Chapter 11 – Resurrection

"What it means Rodney is they will cut off your heads, split your body into smaller parts, grind the mixture, let it dry, and use it as fertilizer. The plushest fields in the county use this to enrich their soil. Rodney, they take lazy derelicts like you, and get a little bit of good out of you."

"I'm sorry Amy. Please don't let them kill me."

I said, "Are you going to change for the better."

"Yes Mam."

"What are you going to do to make it better?"

"I promise to get a job, give Amy fifty dollars a week for doctors and medication. I will work hard to improve myself, treat my parents and Amy with respect, and. become a good citizen."

"Will you finish high school and learn a good trade?"

"Yes Mam."

"Will you do all you can to help others and be a good example in the community."

"Yes Mam."

"What about the rest of you?"

They affirmed they would strive to do their best, and become productive citi

"OK, remember there are many McGees in Gibson County. We are watching you, and the grinder is kept sharp."

"Yea Mam."

"Deputy McGhee entered the café. Momma McGhee told him it was a little misunderstanding. All is OK."

I said, "Deputy Mc Ghee is that a new ring you are wearing? "Yes it is, I am Overlord for processing new candidates for their re-ward They promised to become productive citizens.

Rodney and his buddies eyes bulged. Their faces lost color and frowns tightened.

Hope

The young man climbed the stairs to the front porch. I opened the door before he knocked. He wore a dark suit, white dress shirt and burgundy tie. His face presented a smooth appearance from a clean shave. I presumed his profession classified him as a salesman or minister. He arrived with a smile, seemed educated, and meticulously groomed. His voice presented refinement and wealth as he spoke, "May I speak with Miss Amy please?"

I shouted, "Amy a young man is requesting your presence."

"Be there in a minute!"

As she sashayed into the living-room Amy blurted, "Oh, it's just Rodney."

I scrutinized him. "Are you positive?"

"His sister told me, 'He cleans up like success.'"

"My sister made me shave. She trimmed my hair and shaved my sideburns. Her nagging persuaded me to apply for a salesman job at Humboldt Furniture and Appliances. I made more in two weeks of commission than I earned last year mowing grass and picking up limbs.

I have one suit Daddy bought me for my uncle's funeral."

He placed two twenties and a ten in Amy's hand. Rodney said, "I want you to have enough to take care of medical bills for you and the baby. I apologize for my actions three weeks ago, and all the lies I told you previously. I tested high on the GED test. Humboldt School System issued me a Diploma I work afternoon and evenings. Thus, I enrolled for day classes at Lambuth College. My baby needs to be proud of me. I hope my family learns to love me again. I may not be able to change the past, but I promise to construct an improved future."

Amy and I sighed. Her eyes glistened, and the end of her lips percolated toward the sky. I hugged her, and we giggled. Rodney had made peace with the world.

Rodney's momma took Amy to the doctor. His sister checked on Amy daily. The baby and Amy received many calls, cards and flowers. No one recalled Amy's former antics. Smiles emerged from every contact in the community. In a way she received celebrity prominence.

Horace lips protruded and a frown dominated his pale face. Silence replaced his bubbling, bouncy steps, and jovial demeaner. His body stiffened, and he clinched his fist as Rodney appeared. He insisted nothing was amiss.

Sweat blurred my vision. The top I wore sheltered my upper frame. A soaked lighter cover would reveal more. Dad's, ten years old Ford truck's air condition belched warm air. He let me use it to select red satin material from The Fabric Shop in Jackson. Mom required it to fashion a dress for me. He permitted me or Joey to drive the new ford truck only when accompanied by mom or him.

Daddy claimed he interviewed for a new job as an electrician and would hear from the owner today. Also, Dad mentioned he needed to upgrade several hot houses behind our home.

When I returned Daddy and ten men toiled on the structures behind the house. A closer glimpse revealed Hector, Henry and Horace among the workmen. They appeared younger than the rest of the team. However, they work as well as the older men. I eavesdropped as Hector shook Dad's hand and said, "Welcome to the business."

I clinched my fists. A scowl reflected from the mirrored finish of Dad's new truck. I sped to Hector and power punched his jaw. A cracking noise emerged as Hector slumped to the ground. The hit held surprised me. My face heated and tightened.

His cheek exposed a bright red blotch. Within minutes it turned deep purple.

Dad yelled, "Why did you attack Hector?"

"Because he bamboozled you to work for him in order to get close to me"

"I took a job with Barker Electrical. My boss is Allen Barker. One of the guys helping me upgrade the hothouses. What Hector referred to is I am planting strawberries, tomatoes and vegetables all year round to sell to individuals, restaurants, stores and produce suppliers. A similar type of business he does. I believe you broke his jaw."

"Oh my God."

"I wouldn't blame him if he sued you, or had you arrested."

I knelt next to Hector and said, "I'm so sorry."

"You're lethal. I need to run when I see you. The next time you'll put me in a grave. Leave me alone."

Hector said, "Sorry Mr. McGhee I need to go to a doctor."

Henry reported that a Dental Surgeon and Plastic Surgeon from Jackson helped with the surgery. He said, "Hector's mouth will be wired shut for at least a month. He'll have to eat liquids through a straw. It may never heal, or he may be disfigured the rest of his life."

Tears plummeted from my eyes. I am a total idiot. Just when it was time to listen, I neglected to hear the important part. I embarrassed my Father in front of his friends.

Ralph said, "Did you proclaim you must be at peace with the world, and the world will be at peace with you?"

"I did, but Hector makes me mad."

"No one can make you mad. You chose to be angry. It is your choice. We choose anger for many reasons. The primary motive is to manipulate another to influence them to do what you want them to do."

"How can a dog know these things?"

"We learn from people. We can perceive fear, anger, deception or evil. When I first met you, love, kindness and protection whacked me."

"I have gone whacky."

"Yes you have."

"How can I do better?"

"Relax and expect the best from others even Hector. If they disappoint you. So what? That is on them. You can not control them. They have to choose the path they follow."

"That is the path I followed until I moved here when my world fractured into many parts."

The kids at school scowled at me. Some turned their backs to me as I journeyed the halls. Trish, Beth, Amber and Allie were the only students who chatted with me.

Beth said, "You messed up their hero. They'll forget it when important things seize their attention."

"Like what?"

"Graduation. choosing the college they want, who they are going to marry, or if they are going to farm."

Hector returned to school. I endeavored to apologize. He mumbled through his wired mouth. He twisted his head right and left, flipped his hand at me and pushed away as he clomped to his classroom. My mouth dropped and a frown dominated my face.

The next day Hector's smile tumbled as I approached. He lifted a quarter poster-board which read, "Leave me alone, you maimed me."

He scurried to his first period classroom.

Wednesday a poster which read, "Stay on your end of the Hall. Hate is too nice of a word to say how I feel about you," I ran to the girls room, Tears streamed from my eyes

Thursday read, "Your choice... Abhor, Revulsion, Dislike Hate Loathe Despise."

Friday read, "Your ugly, you look like a stick and smell like rotting fish."

Daddy pulled into the driveway before the bus let me off. He yelled. "I need to talk with you."

Yes Daddy."

I strolled to his truck.

"What do you want?"

"Henry, Horace and Hector are helping install ultraviolet type b lamps tomorrow. I expect the lamps to enhance the taste of Greenhous tomatoes and strawberries. Hector ask me to keep you away from him."

"Yes sir, I can't think of a reason I would go there tomorrow. I do not like him, and he hates me."

Mom said, "Angelica, Trish's Mother gave me a basket full of peaches off their trees, Will you help peel them and cut them in nice slices for a couple of cobblers? I'll slice a few strawberries to add to the peaches

"Yes Maam."

The fragrance tickled my nose. I tasted a couple slices for quality control.

Mom said, "Don't eat too many. You don't want to spoil your appetite before super. You did a wonderful job on the last strawberry-peach cobbler. Your Daddy loved it."

"Yes Mam, but they lurched a smile to my taste-buds."

"Mom, we put soggy dough on the bottom underneath the fruit mixture, and it rises through the mixture until it rests on top. Beth's mother rolls her dough like a pie crust and places it on top. What is best?"

"Either, it is a matter of choice. There is no right way. When we go to an add-a-dish supper you might encounter three different peach cobblers. Each made by a different method. Life offers a number of competing choices of which none are wrong."

Dad invited, the three McGhee cousins to supper. Horace, Amy, Henry and Joey sat between me and Hector. Mom and I retrieved the cobblers from the oven and placed them at opposite ends of the table. The boys jumped deep into their second helping of cobbler when Mom said, "Angelica bake the cobblers for you boys.

Hector gurgled his bite onto a napkin. He sprinted to the bathroom, rinsed his mouth with water and spit the contents into the toilet.

I raced to my bedroom crying. I slammed the door, fell to my bed and screamed.