Part 30 (1/2)
”What?” I asked.
”Your family is really disturbing,” he admitted.
”They have their moments,” I admitted.
”Would it kill them to be more supportive?”
”It might.”
”Living down here is just so weird. All this talk about religion, all these churches, all these bigots....”
”It's all good,” I said.
”What does that mean?”
”It is what it is.”
”It scares me,” he said quietly. ”I'm not used to living in this kind of environment. I've noticed my friends at the hospital never talk about politics. I was asking them the other day what they think of Obamacare. They don't even know what it is, but they hate it and they think it's the most terrible thing in the world. There's so much ignorance.”
”We work hard to be the dumbest and fattest and poorest,” I pointed out.
”I read a lot about that,” he said. ”The poorest state, the least educated, the fattest, the least healthy, all of that. I didn't really understand what they meant, but Jesus, it's true. I don't understand why people live here.”
”It's our home,” I said.
”I didn't mean that.”
”I know what you meant,” I said.
”Doesn't it bother you?”
”Of course it does.”
”And?”
”What do you want me to do about it? It's been this way for hundreds of years. Things are changing with the younger generation thanks to Facebook and the Internet. And Mississippi has changed a lot even since I grew up. But the past is different down here. It's like it never goes away. We want the past to go away but it won't.”
”Why not?”
”How the h.e.l.l should I know? Maybe people don't really want it to.”
He shook his head slowly.
”It's not all bad,” I said. ”The right wing nutters are the most vocal, but they don't represent everyone, not by a long shot. About half the state voted for Obama this past election, not just the blacks, but a lot of whites and Hispanics and everyone else. Try selling Mitt Romney to a bunch of Baptists and see where that gets you.”
He touched my lip, checking his work again. ”If it wasn't for you, I think I'd pack my bags and go back to Boston,” he said quietly.
”There's a lot of people like me,” I said.
”Not as cute as you are.”
”Well, no.”
”I want to kiss you,” he said, sniffing my cheek.
”Is that all?”
”No,” he admitted. ”But I've got to go.”
I walked him to the doorway, stood silently as he kissed my cheek, watched as he walked off into the night.
42) Fun with Elvis
WE TOOK TOOK Jackson downtown to Fairpark on Tuesday evening to see the newly erected statue of Elvis, of which we were rather proud. Jackson downtown to Fairpark on Tuesday evening to see the newly erected statue of Elvis, of which we were rather proud.
”If we decide that we really like you, we'll take you to the Elvis Presley Birthplace,” I said as we paid homage to the King, squinting up at his s.h.i.+ny metallic awesomeness in the waning sunlight.
We had most of the park to ourselves with the exception of a couple of parents with their kids, who were playing on the swings. The park itself was not much to speak of. City Hall looked down on its small collection of swings and struggling trees and playground equipment. There were metal benches to sit, a few picnic tables, and concrete walkways for strolling.
”Elvis was here,” Jackson said with a grin. ”I mean, he was really here here. But I can't say I was ever much of a fan.”
”Excuse me?” I said crossly.
”Well, you know.”
I signed to Noah: He says he doesn't like E-l-v-i-s!
”Bad!” Noah exclaimed.
Jackson pulled a long face.
”You can't live in Tupelo and not do some loving on Elvis,” I said. ”Not unless you want to swing from a magnolia tree.”
”Yeah?”
”That's like going to Dollywood and dissing Dolly Parton. And that's something else you don't do down here cause Dolly Parton fans will scratch your pretty eyes out with their press-on nails.”
”Long live the King!” Jackson exclaimed, bowing before Elvis. ”Is that enough 'loving on'?”
”That's better,” I said. ”At least you got some skin in the game. He's not the only famous person from the Magnolia State.”
”Who else could possibly come from this h.e.l.lhole?”
”How about Oprah?” I said. ”Or Morgan Freeman. Channing Tatum. John Grisham. James Earl Jones. Britney Spears. What more do you want? The Muppets, for G.o.d's sake! Darth Vader! Magic Mike! Margaritaville! Lance Ba.s.s from 'N Sync! B.B. King, LeAnn Rimes, Tammy Wynette, Soulja Boy-”