Read Online Lily of the Springs by Carole Bellacera - Free Book Online

responding. Mother and Daddy were like most older folks around these parts. They only spoke when they had something to say, and when they had something to say, they took their time saying it. So I waited, even though what I wanted to do most was walk over to that swing, sit down and wrap my arms around my mother and tell her how much I loved her. But that kind of emotion just wasn’t something folks did around here. Why, they’d probably think I was dying or something.
    “I remember sittin’ there holding him, not thinkin’ about anything in particular, jus’ enjoyin’ his warm little body against me, listenin’ to his breathin.’ He still smelled like a baby, not a little boy. I remember thinkin’ how peaceful it was out here now that he’d fallen off to sleep. And then, somethin’ queer happened. I got this shivery feelin’…the kind that loosens up your bowels and makes you feel like somebody is walkin’ over your grave. I wonder now if it was the second sight, warnin’ me about what was gonna happen…warnin’ me to enjoy the time I had left with him.”
    Moments ticked by in silence. I searched for a reply that would give Mother comfort but came up empty. I glanced up at the moon, shining like a big silver dollar in the sky, then looked out toward the pond, glimmering in its light.
    And suddenly I knew what to say. “Mother, come down to the pond with me. Let’s sit on the wharf and put our feet in the water.”
    When there was no response, I felt a flicker of disappointment. What an idiot I was for even suggesting such a thing. Why, Mother probably thought I was as crazy as a Junebug!
    But then the swing stopped creaking and I glanced over to see the slight silhouette of her approaching. The light from the moon crossed her face as she paused at my side, softening the fine lines etching her mouth and forehead and revealing a twinkle in her eyes. “I think that’s a right fine idea, Lily Rae.” She started down the rickety steps of the front porch.
    Minutes later, the two of us sat on the end of the wharf, our bare feet splashing in the cool water. I grinned, imagining the bullfrogs glaring at us from the shadowed edges of the pond, probably madder than wet hens because humans had invaded their space. I leaned back on the palms of my hands, feeling the rough boards of the wharf still warm from the day’s sun, and gazed up at the moon. Then I looked around at our land, feeling my heart brimming with love for this place, my home.
    “I’m scared, Mother,” I said suddenly. “About leaving. Maybe it’s all wrong. Maybe I should stay right here in Russell County where I belong.”
    Mother didn’t speak for a long moment, but just stared up at the moon, a placid look on her face.
    Just as I was beginning to think she was lost in her own thoughts and hadn’t even heard me, she said softly, “How do you know where home is, child, if you never left it?”
    My brows furrowed. “I don’t understand.” I wanted to go on to say that that didn’t make one bit of sense, but I respected my mother too much to sass her.
     

    Art Credit: Jim Miller
     
    She turned and looked at me. “You know how old I was when I married your daddy? 13. One day I was wearing pig-tails and playing Cowboys-and-Injuns with my brothers, and the next day, I was wearin’ a weddin’ dress and going home with a man I barely knew. I never had no chance to go out and see the world. I was born right here in Russell County, and this is where they’ll bury me when my time comes.
    I ain’t complainin’…I’m just statin’ the truth. But you, Lily Rae…” To my surprise, Mother reached out and placed a hand on my knee, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You have a chance to get out there and make somethin’ of yourself. Why, you can learn to drive a car.” She shook her head wistfully. “I always thought I’d enjoy drivin’ a car,” she added softly.
    Well, why don’t you learn, I started to say. But I didn’t get the