Small Town Rumors(51)

“I knew I was right not to trust her. She’s causing problems in our family now.” Cricket’s tone was icy.

“Back up, sister, and do some serious thinkin’ today. It’s not Jennie Sue causing the problems between me and you.” He hit the “End” button.





Chapter Thirteen

Jennie Sue had just gotten out of the shower and was drying her hair when someone knocked on her door. She quickly grabbed a robe, belted it around her waist, and peeked out the peephole before she threw open the door and motioned for Lettie to come inside.

“Sit down. Good grief! You are pale. Why did you climb the stairs?” Jennie Sue asked. “You should’ve called. I’d have come down to see what you needed.”

“Just need a glass of water and I’ll be fine. Not as young as I thought I was,” Lettie panted.

Jennie Sue rushed to her tiny kitchen and grabbed a water bottle from the refrigerator. She handed it to Lettie and led her to the sofa. “Is something wrong with Nadine?”

“No, she’s fine. She could probably climb those stairs two at a time, even now.” Lettie’s color returned after a couple of sips. “News is that you spent the night at Rick and Cricket’s place.”

“Yes, ma’am, I did. After we harvested the crops for the market today, I gave Cricket a mani-pedi. I thought it might help her feel better, and then Rick and I fell asleep with me on the sofa and him in a recliner,” Jennie Sue explained, “with all our clothing on. We did not have sex or even have a kiss.”

“Well, that’s a damn shame,” Lettie laughed. “Did Cricket pass gold bricks when she found out?”

“Almost. I won’t be going back out there. No sense in upsetting her like that again,” Jennie Sue answered.

Lettie sipped at the water again. “So what are you doin’ today? Evidently you aren’t going to the market with Rick.”

“I’m going to see Mama,” she said with a long sigh. “You are right. It’s time to have a visit with her and make things as right as possible.”

“Mabel’s been fussin’ all week that she hasn’t seen you in a while. Take my truck and keep it as long as you want. I don’t need it today,” Lettie said.

“Thanks for believing in me.”

Lettie set her mouth in a firm line. “You’ve been nothing but honest with us, child. Nadine and I just dare anyone to say a bad word about you. We’ll put them straight in a hurry. Right now, I’m going to go get the truck keys for you.”

“No, you sit right here until I get dressed, and I’ll help you down those stairs. If you were to fall, Nadine would never let you live it down after the fit we both threw over her tumble.” Jennie Sue rushed into the bathroom and dressed in her best skinny jeans and a sleeveless, light-blue button-up shirt.

“Ain’t that the truth,” Lettie agreed. “If you get back in time from your mama’s, I’d be willin’ to pay you same as I pay the nail salon to do my nails this evenin’.”

“I’ll make it a point to be back in time. Tell Nadine that I’ll pick her up on the way, and we’ll make it a girls’ evenin’. I didn’t bring any polish with me when I packed to come home. Should I stop by the dollar store and pick some up on my way back?” Jennie Sue asked.

“Might ought to. I like bright red and Nadine likes a pale pink,” Lettie answered. “I got clippers and files and such, but whatever polish I’ve got is probably a chunk of concrete in the bottle. I’ll make brownies, and we’ll pop the cork on a bottle of wine.”

“I’m nervous about goin’ home, Lettie. Mama is so critical. How do I look?” Jennie Sue twirled around twice.

“Beautiful, but then you’d look good in a burlap bag tied up at the waist with a length of balin’ twine,” Lettie said. “Only thing is that you need to have your toenails and fingernails done, too.”

“I don’t believe that for a minute. And I’ll do my nails after we get y’all’s all finished. Just don’t let me drink too much wine,” Jennie Sue said.

“It’s a deal. Now help this old woman down the stairs, and don’t ever tell Nadine that I got winded gettin’ up here,” she said.

“My lips are sealed.” Jennie Sue held on to her arm, and together they slowly made their way down the steps.

Once Lettie was inside the house, Jennie Sue got into the truck, fired up the engine, and backed out into the street. She hadn’t even made it to the stop sign at the corner of the street when she began to have doubts. Maybe she should let Charlotte be the one to reach out to her. If she showed up unannounced, it could put her mother on the defensive again, whereas if she gave it a little more time . . . Her palms moistened against the steering wheel.

Sure, she’d stood her ground with Cricket. Yet she’d feel like she’d really accomplished something if just once Charlotte would be proud of her. Even on her wedding day, the woman had been more interested in being beautiful when one of the ushers walked her down the aisle than she was in Jennie Sue.

When the photographer snapped Charlotte putting the veil on Jennie Sue, she’d told him to take several shots so that she could choose the best one for the album. And then as she left the room, she’d looked over her shoulder and sighed. “I liked the other dress better, but then it’s your wedding. I wish the Wilshire blood would have come out more in you,” she’d said.