Now howm I sposed to know if these is clean or dirty? I stick them in the sack anyway. My motto on housekeeping: when in doubt, wash it out.
I tote the bag over to the bureau. The bruise on my thigh burns when I bend down to pick up a pair of Miss Celias silky stockings.
Who are you? I drop the sack.
Slowly, I back away until my bottom bumps the bureau. Hes standing in the doorway, eyes narrowed. Real slow, I look down at the axe hanging from his hand.
Oh Lord. I cant get to the bathroom because hes too close and hed get in there with me. I cant make it past him out the door unless I pummel him, and the man has an axe. My head throbs hot Im so panicked. Im cornered.
Mister Johnny stares down at me. He swings the axe a little. Tilts his head and smiles.
I do the only thing I can do. I wrinkle my face as mean as I can and pull my lips across my teeth and yell: You and your axe better get out a my way.
Mister Johnny looks down at the axe, like he forgot he had it. Then back up at me. We stare at each other a second. I dont move and I dont breathe.
He sneaks a look over at the sack Ive dropped to see what I was stealing. The leg of his khakis is poking out the top.
Now, listen, I say, and tears spring up in my eyes. Mister Johnny, I told Miss Celia to tell you about me. I must a asked her a thousand times
But he just laughs. He shakes his head. He thinks its funny hes about to chop me up.
Just listen to me, I told her
But hes still chuckling. Calm down, girl. Im not going to get you[101], he says. You surprised me, thats all.
Im panting, easing my way toward the bathroom. He still has the axe in his hand, swinging it a little.
Whats your name, anyway?
Minny, I whisper. Ive still got five feet to go.
How long have you been coming, Minny?
Not long. I jiggle my head no.
How long?
Few weeks, I say. I bite down on my lip. Three months.
He shakes his head. Now, I know its been longer than that.
I look at the bathroom door. What good would it do to be in a bathroom where the door wont even lock? When the mans got an axe to hack the door down with?
I swear Im not mad, he says.
What about that axe? I say, my teeth gritted.
He rolls his eyes, then he sets it on the carpet, kicks it to the side.
Come on, lets go have us a talk in the kitchen.
He turns and walks away. I look down at the axe, wondering if I should take it. Just the sight of it scares me. I push it under the bed and follow him.
In the kitchen, I edge myself close to the back door, check the knob to make sure its unlocked.
Minny, I promise. Its fine that youre here, he says.
I watch his eyes, trying to see if hes lying. Hes a big man, six-two at least[102]. A little paunch in the front, but strong-looking. I reckon you gone fire me, then.
Fire you? He laughs. Youre the best cook Ive ever known. Look what youve done to me. He frowns down at his stomach thats just starting to poke out. Hell, I havent eaten like this since Cora Blue was around. She practically raised me.
I take a deep breath because his knowing Cora Blue seems to safen things up a little. Her kids went to my church. I knew her.
I sure do miss her. He turns, opens the refrigerator, stares in, closes it.
Whens Celia coming back? You know? Mister Johnny asks.
I dont know. I spec she went to get her hair done.
I thought for a while there, when we were eating your food, she really did learn how to cook. Until that Saturday, when you werent here, and she tried to make hamburgers.
He leans against the sink board, sighs. Why doesnt she want me to know about you?
I dont know. She wont tell me.
He shakes his head, looks up at the black mark on the ceiling from where Miss Celia burned up the turkey that time. Minny, I dont care if Celia never lifts another finger for the rest of her life. But she says she wants to do things for me herself. He raises his eyebrows a little. I mean, do you understand what I was eating before you got here?
She learning. Least she trying to learn, but I kind of snort at this. Some things you just cant lie about.
I dont care if she can cook. I just want her here he shrugs with me.
He rubs his brow with his white shirtsleeve and I see why his shirts are always so dirty. And he is sort of handsome. For a white man.
She just doesnt seem happy, he says. Is it me? Is it the house? Are we too far away from town?
I dont know, Mister Johnny.
Then whats going on? He props his hands down on the counter behind him, grabs hold. Just tell me. Is she he swallows hard is she seeing somebody else?[103]
I try not to, but I feel kind of sorry for him then, seeing hes just as confused as I am about all this mess.
Mister Johnny, this aint none a my business. But I can tell you Miss Celia aint having no relations outside a this house.
He nods. Youre right. That was a stupid thing to ask.
I eye the door, wondering when Miss Celias going to be home. I dont know what shed do if she found Mister Johnny here.
Look, he says, dont say anything about meeting me. Im going to let her tell me when shes ready.
I manage my first real smile. So you want me to just go on like I been doing?