Read Online Under the Sassafras by Hattie Mae - Free Book Online Page A

things I've done.”
    “ Oh, that hurts,” Joelette said holding her side. “I haven't laughed that much in years. That sight will be hard to get out of my head.”
    Mansir watched as the family around him enjoyed the moment, they all looked so happy. He couldn’t help but wonder if he was that happy in the life he’d left behind, the life he’d forgotten. It was time to go to town and find some answers.
    “ We better get going,” Joelette said, coming to her feet. She wiped the grass and debris off her backside. “T-Boy, cut the meat off the lines and Ozamae, help him gather them. I'll get the nets and crabs.”
    Mansir stood. “I'll carry the crabs.”
    ###
    The crab stew tasted as good as promised. The dark rich gravy was every bit as delicious as the gumbo MaeMae served him for his first meal.
    The boys were a sight to behold . Their small fingers masterfully dug inside the crab bodies for the meat, pushing the pure white meat through and cracking and opening the claws for every morsel.
    Joelette sat across from him, sucking the meat from a claw. He grinned. There wasn't any pretense at this table. It was messy eating, but delicious and worth the dripping fingers.
    After the boys were tucked in bed, Joelette came out on the porch to join MaeMae and Mansir.
    “This was a good day,” Mansir stretched out on the step with his back against the post. “I feared it near impossible to have a day filled with peace and laughter until my memory returned. But this day proved me wrong. Thanks for letting me tag along.”
    “You’re welcome.” Joelette said.
    “Who was on the phone?” MaeMae asked. “I heard it ring.”
    Joelette sighed heavily. “T-Boy’s teacher. Looks like he's failing math.” She tossed her hands in the air. “I don't know where I'll get the money for a tutor.”
    Mansir could see her agony . “Maybe I could help, I think I remember being good at math.” He shrugged. “Don’t remember my name, but I remember the Pythagorean Theorem. Did he bring his math book home? I could take a look.”
    She stared at him then shook her head and answered . “How do you know you know the math that could help him?”
    “ I know it sounds strange, Joelette. I don't have any memories of my life but I remember how to do things. I was able to do something today that I am sure I've done before.” Mansir moved closer to her. “Please, allow me to be useful while I am here. I'm not helpless. I need something to do with my time.” Mansir put his hand on top of hers. Joelette snatched hers away as if it had been burned.
    MaeMae's chair squeaked as she shifted on the cushions, and the smell of her pipe smoke drifted in the air.
    “I'll get the math book. But this does not let you off the hook about the field. I need to get that cleared as soon as I can. I don't want to lose any of those beans.”
    “ I gave my promise. I will finish that field.”
    “ No promises,” Joelette whispered. Then she went inside.
    MaeMae snuffed out her pipe and started to get up out of her chair but began coughing and sat back down . The coughing spell lasted just a few minutes, and left her panting for air.
    Mansir, walked over and knelt beside her chair . “Are you alright?”
    She caught her breath. “Yes, just a touch of bronchitis. Dr. Adam said I should move away from the water. The dampness gets in my chest. Someday, maybe. Now I'm tired.” She stood. “Goodnight, Mansir, and thank you.” MaeMae patted his face. “See you in the morning.”
    Joelette stuck her head out the door . “I have the math book if you want to take a look. The light is much better in here at the table.”
    Mansir moved inside to the table as she handed him the book.
    “ Please let me know if you can't do this, Mansir, so I can arrange a meeting with his teacher and have a paid tutor tomorrow.” She sat down in a rocker at the edge of the kitchen and waited.
    Mansir looked through the book, flipping the pages. Lingering on a one page then