Whats so special about she wrinkles her nose at it pig fat?
Aint pig, its vegetable. Who in this world doesnt know what Crisco is? You dont have a clue of all the things you can do with this here can.
She shrugs. Fry?
Aint just for frying. You ever get a sticky something stuck in your hair, like gum? I jackhammer my finger on the Crisco can. Thats right, Crisco. Spread this on a babys bottom, you wont even know what diaper rash is. I plop three scoops in the black skillet. Shoot, I seen ladies rub it under they eyes and on they husbands scaly feet.
Look how pretty it is, she says. Like white cake frosting.
Clean the goo from a price tag, take the squeak out a door hinge. Lights get cut off, stick a wick in it and burn it like a candle.
I turn on the flame and we watch it melt down in the pan. And after all that, itll still fry your chicken.
Alright, she says, concentrating hard. Whats next?
Chickens been soaking in the buttermilk, I say. Now mix up the dry.[33] I pour flour, salt, more salt, pepper, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne into a doubled paper sack.
Now. Put the chicken parts in the bag and shake it.
Miss Celia puts a raw chicken thigh in, bumps the bag around. Like this? Just like the Shake n Bake commercials on the tee-vee?
Yeah, I say and run my tongue up over my teeth because if thats not an insult, I dont know what is. Just like the Shake n Bake. But then I freeze. I hear the sound of a car motor out on the road. I hold still and listen. I see Miss Celias eyes are big and shes listening too. Were thinking the same thing: What if its him and where will I hide?
The car motor passes. We both breathe again.
Miss Celia, I grit my teeth, how come you cant tell your husband about me? Aint he gone know when the cooking gets good?
Oh, I didnt think of that! Maybe we ought to burn the chicken a little.
I look at her sideways. I aint burning no chicken. She didnt answer the real question, but Ill get it out of her soon enough.
Real careful, I lay the dark meat in the pan. It bubbles up like a song and we watch the thighs and legs turn brown. I look over and Miss Celias smiling at me.
What? Something on my face?
No, she says, tears coming up in her eyes. She touches my arm. Im just real grateful youre here.
I move my arm back from under her hand. Miss Celia, you got a lot more to be grateful for than me.
I know. She looks at her fancy kitchen like its something that tastes bad. I never dreamed Id have this much.
Well, aint you lucky[34].
Ive never been happier in my whole life.
I leave it at that. Underneath all that happy, she sure doesnt look happy.
That night, I call Aibileen.
I leave it at that. Underneath all that happy, she sure doesnt look happy.
That night, I call Aibileen.
Miss Hilly was at Miss Leefolts yesterday, Aibileen says. She ask if anybody knew where you was working.
Lordy, she find me out there, she ruirn it for sure. Its been two weeks since the Terrible Awful Thing I did to that woman. I know shed just love to see me fired on the spot.
What Leroy say when you told him you got the job? Aibileen asks.
Shoot. He strut around the kitchen like a plumed rooster cause he in front a the kids, I say. Act like he the only one supporting the family and Im just doing this to keep my poor self entertained. Later on though, we in bed and I thought my big old bull for a husband gone cry.
Aibileen laughs. Leroy got a lot a pride.
Yeah, I just got to make sure Mister Johnny dont catch up with me.
And she aint told you why she dont want him to know?
All she say is she want him to think she can do the cooking and the cleaning herself. But that aint why. She hiding something from him.
Aint it funny how this worked out. Miss Celia cant tell nobody, else itll get back to Mister Johnny. So Miss Hilly wont find out, cause Miss Celia cant tell nobody. You couldnt a fixed it up better yourself.
Mm-hmm is all I say. I dont want to sound ungrateful, since Aibileens the one who got me the job. But I cant help but think that Ive just doubled my trouble, what with Miss Hilly and now Mister Johnny too.
Minny, I been meaning to ask you. Aibileen clears her throat. You know that Miss Skeeter?
Tall one, used to come over to Miss Walters for bridge?
Yeah, what you think about her?
I dont know, she white just like the rest of em. Why? What she say about me?
Nothing about you, Aibileen says. She just a few weeks ago, I dont know why I keep thinking about it. She ask me something. Ask do I want to change things. White woman never asked
But then Leroy stumbles in from the bedroom wanting his coffee before his late shift. Shoot, hes up, I say. Talk quick.
Naw, never mind. Its nothing, Aibileen says.
What? Whats going on? What that lady tell you?
It was just jabber. It was nonsense.
Chapter 4
My first week at Miss Celias, I scrub the house until there isnt a dust rag or a stripped sheet or even a run stocking left to wipe with. Second week, I scrub the house again because its like the dirt grew back. Third week, I am satisfied and settle in my ways.