Mother, I think and I dash downstairs and look in the relaxing room. But suddenly I realize its not Mother who has it the answer has come to me, numbing my entire body. I left my satchel at the League House. I was in such a hurry to get Mothers car home. And even as the phone is ringing, I already know it is Hilly on the end of that line.
Mother, I think and I dash downstairs and look in the relaxing room. But suddenly I realize its not Mother who has it the answer has come to me, numbing my entire body. I left my satchel at the League House. I was in such a hurry to get Mothers car home. And even as the phone is ringing, I already know it is Hilly on the end of that line.
I grab the phone from the wall. Mother calls goodbye from the front door.
Hello?
How could you leave this heavy thing behind? Hilly asks. Hilly never has had a problem with going through other peoples things[134]. In fact, she enjoys it.
Mother, wait a second! I holler from the kitchen.
Good Lord, Skeeter, whats in here? Hilly says. Ive got to catch Mother, but Hillys voice is muffled, like shes bending down, opening it.
Nothing! Just all those Miss Myrna letters, you know.
Well, Ive lugged it back to my house so come on by and get it when you can.
Mother is starting the car outside. Just keep it there. Ill be by as soon as I can get there.
I race outside but Mothers already down the lane. I look over and the old trucks gone too, toting cotton seed somewhere in the fields. The dread in my stomach is flat and hard and hot, like a brick in the sun.
Down by the road, I watch the Cadillac slow, then jerk to a stop. Then it goes again. Then stops. Then slowly reverses and zigzags its way back up the hill. By the grace of a god I never really liked, much less believed in, my mother is actually coming back.
I cant believe I forgot Sue Annes casserole dish
I jump in the front passenger seat, wait until she climbs back into the car. She puts her hands on the wheel.
Drive me by Hillys? I need to pick something up. I press my hand to my forehead. Oh God, hurry, Mother. Before Im too late.
Mothers car hasnt moved. Skeeter, I have a million things to do today
The panic is rising up in my throat. Mama, please, just drive
But the Deville sits in the gravel, ticking like a time bomb.
Now look, Mother says, I have some personal errands to run and I just dont think its a good time to have you tagging along.
Itll take you five minutes. Just drive, Mama!
Mother keeps her white-gloved hands on the steering wheel, her lips pressed together.
I happen to have something confidential and important to do today.
I cant imagine my mother has anything more important to do than what Im staring down the throat of. What? A Mexicans trying to join the DAR? Somebody got caught reading the New American Dictionary?
Mother sighs, says, Fine, and moves the gear shift carefully into drive. Alright, here we go. We roll down the lane at about one-tenth of a mile an hour, putting along so the gravel wont knock at the paint job. At the end of the lane, she puts on her blinker like shes doing brain surgery and creeps the Cadillac out onto the County Road. My fists are clenched. I press my imaginary accelerator. Every times Mothers first time to drive.
On the County Road, she speeds up to fifteen and grips the wheel like were doing a hundred and five.
Mama, I finally say, just let me drive the car.
She sighs. Im surprised that she pulls over into the tall grass.
I get out and run around the car while she slides over. I put the car in D and press it to seventy, praying, Please, Hilly, resist the temptation to rummage through my personal business
So whats the big secret, what do you have to do today? I ask.
Im Im going to see Doctor Neal for some tests. Its just routine, but I dont want your daddy to know. You know how upset he gets every time somebody goes to the doctor.
What kind of tests?
Its just an iodine test for my ulcers, same as I have every year. Drop me at the Baptist and then you can take yourself to Hillys. At least I wont have to worry over parking.
I glance at her to see if theres more to this, but shes sitting straight and starched in her light-blue dress, her legs crossed at the ankles. I dont remember her having these tests last year. Even with me being up at school, Constantine wouldve written to me about them. Mother mustve kept them secret.
Five minutes later, at the Baptist Hospital, I come around and help her out of the car.
Eugenia, please. Just because this is a hospital doesnt mean Im an invalid.
I open the glass door for her and she walks in, head held high.
Mother, do you want me to come with you? I ask, knowing I cant I have to deal with Hilly, but suddenly I dont want to drop her off here, like this.
Its routine. Go on to Hillys and come back in an hour.
I watch her grow smaller down the long hall, clutching her handbag, knowing I should turn and run. But before I do, I wonder at how frail and inconsequential my mother has become. She used to fill a room by just breathing and now there seems to be less of her. She turns a corner and disappears behind the pale yellow walls. I watch a second longer before I rush back to the car.