Sweet Whiskey Nights

Mama Bear

Mrs. DeeDee

What in the hell is going on? I was just finishing up Sam’s hair when Charlotte came through here like a tornado. Now that girl knows better than to rush in the house like that. It wasn’t until I heard the slam of the bathroom door that I realize something is wrong. Sam looks like she’s about to go run to the door and break it down but I tell her to sit, that I got this. I take a deep breath before I head over to the bathroom and knock on the door. “Baby girl, are you okay? What’s going on? Are you hurt?” I can hear her crying so I try to jiggle the doorknob. It won’t open so I pound on the door, “Charlotte let me in. What’s going on? If you’re hurt you need to let me in!” Worry and anxiety are pulsing through me. What if something happened to her and I can’t get in?

“I’m fine Mama. Please just let me be. I just want to be alone.” I could barely hear her. She sounds so defeated I can barely stand it. “I just want to go back to the city.”

“Charlotte you open this door right now! I won’t allow you to run away again. You don’t have to face anything alone. I am here and will protect you, I promise you that! Open this door right now and tell me what happened!” I waited a few seconds and just as I was about to pound on the door again, I heard her unlocking it. I slowly opened it and peered inside to find her huddled in the corner with her knees up and her head buried in them, crying. I sat with her and placed my hand over hers and asked her to open up to me. She peeked up at me and sniffled a God awful amount of snot back up her nose. I grabbed some toilet paper and handed it to her and waited until she was finished blowing her nose before handing her more just in case. Once she could breathe out of her nose again she began telling me what happened.

Sam brought a cup of sweet tea and handed it to Charlotte before taking a seat next to us. Out of nowhere she also had some chocolates she handed over to Charlotte as well. Watching them I realize this must not be the first time she’s had a break down like this and Sam’s been there to comfort her. It breaks my heart because had she been here with me I would’ve helped her, comforted her. She seems to be settled down some and continues on with what happened. The more I hear the more angry I get at Marcus. I love that boy but I will break him in two for my baby girl. “You don’t worry about a thing. Tomorrow morning I’m going to handle all of this. Let me get you a wet rag so you can clean your face. After that I want you two to go straight to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a hell of a day.” I got up and helped both the girls up before washing Charlotte’s face for her. Then I ushered them off to bed. But I know I’ll barely get any sleep tonight.

The next morning I woke up early and just like I thought I barely slept. I made sure to make French toast, scrambled eggs with cheese, onions, peppers and tomatoes, and bacon all just how my girl likes. I put the ketchup on the table and continue cooking the home fries. The smell of the food has the girls sauntering in, sleepy eyed and barely awake. Once everything is ready I lay the plates in front of them and make them orange juice. “Y’all go on and eat and I’ll be right back aight!” And with that I was out the door and headed towards the ranch. I know they’ll be up because since we elders were just youngins they were up before the roosters. I rounded the corner and just as I thought there were two of the four people I wanted to see. “I need someone to explain to me why a grown boy is standing in a field telling livestock to bully my daughter. You better get control of him now, because I promise you this — my daughter will not shrink to make him comfortable. Charlotte will not be warned off anything. And if he ever speaks to her like that again, I’ll handle it properly. He don’t get to run my daughter off dirt she’s known since she was little. You get that boy in line. I won’t say it twice.”

These two old fools are tripping over themselves not knowing how to answer. Apparently, they have no clue what I’m talking about. “Leroy John, shut the hell up with all the excuses. Willie Earl, take some accountability for that boy. That wasn’t Marcus talking. That was the two of you echoing out of his mouth. You want him to be a man? Start by showing him what one looks like.” They both get quiet and take their hats off while looking down at their feet.

“Ma’am, DeeDee, we don’t know what you’re talking about but if you tell us we promise to listen and rectify whatever he done did to get you all riled up like this. We promise.”

I put my hands on my hips before I begin, not sparing any detail for them. Once I’m done I cross my arms and wait for them to begin groveling again. Which I didn’t have to wait long for. I wait until I’m satisfied with how much they’re apologizing and offering before I speak again. “I’m telling you two old fools one time. Get that boy straightened up or I will and that’s the last thing you want me doing. I’ll sell my farmland so fast to Charlotte’s company it’ll make your head spin. And then you’ll have to deal with whatever construction starts and hope it don’t scare your horses so bad they can’t ride no more.” With that they really started laying the pleasantries down hard.

“Tell the girls to be ready in about forty-five minutes. T’Jay will be by to take them riding on our best horses. And then they can have a picnic out in the field. We’ll set it all up for them- me and LJ. They’ll have the royal treatment today, I promise DeeDee. We truly are sorry. We told that boy to leave her alone, we swear it.” I nodded and turned around to head back home. I could hear them arguing with themselves on what they were going to do to Marcus when they found him. None of the things they listed off were harsh enough in my book.

Right on time, forty-five minutes later here’s T’Jay at the door. “I hope you have more sense than your brother does. You better take good care of my girls or I will string you up naked over an ant hill covered in honey so the bears and ants feast on you boy.” He visibly gulped at my warning. He shook his head yes and waited on the porch for the girls. He introduced himself with manners and everything. Looks like they got the message. And then he smirks and says, “Any revenge you ladies like to take, just let me know. I love messing with Marcus and his uptight ass.” I smack the back of his head, “Language, boy.” He apologizes and leads the girls to the horses to choose which one they want to ride. After quick introductions to the horses, the girls choose and head towards the fields. As much as Charlotte wants to be sad and mopey, I want her to enjoy herself. I wave at them as they head out, knowing Marcus better have the sense to show up here next with an apology.