Bless Her Heart

by Debby Mayne

Then it dawns on me that we haven’t talked about any of his reunions. “Did you go to your class reunion?”

  “Yes, and it was very boring compared to yours. Then again, I graduated with several hundred people, so the mood was a lot stiffer.”

  Stiff? Sort of like how Tim is acting now. “Are you okay, Tim?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.” He clears his throat. “Wanna do some karaoke? I can put you on the list.”

  I laugh. “No thanks. I’d rather enjoy everyone else.”

  “Good ’cause I’m up next.” Pete is wrapping up his song, so Tim hands me his drink. “Mind holdin’ this for me? I don’t wanna spill it.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to do karaoke.”

  Tim shrugs. “I reckon I changed my mind.”

  I take the drink as Tim runs up onto the stage and grabs the mic. Thunderous applause jolts me into the realization that Tim has become one of the most popular people here.

  “Thank you,” he says, curling his lip Elvis style. “Thank you very much.” The music begins, and within a few seconds, Tim gyrates as he sings “Hound Dog.”

  A handful of people now line the stage, all of them clapping along. Every once in a while, someone hollers or screams, and this fuels Tim’s kitschy performance. I have to admit it’s one of the funniest, most entertaining things I’ve ever experienced in Piney Point. What he lacks in musical ability, he makes up for in performance.

  “Your boyfriend seems very sweet,” Didi says as she sidles up next to me.

  I turn in her direction and see that she’s alone. “Where’s your . . . boyfriend?”

  She grins. “Maurice and I decided that since we see so much of each other, it’s a good idea to mix and mingle while we’re here. After all, how often do we have so many of our old friends in one place?”

  Old friends? I don’t remember Didi having any real friends, but I don’t tell her that. “So how do you like working in Hattiesburg?”

  She shrugs. “I preferred working in New Orleans, but Maurice and I found it too difficult to sustain a long-distance relationship. His business has been in the family for so long I couldn’t very well expect him to pick up and leave.”

  “No, of course not.” I bite my lip to keep from saying any more.

  “How are your little beauty shops coming along? I hear you’ve expanded a bit.”

  “Yes, in fact, all of them are doing quite well.” I’m so tempted to tell her I’m about to be on TVNS, but I know it’s my pride stepping in the way of common sense, so I cough and take a step back.

  “You okay?” she asks. “There’s something going around. I’ve seen quite a few patients lately with inflamed throats and ear infections.”

  I hold up my hands. “No, I’m fine. Every once in a while I get a tickle in my throat.” Like when I want to tell someone what a fool she’s being but can’t.

  She leans over, smiles, and waves her fingers. “Maurice can’t keep his eyes off me. He is so cute.”

  “I—”

  Before I have a chance to congratulate her, she places her hand on my arm. “Oh, Priscilla, I am so sorry. That was horribly insensitive of me to say that to you, after he . . . well, since he had to let you down. I promise I had nothing to do with that, even though we did get together a few weeks later.”

  “You did? A few weeks?”

  She nods. “Yes, he went all the way down to New Orleans and walked right into my office, just to tell me he couldn’t stop looking at me at the last reunion.” With a tinkling laugh, she adds, “I guess I don’t have to tell you no one has ever said that to me before.”

  “I’m happy for you, Didi.” I smile back at her, trying hard to get past the look of condescension on her face. “I really am.”

  “Good.” Her tone lets me know she doesn’t believe me. “I better go check on Maurice. He has a tendency to wander when I’m not around.”

  She doesn’t know the half of it. I’m just glad I found out what a snake he was before it was too late. If I thought it would do any good, I’d let Didi know what I’m pretty sure Maurice is up to, but she’d just think I was talking out of jealousy.

  “Hey, Priscilla,” I hear from behind.

  I turn around and see Trudy Baynard looking at me, a shy smile on her face. That seems odd, considering how full of herself she once was.

  “Hi, Trudy. Did you just get here?”

  She nods, looks around, and finally turns back to face me. “Have you seen Hank?”

  “Hank? As in Hank Starkey?”

  “I don’t know any other Hanks.” Her vulnerability flickers in her eyes, but she quickly glances down at the floor.

  29

  Trudy

  Now I remember why I’ve never been all that close to Priscilla Slater. When she looks at me, I feel like she’s seeing right through me and can tell I’m faking my confidence most of the time. Even back in high school, she made me uncomfortable.

  Priscilla squints like she’s trying to remember something. “I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I think Hank sent an RSVP that he was coming.”

  “If you see him, let him know I’m here, okay?”

  She nods as I back away. “Of course.”

  As soon as I can do it without seeming rude, I turn my back to her and shudder. I’m having the hardest time not reverting back to my old high school ways. And as I walk past a group of former wannabes, I have to psych myself into thinking they aren’t looking at me, wondering why I let myself get so fat. But I refuse to do what I did last time and starve myself half to death. Last I remembered about the reunion was the room spinning before I passed out, and I woke up in the emergency room with some goofy doctor telling me to hold still so I wouldn’t yank the IV out of my arm.

  The room is humongous, and there aren’t nearly as many people as there were at the ten-year-reunion bonfire. I reckon some of the people decided to just attend the final event, since the bonfire really wasn’t worth repeating.

  “Hey, Trudy.” Celeste’s scratchy voice hasn’t changed much since high school. “Help yourself to something to drink.” She points to a long table filled with homemade treats and coolers filled with cans of soda. “It’s right over there.”

  “Thanks.”

  “In case you’re wonderin’, Michael isn’t here yet, but he should be here shortly. At least he said he was comin’.”

  I’ve been divorced from Michael since long before the last reunion. You’d think people would have gotten the message by now that we’re no longer accountable to each other.

  Movement over by the entrance catches my eye. As soon as I see that it’s Hank, my heart starts hammering ninety-to-nothin’. Who would’ve ever thought Hank Starkey could do that to me? Obviously, Marlene saw something in him five years ago that I missed. But, boy, do I see it now. There’s something about him that oozes confidence . . . and success.

  Back in the day, I thought I loved Michael because he was so good looking and because he’d make a good provider. Oh, and all the girls wanted him, which only made him all the more attractive to me. Now I realize what I really loved—or thought I loved—about Michael was his confidence and commanding presence. Seeing him on my parents’ front porch looking all pitiful was a real eye-opener. Hank, on the other hand . . . I look up at him strutting across the hall like he owns the place, his head held high, and I know what attracts me to a man. And from the looks of things, I’m not the only one. A couple of girls whose names I can’t remember have made their way to him, but if his body language is any indication, he’s not interested in them. I want to approach him, but I’ve never liked to show hero worship, even if I felt it.

  “Laura told me to bring you this.”

  I turn around and see Celeste carrying a little plate with a sandwich and some fruit. “I’m not hungry.”

  Celeste leans toward me and whispers, “Just take the plate, okay? I don’t care what you do with it. Laura said she don’t want you passin’ out again.”

  “I—” Oh, what’s the point
in arguing? Celeste thrusts the plate toward me again, so I just take it to keep her from hounding me.

  “Good girl.” She glances up, widens her eyes, and shakes her head. “Boy howdy, he sure has changed.”

  “Who?” I turn around and see Hank heading toward us. “Oh, you mean Hank.”

  “Yeah. Everyone else is pretty much the same as they was back in high school, but he’s got somethin’ special now.”

  I look back up at Hank who makes instant eye contact with me. That’s when I see the old Hank from the halls of Piney Point High School, looking at me with wonder and adoration, and I like it. Michael has never looked at me like that.

  As he gets closer, he grins and lifts his hand in a self- conscious wave. “Hey, Trudy. You look nice tonight.”

  Celeste’s eyebrows shoot up, but she doesn’t say a word. She backs away and disappears, leaving Hank and me standing there, just the two of us.

  “Thank you, Hank.” I give him a once-over and can’t help noticing that he’s wearing designer clothes. “So do you.”

  “Are you with . . . I mean, do you have a . . . um, are you with someone?”

  I shake my head. “No, I came here alone. Why?” I find myself feeling all self-conscious, and I don’t know what to say.

  Hank looks around for a moment before zooming in on me. The intensity of his gaze takes my breath away. “Would you like a drink to go with your food?” He nods toward the plate Celeste brought me.

  “I would love a drink.”

  He hesitates for a moment before lightly placing his hand in the middle of my back. “C’mon, let’s go see what they’ve got.”

  Heads turn as we walk across the room. I can just imagine what people are thinking. And for the first time I can ever remember, I don’t much care.

  The perfect gentleman, Hank waves his hand over all the soda cans before pointing to the punchbowl. “Just tell me what you want, and I’ll get it for you.”

  I choose a can of ginger ale, which he opens and pours into a cup filled with ice before handing it to me. Michael would never have done that. If anything, I would have taken care of him.

  “I think I’ll have the same.” Hank reaches over and grabs himself a can of ginger ale. “I’m glad you’re doing well. I was worried about you when you passed out at the last reunion.”

  “I know.” I take a sip of my drink and smile at him. “Marlene told me.”

  He pursed his lips. “What else did Marlene tell you?”

  “She said y’all broke up.”

  Concern washes over his face as his gaze intensifies. “Did she tell you why?”

  I slowly nod, set my drink and plate down on the table, and take his free hand in mine. “I want you to know that I think you are one of the sweetest, smartest people I’ve ever known.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes.” I glance down at the floor and sigh before looking back up at him as a shot of confidence bolts through me. “I’ve been such an idiot not to notice before, but I was too wrapped up in my own little fairy-tale world to know what was real. I like you, Hank Starkey. You’re a real man.”

  “You have no idea how happy you have just made me.” He tilts his head toward my plate. “Now I want you to eat that sandwich so you don’t get sick. Let’s go over there so we can talk.”

  Over the next hour, Hank and I catch up on what we’ve been doing for the past fifteen years, while the voices of various classmates fill the room with ear-splitting noise. Pete Moss seems to have more than his share of time at the microphone, and Priscilla’s boyfriend keeps egging him on, shoving him up onto the stage. When I see Tim take the cup of beer out of Pete’s hand to replace it with the microphone, I realize what’s going on.

  “I’m proud of you, Trudy,” Hank says. “I know how disappointed you must have been when your marriage to Michael didn’t work out, but you got right back up on your feet and made a life for yourself.” His smile widens, and I can tell it’s real because his eyes crinkle. “You’ve become quite the businesswoman, I hear.”

  He makes me feel really good about my decisions. “How about you?” I say. “How did you get in the position of ownin’ so many companies? I thought you were just . . . I mean I thought you were a CPA.”

  With a self-conscious shrug, he replies, “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, and I figured I might as well go for it.”

  “Sounds like everything you touch turns to gold.”

  Hank chuckles. “Not exactly. I’ve had a few failures. But I once heard that you only have to be right fifty-one percent of the time to be considered a success.”

  “That’s more than most people.” I look around and catch a few people staring at us, looking confused, but it doesn’t bother me. “I’d venture to say most of these people are happy with everything as it is, and they’re not willin’ to take the chances you’ve taken.”

  “Maybe so, but we all find happiness in different things.”

  “Are you happy?” I ask.

  He smiles, takes my hands, and squeezes them. “I am now.”

  30

  Priscilla

  I’ve rarely been surprised by anything people do, but I can’t help staring at the sight of Trudy sitting in the corner, holding hands with Hank Starkey. That is the least likely pairing I ever could have imagined.

  “Looks like love is in the air for some of us,” Tim says as he joins me. “I’m glad she finally got past that whole Michael thing.”

  “Yeah, me too, but I’d hate to see Hank’s heart get broken.”

  Tim snorts. “No one likes a broken heart, but look at it this way. He’s enjoyin’ the heck outta sittin’ there with her right now. I expect this is the best thing that’s ever happened to him.”

  “And I suspect you’re right.” The look on Hank’s face is one of total adoration and pure bliss. “It looks like Trudy is enjoying the attention too.”

  “Maybe she’s been out in the world long enough to realize things aren’t exactly as they seemed back in high school.”

  I blink as I wonder if Tim’s comment is about the topic at hand, or if he’s subtly trying to tell me something. “Point taken.”

  He turns his attention back to the stage, where Pete looks like he’s about to fall over from exhaustion. “I’m not sure how much longer I can keep him up there singin’. He’s startin’ to lose his voice.”

  As if on cue, Pete’s husky voice cracks. He pulls the microphone away from his mouth and stares at it. “Sorry, folks, but I’m done for the night. I gotta keep up the health for the big event tomorrow.”

  Tim gives me an apologetic look. “I better go escort him off the stage and do what I can to keep him from the keg. I wish y’all didn’t have to have alcohol at these things. Makes it hard for people like Pete.” Our gazes lock for a few seconds before he takes off toward Pete.

  I wish the same thing, but someone always orders the beer, and Laura’s never able to stop it. Laura is running around the VFW hall, making herself appear busier than she needs to be. But that’s just how Laura is: full of nervous energy and a temper that no one wants to ignite.

  It doesn’t take long for Pete to join his buddies by the keg. Tim stands there with the guys for a few minutes before joining me.

  “I tried, but the pull of the beer is stronger than anything I can say.” He gives me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry.”

  That’s when I realize how much pressure Tim has felt to be responsible for so much at my reunions. “It’s not your fault, Tim.”

  “I know, but I did promise Laura I’d do what I could to keep him from drinkin’ all night.”

  “And you did exactly that. He sang for a good two hours. I’m sure that’ll help.”

  “Let’s hope so.”

  “At least he didn’t drive here, so we shouldn’t have to worry about an accident on the way home.”

  I look at the exit and see the deputy. Patrick Moody is a good ten years younger than us, but he has such a commanding presence,
I don’t think anyone would want to cross him. He’s aware of Pete’s problem.

  Jimmy approaches. “Have you seen Celeste? I swear, that girl pulls the best disappearing acts. Every time we go somewhere I spend half the time lookin’ for her.”

  Tim winks at me. “I know the feelin’, Jimmy. Have you tried lookin’ in the ladies’ room? That’s a very popular place for women.”

  “Priscilla, will you go see if she’s in there?”

  “Sure. Be right back.”

  I’m happy to do what Jimmy asks, since I’ve run out of things to talk about with Tim. We’re both doing our best not to broach the topic of our relationship.

  As soon as I push open the main door to the restroom, I hear whimpering in a stall. “Celeste?” I say.

  “Go away, Priscilla. I don’t wanna talk to you.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I told you to leave me alone.”

  “I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going on.”

  The stall door opens, and out walks Celeste, her eyes red and swollen, mascara dripping down her cheeks, creating a path of paleness where her blush once was. She makes a beeline for the sink.

  “What happened?” I grab a paper towel, wet it, and hand it to her. “Did someone say something?”

  She sniffles and hiccups. “It’s terrible, Priscilla. Just terrible.”

  “I don’t know what someone said, but remember that people are always saying things they don’t really mean.”

  “Oh, he meant it, all right.”

  “Who, Jimmy?”

  Celeste shakes her head as she turns around and leans back on the sink, creating a wet spot on the back of her silk dress that I can see in the mirror behind her. “No, Pete.”

  “Pete upset you?”

  “Yeah, while he was up there singin’, he kept on lookin’ at me. It’s no big secret that I took advantage of that time when he and Laura broke up, and for a while, I thought of ways to keep him next time it happened . . . ”

  “Don’t tell me you still want to be with Pete,” I say in total bewilderment.