Fit to Be Tied

by Debby Mayne

  “Thanks, Officer Murdoch.”

  “Please call me Trace.”

  “Is that okay? I mean, with you being in uniform and all?”

  “Yes, it’s fine. A lot of people call me Trace when I’m in uniform.”

  As I walk away from Trace, I feel a sense of relief that everything will be fine. That is, until Mama comes up to me with a big ol’ honkin’ grin on her face. “Why, Coralee, don’t you have the cutest boyfriend ever? Kyle is such a sweetie pie, I can’t believe you’ve been hiding him from us all this time.”

  As Marybeth goes on and on about the flower beds she talked Bucky into letting her have in the backyard, I start to get a clearer picture of what’s going on with her. Most of us clearly misread her, but now we’re seeing something different. She’s frustrated as all get out.

  Mama has told me that Bucky was always the cousin most likely to show off—whether it’s a new stunt on his BMX bike or something new he bought or got as a gift. I can tell Mama is getting annoyed—not so much with Marybeth but with Bucky.

  Marybeth continues talking about what Bucky will and won’t like, so I decide it’s time to speak up. I know I have to choose my words carefully, or they’ll come out making Bucky sound bad.

  “What flowers do you want to plant?”

  She taps her index finger on her chin for a moment. “I’m thinking marigolds would be nice to start with. According to what I’m reading, they don’t have to be watered all that often, and they bloom all season.”

  Mama nods. “Yes, that’s true, and I think marigolds are lovely.”

  I glance over at Mama, who is clearly looking for someone in the crowd that has started to overflow into the backyard. I can tell when she spots her target because she excuses herself and storms over there.

  Next thing I know, she’s facing off with Bucky, who appears stunned. I try my best to keep Marybeth from seeing, but that’s impossible with the way Mama took off so abruptly.

  Marybeth’s hand flies to her mouth. “Oh no. Bucky is gonna be furious with me.”

  “That’s okay, Marybeth. He’ll get over it.”

  Tears well in her eyes. “You clearly don’t know Bucky.”

  “What are you talking about?” Then it dawns on me. “Are you afraid of your husband?” When she doesn’t answer, I lean closer and place my hand on her shoulder. “Does he hit you?”

  She shakes her head and sniffles. “No, but he’s very hardheaded.” Her chin quivers. “He keeps harping on me to stop acting poor.”

  That actually doesn’t sound all that bad to me, but she’s clearly not in the mood to hear that. “Why don’t you just tell him he’s lucky to have a wife who’s as supportive as you are?”

  Her chin quivers again. “He wouldn’t like that.”

  My opinion of Bucky was never great, but now it’s even lower. “Sometimes, Marybeth, you have to stick up for yourself, even if he doesn’t like what you say.”

  She blinks and sniffles. “But what if he leaves me?”

  “Is that what you’re afraid of?” I take her hands in mine so she won’t try to cover her face.

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t think he’ll leave you.” I leave out the fact that no other self-respecting woman would have him if he did.

  “Maybe not, but if he does, I don’t have anywhere to go.” She lowers her head. “I came into the marriage with nothing, and I don’t have decent job skills, so I’m pretty much stuck.”

  “You do realize that you’re half of this marriage, so he can’t turn you away without providing for you.”

  “He can’t?”

  “He absolutely can’t.” It bugs me to say something like this because I’m afraid it sounds like I’m advocating divorce. But I’m not. I just want to see Marybeth stand up for herself and find some way to make her marriage work without basing it on fear of not being able to support herself. “From what I can tell, you’ve been a good, supportive wife, and he should be delighted you’d even want to be by his side. I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten the fact that you were there before y’all acquired all this.”

  She ponders this before nodding. “Yeah, I’m pretty old-school like that, and I always stand by my man. Too bad he doesn’t realize that.”

  “Oh, I’m sure he knows, but maybe he needs to be reminded.”

  “Every time I try to tell him how devoted I am, he reminds me of where I came from.”

  I gesture around toward the crowd. “Look around, Marybeth. In case you haven’t noticed, he didn’t exactly come from royalty.”

  As if I need someone to help make my point, Uncle Bubba lets out a booming burp. I hear nervous laughter from a couple of the guests, but the family members are so used to it that they just keep on doing whatever it is they were doing before.

  I give her what I hope is a comforting smile. “See what I mean?”

  Marybeth nods and grins back at me. “Thank you so much, Sally. You sure are wise for being so young.”

  “I’m not sure about being wise, and there are days when I don’t feel so young.”

  “You have your whole life ahead of you.” Marybeth pauses and glances over toward the field with the oil rigs. “Have you and your sister decided what to do with y’all’s land yet?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The land you’re getting from your great-grandparents.”

  I tilt my head and try to remember if I’ve heard anything about getting land. “I don’t think I’m getting land. I’m sure Mama and Daddy will get some from my grandparents.”

  “Nope. Your great-grandfather has already started working on passing down the rest of the acreage that he hasn’t already handed out.”

  “Marybeth! You’re not supposed to tell her yet. That’s the big surprise.”

  I look over my shoulder and see Nana coming toward us, shaking her head and making one of her tongue-clicking sounds.

  “Oops.” Marybeth lifts a hand to her lips. “Sorry. I thought y’all already knew. We’ve told Julius about his land, but he can’t have it until he’s twenty-one.”

  “I don’t think—”

  Nana puts her arm around me and gives me a huge hug. “Yeah, sometimes it’s best not to think.”

  Marybeth gives Nana an apologetic look. “Sorry, Fay.”

  “That’s quite all right. The grands and great-grands were going to find out this weekend anyway. Daddy wanted to make a big announcement.” She lets go of me and gives me a conspiratorial smile. “Do me a favor and keep it to yourself.”

  “Can I tell Sara?”

  Nana hesitates before shaking her head. “No, you can’t tell a soul. Daddy has a big old speech he’s been working on to let everyone in the family know that he’s sharing the remainder of the land.” She purses her lips and then lets out a sigh. “He also said there won’t be any strings attached. Y’all can farm it, bring in the oil companies, live on it, put a cabin on it, or sell it to another family member if you don’t want to be burdened.”

  “How much land does Grandpa Jay have?” I ask. I thought he’d given it all away.

  “Several thousand acres. His daddy bought it when it was real cheap, and since his brothers and sisters didn’t want it, they sold him their shares for a dollar an acre.”

  “I bet they’re kicking themselves now.” Marybeth shakes her head. “This land is worth a fortune.”

  “Daddy’s the only one of his siblings still living, but his nieces and nephews are okay, since he gave each of them a hundred acres.”

  This is all news to me, but I realize that’s partly my fault, since I’ve never been interested in some of the family business. Now I’m speechless.

  And now I’m worried. Sara and I have never kept secrets from each other before, and I’d hate for this to be the first time. It’s such a doozy. A strange feeling washes over me at the realization that I’m about to have to make some life-altering decisions soon, and my life is about to change.

  My concern must be obvious because Nana brushes
my hair from my face. “I can see how difficult this will be. Let me go talk to Daddy and see if he can go ahead and let y’all know so you don’t have to be so secretive.”

  “No, that’s okay. If he has something planned . . .”

  “Get outta here.” I can’t believe a word Julius says. He’s lied before, and I’m sure he’s doing that now. “You are not a millionaire. Maybe your daddy is, but you’re not.”

  “I am too a millionaire.” Julius’s voice drops. “Can you keep a secret?”

  “What kind of secret?” I don’t trust my cousin any farther than I can throw him. “What kind of lie are you gonna tell me now?”

  Julius holds up his hand, like that proves he’s telling the truth. “This is the honest truth, I swear.”

  Mama and Daddy don’t allow us to say I swear, which used to bug me, but now I get it. “Okay, so what’s your secret?”

  “Promise you won’t tell?” He narrows his eyes and gives me a half-threatening look.

  “Okay, I’ll play. I promise I won’t tell.”

  His expression changes, and he grins real big. “You’re gonna be a millionaire too.”

  “Now I know you’re full of it. Stop saying things like that.”

  “No, really. Grandpa Jay is giving all us young’uns some land.”

  “That doesn’t make us millionaires.” I look past the fields and toward the forests lining the land where Julius’s mama and daddy built their mansion.

  “It does if you put some oil rigs on it, and that’s what I fully intend to do.”

  Then something dawns on me. “Wait a minute. How come I’m getting land if my own mama and daddy haven’t gotten any?”

  “Maybe Grandpa Jay doesn’t like your mama and daddy. They are kinda different, if you know what I mean.” Julius pretends to flick something off his shoulder. “Just sayin’.”

  I know he’s spoilin’ for a fight, so I tighten my jaw to keep from saying what’s on my mind—first of all, my parents might not be perfect, but I like them a whole lot more than his. And Grandpa Jay isn’t like that. He’s true-blue loyal to his family and the fairest person I know, which is one of the reasons everyone loves him, even though a lot of them can’t stand each other. And I’m sure he and Granny Marge are the reason we’re still getting together like this. It makes them happy to see the family all hanging out.

  Julius gets in my face. “Did you hear me?”

  “I heard you, but I’m trying to ignore you.”

  He laughs. “Your dad is out driving packages to people, while my dad gets to have fun and do what he wants to all day because he’s smart. And your mom . . .” He shakes his head and snorts. “My dad says he can’t believe she owns a fashion store, ’cause she doesn’t know one end of an outfit from another.”

  “Hold it a second.” I can’t take it anymore now that Julius has crossed the line. “My parents work hard for a living.”

  “That’s just it. They have to work hard because they’re losers.”

  I make a fist and take a step toward him when I hear someone from behind. “Whoa there, boys. What’s going on?”

  I turn around and see the police officer who has obviously snuck up on me and Julius. I relax my fist and take a deep breath.

  “Is there something I can help y’all settle?” The officer looks at me with a half smile, and then he turns to Julius with a warning look in his eyes. I can tell he knows who started this whole thing, but I’m still on guard.

  “Nah, we were just having a little fun.” Julius gives me an I-dare-you-to-say-anything look. “Weren’t we, Brett?”

  I tighten my jaw and don’t say a word. Julius doesn’t deserve to be defended.

  The officer puts his hands on his hips, glances over his shoulder, and then turns back to face me. “I think your mama could use some help at the food table.” He pauses, tilts his head forward, and gives me a look like we have a secret. “She could use some muscle.”

  “Okay.” I take a couple of steps back before I turn around and run. When I get to where Mama is standing with some of our cousins, I look back at Julius, who appears to be getting an earful from the officer. And he doesn’t look the least bit happy.

  “Hey, Brett. What are you doing over here?” Julius’s mom leans over to check out her son. “Why aren’t you over there with Julius?”

  I shrug. “I figured I could help Mama with some of this stuff.”

  Mama gives me a curious glance, but I can tell something has dawned on her when she smiles and steps closer. “Yeah, you’re right. I want to move the dessert table.”

  “No,” Julius’s mom says. “Bucky wants it there.”

  “But it’ll get all clogged up here with folks from the main course table and those who want dessert.”

  “You’d better ask Bucky before you start moving tables around.” Julius’s mom has dropped her niceness, and she sounds like she did at the last reunion. “He says it’ll make for better photo ops where it is now.”

  Mama clears her throat. “Brett, why don’t you stand right here while I go talk to Bucky? I’ll be right back.”

  Now I’m stuck standing a couple of feet away from the woman who has always made Mama feel bad about herself. My parents said she’s been a lot nicer lately, and I sort of saw that, until now. She has that pinched-face expression that reminds me of the mean lady in the lunchroom back when I was in elementary school—kind of like she’s been eating lemons. I can’t stand the thought of her judging me, which I’m sure she’s probably doing now, so I look down at the ground.

  “Did you see Julius’s car?”

  I look up at his mom and see that her expression has gone back to being nice. I nod. “He took me to the hardware store in it.”

  “No, not that car. I’m talking about the boxcar.”

  An image of the orange crate pops into my head, and I nod. “I saw it last time I was here.”

  “What do you think of it?”

  I hate being put on the spot like this, but I have to say something. “I think the orange color will stand out.”

  She lets out a crazy laugh before catching herself. Then she places her hand on my shoulder. “Now, that’s an understatement if I’ve ever heard one.”

  I sigh with relief. It sounds like she’s come back to her senses, but I don’t want to take any chances and get caught off guard again, so I look around for Daddy. He’s over by some of the guys he calls his nice cousins, clearly talking about what he calls man talk. That’s where I want to be, but I can’t because Mama told me to stay right where I am.

  “Uh-oh.” Julius’s mom nods to something behind me, so I turn around. “Looks like Bucky didn’t tell her what she wanted to hear.”

  You’d think someone told Bucky his house is on fire based on his crazy reaction to someone coming up with a better idea on how to arrange the serving tables. He’s ranting and raving, flailing his arms around, while Puddin’ stands there staring at him like he’s lost his mind. And that’s pretty much what everyone is thinking from the looks on their faces.

  “This is my house and my yard, so who on earth do you think you are?” If Bucky’s face gets any redder than it is, it’ll catch on fire. “Don’t even bother answering that because I know you’re nothing but a loser.”

  My heart stops for a second as I wait for Puddin’s reaction and pray that she doesn’t make things worse by spouting off. But she doesn’t. Instead, her chest expands with a deep breath, and a smile gradually spreads across her lips.

  A strange expression comes over Bucky. “What are you grinnin’ at me like that for?”

  “If people start trippin’ over each other and someone gets hurt, it’s all on you. Don’t say I didn’t try to help.” She folds her arms and smirks at him without saying another word.

  Bucky’s expression changes as he processes what she said. Finally, he lifts his arms in surrender. “Fine. Do whatever you want. Ruin my yard while you’re at it. I’ll send you the bill when this thing is over.”


  “Seriously?” Puddin’ tips her head forward and gives him one of the looks she’s known for giving her kids. Then her nostrils flare as she takes a breath and lets it out, never once losing eye contact.

  “Whatever. There’s no reasoning with you, Puddin’, but what can I expect from anyone who’s foolish enough to marry Digger?”

  She shakes her head, turns around, brushes her hands together as though she has just finished an important but dirty job, and walks away, leaving Bucky staring after her. It takes me a minute to realize she has just taken Bucky down.

  Five minutes later, some of the stronger men are rearranging the tables while Bucky stands there with his hands on his hips, nostrils flaring, and not saying anything. I’m so proud of Puddin’ I almost can’t stand it. In the past, she always acted like she had something to prove, but now she has the confidence that being a successful businesswoman has given her.

  Everyone at the reunion knows that the only reason Bucky has all this expensive stuff is that he inherited the land with oil, so they don’t pay much attention to anything he says. And we also remember where he and Marybeth lived before they had the means to build this pretentious mansion.

  When people start praising Puddin’ for coming up with a new serving table arrangement, she grins for a while but eventually holds up her hand and tells them it’s time to talk about something else. I can tell she’s practicing humility, but she really loves the compliments.

  Each reunion we have someone different—most often a guest pastor—give the blessing, but we don’t have clergy present at this one. So Grandpa Jay stands on the top step of the mansion’s back porch and lifts his hands. Everyone instantly grows quiet, with the exception of those who don’t or can’t see him. But someone gives them a nudge, so within seconds, the only thing we can hear is a few birds that dare make noise.

  As he praises the Lord for bringing our loving family together and asks for forgiveness for our sins, I hear a few people chuckle. But when he moves on to giving thanks for the food we’re about to eat, I hear the squirming from more than a hundred hungry people. They know it’s almost time to eat.