My phone ring, making me jump. Before I can even say hello, I hear Minny. She working late tonight.
Miss Hilly sending Miss Walters to the old lady home. I got to find myself a new job. And you know when she going? Next week.
Oh no, Minny.
I been looking, call ten ladies today. Not even a speck a interest.
I am sorry to say I aint surprised. I ask Miss Leefolt first thing tomorrow do she know anybody need help.
Hang on, Minny say. I hear old Miss Walter talking and Minny say, What you think I am? A chauffeur? I aint driving you to no country club in the pouring rain.
Sides stealing, worse thing youn do for your career as a maid is have a smart mouth. Still, she such a good cook, sometimes it makes up for it.
Dont you worry, Minny. We gone find you somebody deaf as a doe-knob, just like Miss Walter.
Miss Hilly been hinting around for me to come work for her.
What? I talk stern as I can: Now you look a here, Minny, I support you myself fore I let you work for that evil lady.
Who you think you talking to, Aibileen? A monkey? I might as well go work for the KKK[15]. And you know I never take Yule Mays job away.
Im sorry, Lordy me. I just get so nervous when it come to Miss Hilly. I call Miss Caroline over on Honeysuckle, see if she know somebody. And I call Miss Ruth, she so nice it near bout break your heart. Used to clean up the house ever morning so I didnt have nothing to do but keep her company. Her husband died a the scarlet fever, mm-hmm.
Thank you, A. Now come on, Miss Walters, eat up a little green bean for me. Minny say goodbye and hang up the phone.
The next morning, there that old green lumber truck is again. Bangings already started but Mister Leefolt aint stomping around today. I guess he know he done lost this one before it even started.
Miss Leefolt setting at the kitchen table in her blue-quilt bathrobe talking on the telephone. Baby Girls got red sticky all over her face, hanging on to her mamas knees trying to get her look at her.
Morning, Baby Girl, I say.
Mama! Mama! she say, trying to crawl up in Miss Leefolts lap.
No, Mae Mobley. Miss Leefolt nudge her down. Mamas on the telephone. Let Mama talk.
Mama, pick up, Mae Mobley whine and reach out her arms to her mama. Pick Mae Mo up.
Hush, Miss Leefolt whisper.
I scoop Baby Girl up right quick and take her over to the sink, but she keep craning her neck around, whining, Mama, Mama, trying to get her attention.
Just like you told me to say it. Miss Leefolt nodding into the phone. Someday when we move, itll raise the value of the house.
Come on, Baby Girl. Put your hands here, under the water.
But Baby Girl wriggling hard. Im trying to get the soap on her fingers but she twisting and turning and she snake right out my arms. She run straight to her mama and stick out her chin and then she jerk the phone cord hard as she can. The receiver clatter out a Miss Leefolts hand and hit the floor.
Mae Mobley! I say.
I rush to get her but Miss Leefolt get there first. Her lips is curled back from her teeth in a scary smile. Miss Leefolt slap Baby Girl on the back a her bare legs so hard I jump from the sting.
Then Miss Leefolt grab Mae Mobley by the arm, jerk it hard with ever word. Dont you touch this phone again, Mae Mobley! she say. Aibileen, how many times do I have to tell you to keep her away from me when I am on the phone!
Im sorry, I say and I pick up Mae Mobley, try to hug her to me, but she bawling and her face is red and she fighting me.
Come on, Baby Girl, its all right, everthing
Mae Mobley make an ugly face at me and then she rear back and bowp! She whack me right on the ear.
Miss Leefolt point at the door, yell, Aibileen, you both just get out.
I carry her out the kitchen. Im so mad at Miss Leefolt, Im biting my tongue. If the fool would just pay her child some attention, this wouldnt happen! When we make it to Mae Mobleys room, I set in the rocking chair. She sob on my shoulder and I rub her back, glad she cant see the mad on my face. I dont want her to think its at her.
You okay, Baby Girl? I whisper. My ear smarting from her little fist. Im so glad she hit me instead a her mama, cause I dont know what that woman would a done to her. I look down and see red fingermarks on the back a her legs.
Im here, baby, Aibees here, I rock and soothe, rock and soothe.
But Baby Girl, she just cry and cry.
Around lunchtime, when my stories come on tee-vee, it gets quiet out in the carport. Mae Mobleys in my lap helping me string the beans. She still kind a fussy from this morning. I reckon I am too, but I done pushed it down to a place where I dont have to worry with it.
We go in the kitchen and I fix her baloney sandwich. In the driveway, the workmen is setting in they truck, eating they own lunches. Im glad for the peace. I smile over at Baby Girl, give her a strawberry, so grateful I was here during the trouble with her mama. I hate to think what would a happen if I wasnt. She stuff the strawberry in her mouth, smile back. I think she feel it too.
We go in the kitchen and I fix her baloney sandwich. In the driveway, the workmen is setting in they truck, eating they own lunches. Im glad for the peace. I smile over at Baby Girl, give her a strawberry, so grateful I was here during the trouble with her mama. I hate to think what would a happen if I wasnt. She stuff the strawberry in her mouth, smile back. I think she feel it too.