Part 26 (2/2)
Jackson laughed, then abruptly stopped, unsure whether this was a joke or... well, he wasn't sure what it was.
”So you and my brother are....” Bill said, the wad of chew in his cheek bulging.
”We're dating,” Jackson said.
”Is that what you call it?”
”What do you call it?”
”I can think of a few things,” Bill allowed.
Jackson was silent. Again he wasn't sure what was meant; wasn't sure how to respond.
”They're queer for each other,” Papaw said, just to make certain it was understood.
”Thank you, Papaw,” I said, giving him a dirty look.
Mary came to fetch us for lunch. She wore a pretty dress and had a ribbon in her hair, which was long and fell down her back.
”Memaw said stop drinking and get your b.u.t.ts in the house,” she announced. ”Are you dipping, Dad? Jeez! I thought Mama told you to stop.”
”Ain't like I ever listen to your Mama, is it? Go tell the boys to come inside.”
”Hi,” she said, looking frankly at Jackson. ”Your Uncle Wiley's... friend friend?”
”Yes,” Jackson said.
”Memaw says you talk like a d.a.m.ned Yankee-” she observed.
”Mary, watch your mouth and go fetch the boys,” Bill said, cutting her off.
”I heard you the first time, Daddy!”
”Well, do it then, d.a.m.n it!” he snapped.
She went to the edge of the porch, screamed out, ”Eli! Jos.h.!.+ Time to eat!”
She turned back to us, smiling sweetly.
”h.e.l.l of a set of lungs on that one,” Papaw said.
”Bye,” she said, twirling around and heading back inside.
”She's pretty,” Jackson said.
”She's a pretty pain in my a.s.s,” Bill said.
Bill spit out his chew and we followed him inside.
We arranged ourselves around the table, Jackson and myself with Noah between us on one side, Bill and Sh.e.l.ly on the other with Mary in the middle, Papaw at the foot of the table, Mama at the head, the boys squeezing themselves in where they could.
”Let's pray,” Mama said.
”You and you G.o.dd.a.m.n prayers,” Papaw said.
”Hush, Daddy,” Mama said.
We held hands and said grace.
”How do you like Tupelo, Jackson?” Sh.e.l.ly asked, trying to make conversation as we pa.s.sed around a roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, black-eyed peas, fried okra, and rolls.
”I like it,” Jackson said. ”Please call me Jack. It's small, though.”
”Tupelo is small?” Mary said, her eyes going wide.
”Compared to Boston,” he added.
”Oh,” she said.
”Mary, let your elders talk,” Sh.e.l.ly said.
”Yes, ma'am.”
”Mama said y'all were skinny-dipping,” Bill said, abruptly changing gears.
”What's wrong with that?” Papaw asked.
”Billy, not at the table,” Mama said.
”I want to speak my piece about it,” Bill said.
Sh.e.l.ly rolled her eyes in resignation.
”Don't get him started,” Mama said.
”I'll get him started,” Bill said, looking at me.
I offered my bring-it-on smile.
”I don't care about your lifestyle choices, lifestyle choices, Wiley, but don't involve your son in it,” Bill said. ”Don't you think it's kind of inappropriate, y'all exposing yourselves like that in front of a child?” Wiley, but don't involve your son in it,” Bill said. ”Don't you think it's kind of inappropriate, y'all exposing yourselves like that in front of a child?”
”Why does every single conversation in this family have to be about my p.e.n.i.s?” I asked, rolling my eyes.
Jackson snorted.
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