, like the world was holding its breath, waiting to exhale. Overhead, the sky had taken on a pale, watery color. We’d have rain before morning as sure as my name was Georgia Lee Peyton. I hoped it didn’t ruin the holiday for those tucked in my cottages. I slipped off my sandals and wiggled my toes on the warm wooden boards beneath them. When I looked up, Mary Frances was headed my way, a stern look on her face.