Chapter 9 – Grandma Did It

Hector said, "Your Grandma observed me giggling and stretching my hand to grasp her fried pork sausage when I was three years old. She made a batch for me in the shape of hot dogs. She cooked and canned them in Mason Canning Jars. I eat one occasionally. Two weeks ago I devoured one, and salvia flowed from inside my mouth. Last week I consumed another. My stomach lurched and gagged me. I experienced stars, giant clowns laughed at me, and I flew from one spot to another by the power of my mind. My friends at school chattered in slow motion, and what they expressed confused me."

The doctor strolled in and advised Hector of his release tomorrow if the last test reports are OK. He said, "Take it easy, no burgers or fries. Chicken noodle soup will be fine."

A man about fifty men and women entered the room. He wore a dark grey suit, mirrored shined black dress shoes, a white dress shirt, and a red silk tie. He said, "How are you Mr. McGhee." The older man identified himself as Dan Steward. "The remainder of your regional managers will be here in a few minutes."

I excused myself from the room. I returned a half hour later. The room held a dozen visitors dressed in business attire. Hector reminded the attendees that the doctor expected a good report on his current test.

The meeting dissolved. Henry lingered in the room. He asked, "When are you going expose your full business relationships with Angelica? She's mature enough to cope."

I walked into the room and ask, "Is there something I need to know? I heard you tell Henry not to worry. Don't keep me out of the loop"

"I will explain later."

"I don't know if there will be a later. If you don't trust me now..."

"It is not a matter of distrust. I want you understand the better me."

"I recognize the devious you. If you hide something from me. It must be awful.

"Yes it is, It is unpleasant for me to explain."

"If it is that difficult. There is no reason to explain. Enjoy your laugh. I am out of here."

I slammed the door as I left the hospital room. The vibration echoed throughout the hall. Tears streamed down my face.

I ran past Daddy. He followed me to the car. He asked, "What is wrong."

"Hector has a secret. He believes I'm to dumb to trust."

It is important for me to avoid him on all occasions.

Church challenged me. I searched for his truck in the parking lot to indicate whether he entered the church. I scanned the interior to determine where he sat and establish the farthest point available for me to sit. The choir loft was usually the best location for me to depart via the back door.

The second floor at the North and East junction contained the top thirty junior and senior students at Peabody High School. The remaining seniors occupied North and West junction. The chance that Hector would be in my section was small. However, he stood at the door of my first class. I told him to move out of the way, or I would scream 'help.' He moved permitting me to run to my seat.

Hector mumbled a few words. A crushing crash hit the wall. The building shook. I peeked in the hall, Hector dragged his foot out of a hole and limped toward the front hall.

At the Friday night football game his limp diminished. He walked straight with speed. The hole in the wall received repair.

Hector and Ralph entered Mamma McGhee's Café and Store. A frown exaggerated his scowl at me, and he turned his head in the opposite direction. They sat at a table as far from me as possible. Ralph came over to receive a pet on the head and wagged his tail. He went back, rested on the floor and placed his head on Hector's shoe.

Hector greeted everyone in the building except me. He ignored me. I walked toward him, and he turned his back in my direction. He and Ralph departed.

Trish sat in the booth next to me and said, "You're still mad at Hector?"

"I've never been as angry, just disappointed he wouldn't open up to me."

"I wonder if is because of the number females that he has opened to who wanted him for his wealth, or because he is a football star.?"

"1 don's care about either."

"Then. I have no answer the problem. Unless, you didn't give him time to process your question or the tone in which you asked it, because he is open and honest. He might have to take a minute or two. If he did not, he should have explained why he is apprehensive. Sorry, I could not be more helpful."

"My problem is overthinking things. Joey repeatedly told me." My mind mellowed as my thoughts focused at Hector

Surely, I gave him enough time. Maybe, Trish shared the correct perspective. Did he want to explain the few times I saw him? Am I judgmental? I could not be, or am I?

Welcome to the World of Slime-Ball

Mom invited Amy stay with us while in Tennessee. Joey and Dad moved a Roll-away Bed into my room. They unhooked the crossbars keeping the folded bed from opening.

Amy sat on her bed and said, "What should I tell Rodney?"

"Who is Rodney?"

"The only boy who slept with me. He promised to marry me. He is in his second year of college and works with a landscape business as a crew supervisor. He is the only one who could be my baby's Daddy."

"What if he rejects you?"

"I'll go home, cry, and tell my parents."

"What about Horace?"

"Horace will be glad to get rid of me. He stares at me and remains quiet. His eyes glistens almost to the point of crying, but he smothers it with a cough. He said he'll take me to see Rodney. I told him I was going to ask you to go with me for support. You are the strongest person I know. I may need someone to keep me from collapsing."

"You will quickly discover if this boy loves you. If he doesn't, we will adjust."

"I called him. He wants to meet me at ten tomorrow morning at his Dad's house.

Horace drove his twenty year old 1939 dark green International pick-up. He claimed the truck was near new, because he procured parts from three abandoned derelicts. He purchased the eyesores from farmers who assured him that he suffered a case of diminished intelligence. He slapped a coat of paint on the vehicle and buffed it until it glistened.

Horace remained quiet as Amy and I sat next to him. He parked in front of the address Amy gave him in Humboldt. Rodney sat in a swing on the front porch. Amy spoke softly, but we could hear her plea.

Rodney shouted, "It's not mine. If you try to tell anyone, I have a dozen friends who will say you slept with them."

Amy tears overflowed her cheeks. Horace slipped out of his seat. He went to Rodney and slammed him against the wall.

"This girl is having your baby. Doctors today have ways to tell if it is yours. Regardless, you owe her respect. You know the baby is yours. I am going to break your arms, legs and stomp you into the ground if you don't tell the truth."

Rodney yelled. "The baby is mine. She was a virgin when I initiated her into the real world. So what, I don't have a job, and I don't have any money. I can't afford to feed myself. I sponge off my old man."

Amy said, "You told me you were a supervisor with a landscape company, and attended college. In other words, you lied."

"Yep, I did, I construct the truth to suit my needs. You believed me. I drove my sister's pink Ford Fairlane"

A man steps out the front door with a leather belt in his hand. A woman followed him. Both scowled at Rodney.

The man asked Horace, "You re a McGhee, this piece of trash is no longer my son. As of now he has no place to live. Please let me handle him. I promise you I am going to whip him good. Young lady I am so sorry, but you are welcome in my home any time you want."

The woman said, "Honey you are carrying our grandbaby. If you need a babysitter, diapers, or a place to stay. Whatever you need, we will help you. Please bring her or him to our house. Let us know where you live."

"Yes Mam, I will."

As we left, Rodney's father was swinging his belt. Rodney shrieked with each whack. The Daddy said, "You treat a woman carrying your child with respect. Do right by her. You hear?"

Rodney screamed. "Yes Sir."