She Only Speaks to Butterflies (13 page)

“You and daddy are comin’ too, right?”

“Oh yes, Sarah came by while you two were out and brought us all tickets.”

“It’s strange how she didn’t bring it up, it completely slipped my mind.” Sherry wiggled her other dress back on. “Leon was upset that I didn’t order dresses on time.”

Gertrude leaned into Sherry like she was going to tell her a secret. “I think she’s got a case of the mum-dums.” Her eyes bulged as she feigned shock. “Either that or she ate the flyers.”

Sherry burst out laughing. Gertrude followed. Every time they looked at each other, they fell into another fit of laughter, until Sherry started wiping her eyes, begging her mother to stop.

“What’s so funny?” Kenny asked, coming in with Denise, who was sporting a milk-moustache.

“Oh, gramma is just the silliest,” Sherry sniffed, composing herself.

Thank God for gramma. Sherry would need her more in the days to come.

…

The church was packed as people sat in the pews, fanning themselves with their programs and hymnals. Reverend Telly had all the electric fans running, both on the floor and ceiling. Despite the heat, the men wore three-piece Sunday suits, and the women were adorned with big hats, stockings and wedge heels.

“Lord, it’s hotter’n hell in here,” Kenny murmured as they reached a seat close to a fan.

“Kenny!  Yer language!” Gertrude slapped him with a hymnal.

“Mind if we sit here?” Sarah asked Kenny. Her ankles were visibly swollen and her hands were absent her wedding rings. “What are ya doin’ here, girl?” Gertrude asked. “You should be at home drinkin’ ice water with yer feet up.”

“Uh, uh.” Sarah shook her head firmly. “Ain’t no way I’m takin’ any chances,” she explained, removing her shoes. “I don’t come to church, the Lord’s liable to punish me with hard labor.”

Mark assisted her with pillow placement; she brought two, one for her bottom and one for her back. “Let’s pray to God the communion crackers taste better this time,” she complained. “Last week I nearly puked in confession.”

Sherry covered her reddened face with a program.

“I talked Mary-Jo into putting a little cinnamon in ‘em this time,” Sarah stated.

Mary-Jo was a volunteer baker for Reverend Telly.

“Why didn’t ya ask her for sugar?” Kenny asked.

“Oh, please don’t get her started,” Mark pleaded. “We had an argument about this on the way over.”

Sarah sighed. “Because of diabetics.” She shot her husband a defiant look. “We can’t put sugar in ‘em because half the old bitties ‘round here are diabetic.”

“Well in that case, make sure they ain’t got any salt in ‘em, either,” Kenny suggested.

Sarah snorted. “Hell, if it were up to me, they’d have whipped cream and jam in ‘em.”

Sherry and Gertrude exchanged glances and giggled. Sarah turned to them. “You laughin’ at me?”

Gertrude patted her hand. “No, dear.”

Martha and her husband Henry strolled in, choosing a seat beside Sherry. “How’s Denise?” Martha asked. “Did she see the therapist yet?”

“Yeah. Talk about it later,” Sherry whispered, watching Reverend Telly walk up to the podium. Just before he started the service, Lee Givens sprinted in and sat in the only vacant pew, right in front of the pulpit.

“Well, look who the cat dragged in,” Martha muttered, giving Lee the once-over.

Sherry gave her a warning look. “Hush.”

Lee scanned the church, noticing Alan was seated about six rows up. He nodded hello. As he recognized Sherry’s face, Lee smiled and his face turned pink.

Martha caught Lee’s glance. “Did we make a new friend?” she teased.

“There a law against bein’ polite?” Sherry whispered.

“Touchy,” Martha commented as Henry poked her in the ribs with his elbow. His head tipped upward as Reverend Telly arrived at the podium.

The service was typical, Reverend Telly thanked God once again for keeping the town safe and free from fire. He also prayed to deliver from evil the people who started the fires to begin with. An announcement was made regarding the upcoming dance. Sherry and Martha smiled at each other when Reverend Telly reported that tickets were nearly sold out.

He campaigned for volunteers to lend their help for the few responsibilities left involving the dance. Some lifted their hands to offer themselves, and the service was brought to a close after Ned took the stand to talk about summer jobs available for any kids looking for work.

“I gotta pee like a racehorse,” Sarah muttered.

Mark’s lips pursed in frustration.

Sherry saw his expression. “I’ll go with her.”

“What, I can’t go to the bathroom myself?”

“Enjoy the fussin’, darlin’,” Kenny advised. “When that baby comes, it’ll be all about the youngin’.”

Sherry stood outside the bathroom. “You hungry?” Sarah asked Sherry.

“Not really, but I’ll go with ya.”

The front of the church was lined with customary goodie tables and a coffee urn. Kenny fetched Sarah a chair as Sherry offered to get her a plate.

“Good mornin’.” Sherry heard from behind her. She had just lifted a paper plate out of a plastic bag on the table.

Sherry looked up and smiled at Lee. He nodded respectfully, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

“Hot enough for ya?” Sherry asked.

Lee’s face twisted into a smile. “I’m a firefighter, ma’am. This ain’t heat.”

“Good point,” Sherry mumbled. “Call me Sherry.” She handed Lee a sugar packet for his coffee.

“Thank you, Sherry.” He ripped open the packet, pouring it into his coffee.

“I hear you run the clothin’ store over by Vern’s Café.”

“That’s right,” Sherry confirmed. “Me and Leon Cummings run it.”

He stirred his coffee, looking directly at her. “That barber shop next to it any good?”

“Wade Thomas’s place?” Sherry placed some donuts and pastries on a plate. “I can’t speak for it personally.” She blushed. “But my daddy goes there whenever he’s in town and I ain’t never heard a complaint. The coffee at Vern’s is pretty good.”

“The guys love it. I get the pleasure at least twice a week, when I lose the draw.”

Sherry picked up an apple juice for Denise. “Draw?”

“We draw straws for who goes to get coffee and snacks.”

“Really? You mean nobody ever brings stuff in?” Sherry balanced the apple juice on the plate.

“Na. They do, but we usually run out before the day’s out. I’m gonna learn to bake just ‘soon as I get a proper kitchen.”

“What’s wrong with yer kitchen?”

“It suits me fine, but I’ve just got one of ‘em hot plates,” Lee smirked. “Not much of a meal you can make with those.”

Sherry stifled the urge to invite him to dinner, since her mother would be more than happy to fill his stomach with her famous chicken pot pie or roast beef.

He raised his coffee. “I guess I’ll leave ya to get back to yer friend.”

Sarah approached from behind, leaning into Sherry’ shoulder. “You gonna hog all the grub or what?” Her tone was half joking. “I’m starvin’.”

Sherry handed her the plate.

“Thanks, love.” She winked at Sherry. 

“When are ya due?” Lee asked conversationally.

“August thirtieth. Gonna be a boy,” Sarah said proudly.

He was intrigued. “Oh yeah? How do ya know?”

“Ya ever heard of a twenty-five pound baby girl bein’ born?”

Lee was about to sip his coffee but he stopped.

“She’s jokin’.” Sherry took Sarah’s hand and led her over to Gertrude and Kenny. “Talk to ya later.”

Lee nodded, walking away.

“Would ya stop freakin’ people out with that?” Sherry hissed. “You see him turn pale? Men don’t understand all this female stuff!”

“What’s to understand?” Sarah argued. “You see the size of me?” She rubbed her belly and furrowed her brow. Then she looked down at her feet and changed tack. “Ah, shoot! Mark, did ya get my shoes?”

Sarah stomped away, looking for her husband.

Sherry shook her head, surveying the room. Gertrude and Kenny were nowhere in sight, having gone into the Sunday School room to get Denise. Alan and Lee were standing by the entrance talking to Reverend Telly. All three faces were firm and serious. She walked over and eavesdropped.

“Anybody been reportin’ anything lately, Alan?” Reverend Telly asked.

“Nothin’ at all, thank the Lord.” Alan shook his head. “We’re still keepin’ tabs though. Sheriff Douglas and I been talkin’ at least once a day.”

Sherry saw Lee standing next to the the men, his attention seemed half-hearted. He was watching the town’s kids running around the pulpit, playing tag. Denise stole a glance at him and smiled. He smiled back, tipping his head forward gallantly.

Luke grabbed hold of Denise’s arm by the cuff of her sundress, causing her to fall and land on her bottom. Sherry saw her daughter fall and ran to her, but Lee reached her first.

“You okay, little darlin’?” he asked, straightening her cuff. She sniffled, looking at the ground, trying to hold back tears. He helped her up. “Now ya know that when a little boy plays rough with a little girl, it means he likes ya, right?”

Sherry intervened warmly. “That’s right, sweetie.” She bent down and touched the tip of Denise’s nose. “And if ya had pigtails, Luke prolly woulda pulled on those, too.”

Lee rose with Sherry as she took a step back, widening the gap between them. “I think she’s okay,” Sherry said. “Thanks.”

He winked, giving her goosebumps. “My pleasure, ma’am.”

…

“Knock! Knock!” Sarah called, entering Sherry’s house.

“I’m comin’!” Sherry yelled from upstairs.

Gertrude was sitting on Denise’s bed. She held a lock of Denise’s brown curls between her index and middle finger of one hand and a pair of scissors in the other. Denise stood half a foot from her grandma, not moving a muscle. “Hold still, love,” Gertrude said in a soothing tone, expertly lopping off the uneven strand of hair.

Kenny was in the arm chair at the corner of Denise’s room. His head bobbed up and down as he dozed.

“Momma, pass me my purse?” Sherry asked, entering the room distracted, she was adjusting her earring and oblivious that Kenny was asleep.

His eyes opened with a start. “I got it, love,” he grunted, rising.

Sherry slipped on her nylon jacket and zipped it up, sweeping her hair out from behind. “I won’t be late, daddy.” She took her purse from Kenny. “Leon says they’ve got everythin’ straight for the dance, we just gotta discuss food detail and the song list.”

“Don’t worry, darlin’, we’ll take Denise up to Baker’s Farm and then get her to bed.” Gertrude snipped off the last lock of hair and stood back, admiring her work.

“Hurry up, sugar! I wanna get there before Martha votes on food!” Sarah hollered.

Gertrude gently grabbed her daughter’s arm. “Be sure she don’t vote only for potato chips, donuts and cake,” she murmured.

Rolling her eyes, Sherry yelled downstairs. “Be a minute!” She kissed Denise on the forehead and tapped her nose. “You be good for gramma and grampa.”

Sarah gave Sherry an evaluating glance as she came down the stairs. “Lord, you wearin’ that?” She snapped her gum. “It’s boilin’ out there.”

Sherry unzipped the jacket, removed it and threw it on a kitchen chair.

“That’s better.” Sarah commented, holding the door open.  The door closed with a soft thud. Sarah waddled to her car door. “It’s open,” she instructed Sherry.

Suddenly both their hearts stopped as they heard sirens. “Jesus Christ,” Sarah gasped, holding her chest. “Where the hell’s that comin’ from?”

Sherry tried to focus over the noise. Kenny appeared at the door, shielding his eyes against the twilight sun. “Sounds like it’s comin’ from the other side of the farm.”

“You wanna go check it out?” Sara asked Sherry.

“We should go make sure Ned and Kate are okay at least.” Sherry suggested. She turned to her mom and dad. “Call over to Leon and let him know what’s goin’ on, will ya daddy?”

Tires chirped as they followed the noise. “It sounds like only one or two this time, maybe it ain’t been deliberately set like the rest,” Sarah offered. The sirens took them to a small patch of land on the other side of Grogan St.

Sherry pointed at the fire truck off to the side of the road, dousing the flames. “It looks like an abandoned car.”

The girls stayed back while the firemen worked. The car was an old beat up Chevy with flat tires and duct tape holding up the front bumper. The single pumper dousing the flames was manned by two fireman: Lee Givens and Ryan Bennett. It looked like Ryan was leading the battle while Lee worked the mechanics inside the truck. The flames were put out pretty fast as Alan supervised, surveying the scene.

Ned pulled up in his pickup truck moments later, shaking his head. Sherry and Sarah exited the car and walked to him.

“I thought these shenanigans were over,” Ned said, his jaw tense.

Sarah’s brows rose. “Us too.”

Ned’s nostrils flared. “We’ve gotta find out who the hell is responsible, and what their deal is.”

Alan approached, carrying a glass bottle. The glass was blackened from the flames and the label was burnt to a crisp. “Found this beside the vehicle. Coulda been there a while but who knows.”

“Was the fire started on purpose like the rest?” Sherry asked.

“Definitely.” Alan’s voice was firm. “Anybody got an idea what brand this is?” He held up the bottle so they could examine it. Ned pulled the bottle from Alan’s hand, squinting at the label. Then he rotated it in his hand, inspecting the interior.

“Looks domestic,” Ned guessed. “Vodka if I’m not mistaken.”

Sherry leaned closer to Ned, cocking her head so she could take a closer look. “Take it over to Glen and Karen Munson at the liquor store,” Sherry advised. “They’ll be able to tell you exactly what it is.”

The pumper stopped pouring water. Lee and Ryan began pulling the hose back into the truck as Lee left Ryan to refasten it inside the instrument panel. Lee approached Alan, nodding to the girls and Ned. “Fire appears to be out, sir.”

“Good work, Lee. You guys can pack it up. I’ll see if there’s more evidence laying around,” he said, holding up the bottle.

Lee walked over to the soggy, smoking car. He removed his helmet and fire-retardant coat, placing them on the ground next to the car. Bending down, he examined the underside of the car as Ryan pulled away in the pumper.

Sarah turned to Alan. “Can vodka start a fire like that?”

“It’s possible. But there would have to be a lot more than just one bottle. Plus, the engine was on fire, too. It’s more likely the perpetrator drank the alcohol and then set the car on fire. That’s assumin’ the bottle wasn’t there before.”

Ned examined the charred label closer. “Looks like Absolut vodka to me.”

“Mean anything to you?” Alan asked, treading carefully.

Ned hesitated. “It might not mean nothin’, but…that’s Reggie Maxwell’s brand.”

Chapter 12

Leon brightened as Sherry entered Peach Tree Clothing. “Girl, ya missed one hell of a shit show last night!”

Sherry’s eyes bulged. “Whaddya mean?”

“Martha and Jenny Martin got into a scrap-out,” he said behind his hand like it was a big secret.

“No kiddin’? What about?”

“Well, we heard about the fire over by Grogan St., and after your momma called to say you weren’t showin’ up and why, Martha turned to Jenny and blurted out ‘where’s your son?’” Leon craned his neck, lifting his brows.

Sherry gasped. “Oh lord, and then what happened?”

“Jenny turns to Martha and scoffs ‘where’s yers?’” Leon cocked his head like he couldn’t believe it himself. “That girl can hold her owwwn! Uh-huh!” He snapped his fingers, skipping animatedly, and then continued. “That’s when Martha’s claws came out.”

“What did she do?” Sherry covered her face with her hands like she couldn’t hear anymore.

“Jenny had her back turned.” Leon paused. “Big mistake, because Martha grabbed a handful of her hair and pounded her one square in the face.”

Sherry’s eyes widened. “No!” She gasped. “Oh, did Jenny fight back?”

“Well, no, but I haven’t told you the worst part.” Leon was enjoying this.

“What?”

Leon bent down and whispered. “Reverend Telly was there.”

Sherry rolled her eyes. “Good Lord.”

“He broke it up and sent them both home. Neither of them’s allowed to participate in the dance now.”

Sherry observed the smirk on Leon’s face. “Why are you so happy?”

“Well, this frees up Steven. He was goin’ to the dance with Jenny,” he explained, then winked at Sherry. “I’ll note that it also frees up Lee Givens.”

She tried for nonchalance. “Why should I care?”

“Oh, please,” Leon chided. “Everyone knows Lee and Jenny had a thang. I don’t know what’s so special about that girl, to have both the homos and the heteros wrapped around her dainty little finger.”

“I know for a fact that Jenny and Lee didn’t have a thing,” Sherry argued. “I spoke to her myself just the other day.”

“Huh,” Leon teased. “I thought ya didn’t care.”

…

Walking by Laurie’s Beauty Boutique, Sherry waved to Sarah. Sarah urgently motioned her to come in. Sherry said hello to Mrs. Braverman, who was getting her snow-white hair blown dry. Mrs. Braverman pursed her lips, glaring up at Sarah, looking none too pleased with the interruption.

Sarah ignored the look, speaking over her hair dryer. “Did you hear?”

“About the fight?” Sherry assumed.

“Uh huh…dang! That Martha’s got a mean streak in her!” Sarah turned off the dryer and grabbed a bottle of setting lotion. “Well, at least they settled all the food and music after the hooplah.”

“Leon just gave me the list,” Sherry said, watching Lina Groves walk by. “Damn, I hope she ain’t headed over to Peach Tree.”

Sarah caught Lina in the corner of her eye. “Leon can handle her,” she muttered.

“I better go. I’m just on a coffee run, anyway,” Sherry blushed. “I hope I can keep a straight face when I see Jenny.”

Sarah gave her a how-stupid-are-you look. “Like she don’t know the whole town’s been talkin’.”

“See ya later,” Sherry said, and then waved to Mrs. Braverman.

Vern’s Café was peppered with customers. As Sherry joined the short line-up for coffee, she caught a glimpse of Jenny wearing a visor colored to match her powder blue uniform. Jenny lifted her head to give the customer change from the cash drawer and Sherry saw the large shiner clouding over Jenny’s right eye.

Sherry winced as she approached the counter. “Does it hurt?”

“Naw, I had worse in high school,” Jenny answered casually. “That dang bitch better thank her lucky stars Reverend Telly was there.” She snapped her gum. “I’d a clocked her one back real good.”

“Did Kevin see it?”

Jenny rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I told him I was defendin’ his honor and all, but…”

Sherry sensed her discomfort. “Martha can be a fireball, but she’s real sensitive when it comes to her son.”

“Well, so am I.” Jenny put her hand on her waist, raising her voice. “You know, she ain’t got no right comin’ after my son. At least her son’s got a daddy.”

Sherry looked at the floor, leaning in. “Listen, Martha’d kill me for tellin’ ya this. But Luke…he’s got special needs.”

Jenny squinted. “Whaddya mean?”

Checking behind her to make sure nobody could eavesdrop, Sherry explained. “He goes to the same school as my Denise. He’s hearin’ and speech impaired.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Jenny’s face dropped. “Ain’t that a son-of-a-bitch. I…I didn’t know.”

“You couldn’t have known,” Sherry insisted. “She’s a good friend of mine and we been through a lot together.” She raised her hand defensively. “Not that I’m takin’ sides or nothin’, but I just thought you should know…she ain’t crazy or anything like that.”

“Naw…hey, thanks for tellin’ me.” Jenny waved, filling two Styrofoam cups with coffee. “These are on the house.”

“Thanks.”

As Sherry turned around, she met Alan, coming in for the daily snack run.

“Hey Alan, how’s it goin’?” Sherry asked good-naturedly. “Did ya pick the short straw today?”

“Sure did.”

“Did you have any luck findin’ out what brand of alcohol the bottle left at the fire scene was?”

“Yeah. Turns out Ned was right. It was Absolut Vodka.”

“Any chance you can trace it to the owner?”

“Naw. That’d be like lookin’ for a needle in a haystack.” Alan shook his head. “This is a small town, but not that small. We got a lot of liquor-lovers here unfortunately.”

“Well, did ya know who’s car it was?”

“It was stolen,” Alan explained. “We’re still investigatin’ on that note. It looked like it’d been sittin’ somewhere else a long time. Surprised the thang got hauled over to Grogan Street with flat tires, all rusted out like that.”

Sherry nodded.

“It couldn’t’ve come from that far though, so that’s a help.”

“I’ll see ya later, Alan,” Sherry winked.

“Take care.”

…

The sun was just beginning to set. Gertrude and Sherry had just finished washing up the dinner dishes and Kenny was reading Denise ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ in her bedroom. Sherry looked out the kitchen window. “Sure is a beautiful night tonight. I think I’ll go for a walk.”

“Want company, pumpkin?” Gertrude offered.

“Na. That’s alright. You look tired,” Sherry said, opening the door. “I won’t be long. Just goin’ over towards Baker’s Farm.”

Gertrude nodded, turning out the kitchen light, she headed upstairs to join Kenny and Denise.

There was a pleasant breeze whispering in Sherry’s ear as she walked. Sherry waved and said hello to some of the neighbors sitting on their front porches. Drawing in a deep breath, she began walking towards Jinny Marx’s house, wondering how Mandy was doing without her mom. Sherry felt very blessed for having two healthy and loving parents still with her.

As she walked by the old Marx house, she saw an unfamiliar car parked in the driveway. The front door was open and she could see straight through to the back porch. Living in a small town had its virtues, and one of them was making newcomers feel welcome. Sherry flipped the latch on the front gate and strode slowly up the walkway.

“Hello?” she called, dipping her head inside the doorway. “Anybody home?”

When there was no answer, she stepped down the stairs and began walking towards the side entrance. Suddenly she stopped dead in her tracks. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she flushed. “I didn’t know it was you who bought Jinny’s house.”

She was greeted with steely blue eyes, dark hair and lean muscles tucked underneath a State of Arkansas Fire Department t-shirt.

“Sorry, I…I was just comin’ to welcome ya to the neighborhood.” Sherry stared at the ground, trying to hide her smile.

“Oh, that’s alright, Sherry,” Lee said. “It’s nice to see ya again.” Lee was carrying a large box full of plastic bowls and cups. “Seems I had more stuff in storage ‘n I thought.” He looked at the box, as though he was searching for something else to say, hoping he would find it in there.

“I guess ya don’t need to be welcomed to the neighborhood,” Sherry could feel her face heat. “Can I help you with the box?”

“Sure. It ain’t heavy. You can just put it in the kitchen if ya don’t mind.”

When she took the box, their eyes met. Lee hesitated. “I…I’ll go get the other kitchen box and be right with ya.”

Normally Lee wouldn’t accept help, especially from such a pretty lady, but for some reason he wanted her to stay and wasn’t sure how else to keep her there.

Sherry walked into the house, setting the box on the kitchen table. The table, like much of the furniture left by Mandy, was shabby but still in working condition. Metal legs and a silver-veneered surface remained sturdy after more than thirty years of service.

Jinny’s kitchen hadn’t seen much renovation since the house was built about forty years ago, but like Sherry’s kitchen, they were built to last with oak cabinets and butcher’s-block style counter tops. The house itself was still in great condition save for ratty area carpeting and scuff marks on the hardwood floors.

Sherry began opening the cupboards, looking for a place to put the cups and bowls as Lee walked in.

“Oh, you can just put ‘em anywhere. There ain’t much of it other than this.” He placed the box filled with a frying pan, kettle and hand mixer on the floor.

“Looks like Mandy left ya all Jinny’s old stuff.”

“Yeah. It was awful nice of her seein’ as all I have is old junk from my parent’s attic back home.” Lee lifted the kettle out of the box. “Can I offer ya some tea?”

“Sure. Um. Where do you keep it?” Sherry removed the only two mugs out of the box.

“In the cupboard over the stove. Be careful, the knob’s loose.”