Poplar Mountain Part 28 by Dellani Oakes

After their misunderstanding, Luke and Dollie make up.

"And I love you, Lucius Henry. Dorothea Henry," she mused. "That's pretty. I'll be so proud to have your name and your babies."

They started walking down the hill back to the girls' dorm.

"How many kids you want?"

Dollie shrugged. "We'll figure it out when it happens."

"Reckon we will. I best say goodnight, Dollie."

As there were others around, he kissed her hand before seeing her inside. Will waited for him, Patty already having gone inside. He wished Dollie a good night as well. They waited until she was inside before heading back to the Henry cabin.

Inside, Dollie was confronted by her sister. Patty was fixing tea. Pointing to Dollie's chair, she insisted that the younger Belloit take a seat.

"We've got some things to discuss," Patty said as she poured tea.

"About the wedding?"

"Kind of. Dollie, I know you're completely ignorant of the ways of men and women. I was too till Rachel told me."

"That must have been embarrassing."

"Extremely. But when she saw things getting serious between Will and me, she told me what I needed to know so it wouldn't be a shock."

"Is it that bad?"

Patty's face softened. "Oh, no, honey. It's beautiful! It's just a bit startling if you don't know what to expect."

Dollie leaned forward, blushing a deep red. "Patty, what is it that grows in their pants?"

Patty burst out laughing. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. Let's start at the beginning."

She had a very frank conversation with her sister. Patty told Dollie even more than Rachel had told her, surprised at how much knowledge she had. She and Will hadn't been together more than half a dozen times, but she'd learned a great deal about men in the meantime. Coupled with what Rachel had said, she was able to give Dollie a very clear picture indeed. Her younger sister didn't know whether to be disgusted or interested. She tried to hide her curiosity, but couldn't. Frankly, she was intrigued by the entire process.

"Does it hurt?" she asked quietly, about an hour later.

"A little the first time, but you soon forget. Mostly it feels grand!" Her eyes sparkled and she sighed happily. "When you love each other, there's no better way to show it."

"Lucius said the same thing. But people do this even when they aren't in love."

"Yes, they do. The human body needs certain things, Dollie. Especially men. They go plumb crazy when they don't."

"But why?"

"That I don't know, except that's how God made 'em. So when Lucius gets a little fresh, and he will, it's not because he's trying to hurt you, it's cause he honest to God can't help it. So don't get mad. If you aren't comfortable with it, you tell him so and he'll try. But you can't make a man wait forever, Dollie. Not when he loves as hard as Luke."

"Patty, thank you. I feel a lot better now. It was the not knowing."

"I know, honey. I was terrified and relieved all at once when Rachel talked to me. She said more women should tell their daughters. There'd be a lot less trouble in a marriage if women know about it."

"But it's wonderful?"

Patty took her sister's hands, face glowing. "Oh, Dollie, it is. You'll see. It'll get so you can't get enough of each other. I tell you, my wedding can't come fast enough. I can hardly stand to be around Will without wanting to rip his clothing off!" She giggled, covering her mouth as she blushed. "You'll think I'm a wanton!"

Dollie hugged her sister. "No, I think you're the luckiest woman alive."

Setting that matter aside, they talked about the wedding as they got ready for bed. Far later than they usually went to bed, the finally turned out their lights and fell asleep. Dollie could feel Lucius' strong arms around her as she lay in her bed. She knew he was thinking about her.

"I love you," she said in her mind, feeling the words as she spoke them.

A warm thrill came back and the arms around her tightened in a hug. Rolling on her side, she snuggled into Lucius' embrace, content.

Luke lay in his bed thinking of Dollie. He couldn't sleep for a long time, his body craving hers. Thumping his pillow, he rolled on his side, shifting to get more comfortable. He hadn't shared with Will in a couple years and he wasn't used to having his brother in the bed. It was wide enough for two, but he'd grown accustomed to sprawling.

A fist punched him in the ribs. "Settle down over there," Will grumbled, half asleep. "Yee Gods, Luke. You got ants in your britches?"

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Poplar Mountain Part 27 by Dellani Oakes

The brothers talk about their relationships with the sisters.

"Then why didn't one of them city dudes snatch her up?"

"It takes a real special man to get through the walls that girl done built up round her. You done that. You're the man sharing kisses."

"But you're the man...."

Will's frown prevented him saying anymore. He apologized with a shrug.

"I'm also the one been courting for over a year. It took awhile to get Patty to say yes. She may be warming my sheets now, but it was damn near six months before we got anywhere close. Not till she saw the foundation and walls for that house did she let me do more than just kiss her. Build your woman a house." He smacked Lucius' chest with the back of his hand. He winked, chuckling at his brother.

Lucius had to laugh. Will's logic was flawed, but funny. What he said about Patty was consistent with what he'd observed. His brother nearly went crazy waiting for Patty to be his. She wasn't a loose woman anymore than Dollie was. The difference was they'd been dating longer. It had taken a firm commitment on Will's part to get any further with her.

"Is Dollie mad at me?"

"She's more upset than mad. She thinks you're the one who's mad."

"I was. I was furious. What do I have to do for that girl before she believes I want to marry her cause I love her, not cause I want to...."

"Lucius?" Dollie's voice broke into their conversation.

"Up here, Dollie."

The two women joined them, faces pale in the dark. Patty and Will disappeared, leaving the other two alone. Lucius put his arms around Dollie, holding her close. She shivered, resting her head on his chest.

"I'm sorry. I just get all flustered. Patty said I need to tell you why it makes me so upset. I owe you an explanation."

"Dollie, you don't...."

"I do. I had one other beau shortly before we came here. He's one reason we came, to get far away where he couldn't find me. He was a hard man, Lucius. I didn't know it at first. He was charming, handsome and he seemed so sweet. But talk turned to—sex," she whispered. "We'd hadn't even really dated, only gone out in a group, and suddenly he's acting like we're practically married. He started to pressure me, nearly hit me once or twice, and shook me hard a couple times. He scared me so. I told Papa and he called the police, but the boy said it was my fault, that I led him on...." She shivered, snuggling closer. "I didn't want there ever to be a time like that again. He scared me so bad...."

Lucius held her close. "Dollie, I'd never hurt you. You have to believe that."

"I do."

"But you got to understand a thing or two about men. Fact is, we can't help but think about taking the woman we love to our beds. There's no more beautiful way to express how much you love someone."

"But it's not always about love, Lucius. That other boy didn't love me. He never pretended to. He just wanted to dishonor me and move on."

"Some men got sex on the brain so bad, they don't know nothin' else. And seems the more pure and sweet a girl is, the more they want to defile her. It's like they want that power over her or something." He took her gently by the arms, gazing into her fathomless brown eyes. "You got to believe me when I say that I love you more than my own life. Yes, I want to make love to you. And no, I don't much want to wait till we're married, but I'll do my best not to pressure you, Dollie. I can't promise not to think about it, though." He smiled.

Dollie laughed nervously, placing her hands on his chest. He could see her blush, even in the semi-dark.

"Lucius, the fact is, I don't know—anything...."

"I know enough for both," he promised.

"I don't have any idea how to please you."

"Darlin', just being with me will please me. I can take care of the rest." His voice dropped into the deep, melodic range that set Dollie's body aflame. "When you finally say yes, it will be beautiful."

"Will you tell me—what to do?"

He kissed her by way of answer. Her arms snaked around his waist, holding him close. She rubbed her chest against his, wiggling her hips eagerly. The motion was pure torture for Lucius, but it felt good at the same time. He held her even closer, his hands getting familiar with the curve of her breasts and her plump derriere. Lucius found himself glad that Dollie didn't know much or she might have let go long before he wanted her to. His excitement was obvious.

"What is that?" Dollie asked, rubbing her hips against his. "That wasn't there before."

Lucius nearly choked, laughing at himself. He knew exactly what that was, but wasn't about to tell.

"You'd best ask your sister. And we'd best get you down home." His fingers wound in her hair, holding her face close to his. "I love you, Dorothea Belloit."

© 2019 Dellani Oakes 

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Poplar Mountain by Dellani Oakes Part 18

Dollie and Lucius break the news of his father's death to his mother. She tells them about Earl as a young man.

Dollie blushed. The gentle golden glow from the kerosene lamp gave her an amber hue. Lucius thought it was the prettiest she'd ever looked. The only thing that would make her prettier would be if they kissed. Her face softened, her lips plumped. She looked so blissful, it was like a dark haired angel fell to earth and landed in his arms.

To prove it to himself, he moved across the room, intent on kissing her again. Dollie took a step back, holding up her hand.

"You should probably see me home, Luke. I—I really liked this," she gestured vaguely between them. "But, in your mama's house?"

"Prolly not," he continued the thought. "Thanks for bringing me up. I wasn't in no state to be on my own."

"Will you be all right now?"

He nodded. "Gotta be strong for Mama and the young'uns."

"When you feel yourself failing, you let me know. I'm here to make you strong."

He took her hands, kissing them. "Just knowing you care makes all the difference. I love you, Dollie."

"I love you, Lucius."

"Marry me," he demanded. Shaking his head, he stepped back. "That ain't the way I meant for that to come out," he scolded himself. "I sure didn't mean to ask you so soon, nor to make it sound like you got to."

"I expect you know my answer already," she replied.

"I expect I do. You don't have to give it to me now. When I give you a better proposal, then you can answer me."

"That sounds fair," she said with a happy sigh. Though she would gladly give him her answer now. Every muscle in her body gave a resounding yes!

Lucius drove her back down to her apartment. He gave her one last kiss before parting. Dollie walked into the girls' dorm in a daze. She'd completely forgotten the circumstances under which she'd left. Patty and several of the older girls were still up, anxiously waiting.

"Well? What was all the ruckus about?" Patty asked as soon as she closed the door.

Startled out of her thoughts of Lucius, Dollie gasped. "Oh, you gave me such a turn!" She drew a deep breath and sat on a nearby chair. "They found Big Earl," she said quietly.

It occurred to Dollie that she should send the girls to bed, but they'd hear about it anyway. Best they heard the truth from her than an outrageous lie from someone else. She motioned them to sit. "Mr. Henry was found down by the creek. I'm afraid he's dead."

"You're sure it's Will's daddy?" her sister asked.

"Quite sure. They had Lucius identify him."

"Oh, how awful!" Patty gasped. "My Lord, Dollie. Did you see him?"

Her younger sister gulped and nodded. "From the bank. Not up—close."

"How dreadful!"

All the girls hugged the two young women, weeping quietly. It wasn't Big Earl's passing so much as the fact tragedy had struck their friend's family. They all knew Samuel and most were close friends. Some were sweet on the handsome young man.

Dollie and Patty got the girls to bed around 1:00. As they dropped heavily into their own beds, Patty sighed.

"I hope he's found peace. I always thought Earl to be a wounded spirit. He must have been a gentle, kind soul once."

"What makes you say that?" Dollie's impression of Earl was that he was mean spirited and cantankerous.

"Remember the foal whose mother died after its birth? None of the mares would foster it, no matter what the men did. It was failing. We all tried feeding, remember?"

"It took to you some," Dollie remembered.

"True. So I sat with it to keep it company one night."

They had all done so in shifts. The foal's death would have been quite a loss after that of the mare.

"Earl heard about it from Samuel. He came down to see if he could help. I don't to this day know how he did it, but he talked that creature into living. It hadn't prospered a whit since birth, but he stroked and talked to it. When it was done, it followed him like he was its mother. He fed it and it grew fat and sassy. He had his bad spells, but Earl was a good man." She sniffled.

"Rachel said the same. Honestly, I never saw that side of him."

"You would if you looked at someone besides Lucius."

"That's unfair," Dollie exploded. "Earl Henry has never been nice to me—even when we met. He went out of his way to be ugly. He blamed me for something. I don't even know what I did."

"Lucius loves you more than the land. Earl was afraid you'd keep him from it."

"Just how do you know that? He never said that to me."

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Poplar Mountain by Dellani Oakes Part 17

Dollie tells Rachel the news. She tells them about Big Earl's time in the War, and the fact that she'd had a baby who died before Will was born.

The Henrys' cabin was spacious compared to most. It had a large front room that was kitchen and family room combined. There was a bedroom for the parents, another for the three girls and a third that Lucius shared with his younger brothers, Sam and Jacob.

Dollie puttered around the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. Rachel's one luxury was a pump at the sink. They might have an outhouse, but they did have water in the kitchen. It was far more than most had. They either made do with a pump in the yard or toted water from the creek.

Lucius sat at the table on a split bottom chair. Head on his hands, elbows on his knees, he was the most miserable looking human being on earth. Dollie put her hands on his shoulders, rubbing gently. Wiping his face with his palms, Lucius straightened up.

"I'm so sorry about your pa, Lucius. Despite everything, he was a good man."

"Hell, I don't know if he was or not, Dollie. All I saw of my father was a drunken sot who got to be a mean drunk. He never hit my mama, or the girls, but he smacked us boys a fair bit. He worked this land, but less each year. I done what I could to help out. Now I gotta figure how I'm gonna work my job, and this land. One man can't do it all."

"Something will work out. You do have brothers, you know." She patted him on the back. "You mustn't fret over it right now. It'll work out."

Lucius took her hand, kissing the palm. "One thing I love most 'bout you, Miss Dollie, is that bright outlook. You always see the sunny side."

"Someone's got to." She sat next to him. Taking both his hands, she held them in her lap. "Too many people look only at the bad. I refuse to be one of them."

"I love you, Dollie," he whispered huskily.

Unable to stop himself, he kissed her. It didn't matter to him that he was in his mother's house, nor that his father lay dead in the creek below. All he cared about was showing Dollie how much she meant to him. A lot would change now that Earl was dead. He couldn't even begin to imagine how much.

Sitting on two chairs was awkward. Instead of stopping, Lucius lifted Dollie onto his lap, kissing her harder and faster. He wanted her with a burning passion. Part of it, he knew, was his own sorrow. It hurt in his chest, like an empty, cold void. Earl might not have been much of a father to him lately, but he had a few good memories. Despite his faults, he was still his father.

Lucius' hands got overly familiar, burning through Dollie's clothing. She suddenly understood what Patty said about loving a man so much, decorum didn't matter. She wanted something from him that she couldn't even describe. His hands on her body made her feel giddy, breathless. Filled with an indescribable need, she let him do whatever he wanted. When his mouth moved from hers, down her neck to the top of her dress, she stiffened. Up until then, he hadn't touched her bare flesh.

It took Lucius a moment to realize that she wasn't responding as she had moments before. Instead, she pushed at him. Opening his eyes, he met her steely gaze.

"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

"Kissing you, Dollie."

His mouth was a mere half inch from her chest. His breath tickled and warmed her, making her melt inside. She shivered and he held her close, wanting to bury his face between her breasts.

"Not like this," she gasped. "Not now." She clutched his head to her, inadvertently placing his face in her cleavage.

Lucius groaned as she pressed his face to her bare skin. Unable to stop himself, he licked between her breasts wanting desperately to take one soft, enticing mound in his mouth. Dollie moaned softly, knowing she should stop him, but unable to do so. She couldn't describe how he made her feel. The unfamiliar desire burned hotter.

A small sound across the room startled them. The door to the girls' room opened slowly and Sally came out carrying a lamp. She stopped, surprised to see Lucius and Dollie in the front room. She scratched and yawned, blinking slowly.

"I need to pee," she explained.

Dollie took the little girl to the outhouse. When she was finished, Dollie brought her back inside. Lucius waited for them a few feet away. He carried Sally back to bed, tucking her in with a kiss.

"Miss Dollie," he began as he closed the door.

"Lucius Henry," Dollie said with a giggle. "After tonight, you got no call to be so formal."

He chuckled, dropping his head. "Reckon I'll do it the rest of my life."

"Even when we're an old married couple with a passel of young'uns? Grandbabies and great-grands running around the yard?"

"Reckon so, Miss Dollie." He smiled, running his hand through his hair. "I should apologize 'bout how I been behavin'."

"May be, but I won't let you. Did I act like I minded?"

His lips twitched as he thought about what they'd been doing. Shaking his head, he laughed quietly.

"Maybe I should marry you same time Patty and Will get married," he teased. "Cause I don't think neither of us is gonna be able to behave like civilized folks for too long."

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Poplar Mountain by Dellani Oakes Part 16

Big Earl Henry's been found—dead in the creek. Lucius was asked to identify his body. He and Dollie go up to his house to tell his mother.

Lucius was numb. He had no idea what he was going to say to his mother. Then too, the awesome responsibility of running his father's farm had suddenly landed in his lap. How could he now plan to marry Dollie with this in front of him? His life had been so perfect ten minutes ago. Suddenly, the enormity of it hit him. Gasping, he stumbled. Dollie caught him, leading him back to the girls' dorm where Patty and the truck waited. Dollie put Lucius in the passenger seat and went in to talk to Patty. Keeping it short she told her the situation.

"I don't know when I'll be back. I expect the men will tell Will. I have to get Luke home so we can break the news to Rachel. Don't wait up." The sisters hugged.

Dollie adjusted the seat so she could sit closer to the wheel. Lucius was nearly a foot taller than she. The seat didn't go up quite far enough, so she sat on the edge as she put the truck into gear. Lucius didn't say a word when she nervously shifted, grinding the gears a little. Normally, he'd have teased her. It told her how completely self-absorbed he was at the moment—and had every right to be. She drove slowly up the mountain to his family's front door, stopping the truck. Lucius didn't move.

Dollie put her hand on his, making him meet her gaze. "You told me, a little while ago, that you love me. I didn't get a chance to respond."

Lucius shook his head, waving it away as unimportant.

"No," she said, command in her voice. "I've got the right to speak my mind. Lucius, you're the finest man I know and I've come to realize that I love you too. And one day, I'd be the happiest, proudest woman on earth, if you made me your wife. Now," she said crisply. "We're gonna go tell your mama what's happened. And we'll get through this together, side by side."

"Oh, Dollie!" He clung to her, sobbing. "How am I gonna tell Mama?"

"Don't you worry about it. Come on." She opened the door on his side and they slid out.

Rachel Henry greeted them at the door. She was in her nightdress, a robe clutched around her. When she saw their faces, she didn't have to ask. She knew what the problem was. A tiny part of her hoped to be wrong.

"I heard the commotion. What's the matter?"

"Rachel, let's have a seat," Dollie said, leading the older woman to the couch.

Lucius sat on the chair closest to the door. He couldn't walk another step. Trembling, Rachel sat.

"They found Earl," Dollie said. "There's been an accident."

"Is he gonna be all right? Is he at the hospital?"

"No, ma'am. He's not gonna be all right, Rachel. I'm sorry to have to tell you.... Earl's dead. They found him in the creek."

"In the creek? Oh, my dear lord! What happened?"

"We don't know. I expect the sheriff will be up later with details."

"I think it's pretty clear," Lucius said angrily. "He got blind ass drunk and fell in. That's obvious."

"Lucius, don't," Dollie cautioned.

"Don't what? Don't tell the truth? Don't tell Mama, she might not know her husband was a useless drunk, who fobbed off his work onto children? That we only ever had one real parent. He might only now be dead, but my pa died to me a long time ago."

"Your pa wasn't an easy man to love," Rachel said, chin coming up defiantly. "He was a hard man, cold-like. It weren't his fault. The war changed him. What it didn't do, Life did. He was a kind man, tender hearted, gentle. I loved him the second we met. We married when I was fifteen. I had our first baby when I was sixteen...."

"Wait a second," Lucius said, holding up his hand. "Will's only twenty-three."

His mother nodded, tears in her eyes. "We had another child, your brother, who died when he was two. Earl, he joined up to be a soldier when the baby was a year or so old."

"We weren't in the war yet," Dollie protested.

"The Prime Minister of England, he asked all able bodied men join up to help out. He declared as the war was gonna get worse 'fore it got better. So Earl, he did what he thought was his duty and joined up with the British army."

Lucius was surprised. He'd always assumed his father had been drafted. "I never knew that," he whispered.

"All this time, you thought your pa was a no-count," Rachel snipped. "You never saw the man I knew. He was strong and proud and he loved his young'uns.... It about kilt him when little Earl died."

"Little Earl? My brother?"

"You never did wonder why your daddy was Big Earl?"

"I thought cause—well, he's big," Lucius replied awkwardly.

His mother laughed a little. "Well, that too. Earl got hurt bad in the war. When he come home, the nightmares started. Doctors called it shell shock. It broke his mind and his spirit. He heard things—voices like. Only the liquor drowned 'em out. Your pa was a good man and I loved him. And I want justice, Lucius. Someone stole your daddy from me." She broke down, weeping uncontrollably.

Dollie held her while she cried. Lucius carried her to bed. Eventually, she fell asleep. They tucked her in and closed the door to the bedroom.

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Poplar Mountain by Dellani Oakes Part 15

Luke manages to say all the wrong things to Dollie, making her cry. Luckily, when he hugs her, she calms down and lets him

Still sniffling, she raised her chin, parting her lips. Taking his face in her hands, Dollie kissed him. At first, he was too stunned to respond, so she doubled her efforts. Allowing her to have her way suited Lucius fine. He relaxed, closing his eyes as she kissed him. She might not have a lot of experience, but she'd picked up on kissing pretty well. She grew bolder, more adventurous, experimenting some as they kissed. Lucius loved every minute of it, letting her do whatever she wanted. Unfortunately, he couldn't control his hands. When he got too fresh, Dollie jerked away, hand raised to slap him.

"Mr. Henry, I'll thank you to behave."

Lucius hung his head. "Dollie, hasn't anything I've said tonight got through? I love you. I want you to be my wife. That don't mean I'm gonna be all over you, but, dammit, a man can't help touching! It don't mean I disrespect you, it means—I want you."

His voice dropped into a deep, husky tone that made Dollie shiver. The light of the full moon filled the inside of the truck with brilliant silver light.

"When I touched you, how did it make you feel? Did a fire leap in your belly? Did sparks skitter up and down your spine?" He nuzzled her neck and nibbled on her earlobe.

Dollie sighed, relaxing against him. His hand drifted to her breast once more, of its own accord.

"Does it make you melt inside? Does it make you hot?"

She never would admit it aloud, but Dollie was hot and it did feel as if a fire had ignited inside her. Her panties were damp in a most embarrassing fashion and she wanted more—though she didn't quite know what more was.

"When you're ready, I'll be here. I love you, Dollie. I want to make you mine." His kiss was fierce, primal, breathtaking.

Speechless with desire, Dollie gave herself over to the passion inside her. She kissed him, telling him with her actions how much she loved him.

Lucius found his self-control foundering. He knew if something didn't happen to stop him, he'd do something awful and alienate Dollie forever. But God help him, he'd waited for this moment a long time and he wanted her more than he could possibly admit. He prayed for a shooting star, a brush fire, anything to break the thrall because he was truly under a spell.

The bell at the dining hall clanged and clattered urgently. It took a few moments to work into Lucius' befuddled brain that his prayer had been answered. Lights blazed on all over the darkened campus as its residents and staff woke up. Voices raised with worry and curiosity joined the crashing of the bell clapper.

Patty burst from the apartment half dressed. The girls poured forth from their rooms, gazing down the hill and across the way to see what the commotion was. Since they were in their night gowns, Dollie and Patty made them stay. Patty rounded them up while Dollie and Lucius went down to find out what was wrong.

Mr. Bertram stood on the broad wooden porch, quieting the bell with his hand. His hat was askew, his shirt buttoned wrong, suspenders half off. When he saw Lucius, he beckoned him forward.

"I hoped you'd be here. I apologize for waking you all. I need the ladies to take the children inside and the men to join me. Lucius, you especially. Dollie, you stay here," he cautioned when she made to follow her boyfriend.

"I'm going with Lucius." She knew instinctively that he would need her.

Mr. Bertram didn't give permission, but he didn't argue either. Grasping Lucius' hand tightly, Dollie followed down to the banks of the creek. Mr. Bertram's truck was there, headlights blazing. The men followed him with torches, flashlights and lanterns.

It wasn't until they got right up to the creek bank that Dollie saw what all the fuss was about. The body of a man floated gently, half in the creek. His arms and hair drifted upon the chilly water. The lower half of him was snagged on a partly submerged log.

Mr. Bertram held up his hands to keep them well back. "Don't need all y'all tramping around down here 'fore the sheriff comes. Lucius, I need you on down here. I'm sorry, son."

Dollie squeezed Lucius' fingers. She knew who it was before he even went down the bank. The massive shoulders and the lovingly mended blue cambric shirt were distinctive.

"Vance, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not. I know my daddy, even from up here. Y'all know it's him too—otherwise I'd not be here."

"We had to have identification," Mr. Bertram said quietly. "I'm real sorry, Lucius."

The younger man nodded, shrugging. "Is it okay if I go up and tell Mama? Reckon she'll wanna know he's been found."

Mr. Bertram nodded. "I'm real sorry, son."

"Yes, sir. I 'spect you are. I 'spect my mama's gonna be more so."

"I'll go with you," Dollie said quietly, taking his hand in both hers.

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