Murder in Mossland Mississippi

Episode 3

            Fin’s old white house was filled to the brim with people from all over the county. Funny how the old funeral parlor still seemed to be a place where people congregated after someone passed. Lola frantically dug every tea pitcher she ever owned from the cabinets in her perfectly stocked southern kitchen. “Lucky my living room used to be a real parlor” thought Lola as she scurried around the other ladies who had gathered to “help” her.

            “Well I, for one, just don’t believe anybody killed her,” declared Janet, the town busy body. “I think she just gave up on life and went into the woods to die like a dog.”

            “Hush your mouth, Janet!” called Debbi from the entrance of the kitchen.

            Debbi and Janet were sisters but they were nothing alike. Debbi was Lola’s best friend, what they call in the south “the salt of the earth.” She was kind, honest, and nothing about her was a blabbermouth. Janet, however, made up for Debbi’s kindness with a sheer nastiness that only the town gossip could possess. They were ten years apart in age, Debbi being the younger of the two and miles away in personality.

            Janet had a short stubby face, like a little pug puppy that's nose is so short all they do is make snorting noises. Her hair was short and never fixed. Traditional southern women love their hair spray and curling irons. Janet was anything but traditional. Her idea of fixing up was using a blow-dryer instead of leaving the hose with her short crop all wet. Debbi on the other hand, took the idea of traditional to a whole new level. People often thought you could judge her mood by the height of her overly sprayed hair. Today, the cheaply died blonde doo reached the more stressed Debbi was. Today it proved to be a very stressful day.  Debbi had always lived in the shadow of other town beauties. She wanted so desperately to be admired but always seemed to fall flat.

            Debbi had been Lola’s daughter’s best friend and over time she became a best friend to Lola too. Strange that with over twenty years difference in age the two could become so close. The friendship started as just a sharing of memories. Debbi would stop by on the weekends and visit. Lola always had the tea pitcher waiting on her. They would sit on the front porch swing and stare across at the large brick court house and watch the sun set behind it.

            Every time Debbi came over, they would laugh and talk for hours about Jessica and how much they missed her smile. They would start with stories about the two girls at bible school and eventually move to high school. They exchanged old pictures every time one of them came across a good one of Jessica. The more they shared the closer they became. Sometime, during these five years, it became a true friendship of their own.

            Debbi pushed passed the ladies and grabbed a huge bag of sugar. “Let me help you, Lola” she said and the two began the grueling task of making gallons sweet tea for the spectators in the front parlor. Janet was still barking her nonsense from the kitchen breakfast table. “I’m just saying, it’s not like she

had much to live for. Her husband is dead and her boyfriend is an icicle. Let’s not forget what a mess Chad has been all these years. I mean, think about it, what hasn’t that foolish boy been arrested for? He can’t seem to do anything right.” The other ladies nodded their heads in compliance. Everyone entertained Janet, but they also dreaded the day that they became the target of her rants.

            Debbi and Lola ignored the foolish comments and kept their minds on their work. There were so many people there it was going to be hard to show the traditional southern hospitality they all expected. Both ladies began filling pitchers and slinging sugar as fast as they could. They dare not expect any help for the town chatterboxes. They all were much to busy starting foolish rumors.

            They had already sent 5 tea pictures into circulation around the parlor. Debbie wondered how many more did they possibly need. When four more large pitchers had been successfully filled and placed on the counter Lola nudged her friend. “Go check on Chad, Debbi” nudged Lola. “I believe he is probably overwhelmed with all these people. While you’re at it take a pitcher with you and some glasses with ice.” Debbi loaded down the silver tray that Lola used maybe once a year with ice filled glasses and an old crystal pitcher. She pushed her way into the large parlor and sat it down on a table. A little girl with pigtails marched over and started distributing the drinks. “The new generation becoming a southern lady,” thought Debbie with a little smirk.

            Across the room in an arm chair, Chad was slumped over. People stood all around him giving their condolences. He looked up and nodded but his gaze was so far past them it was obvious he did not hear a word they said. Debbi swung her flowery sundress through the hordes of people, never letting her eyes veer from her destination.  “Hey,” she said with that sweet southern smile, “I need you to take me to Bobby’s to get some ice.”

            “He is in no shape to drive you anywhere” barked ole man Willie. Willie was the mayor of Mossland and had been since he was old enough to be elected. Every year someone ran against him, and every year he won by about 15 votes. In a town of a little over three hundred people, every vote really did count.

            “Thanks, Mayor, but I think I could use some air,” Chad strained to get up from his chair. Every bone in his body ached for no real reason. His heart ached, so he figured the rest of his body followed suit.