“Well, I was trying, yes.”
“I just love a fella who lays it out there on the line.” Bonnie Sue’s eyes misted over. “I’m not saying it’s always appropriate to be direct, but if a certain man ever realized just how desperately he needed a jar of mustard, say, and if he somehow figured out that the jar of mustard was right in front of him the whole time, then maybe it would change everything? Why, the whole town could benefit if this fella could just figure out how desperately he needed mustard. Does that make sense?”
“It terrifies me to say yes,” Twila said. “But it makes perfect sense.” She gave Bonnie Sue a sour look. “Not that I’m speaking to you right now, by the way.” At this proclamation, she headed out the door. Bonnie Sue and Jolene followed on her heels, bickering the whole way.
I turned to face Cecil. “If you’ve prayed about it and feel like the Lord is in it, then keep on keepin’ on, my friend. Don’t give up until you’re convinced you should.”
Jasmine came back inside and asked to reschedule our meeting, so I spent the rest of the afternoon doing paperwork in the room that would eventually become the office. I could hear the hum of the carpenters’ tools as they worked, but secretly I wondered why I let them continue. Wouldn’t it make more sense to call it a day? Put an end to this madness?
I didn’t have time to think about it because I had to pick up Tres from kindergarten. His teacher greeted me with a lecture about his poor behavior, and I erupted in tears.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Neeley,” she said. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Maybe I’m making too much of it. It’s just that Tres doesn’t always mind me when I give him instructions. He’s . . . well, he acts out sometimes.”
“I-I know.” The tears flowed in abundance.
She handed me a tissue and apologized once again for letting me know about my son’s behavior. It wasn’t her fault that I couldn’t handle the truth, but this wasn’t the right time or place to share my heart. I needed to calm down first.
When we got back to the double-wide, I put both kids down for a nap and climbed into my—er, Earline’s—bed to try to rest. I awoke to the sound of Guido singing “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.” Lovely. He seemed to be having some sort of competition with the blue jay. They watched each other through the window, the little blue jay chirping nonstop. I pulled the pillow over my head and tried to sleep.
I finally gave up around five o’clock, just as D.J. arrived home. I wanted to tell him about my pitiful day, but the poor guy looked exhausted, so I kept my mouth shut.
“Guess who came by after you left,” he said.
I could tell from the look on his face. “Mayor Deets?”
“Yep.” D.J. opened the fridge, pulled out a bottle of water, and unscrewed the cap. “You don’t even want to know what he had to say.” He took one swig, then another.
“You’re right. I don’t.” I asked D.J. if he wanted pasta for dinner. He responded in the affirmative and I went to work cooking. As I worked, I offered up several silent prayers, asking for God to give me some sort of sign. Should we stay or should we go? It seemed pointless to go to all of this trouble if we weren’t even going to be able to open the place. But if we left, D.J. and I wouldn’t get to have our vow renewal service. Not in Splendora, anyway.
I opened the pantry door, looking for the oregano. Why, oh why, could I never find anything in here? I pulled back the container that held Earline’s spices and accidentally knocked a can of Crisco off the shelf. Great. When I reached down to pick it up, I happened to notice something taped to the back.
“Oh, funny.”
“What?” D.J. asked.
“Your mom taped something to the back of the Crisco container.”
“Weird.” He walked toward me. “What is it?”
“I’m just guessing, but I’ll bet I’m right. Remember back in the day when the ladies used to talk about their beauty secrets?”
“Vaguely. Something about hemorrhoid cream for wrinkles.”
“Well, that was one of the things they recommended. But high on the list”—I lifted the container—“was Crisco.”
“For . . .”
“Oh, all sorts of things. Skin issues. Psoriasis, I think. Eye makeup remover. You name it, Crisco can help.” I couldn’t help but giggle as I remembered all of their skin care advice.
“So that’s what she’s taped to the back of the Crisco container?” he asked. “Beauty secrets?”
“I’m sure.” I turned the can around and glanced at it. “Yep. It says ‘Top Secret.’”
“Let me see that.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know if we should be pulling it off. Your mama would never forgive us if we lost her list of beauty secrets.”
“You really think she’s going to be upset that we’re looking at an old can of Crisco? It’s not like I’m calling Clayton at the Gazette to give away top-secret information, you know.” He took the paper off and turned it over. After spending a second or two reading it, he shrugged. “Um, Bella . . . this has nothing to do with Crisco.”
“Oh?” I took it from him and gasped when I read the words Banana Pudding Recipe. “Oh, D.J.!”
“What?” He stuck it back on the can. “It’s just a recipe. Maybe it got stuck here by accident.”
“It’s no accident, trust me.” I took the can and shoved it back into the pantry. “But now I have a moral dilemma.”
“You don’t like saturated fats?” he tried.
“No, it’s not that. I’m saying that . . . oh dear.” In order to explain, I had to tell him the whole story. And so I did. He listened with interest as I told him about Jolene’s plan to transform the mayor’s heart using banana pudding.
D.J. shook his head. “Bella, are you telling me that you’re supposed to give my mother’s top-secret recipe to Jolene so that she can make it to give to Bonnie Sue to give to the mayor so that the mayor will eat the banana pudding and think that Bonnie Sue made it so that he can fall in love with her—and all of this is to save the town from ruin?”
“In a nutshell, yes.” I glanced down at the recipe, surprised by a couple of the ingredients. No wonder it tasted so good. “But now you see my moral dilemma. I can’t steal from your mother. I-I can’t.”
“You’re right. You can’t. So don’t give it another thought, Bella. Just forget about it. Don’t say a word to the other ladies.”
“I won’t.”
Still, I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that I’d asked the Lord for a sign, and he’d given me one . . . in my mother-in-law’s kitchen. With D.J. staring at me, I took the can of Crisco and shoved it back into the pantry, determined to forget I’d ever seen it in the first place.
20
The Dance
Every day is a new day, and you’ll never be able to find happiness if you don’t move on.
Carrie Underwood
The first weekend in November, Bubba and Jenna celebrated the grand opening of Bubba’s Barbecue. In spite of the mayor’s warnings that the people of Splendora shouldn’t lend their support, many of them showed up for the big event. My whole family came from Galveston to share in the joy as well. Bubba hired a rodeo clown to make balloons for the kids and even brought in a lady to do face painting. I’d never seen so many people come and go from a restaurant.
And the yummy smell! I could hardly stand it. Ribs. Sliced beef. Pork sausage. Beans. Potato salad. Onion rings. French fries. Coleslaw. Apple pie. Yum! This place tantalized all who entered. The only one missing was the mayor.
I ordered my food and took a seat at the table nearest the door. My sister joined me. She nibbled on a salad while I chowed down on a sliced beef sandwich and fries.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Mm-hmm. Eating for three.”
“I see that.” She took a little bite of her salad. “How are you feeling?”
“Ugh. Worn out. And fat!”
“You’re not fat, silly.”
“Puh-leeze.” I pointed do
wn at my belly and continued to eat.
“What does your obstetrician say?” Sophia asked. “I mean, does he know you’re still working full-time and taking care of two kids?”
“Yeah. He said, ‘So far, so good,’ but to expect the twins to come early. Most do. We’re shooting for week thirty-six.”
“Week thirty-six?” Her brow wrinkled. “Wouldn’t that be just after Christmas?”
“Yeah. End of the year.”
“I hope you can take some time off after they’re born.” She paused. “You know, Bella, I’m doing fine at Club Wed. I’m not saying that I don’t need you. It would be great to work alongside you when you’re ready. But I just want you to know that I’ve enjoyed this season. It’s been fun to step out of my comfort zone.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Makes me feel . . .” She shrugged. “Grown up.”
“I’m glad to know you’re happy, Sophia. I don’t know how long I’ll take off after the babies are born, but I’m guessing it will be at least a couple of months. I’m so thrilled you’re willing to help out. And when I do come back, I’ll definitely need all the help I can get.”
“You need help? I thought I was the one who needed help!” Jenna’s voice sounded from behind us. She took a seat at our table and swiped at her face with the back of her hand. “I’m exhausted.”
“I’m sure you are,” I said. “But it’s going great. You and Bubba must be so tickled to see such a crowd.”
“Yep. Doesn’t look like you-know-who kept the people away with his fear tactics. That’s a good sign.”
“A good sign for all of us.” If Mayor Deets hadn’t scared the locals away from the barbecue restaurant, maybe he wouldn’t stand a chance with our wedding facility either.
Jenna chatted for a couple of minutes and then stood and stretched her back. “Better get back to it, ladies.”
“Praying you guys have the best day ever. This business is going to take off, Jenna. Watch and see.”
“I know you’re right.” She grinned. “Oh, speaking of which, I keep forgetting to tell you. The most wonderful thing has happened. Blossom has offered to watch the kids for me while I’m working.”
“Oh, that’s perfect.”
“I know, right? And it was totally her idea. She’s starting this interior design business, but she works from home and wants to bring in some extra income while she’s building the business. She and Darrell are . . . well, they’re hurting a little financially, so she’s happy to make a little income from me.”
“I thought for a minute there you were going to tell me that she was staying home because she’s expecting.”
“No.” Jenna shook her head and took a seat once more, now speaking in a lower voice. “I, um, well, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I told you, but she can’t have children. They’re probably going to be adopting a baby in a year or two. That’s one reason they’re working so hard to get their home and their finances ready, so they can do that.”
“Wow, I had no idea.”
“Blossom and I have gotten pretty close. I like her. It’s weird—we don’t really have that much in common, but it feels like we’ve known each other forever.”
“I’m glad.”
I was glad too, but it also felt a little strange. Before long I would be back in Galveston, and my best friend would be here in Splendora with her new friend Blossom. Hmm. A ripple of jealousy wriggled down my spine, but I pushed it away.
A splash of sunlight filled the room as the door opened and a new round of customers entered. I saw Cecil come through the door and waved. He returned the gesture and looked around for a place to sit. I’d just started to motion him over to our table when I noticed Lily waving at him. Cecil’s face broke into a smile, and he headed her way and took a seat.
“Well, lookie there.” I used the back of my hand to wipe barbecue sauce from my mouth. “Hmm.”
“You think there’s something stirring there?” Jenna asked.
“Maybe she’s just being kind because there’s no place to sit, or maybe . . .” I hated to speculate.
Minutes later the door opened again and—wonder of wonders—Clayton Deets walked in.
Jolene joined us at our table, her eyes wide. “Check it out,” she whispered. “That boy looks about as scared as a sinner in a cyclone.”
“Why?” Jenna asked.
“I’m sure he’s terrified that his uncle will find out he came here today. It’s been my experience that being in bondage to another human being—feeling like you don’t have the freedom to make your own decisions or speak your mind in all honesty—is a terrible way to live. And yet some people just don’t know how to be set free.”
“Are you speaking from experience, Jolene?” Jenna asked.
“Maybe. Just trust me when I say that it’s no fun to feel bound up by fear.”
I thought about that as she headed off to visit with Earline and Dwayne. Many of Splendora’s residents were bound up by fear, and yet many had faced that fear and come to Bubba’s restaurant in spite of the mayor’s warning. Maybe the Lord was already at work here, releasing people from bondage and setting them free. I could only hope this trend would continue when it came time to open the wedding facility. God bless the brides who entered our doors against the mayor’s wishes.
After lunch we invited the whole Rossi clan back to the double-wide for coffee and some of Earline’s pecan pie, which she’d brought with her from Galveston. Guido was thrilled to see Uncle Laz, who carried on with the bird like he was visiting with a long-lost friend.
“He’s really perked up, Bella,” Laz said.
“Yes. It’s weird, but I think he’s made a friend.” I pointed out the window at the tree just outside. “There’s a blue jay that sometimes sits there. I’m convinced the two of them are talking to each other.”
“Well, we owe that little fella a lot. He’s cured our Guido. I’m so happy to see him looking and acting like himself again.”
“Same here.”
“We’d almost given up on you, little fella.” Uncle Laz held out his arm and Guido hopped onto his wrist. They had a conversation much like a father would have with his prodigal son. Guido responded to my uncle’s voice by ruffling his feathers. As I watched the exchange, I was reminded of the mayor, how he’d first strutted into the wedding facility like a peacock. He’d been happy—proud—to ruffle his feathers, just to intimidate us. Perhaps the fella was all show. I could hope, anyway.
“I hear you made some friends, Guido.” Laz pointed out the window. “But don’t get too attached to the lady birds up here, my friend. We’re taking you back home to Galveston soon.”
“Back home to Galveston.” I couldn’t help but smile as I said the words aloud. I could hardly wait to get back there myself.
On and on Laz went, visiting with the parrot. I had a feeling Guido would be heading back to Galveston later today. I’d anticipated being happy about that, but losing Guido would make things around here seem pretty quiet.
Well, unless you counted the noise coming from Precious, who’d taken to yapping at the blue jay outside.
After chatting a bit with my uncle, I joined the ladies in the kitchen. Rosa took a bite of pecan pie, and a look of contentment came over her. “I’m just loving all of this Southern food. We’ll have to do an episode with you, Earline, singing the praises of all things Southern.”
“Oh, I would love that.” Earline’s eyes glistened. “You know me. I adore good Southern food. Pies. Cakes. Banana pudding.”
Oh. Help.
Thank goodness Jolene had never brought up the idea of the banana pudding again. Looked like I was off the hook.
Rosa and Earline dove into a conversation about their favorite Southern foods. D.J. must’ve taken this as some sort of cue. He extended his hand. “Bella, we’re going for a walk.”
“What? Who’s going to watch the kids?”
“I will, Bella-bambina.” My father looked up from the recliner. “Just give m
e Rosie and I’ll have her sleeping in no time. Tres and I are watching this Batman show on TV, so he’ll be fine too.”
“C’mon, Bella.” D.J. gave me the cutest little pout.
If my sweet husband wanted to walk with me, I’d walk. Swollen feet or not.
He led the way down a little path behind the double-wide, beyond a small creek, and into the loveliest little cove.
He held tight to my hand as we walked, but finally came to a stop. “I wanted to talk to you about something.” He brushed a loose hair from my face with his fingertip.
“Oh?”
“Yes. I’ve been thinking a lot about the mayor. What would you think about inviting him to our ceremony?”
“W-what?” I could hardly believe D.J. would suggest such a thing.
“I’m not saying I agree with Mama’s plan to hook him up with Bonnie Sue. We’re not matchmakers. But there’s something to be said for winning people over with love, even if it’s not the romantic kind.”
“Well, yes, but . . . our wedding?”
“The Bible says to turn the other cheek. To forgive. I’ve spent a lot of time praying for Mayor Deets over the past few weeks and can’t stop thinking about the fact that he’s struggling. This whole mess with the wedding facility is a bunch of nonsense, and I know he knows it. I can’t imagine he’ll follow through with his threats, no matter what he says. I get the sense that he’s just flexing his muscles.”
“Probably. But why would we risk our big day to invite him? Why repay his evil with a kind gesture that could backfire on us?”
“If we extend the hand of friendship, we’ll have the chance to return good in place of evil. Won’t hurt to try. At least then he’ll know that people want to spend time with him no matter what. Not because he’s the mayor, but just because he’s a man. A friend. You know?”
I knew, of course. I just didn’t feel like returning good for evil. I felt like giving the guy a swift kick in the rear for all of the trouble he’d caused.