Benediction (Plainsong #3)(17)

She came out through the dining room. Is something the matter?

They’re over at Berta May’s.

Who is?

Willa and Alene.

Mary looked out the window. The Johnson women were still standing on the porch.

What are they doing over there? Dad said. I thought they’d be coming here again.

Maybe they’re just paying a call.

Berta May came and drew back the lace curtain at the front window and peered out and opened the door.

I didn’t hear you knock. Will you come in?

Is this a bad time to come? Willa said.

No. I don’t guess it is. Is there something I can help you with? Come in, please.

They stepped inside. Alene looked at her mother and said, We just wondered if we might take Alice out for lunch today.

Take her out for lunch.

Yes. If you wouldn’t mind.

Well, I don’t know. You only want her. Is that what you’re saying?

Oh no, we’d like you to come too if you want to.

She looked at them. No. I see now. I’m afraid I’m getting slow. You thought you might take her for a treat. Is that it?

If you wouldn’t mind.

I don’t mind. But we’ll have to ask her.

Is she here?

Out in the backyard. I’ll call her.

She went out and stood at the kitchen door and called the girl in and they came back together to the living room. The girl was tanned and freckled, in shorts and T-shirt.

Her grandmother stood with her arm around her. They want to ask you something. Go ahead and ask her, if you’d care to.

Willa smiled at Alice. Do you remember meeting us next door when we were visiting Dad and Mary Lewis?

Yes.

We wanted to know if we could take you out for lunch today.

The girl looked up at her grandmother’s big red face.

If you want to, Berta May said. It’s up to you.

For a little excursion, Alene said. Just the three of us.

Isn’t Grandma coming?

No, I’m staying here. I got too much to do right here.

We’d bring you back home as soon as you would want.

Where to?

Where would we go to eat?

Yes.

We thought the Wagon Wheel Café out on the highway. Have you been there?

I don’t think so.

You haven’t, Berta May said. We go to Shattuck’s if we eat out.

I guess I can go, Alice said.

Then you better go change your clothes. You can’t go out in public to eat with these ladies looking like that.

What should I put on?

You decide.

The girl looked at them again and went back into the hall to her bedroom. The women stood and talked, waiting for her.

Then she came back in a yellow shirt and green shorts.

Well, those are some bright clothes, her grandmother said. You won’t get run over at least.

They’re my new clothes.

I know. They’re clean anyway.

Would you like to go now? Willa said.

They went out to the car in the dazzling sun of midday and Alene drove and Willa sat beside her in the front seat and the girl rode in the back and watched out the window and looked at the back of the heads of the two women. They went up to the highway and turned east past the Gas and Go and on beyond the Highway 34 Grocery Store into the country past the implement dealership.

They parked and went inside the café and waited at the counter until a woman in a white blouse and a black skirt came and led them past the bar and the salad buffet into the second room to a table where the woman put down menus at three places and took away the fourth place setting. Luann will be your waitress today, she said. She’ll be with you in a moment.

Where would you like to sit? Willa said.

Alice looked at the table and then around the room.

Do you want to face the doorway so you can see who’s coming in or look out the window toward the fields?

The doorway, the girl said.

She pulled her chair out and took her seat and the two women sat on either side of her. They took up the menus.

What do you feel like eating? Alene said.

I don’t know what there is.

Alene pointed in the menu. There are salads and sandwiches listed on this side and main dishes on this page.

Do they have hamburgers?

Yes. But you can have anything you want.

The waitress came and they ordered drinks. She had blond hair, teased out around her face, and was nice-looking.

Who’s this now? she said.

This is Alice. Berta May’s granddaughter.

Oh my, aren’t you a pretty girl. I like your outfit.

Thank you.

I could take you home with me, you’re so pretty. Do you want to come and be my little girl? I just got boys.

I don’t know.

Maybe some other day.

The girl shrugged.

The waitress left and came back with glasses of tea for the Johnson women and a Coke for Alice. Willa ordered soup and a salad and Alene a club sandwich and Alice said she still wanted a hamburger.

How do you want it cooked, honey? the waitress said.

The girl looked at Alene.

Do you like it pink inside or all brown?

All brown.

With fries? the waitress said.

The girl looked at Alene again.

I think you’ll want some fries, don’t you?