Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction (19 page)

He
pulled into her driveway, and for the first time since she’d met Jack, Tess knew what she wanted. When he stopped the car and turned to her, she didn’t look away. When he leaned toward her, she moved to him. He took her face between his hands and brought their foreheads together. She pushed her hands into his hair. They both closed their eyes and reveled in the moment.

Slowly,
Jack pulled back and kissed his way down Tess’s face until he reached her mouth. She returned the kiss, soft and tentative at first.
After a few minutes, the kisses were no longer soft, or tentative.

dreckly
: conjunction \ drek-lee\  directly

I’ll catch up dreckly.

[  1937  ]

It was a hot summer day, and every window in the house was open.

WUMP!
A loud noise carried from the upstairs window of the Hobb house.

“
Ow! Johnny! Stop it!”

WUMP!
Came the noise again, the sound of something hard landing on something soft.

“
No Johnny! Stop! I won’t do it again! I promise!” a little girl’s voice cried out.

WUMP!
WUMP! “I’m gonna jerk a knot through your head!”
Johnny yelled.

“
Stop beating me! Stop beating me! Help!” Louetta’s little voice screamed.

Maye
was in the side yard gardening and heard it all. She continued picking beans, as if nothing was wrong. She even started softly humming to herself.

WUMP!
“That’ll teach ya!” Johnny yelled. WUMP!

“
AHHHH! Johnny! Stop beating me!” Louetta yelled again.

“
I’ma knock you into next week!” he hollered.

Maye
finished picking her beans and went to stand underneath the window. “Okay, you two, that’s enough. Ain’t nobody out here ‘cept me and the beans, and they don’t cotton to yer hijinks. Now you two c’mon down and help me set the table for supper.”

Louetta
appeared at the window. “Aw, Mama, I thought Uncle
Trevor was comin’ down the street . . . “

Johnny’s
head popped up. “Did we scare old Mrs. Happenay? Did she hear us?”

“
No, she did not. I told you, nobody’s out here. Now quit all that foolishness and come down and make yourselves useful.”

An
hour later, Trevor arrived. He was becoming a regular at the house. “You sure are lookin’ fine, Maye,” he drawled, looking her up and down.

Giggling,
she briefly allowed him to kiss her cheek, and then she skittered on back to the kitchen. “Trevor, would you put the bread on the table, please?”

“
Sure, anything for you, sugar.”

“
Kids! Supper’s on!” Maye called, and the four Hobb children came running.

“
Uncle Trevor, Johnny’s been beating me,” Louetta baited her uncle.

“
Again?” Trevor said with a straight face.

“
Uncle Trevor, I got an A on my arithmetic test today. Wanna see?” Ima Jean asked.

“
After supper, sugarplum,” Trevor said, absentmindedly.

“
Uncle Trevor, can you take me up to town tomorrow,” a voice came from the end of the table. Trevor wasn’t sure to whom the voice belonged. It didn’t matter. He just wanted to eat Maye’s delicious
chicken and feast on her beauty.

“
I ‘spect so,” he said, looking at Maye.

“
Trevor, you’re too good to us.”

“
You know I’d do anything for you, Mayepie.”

After
supper, Trevor was helping dry the dishes when there was a knock at the door. Maye went to answer it, and in a moment
he heard a deep, male voice. Walking around the corner, he saw Louie Crane, the widower farmer down the road, standing in the doorway.

“
Whatta you doin’ here?” Trevor grunted.

“
Evenin’, Trevor. I just came by to bring Maye some ‘a my prize
maters. I know how she likes them so.” The tall gentleman was looking lovingly at Maye, who was holding three huge bright red tomatoes.

“
Louie, that’s mighty nice ‘a you. C’mon in and let me send some cake home with you.”

Louie
stepped inside, while Maye disappeared into the kitchen.
Trevor glared at him in silence. Louie returned the sentiment. Maye came bustling back out of the kitchen with a huge chunk of pound cake dripping with vanilla icing.

“
I hope you enjoy it, Louie.” She patted his arm.

“
Aw, I’m sure I will Mizz Maye. Ever since Julia died, I haven’t had homemade baked goods. Thank ye. I’d best be off now.” He waved. “Bye y’all.”

Trevor
didn’t utter a word until the man was well down the sidewalk.

“
You lead him on,” Trevor accused.

“
I do no such thing. I’m only bein’ neighborly.”

“
Well, why’ont you be neighborly with me?” He reached out to grab her around the waist.

“Trevor, I done told you, I’m not gettin’ involved with a married man!” Maye maneuvered tantalizingly just out of his reach.

[ 
July
2010  ]

Tess and Jack walked the few blocks to town for the town’s Fourth of July celebration, commenting on all the homes’ patriotic decorations.

“
The town does the Fourth of July up right,” Jack commented.

Every
home leading in or out of town had a big American flag posted either on the house or lawn.

“
I’ve never seen so many decorations in all my life.” Tess looked first one way, then the other, trying to take it all in.

“
The women's club sponsors a contest, and people really get into it, decorating houses in any way imaginable, ranging from tasteful to downright tacky.”

To
prove his point, they passed a house where window boxes
with red, white, and blue flowers spilled out over the sides, and mini
American flags sprouted among the foliage. Several houses had red, white, and blue bunting hanging from covered porches. Small flags lined the sidewalks leading up to some of the houses. Streamers decorated trees in one yard; in another, mini versions of the stars and stripes were attached to tree limbs, making them look like leaves. Tess was so
engrossed in a lawn’s solid sea of mini Old Glories, she wasn’t watching where she was going and almost tripped over a dog. Jack caught her arm. She glanced up at him with a look that said, ‘don’t say a word.’

“
Do the businesses have a contest, too?” Tess asked once they reached town.

“
Oh, yeah, each one has to outdo the other.”

Every
business was in full regalia, with streamers, bunting, flags, or balloons decorating their storefronts. Some had red, white, and blue lights surrounding the doors. Almost all had a sign in their window wishing America a happy birthday.

Tess
smelled the mingling scents of hot grease, barbecue, and popcorn. Looking around, she saw five men dressed as Abe Lincoln and two as George Washington. Jack pointed out two people dressed as the Statue of Liberty wandering around. Crazy, creative homemade patriotic hats and glasses were on more heads than not. How someone could wear glasses with little flashing light bulbs, and walk straight, Tess couldn’t understand. She had never seen so much red, white, and blue in such a condensed space. No one dared wear any other color that day. Even Pickle sported a red t-shirt, this one with words that said, “Lock Up Your Daughters!”

Jack
saw Pickle’s shirt and said, “I’m not even gonna touch that one.”

At
one-thirty, the annual bike parade began. Children of all ages
paraded down Main Street on decorated bikes, strollers, and wagons with patriotic colors. Several dog owners had decorated their canine friends in Fourth of July style, and they followed the children down Main Street with the dogs soaking in the attention, oblivious to the
embarrassment they should be feeling. The local high school’s marching band led the way for cars carrying Miss Goose Pimple Junction candidates and the mayor’s car. A bright red fire engine, with its lights flashing, brought up the rear.

After
waving to all of the parade participants, Tess and Jack meandered through the various booths, sampling barbecue, hot dogs, potato salad, and fried apple pies.

“
Tess, I’m full as a tick on a fat dog,” Jack said. “Let’s go find a seat. I think the winner of the Miss Goose Pimple Junction Contest is about to be announced.”

Tess
was too full to walk another step when they took seats next to Lou, who was dressed in red, white, and blue, and wore a headband with glittery red and blue stars on springs that looked like antennae.

“
Well hi, y’all!” Lou said, reaching out to pat each of them.
“Hireyew?”

“
Lou, if I was any happier I’d be twins,” Jack said.

“
Well, set yourselves down and get ready to feast your eyes, Jack,” Lou said with a wink. Looking at Tess she added, “And you?”

“
I’m too pooped to pop,” Tess complained. “How are you?”

“
Aw, honey, I’m having a good face day!”

“
Yes, you are, Lou,” Tess laughed, “yes, you are!”

“
What are you talkin’ ‘bout woman? You always have a good face day!” Jack said.

Lou
took a break in the joking to lean toward Tess’s ear, whispering seriously, “You know what yer doin’, right?” Tess gave her a questioning look.

Their
conversation was interrupted when a thirty-something brunette and a young girl, who looked to be about nine years old, sat down on the other side of Lou. The woman had brown hair and eyes that were so brown they were almost black. She had a pretty face, but her body was shaped a little bit like a pear. The little girl looked just like her mother, minus the pear shape.

“
Aw, here are my babies now. Tessie, meet my new roommates. This is Martha Maye, my daughter, and this here is Buttabean, my granddaughter,” Lou proudly said. “Girls, this is Tess and Jack.”

Martha
Maye leaned over her mother to shake hands and said, “Don’t worry, I didn’t actually name my child ‘Butterbean!’ That’s just our special name for her. Feel free to call her Carrie!” She smoothed Butterbean’s hair back. “I’m so glad to meet you both! I’ve heard so much about you.”

“
I’m happy to meet you, too, Martha Maye . . . and . . . “ Lou looked expectantly at Tess, and Tess said, “ . . . Butterbean.” Lou gave a head nod and flashed a satisfied smile.

“
May I ask why you call your beautiful granddaughter ‘Butterbean?’” asked Jack.

Lou
and her daughter looked at each other, exchanging a meaningful glance. Finally, Martha said, “It’s a special name because it’s what Mama was called as a child.”

“
And this little Buttabean is a special child.” Lou’s eyes suddenly glistened with tears.

“
Even though any grandmother would say that, I have to agree with her.” Martha Maye combed her fingers through the little girl’s long brown hair.

“
Lou are you gonna do your usual commentary on the contest?” asked Jack, changing the subject.

“
Well, honey, I don’t know if I should. Tessie here’ll think poorly of me if I go shootin’ my mouth off as usual.”

Tess
looked to Jack for an explanation.

“
See, Miss Goose Pimple Junction is not chosen on talent, looks, or brains, but more or less on popularity,” Jack explained. “Of course,
whichever contestant’s father glad-handed the most voters might have somethin’ to do with the outcome, too. The contest is a parliamentarian’s nightmare. You saw the voting over at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store all last week, right?” Tess nodded. “Well, did you know anyone could vote each and every time they visited the store, if they wanted?” Tess shook her head. “It’s true,” Jack continued. “And the best seat in the house for the announcin’ of the new Miss Goose Pimple Junction is right next to Lou. She won’t sugar coat anything, she’ll give you the
unvarnished truth on each contestant, and she’ll entertain you while she’s at it.”

“
In that case, Lou, please don’t censure yourself on my account.”

“
Well, all right, if you’re sure . . . “ Lou looked like she might need some more prodding, but the music started, and the mayor appeared
on the makeshift stage. “Afternoon, everyone! And Happy Birthday, America!” The crowd applauded enthusiastically.