She Only Speaks to Butterflies (7 page)

“Yer chariot is here!” Sarah sang, pushing the door open. “You ready? Mark’s got the car runnin’.”

“Yep. Just let me grab some change for the offerin’.” Sherry rose and placed her dirty dish in the sink. “You got yer bear?” she asked Denise.

When they arrived at church, Sarah carried a small chesterfield pillow in with her. Sherry chuckled.

“What’s that for?”

“Well, no matter how much I pray for my bottom to not get sore in the Lord’s house, it still feels like someone’s kicked me in the rear. “ Sarah was adamant. “So I figure, if he wants to give me a sore behind, I’m bringin’ a pillow to the service.” She placed it under her arm forcefully. “I’ll fix his wagon.”

Sherry smirked, taking Denise’s hand as they crossed the parking lot into the chapel. She paused, observing the lot.

“I wonder how Mrs. Marx is doin’?”

“I’m sure Reverend Telly’ll give a prayer for her.” Sarah patted her arm. “Come on, Mark!” She bellowed as he drove around, looking for a spot closer to the entrance. “If we don’t get a good seat, it won’t matter how close you parked!”

“Ah, to hell with it,” Sarah huffed. “He can find his own damn seat.”

They entered the chapel. Ned and Kate were seated up front. Ned saw Sherry and gestured for her to come sit with them. Sherry made her way to the first aisle, nodding and waving to familiar faces, including Lina and Greg Groves. Greg gave her a wink while Lina lifted a brow, placing her nose back into the church leaflet.

Sherry sat beside Kate. “Mandy Marx show up yet?”

“No, we ain’t seen her, love,” Kate said worriedly. “Your parents comin’ in today?”

Sherry nodded, lifting a bible from the shelf in front of her. “They called last night. Daddy said they should be here after lunch.”

Mark walked in briskly, looking hesitantly for Sarah. Ned motioned him over, offering the seat next to him, purposely on the opposite side of Sarah. As Mark sat Ned patted him on the back of his hand and smiled knowingly. Mark murmured.

“Bless you, Ned.” The old man chuckled under his breath.

Reverend Telly began the service by thanking all the participants in the bake sale, and sharing a joke about how his cloak was fitting more snugly since. After he recited the hymns and his daughter Sheila completed the reading, he proceeded to the announcements.

“Once again I’d like to thank everyone who helped with the bake sale. Principal Martin at Cog Hill Elementary School couldn’t be here today to thank you personally, so he’s asked me to do it on his behalf.”

The Reverend shifted his weight, removing the microphone from the podium as he walked down the middle aisle. “Normally at this time we say prayers for those of us who are sick or troubled, but most of us are fortunate enough to be healthy and at peace.” He scanned the room, removing the reading glasses he had perched on his nose.

“We’re blessed to not have to make regretful announcements in this community very often, thanks to the wonderful team of doctors we have at our hospital.” He cleared his throat nervously. “Unfortunately, there was one member of our community they weren’t able to save.”

Sherry felt her heart pound in her chest. Sarah gave Sherry’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“Jinny Marx, a wonderful woman, a member of our church, and a strong part of this community, passed away early this morning.” He looked down, then back up again. “I was honored to give her her last rights late last night.”

“God bless her,” someone said.

“Yes, thank you,” Reverend Telly responded appreciatively. “God bless her dear soul.” Then he bowed his head and joined his hands in front. “Let us pray for Jinny Marx, Mandy Marx and the rest of the Marx family. The Lord be with them.”

Silence enveloped the congregation as church members bowed their heads in prayer. Reverend Telly continued.

“The funeral service will be held here the day after tomorrow, as per the family’s wishes. All are welcome to attend.”

Reverend Telly turned on his heel, walking back up to the podium, and replaced the microphone on its stand. He cleared his throat again.

“As with the circle of life, when one life ends, another begins. Rebecca and Leo Cunningham gave birth to a healthy baby girl yesterday. They weren’t able to join us today for obvious reasons.” The Reverend continued.

“Alan Wilkins, our Fire Marshall, has hired a new member of the Fire Hall.” He gestured to the back row. “Lee Givens joins us today.” A gentleman close to the exit rose slightly, bowing gallantly. “He’s just arrived and I’ve had the pleasure of chattin’ with him.” Reverend Telly smiled and gave a reciprocating bow. “I’m sure we’ll all give him a warm welcome.”

“Not too warm!” someone yelled out in jest. “Wouldn’t want to start up no fires!”

Laughter spread throughout the chapel. Lee’s face colored as he kept his eyes fixed on the floor.

“Lord, don’t make me dip my finger in no holy water today, I’m gonna bust!” Sarah said, thankful when the service was over.

Sherry gestured Sarah out of the pew and led her down the aisles. She stood in the hallway, waiting for her pregnant friend to do her business. There was a goodie tray and a coffee urn on the table by the entrance, and some people were helping themselves while mingling.

“Do you want to go grab a donut?” Sherry asked Denise.

“I’ll take her up,” Martha said, approaching with Luke in tow.

“Thanks. I’m gonna go check on Sarah.”

She walked through a corridor, passing the church office and meeting room, and nearly bumped into someone coming out of the men’s washroom.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” he said, turning sideways to give her right-of-way.

Sherry blushed. “Sorry, I wasn’t watchin’ where I was goin’.”

The gentleman extended his hand. “Lee Givens. Just joined the Fire Hall.” His face was smooth except for a crease between his eyebrows. He had dark brown wavy hair that curled behind his ears, and he had twinkling blue eyes. He was tall, much taller than Sherry by at least a head, and his handshake was firm. Sherry grinned.

“Welcome to the neighborhood.” Sarah bellowed something from the bathroom about being out of toilet paper. Sherry frowned, trying to hide her smile. “I gotta go. Nice meetin’ ya.”

“Likewise.”

Reaching under the metal swing door, Sherry passed a roll of toilet paper to Sarah.

“Who’s that?” Sarah asked.

“The new fireman, Mr. Givens.”

“He cute?”

“I wasn’t really payin’ much attention. I nearly knocked him over.”

Sarah exited the stall with a smirk. “Maybe next time he’ll knock you over.”

“Shut up and wash your hands.”

…

Sherry drove up the gravel pathway and turned off the engine. Denise was dosing in the back seat. Kenny and Gertrude, her parents, sat on the front veranda drinking tea. Her dad rose from his chair

“Sugarplum!” he shouted. He looked like he’d gained some weight; his belt sat tighter at his waist.

“Daddy!” she yelped, feeling a pang of sadness for how much she’d missed her parents. “I’m so glad to see ya.” she cried, breathing into her dad’s shoulder as he embraced her.

Sherry’s mom let Denise out of the car and squeezed her tight, asking about Rainy Day Bear.

“I’ve heard so much about him, sweetie,” she said, looking down at the stuffed toy inside the little girl’s purse, hanging at her side. “Can I meet him?”

Denise gently pulled him out, proudly handing her most prized possession to her granny. The twinkle in her eyes set Sherry’s heart alight, and the bright smile granny offered was contagious.

“I’m so happy to meet ya,” Gertrude said emphatically to the bear. “It looks like we’re goin’ to get to know each other a lot this summer.”

“Oh, fer lan’s sakes, Gertrude!” Kenny chuckled. “Quit hoggin’ the lass.” He lifted her up high, so her legs flailed about almost overhead. “My Lord, how much you’ve grown!” he gasped. Then he cradled her head in his hand, just like he did when she was a baby. “Oh, pumpkin, grampa’s missed you somethin’ awful.” He kissed the top of her head and rubbed it, as if to leave a permanent impression, and lowered her back down, so her feet were on the ground again.

Sherry hugged her mom as the tears flowed. “I’m so glad yer here, momma,” she sobbed. “It’s been so hard.”

“I know, princess,” Gertrude whispered. “But we’re here now.”

“Mrs. Marx passed last night.” Sherry wiped a tear away with the back of her hand. “She had a stroke yesterday. I found her.”

Gertrude’s hand went straight to her mouth. “Oh, dear. You poor thang. Let’s go in and I’ll make ya some tea,” she said as if that would take away the pain.

“My goodness, love,” her mother complained, opening up the fridge “You been eatin’?” she looked at her daughter imploringly. “You haven’t got any food.” Kenny intervened.

“We’ll go shoppin’ later.” He sensed his daughter’s discomfort. “I need stuff special anyway.” Kenny was the first to see Sherry’s fridge, having prepared the tea when they arrived.

“Why don’t ya go on up and show grampa the new toys you’ve gotten since he’s been here last?” Sherry offered, while Gertrude gave her husband a knowing look.

“Want a ride?” he offered Denise, who jumped up and ran to him. He hoisted her up onto his back and galloped up the stairs. “Be careful, for God’s sake, Kenny!” Gertrude scolded.

When Kenny was out of earshot, Sherry sat down with her mother at the table.

“Level with me,” Gertrude said. “You makin’ ends meet?”

“I’m fine, momma,” Sherry insisted. “I’d planned on gettin’ the house ready for ya yesterday, but when everythin’ happened with Mrs. Marx, I got distracted.”

“Are ya sure? It’s not like you to have an empty fridge.” She sat silent for a moment, looking at her daughter and bouncing her shoe off the end of her foot. “Sarah been over? She eatin’ all yer grub?”

Nudging her mother in jest, she lifted her hand and kissed it. “God bless ya.”

“I just want ya to be honest with me, love.” Gertrude took her daughter’s hands in hers. “Now, I know that husband of yours, God rest his soul...” She looked up at the ceiling, as though in prayer. “…Left ya lots of money…” Her eyes met her daughter’s. “…But raisin’ a daughter, a special one like yers, and tendin’ a house all on yer own, well…” She looked down dramatically, then back up again. “Don’t matter how much money ya got in the bank. It’s gonna run out some time.”

Sitting back in the chair, Sherry exhaled. “Momma, I work, and the house is paid for. The school ain’t cheap, but we’re managin’ okay,” she explained. “Reverend Telly always asks if he can take up a collection for me. And I never have to.”

“Ya know, if it weren’t for how good this town was to you, I’d insist you move with daddy and me, but it’s such a blessin’, you livin’ here.”

“Amen.”

“Sherry?” Kenny called from upstairs. “What’s this I hear about a weddin’?” he giggled, coming downstairs. “My little pumpkin’s got an engagement ring?”

Gertrude glanced at Sherry with a crooked smile. “There somethin’ we should know?” she joked.

“Luke,” Sherry explained, giving her dad a knowing smile. “I tell ya, her smile was brighter ‘n the sun when he asked her.”

“Well, who wouldn’t want to marry that little angel?” Kenny said, pulling Denise downstairs gently.

Later, after tea and cookies, they headed to the Food Mart.

“Roast beef and potatoes good for tonight?” Kenny asked, observing the freshly cut meats being laid down by the butcher. Sherry nodded assent.

“I can cut one special for ya,” Marty, one of the store owners, offered. “Or I’ve got some nice rib-eyes here, too.”

“I’ll take a butt roast if you’ve got it.”

“Here’s one right here. Just cut it myself,” Marty boasted.

“Thanks,” Kenny commented. “How ya been keepin’?”

“Just fine. Ned and Kate have some fine stock over there. Never had no complaints about our meat.”

“Produce good, too?”

“Wonderful. We just brought in some delicious vine-ripened tomatoes if you’re mood’s for salad with the roast.”

“We’ll get some potatoes if it’s all the same.” Kenny placed the meat into the cart.

“Perfect,” Marty smiled. “Randy’s just puttin’ out some fresh ones right now.”

“Your milk still good?” Gertrude asked, heading for the dairy. “Never mind, we’ll buy more anyway. Denise still likes milkshakes, don’t she?” She winked at her granddaughter, who was eying the frozen waffles with Sesame Street characters printed on the box.

“What kind of ice cream does she like these days?” Kenny asked Sherry.

Sherry sifted through the freezer. “Chocolate is her favorite, but it looks like they’re out.”

“Strawberry okay?”

“Sure.”

After placing the ice cream in the cart, Denise exited the freezer section and headed for the bakery. “Wait for momma, sweetie,” Sherry called.

Gertrude gestured.

“You go on, we’ll catch up.”

Sherry followed Denise over to the bakery, where there were fresh cookies and pastries being laid out on the display counter. She immediately grabbed a cellophane-covered platter of apple turnovers and hoisted them up to Sherry.