When
they get back to the house, they find out that their Aunt Virginia
has also gotten engaged.
"We'll
have us one soon too," Will countered, putting his arm around
Patty.
The
three couples exchanged congratulations quietly. Lucius and Dollie
gazed at one another. The question in his eyes as to whether they
should announce their engagement, met with a small shake of her head.
There was time to wait. Let the others have their attention.
Will
led them into the front room with his arm around Patty. Clearing his
throat, he got their attention."I know we're all here because of
a tragedy. I hope what I have to say won't be thought of as
disrespectful. Despite the problems my daddy and me had, I hope he'll
smile on the news. As y'all know, I promised Miss Patricia Belloit
two things—a ring on her finger and a roof over her head. The house
is finished and Patty has accepted my proposal. We're getting'
married first weekend in August."
The
room filled with startled gasps. Lucius started clapping and
cheering. Patrick joined in. Soon the cabin filled with applause and
cat calls. Folks crowded in from outside to hear the news. Once they
settled down, Virginia dragged Patrick forward.
"We
got some news too," he said shyly. "As y'all know, I been
after Ginny to marry me for neigh on three year since her Clyde
passed—rest him. I been lonely since Mariah died an' I was always
right fond of Ginny. Took me a long time to convince her, but not ten
minutes ago, she agreed to be my wife. So y'all are invited to our
wedding too—early September, I reckon."
The
cheering and clapping erupted once more. It died down when Rachel
stood up. She hugged and kissed her sister first, then her son,
followed by Patrick and Patty.
"I
been after her and after her to take you on, Pat. She's a stubborn
girl, always was. I'm real happy for you. And son, all I can say is I
want a passel of grand babies."
Patty
blushed, giggling like a little girl. Dollie hugged her. Lucius
hugged his brother and aunt. He shook Patrick's hand.
"You
got a fine woman there, Pat."
"I
do indeed, Luke."
"You
take good care of my favorite aunt." The subtle threat was
implicit.
Patrick's
smile wavered. "They ain't no other way to care, Lucius. I love
her with all my heart."
"Good
answer, Uncle Pat." He hugged the man, laughing.
Rachel
hugged and kissed them all. "Mama used to say, From great
sorrow comes great joy. Reckon today proves she was right. She
also used to say that mourning the dead was a gall darn waste of
time. She was right about that too. Earl wouldn't want me to sit her
bawlin' like a baby. What say we take this here outside and have us a
party to remember him?"
The
idea met with surprise, but soon everyone got in the spirit of it.
They took chairs outside and made tables with sawhorses and boards
from the barn. A few of the men had harmonicas in their pockets.
Samuel got the wooden bucket and banged on it with a couple spoons.
The improvised band was very good. All of them sang the familiar
songs, their voices joined in harmony. The singing led to dancing and
they enjoyed their party until around 9:00 when one of the babies let
out a plaintive wail.
"Guess
that's time for us to go," his father said.
"Before
we go," Lucius said, stepping forward. "I'd like to
remember Daddy with a ballad he always loved. Y'all join in when you
know it."
Closing
his eyes, he lifted his chin, singing to the stars. His baritone
echoed from the hills. The others joined in, finding harmony by long
habit if singing without accompaniment. As Lucius sang, memories of
his childhood, with a very different Earl, filled his mind—flashing
before him. He sang with greater love and enthusiasm as the anger and
hurt washed away.
"The
water is wide, I can not get o'er and neither have I wings to fly.
Get me a boat that will carry two and both shall cross, my love and
I."
Dollie's
lilting soprano soared above the rest in a sweet descant. She, Will
and Patty carried four part harmony, the other voices supporting
them. When the song was over, they stood in silence a few moments,
thinking of Earl. All of them had their good memories of him. Those
who knew him as a young man, untouched by the War, wept most for his
passing.
The
infant's cry split the silence once more. Everyone sprang to action,
putting food away and clearing the yard. When everything was cleaned
up, they said their farewells. They kept it brief, knowing they would
see one another for the funeral in a few days.
"If
you need anything, you send for us," Patty said. "We're
family now."
Rachel
clung to her. "I always hoped he'd find a woman like you. I
wished good women for all my boys."
They
finally parted, leaving Jane to care for their mother. Will was
staying over the next few nights, but he and Lucius saw the girls
back to the girls' dorm. They didn't talk of Big Earl, funerals or
death. Instead, Dollie and Patty talked more about wedding plans.
"Why
didn't you say something?" Patty asked.
"Figgered
Ma ain't ready for another engagement. Me and Dollie hardly courted.
She'd be shocked."
©
2019 Dellani Oakes
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