Read Online A Virtuous Woman (Oprah's Book Club) by Kaye Gibbons - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kaye Gibbons
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Burr’d offered it to him while he was living, bad as his mouth would’ve been watering for it. And then I and Burr went to the Buick place and he got a little model automobile and went back to the funeral home, slipped it in beside Leon where nobody’d spot it and have a time with it. Then I said to Burr, “Burr, he’s got the fine suit of clothes and a brand new Buick, I guess a nice service’ll have to do for the respect.” Then he told me his daddy got respect, he knew he’d gotten it because it was something he’d beat him into telling him all the whole time he was growing up. No wonder he didn’t go to the boy’s wedding. He must’ve been pure eat up with jealousy.
But on back, I got to the house and Ruby was running a dustrag in the living room, and I asked her how about if we went to my house and cooked supper after all the commotion was over. She was just learning how to cook then and she liked to try out things on me. But while we were standing there we heard Frances in the next room telling Lonnie how that little girl in there, meaning Ruby, wanted to act like she was better than somebody, said she’d snubbed her when she’d tried to show her how to arrange some little pick-up sandwiches on a tray. Then Lonnie said, all he said to her was, “I told you you should’ve hired a nigger.”
I said right out loud, “Lord God Almighty.” I knew what Ruby’d come from by then, how her daddy was a Ruritan, and I just wanted to grab her and tell her something, but I didn’t feel like I could touch her. She just looked downat her feet and she didn’t say anything for a minute, then she started giggling, had to pure hold the dustrag up to her mouth to stop up the sound. I said, “What’s so funny?” I sure didn’t see anything funny. And she said, “Whew! I just thought of Frances tasting one of those little lady-fingers her sister brought and commenting on how she put in way, way too much salt. Then I say maybe she ought to have something to wash it down, how it’s the rat poison I sprinkled on top that brings out the salty flavor. And then Frances grabs at her throat and falls out.”
I thought Ruby’d lost her mind! I’d never heard of such from a woman, but that was before I knew how to take her. Sometimes she’d fool you, funny when she meant to be serious and the other way around. I got in hot water many a time not taking Ruby the way she wanted me to. Yes, I sure thought she was thinking about doing something to old Frances. That was also before she told me what she’d had lined up for John Woodrow. After then I always said, You better think twice before you step on Ruby’s toes. I remember one time we were joking around having a good time and I asked her, “What kind of punishment you got in mind for me if I step out of line?” And do you know what she said? She said, “Oh, I’m going to love you to pieces, love you to death.” How about that? Hear such as that for twenty-five years and see don’t you miss it when it’s gone. It’s a cold, cold heart that wouldn’t.
10•
J ack came in the house, kissed me like I knew he would. Now he’s gone again, gone down to the store to meet his pinball game. I should’ve gone with him. I usually do. I just didn’t think I’d be much fun today, and even a short walk seems to ruin me lately.
I wonder what mama would have to say about me sitting here alone as I am, waiting for Jack’s pinball game to break up, no friends to speak of, except Burr and June, my brothers and their families. I bet she’d want to know if I could say I’m happy in spite of everything, living so far out here, being sick. She’d say, “Tell me, has there been a single ounce of good to come of all you’ve been through?”
I’d look around the house, far as I can see from this kitchen table, while mama waits for an answer, and I’d show her Jack’s old brogans in the corner by the broom,the picture of a snowman June made for me that Jack had framed,
But on back, I got to the house and Ruby was running a dustrag in the living room, and I asked her how about if we went to my house and cooked supper after all the commotion was over. She was just learning how to cook then and she liked to try out things on me. But while we were standing there we heard Frances in the next room telling Lonnie how that little girl in there, meaning Ruby, wanted to act like she was better than somebody, said she’d snubbed her when she’d tried to show her how to arrange some little pick-up sandwiches on a tray. Then Lonnie said, all he said to her was, “I told you you should’ve hired a nigger.”
I said right out loud, “Lord God Almighty.” I knew what Ruby’d come from by then, how her daddy was a Ruritan, and I just wanted to grab her and tell her something, but I didn’t feel like I could touch her. She just looked downat her feet and she didn’t say anything for a minute, then she started giggling, had to pure hold the dustrag up to her mouth to stop up the sound. I said, “What’s so funny?” I sure didn’t see anything funny. And she said, “Whew! I just thought of Frances tasting one of those little lady-fingers her sister brought and commenting on how she put in way, way too much salt. Then I say maybe she ought to have something to wash it down, how it’s the rat poison I sprinkled on top that brings out the salty flavor. And then Frances grabs at her throat and falls out.”
I thought Ruby’d lost her mind! I’d never heard of such from a woman, but that was before I knew how to take her. Sometimes she’d fool you, funny when she meant to be serious and the other way around. I got in hot water many a time not taking Ruby the way she wanted me to. Yes, I sure thought she was thinking about doing something to old Frances. That was also before she told me what she’d had lined up for John Woodrow. After then I always said, You better think twice before you step on Ruby’s toes. I remember one time we were joking around having a good time and I asked her, “What kind of punishment you got in mind for me if I step out of line?” And do you know what she said? She said, “Oh, I’m going to love you to pieces, love you to death.” How about that? Hear such as that for twenty-five years and see don’t you miss it when it’s gone. It’s a cold, cold heart that wouldn’t.
10•
J ack came in the house, kissed me like I knew he would. Now he’s gone again, gone down to the store to meet his pinball game. I should’ve gone with him. I usually do. I just didn’t think I’d be much fun today, and even a short walk seems to ruin me lately.
I wonder what mama would have to say about me sitting here alone as I am, waiting for Jack’s pinball game to break up, no friends to speak of, except Burr and June, my brothers and their families. I bet she’d want to know if I could say I’m happy in spite of everything, living so far out here, being sick. She’d say, “Tell me, has there been a single ounce of good to come of all you’ve been through?”
I’d look around the house, far as I can see from this kitchen table, while mama waits for an answer, and I’d show her Jack’s old brogans in the corner by the broom,the picture of a snowman June made for me that Jack had framed,
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