I wake up totally disoriented and more than a little disappointed. For as nice as the dream was, I wish I hadn’t had it. I feel more alone than ever, especially in light of my atrocious dinner date last night.
The baby is busy gnawing on her fist like it’s a meaty bone. I stare at her and marvel at her existence. It must be an amazing experience to share this kind of love with the other parent. I take a moment to feel both grateful and sorry for myself.
As Faye hasn’t started to roll, I barricade her in the bed with pillows before taking myself off to the bathroom. I look as pretty as a monkey’s butt this morning. I have dark circles under my eyes and my skin is all blotchy and red. After seeing to a call from nature, I rinse my face with cool water to try to perk it up. Then I head to the kitchen.
Mama’s already gone. She’s left a note on the counter saying that she’s at church and then she’s going to brunch with the family right after. The reservation is at the Steamboat Inn at noon if we want to join them. I look at the clock and see it’s only ten. Suddenly, I’m desperate to get out of here and blow off the stink of last night’s encounter with Zach.
Upstairs, I feed the baby and take a quick shower. Then I take pains to look nice for my family. I put on a pretty floral sundress and dress Faye in one of her new outfits. We’re in Mama’s car and heading toward the Steamboat by eleven thirty.
On the way to the restaurant I resolve to forget about Zachary Grant. It’s not like I’ve invested that much energy into him, and the one good thing about this whole debacle is that I now realize how much I’d like to date again—maybe even get married one day and have more babies. Of course, that would require me meeting a non-judgmental Puritan without a personality disorder—split, borderline … I don’t know what the diagnosis is, but it’s certainly something. I can only hope some nice sane men become citizens of Creek Water with the influx of new residents.
I’m the first one to arrive at the restaurant, a real live boat, and decide to wait on deck for the rest of the Frothinghams. The river is beautiful, and I sit and marvel at its gorgeousness, so mighty and full of purpose. I think of old Samuel Langhorne Clemens is working on a similar vessel, on this very water, hearing his future name called out time and again. Whether you’re from the northern end of the state or the southern, we all have enormous pride in our native son, Mark Twain. His poetry of the great Mississippi is the closest version to the truth I’ve ever read.
I’m so lost in my reverie that I don’t even hear Mama show up. When I finally notice her, I ask, “When did you get here?”
“A few minutes ago. This is one of my favorite views. I think the Mississippi should be one of the wonders of the world, don’t you?”
I laugh. “Well, it is for us, but I’m not sure the people of Egypt would agree. They’re kind of sold on those pyramids of theirs and I’m thinking they’re pretty proud of the Nile.”
“What do they know?” Mama teases. “Come on, the family’s already been seated.” I must have been staring off into space for ages for the family to have come aboard without me even noticing. Of course, I was facing the other direction, but still.
The whole Frothingham crew is situated in the center of the dining room seated in big wing-backed chairs. Auntie Lee stands up first and comes for Faye. “I saved her seat right by me,” she says. I hand over my baby. I’m thrilled my daughter’s growing up surrounded by so many people who fell in love with her so immediately and so deeply.
Amelia calls out, “Come sit by me, Emmie.”
Everyone’s dressed in their Sunday finest. The men all have on suits, and the ladies are decked out in pretty dresses with stockings. I swear, if I never leave this town again, I will not be persuaded to wear panty hose. I don’t care what Cootie Wilcox thinks of me.
Then, as if conjuring evil spirits, in she comes. Cootie, her husband Harold, Shelby, and wouldn’t you know it, Zach. Has that dirty rotten son of the devil has gone back to pretending to be her boyfriend? I guess he has good and truly written me off.
Shelby startles when she sees my family, and you can tell she doesn’t know whether to go on the offensive or ignore us entirely. Cootie witnesses her daughter’s quandary, and like the queen battle-ax she is, makes the decision for her. The matriarch of the Wilcox gang veers her troops off the hostess’s trajectory and heads our way.
She drawls, “Well, if it isn’t the illustrious Frothinghams. Don’t you all look nice today?”
Don’t fool yourself into thinking she’s changed her ways. Far from it, I’m one hundred percent sure the very next thing that comes out of her mouth is going to more than make up for any niceties she’ll accidentally utter.
She marches herself right in front of Beau and stops dead in her tracks. “Beauregard, I want to thank you for not wasting anymore of Shelby’s time.” She turns around and smiles at her daughter. “If you hadn’t come to your senses, my little girl wouldn’t have realized her true feelings for Zach, here. And truth be told, he’s a far better catch.”
Shelby and Zach both look like they wish they were anywhere but standing on center stage of a Cootie Wilcox production. God love Beau though, he stands up and raises his champagne glass to them and grandly announces, “Thank goodness indeed, Mrs. Wilcox.” Then he bows slightly at the waist and proceeds to toast, “To the happy couple.”
I don’t know what gets into me, but I stand up too, and with my water glass raised high, I add, “You sure do deserve each other.”
Then my whole family joins in. It’s clearly not the reaction Cootie was hoping for. She tears off like a bee is trying to sting her where the sun don’t shine, rushing her crew away as quickly as possible. As they continue on to their own table, Zach turns around and gives me a look that suggests we have some unfinished business. I couldn’t disagree more. As far as I’m concerned, we are one hundred percent through. I do not have any intention of putting myself in the path of his judgment again. I don’t have to explain myself to him or anyone else.
Chapter Twenty-Five
My family appears to be completely unaware of the scathing looks shooting across the dining room between me and Zach. They just chat aimlessly about their week and enjoy their meal. I’m barely able to pick at my quiche.
Beau catches my eye and says, “Emmie, would you mind switching spots with me? I’d like to talk to my sister for a few minutes.”
I wouldn’t mind at all. In fact, I’m so relieved at the thought of having my back to the Wilcox table, that I’m standing next to him with my plate in hand before he even gets up. Finally, I’ll be able to enjoy my meal.
Once I have a mouthful of quiche, I look up and discover that Beau isn’t talking to Amelia at all. He’s staring intently at Shelby. There’s no way she can miss his laser-like death stare. I only wish I could turn around and see how she’s handling it. More importantly, I’d like to see what Cootie’s making of it.
Auntie Lee announces, “We made twenty-six hundred dollars at the benefit last night. Isn’t that amazing?”
Everyone murmurs their congratulations and I lean over to Uncle Jed and whisper, “How much did you donate?”
“One thousand,” he answers with a twinkle in his eye. Then he adds, “It’s not so much where the money comes from for your aunt, it’s the pursuit that she loves.”
“How much did Jesse donate?”
He laughs, “Six hundred.”
I shake my head, “So all those weeks of work they put into this thing and most of the money came from their own family?”
He answers, “They pulled in a thousand that we weren’t responsible for. That’ll buy a lot of ice cream.”
“You still playing the trombone in the community band?” I ask. My family loves music but historically is not the most talented in that arena. They don’t let it stop them, though.
“Yes, ma’am. I was the whole trombone section last summer. I couldn’t let the town down by not doing my bit.”
“What about Jesse, is he playing the sax?”
“If you call what he does playing, then yeah, he’s still doin’ it.”
Uncle Jesse likes to go above and beyond what’s printed on the music. He says he wants to give the people their money’s worth. It’s been pointed out to him on more than one occasion that it’s a free concert.
Jesse is sitting next to Mama and the two of them are cutting up about something. Auntie Lee is solely engaging with Faye. Amelia keeps looking at her brother, taking note of his obsession with Shelby. So, I say, “Davis, catch me up on your life. How’s the furniture biz treating you?”
“It’s booming. You should stop by and see my workshop sometime.”
“You still in that building behind the Easy Pump?”
“No, ma’am. I moved over to one of the warehouses Daddy and Jesse bought by the river. They don’t have immediate plans for it, so I’m gonna let myself spread out for a while.”
“You got anyone special in your life?” I already know the answer to that question, but I’m hoping to find out a bit more.
“Sure don’t,” is all he offers. Davis is the strong, silent type. He keeps details about his life pretty close to the vest. At one point, Auntie Lee thought he might be gay, but that proved to be an inaccurate speculation when he was discovered in a somewhat compromising position with one of the recently divorced club ladies.
“You looking?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Not too hard, that’s for sure.”
“Why not?” I demand. Davis is every bit as good-looking as his brother, just in a less buttoned-up kind of way. He’s more comfortable in holey jeans and t-shirts than dress slacks and buttoned-down shirts.
He points at Shelby. “’Cause of girls like that. I figure until there’s a mama I want to date, there’s no point asking her daughter out. It’s a twofer in this town. All the gals drag their mamas in on everything and before you know it, they’re coming out to dinner with you.” I think back to the club lady he was involved with and wonder if maybe Davis doesn’t actually want to date the mamas instead of the daughters.
“What about some of the new gals in town? Surely their mamas didn’t move here with them.”
“Emmie,” he says, “do me a favor and stay out of my social life. I’ll reward you by not asking why you couldn’t seem to eat your eggs because you were too busy staring at Zach Grant. Sound like a deal?”
“It surely does,” I answer. My word, if Davis noticed how preoccupied I was with Zach, everyone else must have, too. Including Zach. I’m going to have to beef up my acting skills. Either that or find a way to never be in the same room with him. I’m not sure how I’ll manage that though, being that we work together.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Auntie Lee announces, “I’ve had so much sweet tea my eyeballs are floatin’. If you’ll all excuse me.” She stands up to use the ladies’ and says, “Emmie, Amelia, would you like to join me?”
Uh-oh, when a Frothingham woman needs reinforcements in the bathroom, you’d better believe it has nothing to do with having to use the facilities. I pick up Faye, who’s just started to fuss, and say, “I’ll bring the baby and feed her.”
Amelia is on her feet right away, as well. Then the three of us proceed to a lovely little parlor below deck. When we walk in, Auntie Lee checks to make sure we’re all alone. Once she’s established our privacy, she locks the door and demands, “What in the name of Bojangles is going on with Beau and Shelby Wilcox?”
“What do you mean, Mama?” Amelia asks.
“What I mean is, why did he have to exchange places with Emmie just so he can keep his eyeballs on Shelby? I thought they were through.”
Amelia shrugs. “Got me. Maybe you should ask Beau.”
“Young lady, if I asked your brother directly, he wouldn’t tell me squat. He’s slicker than snot on a doorknob when it comes to his social life.” Then she turns to me and asks, “What do you know?”
I answer, “All I know is what Mama told me, and that’s that Shelby is using Zach to make Beau jealous.”
Auntie Lee says, “Didn’t you have dinner with Zach last night?”
“How in the world do you know that?” I demand.
“Cloris Absher heard it from Adelaide Bohnefeld. Cloris told me at church.”
I shake my head in awe. This town’s grapevine is the stuff of legends. “How did Mrs. Bohnefeld hear?”
“Her granddaughter works at Filene’s. She said your date didn’t look to be going so well. Don’t worry, honey, you’ll regain the use of your skills soon enough. A baby can knock you off your game for a bit.”
“Auntie Lee, Zach and I were having a business dinner, but I thank you for your reassurance.”
“Was that business at the yogurt shop, too?” Amelia asks. She wiggles her eyebrows like she’s some world-class detective.
“What is this, The Inquisition?” I forget how very interested my family can be in the private affairs of their own kind. “For your information,” I look between them, “Zach and I work together. We are friendly, we are not dating.” More’s the pity. Although now that I know there’s something wrong with him, I’m clearly not going to be barking up that tree again.
“Did he say anything about Shelby and Beau?” Auntie Lee asks.
“He seems to agree that Shelby is just using him,” I tell her.
“Why is he putting up with that?” she demands.
I sigh. “He says he’s trying to be a friend, but I think he’s trying to forget another woman.”
“What other woman?” Amelia asks.
“Some gal from Chicago that didn’t like him as much as he liked her.”
Auntie Lee crosses her arms and squints her eyes up in deep concentration. “I do not want that Shelby Wilcox anywhere near Beau, do you understand me?”
“Mama,” Amelia says, “how are we supposed to keep them apart? Beau is grown man of twenty-eight. I’m pretty sure he can date anybody he wants.”
Auntie Lee shakes her head. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’m his mama. I have final say here.”
Suddenly, I realize that Davis was right on the money about the interfering mothers of Creek Water. Having said that, I’m totally on Auntie Lee’s side. I don’t want Shelby Wilcox to become a Frothingham, either. My God, it would make family gatherings positively unbearable. “What do you want us to do, Auntie Lee?”
She smiles at me deviously, “I want you to find Beau a nice young lady. Twenty times prettier and thirty times nicer than Shelby. Do I make myself clear?”
I look at Amelia. “You’re going to have to lead this campaign, cousin. I don’t know anybody in town anymore.”
Amelia says, “Mama, this goes against everything I believe in. People need to make their own decisions and find their own relationships.”
“Are you saying you’re okay with Shelby being in the family?” she asks her daughter.
Amelia shakes her head adamantly. “Absolutely not, which is the only reason I’m going to help you. But just this once. If you get it into your head to set up Davis, or Emmie, or anyone else, I’m not going to be a party to it. Do you understand me, Mama?”
“Of course, baby. My goodness, the way you carry on, you’d think I was some kind of busybody or something.” She waves her hand dismissively and says, “You’d better get on out there so the rest of them don’t wonder what happened to us.”
As soon as Amelia leaves, Auntie Lee sits next to me on the little love seat where I’m nursing the baby and says, “You understand I’m going to need your help with that one, don’t you?”
“What happened to not getting tangled up in everyone else’s love life?”
“Emmeline, Amelia is my daughter. It is my God-given duty to make sure she’s settled well.”
I roll my eyes. “So, now you’re saying you want my help with both Beau and Amelia?”
“Davis too, eventually. But we can wait on him for the time-being. He’s the baby, so I don’t need to worry about him until the other two are settled.”
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br /> “Auntie Lee, if I agree to help you, you need to make sure you stay out of my social life. Am I clear?”
She puts her hand across her chest like she’s about to say the Pledge of Allegiance, and vows, “As God is my witness, honey!”
What in the world have I gotten myself involved in?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Family is the biggest gift in life or the biggest challenge, depending on how you look at it. I love the care and concern our elders have for us; I really do. But, honest to goodness, at some point they need to remember that we’ve earned the right to make our own choices, and whether they’re mistakes or not is something that time alone will determine.
After we get home from brunch, I tell Mama what Auntie Lee is up to. All she says is, “Can you blame her?”
“Not in the case of Shelby Wilcox, I can’t. But she needs to leave Amelia and Davis alone. ’Cause you know, once she’s done with them, she’ll be working on me.”
Mama pats my arm. “Not without my help, honey.”
A chill of dread rushes through me like I’m sunbathing on a glacier. “Mama, you picked Daddy on your own. Don’t I have the same right?”
“No, ma’am. I didn’t pick your daddy. I thought he was too good for me. I didn’t think a Frothingham would look twice at a country girl like me.”
“Really? Why didn’t you ever tell me that?” I ask.
“Because I never wanted you to doubt your worth like I did. Thinking some folks are better than others based on whether they have a fancy house in town or live on a watermelon farm is plain stupid. People deserve to be judged on their actions, not the circumstances they’re born into.”
The Event Page 9
