Under the Sassafras (26 page)

“Go ahead, Raymond and I are going to clean up this mess.” Picking up the dishes, she smiled. “I've never thought of mixing different patterns of plates before, it makes a interesting table setting.”

“I never thought of buying dishes that match. These seem to meet my needs. I bought one at a garage sale and the rest at a store going out of business. I just picked up the ones I thought were pretty.” He grinned. “I don't do a lot of entertaining. Maybe if I did, I would find matching plates,
qui
?”

Mansir left the two of them discussing dishes and sat on the deck of the houseboat and looked at the stars. What was she doing tonight? He wanted to go to her, make her understand. But this time she’s the one who would have to come to him. He’d laid his hand on the table, she’d seen his cards, what he had to offer, it was up to her to accept.

She’d been hurt in the past, he knew that, but he thought he’d done everything to prove to her that he was different from the other men in her life.

“Talking to the stars or the man in the moon?” Sara stood behind him, stooped down and put her arms around his neck.  “You've had a horrible day, hon. I couldn't believe all that you and Raymond told me happened today.”

“Speaking of Possum, where is he?” Mansir asked.

“He ran me out of the kitchen. Said that the next time I could cook and clean the kitchen. I didn't have the heart to tell him I can't even boil water.” She laughed.

“Sit down and tell me about the Art Institute. You haven't said much about what you found out,” Mansir asked. Maybe Sara’s news would take his mind off of Joelette, if only for a few minutes.

“The Institute's the most awesome place I've ever seen. Students walk around with portfolios of their work. I visited with admissions and I have paper work to fill out, and they want to see some of my work before the decision is made.”

“Do you have work to show them, Sara?”

“No. I haven't worked on anything in a very long time. I never thought this was a possibility until now. I still can't believe I have a chance to fulfill my dream. Thank you, William.” Sara kissed him on the cheek. “I seem to recall Possum calling you Mansir. Have they forgotten your real name?”

“Mansir is my name Sara. It is who I am. For those long months not knowing who I was, all I wanted was to remember my name. But Ozamae had named me Mansir.” He smiled. “I never knew how much it fit me until I knew I wanted to make this my home. Besides, if I'm going to live in Louisiana, I have to have a nickname. William is still my legal name but it doesn’t fit me anymore. Make sense?”

“Yes, it does, Mansir. You have changed and I like the new you a great deal. You really know what you want, don't you?”

“You bet I do. Hopefully a certain stubborn woman will see the truth and tomorrow we can start our new life together,” he said.

“Raymond invited us to sleep here tonight if that's all right with you. Tomorrow, I'll rent us another hotel room.

“MaeMae once told me women didn't like house boats much, so if we need to try to get a room tonight, we will,” he said.

“Nonsense. I think this house is about as charming as you could find. I would love to stay here,” Sara said.

“Is this a private conversation or can I join?” Possum leaned against the screen door with a dishtowel in his hand.

“Nope, not private, I was about to ask my brother if he would take me to a art store tomorrow to purchase some supplies,” Sara said.

“I know a store like that, I think. But if I don't, I can find out fast. I can bring you.” Possum chimed in.

“Great. I want to get drawing as soon as possible. All of this is inspiring and I want to put it all to paper.”

Possum pulled up a chair and sat between Mansir and Sara.

“This is a beautiful night, is it not? Yes sir, a beautiful night.” Possum leaned back in his chair smiled at his friend and winked at Sara. “Sara, you may stay as long as you wish. I will cook for you. You won't have to lift a finger on your artistic hand. You will find much to draw on Possum's boat. I will treat you like a queen.”

Shaking his head, he nudged Sara. “Now look what you've done. Possum will be unbearable to live with from now on,” Mansir said.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Joelette found MaeMae on the porch in her beloved chair with her comforting companion held firmly between her teeth.

“Are they asleep?”

Joelette smiled. “Yes, I think they have been through quite the ordeal.” And she felt the blame for much of it. Blinded by her mistrust and pride.

“Much has to be done to heal, Joelette. Things need to be said and secrets shared. Pride needs to go by the way side.” Taking a puff, MaeMae's gaze appeared to steal a look into the future.

Joelette watched the smoke curl toward the sky.

“I've tried to heal people and animal hurts for many years but I've felt so helpless not being able to help the very people I love. My beloved husband, my only son, and you,
Cher
, my head aches trying to think of ways to make you trust more. But you are a very stubborn woman who, is very distrustful of others. And without trust, no one can help you, not even yourself.”

Joelette felt a lump form in her throat once again as it had so many times over the last couple of days.”

“I'm not denying that you have been treated badly, especially by my Otis. But know this, Joelette. He came by his evil ways naturally. It is true that the acorn does not fall far from the oak tree.”

“What are you talking about, MaeMae? Otis could not have come from two better people. The short time I knew Bennie, I thought him to be the most lovable man I'd ever known. And you. Who in their right mind would not trust you with their very life?” Joelette's voice shook as she spoke. “Don't you dare blame yourself for the hell Otis put me through.”

“Sit back,
Cher,
and listen to a story I have to tell.” MaeMae lit her pipe that had gone out and puffed to get it started again.

Not one of MaeMae's stories. Some took hours to tell and she needed to talk over the last few days.

“Don't look so irritated, Joelette,” MaeMae said with a grin. “This is a story you need to hear. It won't take long. I promise.”

Joelette nodded.

“I've never told this to another soul. Not even my mother, God rest her soul. She went to her grave not knowing the truth. I knew a very young girl who fell in love with a very handsome young man. Never had the girl known anyone like him. He came to visit a cousin that lived down the road, and swept her off her feet. This girl didn't have the beauty you possess, but was rather plain. He gave her her first kiss, a kiss between a man and a woman. He told her she was beautiful and that he loved her.” MaeMae put her pipe out and stared at the bayou.

“He gave her a present that he said represented the best of him, his child. Finding herself pregnant, the girl went to her love and he gave her a ring from a dime store and a promise of marriage. So she went home, packed a bag and waited for him to come, but he never did.”

MaeMae wiped the sweat from her brow on the tail of her apron then leaned back in her rocker and rocked.

“She waited a week, but he never came. When she went to his cousin to inquire of his location, she was told he'd returned to his wife and they were expecting their first child in the fall. A little earlier than the very baby she carried.” She rolled a piece of paper between her thumb and pointer finger.

“Knowing all to be lost and the shame she would bring on her family as she began to show with child, the girl left home. The scared young girl moved and found a job working in a café cooking and washing dishes twelve hours a day for fifty cents a day.

“One of the regulars took an interest in her and asked if he could see her outside of work. They became good friends and when she was heavy with child, he remained by her side. Friends became lovers, then man and wife. They moved away to his family home with her son. He raised the boy as his own. This good man taught the young girl what true love was and how important trust is in a relationship.”

MaeMae looked at Joelette's puzzled face. “If that young woman had never agreed to let that wonderful man to show her that not all men were liars, she would have missed out on the love of her life. He never complained, even after she could not have another child. He loved that boy as if he came from his blood, even when the boy disappointed him with his cruelty.”

Joelette let out the breath she held. “I had no idea.”

“No one did.” MaeMae waved her hand. “Don't you see what I would have missed if I had not given my dear husband a chance to prove what kind of man he was. I would not change a thing about that marriage. He taught me everything I know about love.”

“Did Otis every know the truth?” Joelette asked.

“We decided when we got married that Bennie would be the only father he knew. Telling him the truth would have served no purpose. I had no way of telling Otis how to find his father. Besides, I found out later that an outraged father of a young girl he’d seduced had killed him. He’d gotten her pregnant too and she couldn't bare the shame. She’d miscarried by choice and died of blood poisoning.” MaeMae drank the cold coffee from her cup.

“That’s terrible,” Joelette said.

“It was a different time then. Otis, I'm ashamed to say, was just like him. When he came home with you as his bride, I cried. I could tell you were something special and he would hurt you time and time again, but nothing I said would change his ways. If I'd known he would meet you and convince you to marry him so soon, I could have warned you. For this, I'm sorry. Forgive me, Joelette. I should have told you about this earlier.”

“I don’t regret marrying Otis. Without him, I wouldn’t have you or my boys. You're a good woman and more of a mother to me than my own mother.” She knelt before her mother-in-law and placed her hands on top of MaeMae's and peered into the eyes of the woman she'd grown to love so much. “I do worry some that either T-Boy or Ozamae will turn out like their dad.”

“Wipe that thought from your head, Joelette. They won't. I've watched them since they were born they have more of you in them than Otis. Look at what they tried to do for you and Mansir. Had Otis lived, he would have tried to change their nature, but I don't think he could have. They're good boys, Joelette.”

Joelette wanted to go to Mansir right then. But it was well after midnight and she had no idea if he was at Possum’s or a hotel. Not only that, but she wanted the boys to be apart of all of that. She’d messed things up for all of them, they needed to be there when she apologized.

“One more thing before we turn in.” Reaching into her apron pocket, MaeMae took out a faded folded envelope and handed it to Joelette. “This is for you,
Cher
. I should have given it to you a long time ago,” she said.

Joelette unfolded the paper and glanced at its contents. “This is the deed to your house and land. I don't understand. Why would you give this away? This belonged to Bennie and you.” Joelette searched MaeMae's face for an answer.

“No, this is your home,” MaeMae said. “It has been since you first walked across that porch. I would like to live here part of the time, if that’s okay, but it is your home to do with as you please.” MaeMae's rocker kept a steady beat as one of the rockers rocked over a split in the floor. “I've watched you sit and look at the bayou and fuss over the yard and house. You love this place, Joelette, and so do your boys.”

“It’s too generous though,” Joelette said.

“I never did feel about this place like you do. When I moved here with my husband and my son, I felt isolated. No one to talk to, cry with, or laugh together. Bennie worked hard to make ends meet. He was gone most of the day, and I was lonely. This was his family home, and I couldn't ask him to pick up and move to town.”

“I don't know what to say.” Joelette shook her head, trying to make sense of this crazy day. “I can't believe you are giving me this. I don't have enough money to pay you what it's worth, but I will give you all that I have and continue to pay you as long as you say.” Joelette stared at the deed in her hands.

“We'll need to do an official transfer and you can pay me one dollar. That's all and not a penny more. And, of course, free rent when I stay here.”

“What do I say?”

“Say, 'thank you.’” MaeMae said.

“Thank you.”

“I'm getting tired. We’ve had a hell of a day, don't you agree?”

Joelette stood and helped MaeMae up out of her chair. “Thank you is not enough, but is all I can think of at this moment.” She touched MaeMae's arm. “What did you mean, when you stay here. Just where do you think you're going?”

“Mrs. Broussard has invited me to live at her house. I’m thinking of the winter months. She’s offered me a downstairs three-room apartment and a screened in porch with a private entrance for my patients. I said yes. She needs a friend and I need to get off this bayou for my bronchitis.” She patted Joelette's hand, “And you and the boys can visit me. If I get lonesome, I'll have them spend the night with me. Besides, you'll need your privacy.” MaeMae chuckled.

“Don't go there, yet. I still don't know if he’ll forgive me for my foolishness.”

###

Joelette got up early the next morning, made a pot of coffee. She leaned against the counter and looked at her house. It would belong to her and her sons. Her own home, in her own name. She never once thought about it being hers. She’d always thought that when something happened to MaeMae, Joelette and the boys would move.

But it’s what she’d always wanted. Joelette made a couple of slices of toast to go with her coffee. Today would be a busy day. She took several breaths to try and calm her nerves.

T-Boy stumbled into the kitchen, his eyes bleary from sleep.

“Good morning,” she said.

He only grunted in response.

“Still mad at me?”

“You know, he bought that truck for you. He wanted you to have a safe truck to travel back and forth to Lafayette and other places.” T-Boy looked up at Joelette with big sad eyes. “Why don't you like Mansir, mom?” T-Boy gulped back tears. “He likes you so much and we like him. Why don't you want him? Why won't you let us have him as a dad?”

“Well, it’s not quite that simple, T-Boy, grown-ups are more complicated than that. Do you understand?”

“I understand that me and Ozamae want him. We don't want you to send him away. He treated us like a dad would treat his sons. We want him, Mom, and he wants us. All of us, even you.”

“I’m going to try, baby, but I can’t promise he’ll forgive me. Why don’t you go get dressed and wake up your brother. I have an errand for you two.”

Joelette walked down the path to the bayou and sat on the boat dock in front of the house. The mating call of an alligator could be heard over the quiet of the swamp. The lonely bellowing caused a stir deep inside her to boil up until she could not remain sitting any longer. She reached down and retrieved a hyacinth out of the cool water then held it to her nose. She smiled then stood and walked toward the house. The walk soon became a run. She burst through the door and ran to her bedroom. She knew precisely what she had to do.

“Are you alright? MaeMae asked as Joelette ran by her.

Joelette ran back through the kitchen with the blue shirt dangling in her hand and hurried outside to the porch.

MaeMae, T-Boy and Ozamae followed.

“What are you doing, Joelette?” MaeMae demanded. “Have you lost your senses?”

“No, I think I’ve finally found them,” Joelette said. She climbed up on the porch railing and heard them all gasp as she hung Mansir's shirt on the pole sticking out of the roof.

“Yeah, Mom,” Ozamae and T-Boy yelled in unison.

Joelette climbed down and stood with her hands on her hips and looked at the beaming faces of three of the people she’d always loved most in the world. But someone was missing.

She held out a branch of the sassafras tree to T-Boy. “I have a message I want you two to give Mansir. Listen very carefully and repeat it word for word.” The boy's faces were full of anticipation.

“Are you sure,
Cher
?” MaeMae asked, hope shining in her eyes. “Is this truly what is in your heart?”

“I've never been more sure of anything in my life. Give this branch to Mansir and repeat these words. Tell him his lady is waiting. Can you remember that? He'll know just what I mean.” She looked up at the denim shirt waving in the breeze, she hugged both of the boys.

“What are you waiting for? I thought you said you wanted him and he wanted us.”

T-Boy nodded.

“Well don't keep the man waiting. Don't keep us waiting.” Joelette smiled. “Boys, go get you a daddy.”