She Only Speaks to Butterflies (10 page)

“She behaved herself well, ma’am.” Lee reported. Sherry noticed a twinkle in his eye as she smiled thanks.

“It’s time to go, sweetie,” she said to Denise.

“You can take the colorin’ book home, ma’am,” Lee offered Denise.

Sherry took Denise’s hand. “Thank you.”

“Pleasure.” Lee dipped his head, holding the lunchroom door open for them.

Jenny Martin walked into the lunch room to take Kevin home. “Take care, Sherry.”

“You too, Jenny.”

Sarah and Martha met Sherry at the door. “Best stay away from Jenny’s pickin’s,” Martha said snidely. “I walked over to talk to Vern, to ask how Mitchell was likin’ summer school, and she wouldn’t shut up about Lee. She was all ‘Oh, he’s so nice’ and ‘Oh, he’s so handsome’,” Martha mimed vomiting. “I bet he’s already messed with her.”

“You don’t know that,” Sherry said diplomatically. “How do you know their kids ain’t just friends or somethin’?”

“I love ya, Sherry, but yer too trustin’,” Martha admitted.

“I don’t see any mind in him,” Sarah commented. “He seems to play well with the kids. Denise likes him and that’s sayin’ a lot.”

Sherry smiled at her.

…

Ned approached Alan. “I spoke to my guys at the farm, and Tim said all he heard was a car hittin’ the gas pretty hard. He didn’t see the vehicle, but he heard it tearing away just before seein’ the fire start.”

“So it definitely ain’t kids startin’ ‘em up then.” Alan scratched his chin. “That’s what I suspected. I was hopin’ some youngin’ was stealin’ gas or lighter fluid from his daddy and someone would speak up, but looks like that ain’t the case.”

Alan patted Ned on the shoulder. “Thanks, man.”

Ned patted him back, walking away.

Jenny Martin approached Alan with Kevin in tow. “I just wanted you to know, sir, that my Kevin here…” she looked at Kevin, whose head came to her shoulders. The young man stared at the floor in embarrassment. “He was home in his bed when the fire happened. I can vouch for that.”

Alan gave Jenny an apologetic look. “I appreciate that, ma’am, and I can assure you that Kevin never came to mind. It’s an adult settin’ these fires.” He put his hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “And I apologize for the insinuation earlier. I hope there’s no hard feelin’s.”

Jenny smiled. “None at all, sir.”

Alan playfully punched Kevin in the chin, forcing him to look up at him. “Alright?” he asked, searching Kevin’s face. Kevin nodded, looking down at the floor again.

“We best be goin’,” Jenny said. “Kevin’s helpin’ out at the farm today.”

“Is he now?” Alan was impressed.

“Ned offered him a part-time job for the summer.”

“Ain’t that lovely? Well you enjoy yerself, son,” Alan said, walking away.

…

“Look at ya,” Gertrude embraced Sarah, patting her swelling belly and kissing her on the cheek. “How ya doin’, sugar?”

“I’m doin’ great.” Sarah grinned, rubbing her belly. “He’s gonna be a twelve pounder, I tell ya.”

“I can see that,” Gertrude giggled. “But ya know it’s a boy? Did ya have one of ‘em fancy tests done?”

Sarah waved. “Naw, I just know is all.”

Sarah took the proffered seat on the front porch while Sherry leaned on the railing. Kenny and Denise headed inside the house.

Gertrude pulled her knitting out of the bag beside her. “So, how did the meetin’ go?”

Sarah answered. “It went fine.” She glanced at Sherry. “Do ya believe the nerve of that Lina?” She rocked back and forth faster on the chair. “Swine,” she seethed.

“What she up to now?” Gertrude looked at Sherry over her bifocals. “She still not a fan a yers, dear?”

“I swear that girl hates me and to this day I don’t know why,” Sherry insisted, picking nervously at her fingers.

“She has all the money in the world and a fat ass to boot. I hear her Greg can’t stand her. Buys her stuff all the time, just to keep her trap shut,” Sarah snorted.

“I don’t know what her deal is.” Sherry shifted her weight. “She’s got a great husband, money and a lovely home. I don’t even think she’s that bad lookin’ personally.”

“Bite your tongue!” Sarah squealed. “If the woman smiled it’d do damage!”

“The problem’s she can’t have youngin’s,” Gertrude volunteered. “There’s a lot to be hateful for when yer the only barren woman in town. No money in the world’ll help that.”

“She could adopt,” Sarah intervened. “Got enough money.”

“Not her style,” Sherry guessed. “I don’t peg her the charitable type.”

“You got that right,” Sarah scoffed. “Wade Thomas took up the collection at church last Sunday. Said she gave a whole quarter.”

“More’n what I heard Reggie Maxwell gave,” Sherry added.

“That’s cause he needs to support the local liquor store,” Sarah blurted. “Geez, he and Ruben Johnson must keep Glen and Karen Munson in business.”

“He still drinkin’?” Gertrude lifted her head from her knitting. “Last I heard Ruben was dry.”

“Oh, momma, no,” Sherry exhaled dubiously. “Ruben had hip surgery six months ago and ever since then, he’s been on the sauce again.”

“Needs it for medicinal purposes,” Sarah joked.

“You three are terrible,” Kenny chided, joining them on the porch. “Now, what kind of example are you settin’ for the child?”

“I’m sorry, daddy.” Sherry hugged her dad. “That Lina’s got me all in knots again. I should know better.”

“Now you’re better’n that, pumpkin.” He rubbed her back. “Let’s go for a walk.”

“I’ll let Denise know,” Sherry said, entering the house.

Denise was nestled on the couch, coloring in the book she got from the fire hall. “Sweetie.” Sherry knelt down beside her. “Grampa and I are goin’ for a walk, okay? You stay with gramma.”

The little girl looked up and began to cry. “What’s the matter, baby?” Sherry wiped the tears. “Do ya want me to stay?”

Denise walked to the corner of the room and picked up her purse. Pointing to the strap where she had been keeping the butterfly keychain that Ned had given her. Sherry looked and noticed the ring was gone.

Sherry’s face dropped. “Oh, sweetie. Where did you see it last? Was it with ya when ya came back from the fire hall?”

Denise looked at the floor, shaking her head slowly, like she was ashamed.

“It’s okay, honey. We’ll find it.” Sherry kissed her daughter’s head. “I’ll check before I go out with Grampa, okay?”

Denise pursed her lips softly, wiping away her tears as she continued coloring.

Sherry took a deep breath, thanking God for sparing her another episode.

…

After looking for the key ring to no avail, Sherry sighed. “I’ll have to let Ned know. He can probably get her another at the boutique. He only gave it to her the other day, I’m sure they’ll have more.”

“Don’t fret dear, it’ll turn up,” Kenny said as they began walking down Sherry’s street. Sherry’s house was a small two-storey structure with two bedrooms upstairs and one on the main floor, which she used as a playroom/guest bedroom for Denise. The other houses on her quaint street ranged in size from bungalow-style to ranch-style. There was a total of eight houses on the small bank where she lived; four on one side, four on the opposite side.

“I know we’ve been here a coupla days now, but I feel like we ain’t had a moment to talk.” Kenny held his daughter’s hand. “How ya been keepin’?”

“Pretty good, daddy.” She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’m glad yer here, though.”

Kenny squeezed Sherry’s hand. “How’s work?”

“Good. I took a coupla days off to spend with you guys. Leon’s lookin’ after the store for now.”

They continued walking when suddenly they approached Jinny Marx’s place. Mandy, Jinny’s daughter, was walking out the front door when they arrived.

“How ya holdin’ up, sweetheart?” Sherry grasped Jinny’s hand as she leaned on the white plank fence.

“I’m doin’ okay.” Mandy looked up at her mother’s house. “It’s sad, but the house is goin’ on the market tomorrow.”

Sherry’s eyes widened. “What? Why?”

Mandy’s bottom lip quivered. “Oh, I can’t afford to keep this place. It’s amazin’ momma kept it up for so long. Besides, I’ve got my place over in Little Rock.”

Kenny was astonished. “How did ya manage to get it ready so quickly?”

“I ain’t got much choice, sir,” she explained. “Reverend Telly’s doin’ the funeral service for free, but I have to sell the place to cover funeral costs and other expenses momma left. God rest her soul.”

“I’m sure Reverend Telly’ll take up a collection for ya, darlin’.” Sherry patted her hand comfortingly.

“I appreciate it. But it ain’t enough.” Mandy shook her head. “Momma never spoke about money, we was never raised that way. My brother Dan and sister Penelope, they’re too far away bein’ in Texas ‘n all. They ain’t even comin’ to the funeral.”

“That’s too bad,” Sherry frowned. “Anything we can do to help?”

“I appreciate the offer, but momma didn’t have much. Aside from some furniture and dishes, which I’m leavin’ with the house, all she had was some clothes and linens. I’m takin’ ‘em to church tomorrow before the funeral.”

Mandy changed tack. Her voice was laced with conviction. “I tell ya, those son’s a bitches that ‘r settin’ fires in this town…well, they’d be best to set fire to momma’s house, it’d be worth more to me then. The only thing she had was a goddamn insurance policy on the house. She had nothin’ else worth any money.”

Sherry’s mouth dropped open. “That’s a hell of a thing to say, Mandy.”

“I’m sorry,” Mandy said forlornly. “It’s the truth. I wish momma’d been more honest with me. I coulda helped her. Instead, I’m left cleanin’ up the mess and payin’ her bills. She picked one hell of a time to die.”

“Now hush, sweetheart.” Kenny held her tightly. “You don’t mean to say all this.” He rubbed her head against his chest as she choked back tears. Sherry put her hand on Mandy’s back. “Where ya stayin’, love?”

Mandy lifted her head, pulling a tissue out of her back pocket. She wiped her nose and eyes with it. “I stayed in my old room last night, but some friends offered to have me stay with ‘em tonight.”

Sherry grasped her hand. “Well, now, feel free to come on over and stay with us if you need it.”

Mandy nodded. “Thanks, but I’m fine.”

“Can I bring you over a casserole? Do you want to come over for dinner?” Kenny pleaded.

Tilting her head toward her car, Mandy said. “I was just leavin’ to go meet some friends now. Will ya be at the funeral tomorrow?”

“You betcha,” Kenny winked.

“Do ya need any help for tomorrow?” Sherry offered.

“No, I’m fine. But thanks a lot.” Mandy placed one hand on Sherry’s arm and the other on Kenny’s.

“Take care, dear,” Kenny said.

“Bye, Mandy,” Sherry said as Mandy waved, opening her car door.

“Wonder where she gets her stubbornness from?” Kenny said sarcastically. “It’d do a world of good for that girl if she’d accept some help.”

“She’s a big girl, daddy.”

“Big girls cry, too.”

…

Sherry stepped out of the shower, smelling fresh bacon and eggs. For a moment she felt truly blessed. Her parents, God bless them, had always been there for her. There was never a moment in her life when she felt despair as long as Kenny and Gertrude were with her.

“Momma, ya have to get back after the funeral,” Sherry sobbed. “You’ve both got work and daddy’s got his committee meetin’s.”

“Honey, we’re staying with ya until yer on yer feet,” Gertrude insisted warmly. “There is no negotiation.”

“We won’t feel right leaving you and the child here alone,” Kenny added. “Besides, both your mother and I are retirin’ come year’s end. There’s no worry.”

Sherry looked in her closet, realizing she had nothing appropriate to wear to her husband’s funeral.

“Now, look,” Gertrude said, sensing her daughter’s tension. “This black evenin’ dress, I can take it in at the bottom and add fabric where the lace is. It’ll be done in an hour.”

There was a knock at the door downstairs. Kenny rose from the bed. “That’ll be Sarah. She’s offered to do your hair.”

Sherry looked at her parents, fighting back another wave of tears. “What would I do without you?”

“Never need to think about that, sugarplum,” Kenny advised.

Sherry was pulled from her reverie. That same dress her mother altered for her for Chris’s funeral was hanging in front of her. Removing it from the hanger, she held it up to her chest, viewing her profile in the mirror. Unzipping it down the back, she slipped her feet in and used the slick zipping technique Leon showed her at the store for when there’s nobody around to zip you up in the back.

Satisfied it still fit, Sherry walked over to her jewelry box and opened it. Her engagement ring still sat there, winking at her. She placed the diamond solitaire on her finger, above her wedding band already sitting on her ring finger.