Southern Seduction (28 page)

“May?” I shook my head, trying to take all of this in. “Do you even have a plan? I mean, you said it yourself—you could be disowned and unable to get by around here.”

“And you said somethin’ so simple and brilliant that I never really fully thought of. Don’t get me wrong, the thought occurred, but it left as quickly as it came,” she said, then paused as the waitress brought our orders. We both offered a curt smile before she left us to our food and conversation. “I’m leavin’ town,” she spat out as soon as we had our privacy again.

“How? And where are you going?”

“For a while now, I’ve been puttin’ money aside in a box that I have hidden under a floorboard in my closet. I’ve never had any real reason, except I must’ve always known there would be a day that it was rainin’ so hard, I’d need it. I only pray that my sisters have kept up with theirs.” She shakes her head.

“Do you have enough? Where are you going?” I was in awe, and so proud and scared for her all at the same time.

“I’ll know by the end of the week. But I think I’m going to North Carolina. It’s affordable there, and they have great schools. I’ll need to change my major and focus on getting’ in to medical school,” she said before throwing a forkful of omelet into her mouth and smiling real big. She looked goofy as hell, and, well—happy.

For the rest of our lunch (or second breakfast), we went over plans for her great escape. I spent my breaks that week on the Internet, trying to find apartments and jobs for her to check out. I haven’t heard from her since the night she got on the bus. She left her cell phone behind and promised to get one there, but then worried about calling me. I told her to call the Taylors’ house, but she shook her head adamantly and said she would write. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t call me here.

“What’s it say?” Alma asks as she brings over our coffee. She and I have grown quite close. (And you’re wondering about Kip, aren’t you? Well, first things first here.)

“I’m just opening it now.” I smile and slide my finger under the flap. I pull the letter out and unfold it. Alma gives me an encouraging nod when I look up at her. I clear my throat.

July 4, 2014

Dear Shelby,

Ha! Would you look at the date? The irony! Lol. Sorry it’s taken so long to send you this note, cuz. I’m hoping that my paranoia will subside soon and I can communicate with you like normal people do in this century! It is fun, though, to have a pen pal. Mama told me once that she used to have a ton of pen pals and how much she loved going to the mailbox every day to see which one sent her new news!

Anywho—enough about that! I have to say I really love it here. It’s a lot busier than our town, but Holly Springs is a very lovely place to live! I’ve settled in nicely at my new apartment. It’s not like home, obviously, but it’s quite spacious for little old me. I feel secure having other people surrounding me. It’s like a pseudo security blanket, although, I wish the people upstairs would turn their music down sometimes.

I’ve started a new job already, assisting a professor at the state university here! My old professor’s letter of recommendation fell into the hands of an old colleague! Lucky for me, right?

I’ve paid my rent for the next year and I start classes in the fall. What’s left of my savings is nothing to scoff at, but nothing to sit back and be lazy over, either. I took a couponing class the other day and was amazed as to how much I can save! I guess between that and my extensive knowledge in finances, I’m going to be all right!

How are my sisters? Can you please ask Mrs. Taylor if she would mind me sending letters to them there? I do hope you write back soon. I’m anxious for any news I can get.

Shelby, I really wish that we had gotten to spend more time together. I remember when we were kids and saw each other more, you and I always hit if off straight away. There’s something about our bond. No matter how much time has passed, I always feel a connection to you. I hope I’m not creeping you out, but I get the sense that you feel it, too.

Please give everyone my love the best way you can. I don’t want my sisters to know where I am yet. You know the whole “can’t spill the beans if you ain’t got any” theory. I just don’t think Big Daddy would come to you for information, so you’re the safest person for me to communicate with.

Give Mama a hug for me—or, at least, a mental one.

Talk soon! Love and miss you!

May

P. S. How’s Kip?

How’s Kip? Why would she ask about Kip and not the other Taylors?

“I’m so glad she is safe!” Alma sighs. “And she seems happy, don’t she?”

“Yes, she does!” I smile.

“How have her sisters been?” She looks over the brim of her mug as she takes in another sip.

“Well ... ha ... things have been very strange over at the Johnson place.” I get up and check on the biscuits.
Just perfect.
I pull them out and set them on top of the stove.

“Honey, things are always strange over there. The strangest is Bea.”

“Aunt Bea is quite off, isn’t she?”

“I know she’s your aunt and I mean no disrespect, but there’s somethin’ just not right with her. Been that way for twenty years or so.” She gets up and helps me gather everything to display for breakfast.

“That’s a long time, Alma. No one’s ever tried to talk to her or help her?”

“Not with that uncle of yours. She’s not allowed to have friends or do nothin’. He’s made her life a livin’ hell. She’s a prisoner. My heart breaks for her. She was gonna leave him once.” Alma closes her eyes and shakes her head sadly at this mention.

“What happened?”

“The man she was leavin’ him for died in a convoy explosion in Saudia Arabia,” she says, her voice shaking.

“Gulf War?”

“Yes. C’mon now, let’s get the boys down here for breakfast.” She wipes her eyes and quickly grabs a dish. I stand there, perplexed. I want to ask her who this guy was, as it seems Alma knew him—I think. Why else would she tear up at the mention of him? However, if I’ve learned anything about Alma these past three weeks, it’s that when she’s done talking about something, she’s done.

I bring the bowl of sausage gravy into the dining room and notice the Taylor boys all shuffling in.

“Shelby, can you go get Kip? I don’t know why he’s been draggin’ his feet lately.”
Damn it.

“Yes, ma’am,” I barely say and head down the hall to find his room.

I’ve been doing my best to avoid Kip. I have to admit, he has been giving me my space. Maybe the novelty of
fresh meat
has worn off. Who knows? I’ve only been to his room once before, to bring him clean sheets. I couldn’t help but laugh at all the cowboy paraphernalia. Kip was not pleased to find me in there, especially when I was laughing. He had grabbed the sheets out of my hand and told me to get the hell out. It was completely out of character for him. Well, as much of his character as I know at this point.

His brothers have been teasing him an awful lot lately. More so than before. Apparently, Kip is a free man. He’s cut ties with every girl he was seeing. Yeah, I still get a nasty lump in my throat thinking about him with the plural form of “girl.” How many did he have? It’s just sick! What a gigolo!

Needless to say, between his brothers teasing him and me laughing at his room, over the next few days he had cleared most of it out for donation. I didn’t say a word, or even give him a teasing look. Why bother?

“Kip?” I say as I knock. “Kip!” He doesn’t answer, so I check the knob and find the door unlocked. Opening it, I walk in. Kip is still lying in bed, which is very unusual. I make my way over to his bed and sit next to him. He’s soaked with sweat. I touch his forehead.
Shit.
He’s burning up. I smooth his dirty blond hair away before getting up to head into his bathroom. I retrieve a facecloth from the linen closet and run it under cold water, then head back out to him. “Kip, I’m going to put this cold cloth on your head. You’re burning up. Can you hear me?” I ask as I place it. My hand slides down his cheek and stays put as I listen to his soft groans.
He’s so handsome.
Ugh, Shelby, pull yourself together! I start to move my hand away, but he grabs it and opens his eyes.

“Shelby?” he barely manages.

“Kip, you’re burning up. Let me go get your mom.” I try to pull away.

“No. Stay.” He presses my hand harder to his face. We stare at each other. “Christ, you’re beautiful, Shelby,” he almost whispers. Suddenly he groans and jerks up, making a face that has me grabbing his cowboy garbage pail and holding it under his mouth as the contents of his stomach pour out. Between the gut-wrenching sounds, the visual effects, and the smell, I’m about ready to join him. “I’m sorry,” he groans before he goes at it for another round. I just hold the pail and rub his back. What else can I do? With one last groan, he plops his head back onto his pillow. I put the pail down and quickly wipe his face and mouth with the cloth.

“You’re the one,” he mumbles before he drifts back to sleep.
Huh?

I get up, grabbing the pail, and head to the bathroom to clean it out. Just as I turn to bring it back out, I find Alma coming in.

“He’s sick, Alma. He’s running a fever and just threw up.” I wiggle the can at her for emphasis before returning it to his bedside.

“I had a feelin’ he was comin’ down with somethin’. He was off all day yesterday,” she says as she feels his head. “Would you mind helpin’ me look after him? I have so much to do today, and I’m headin’ down to help Rosie with her quiltin’ shop. I can’t cancel on her—she’s had a death in the family.”

“I’ll take care of him. Don’t worry,” I offer. I almost wish I could take it back, though. I’ve done a pretty good job of avoiding him for the past few weeks. I’d like to keep it that way.

“Thank you, honey. Now we best get breakfast done. Don’t worry about any of the other chores I lined up for you today. You just take care of my boy.” She kisses his forehead before placing the new washcloth I gave her on it.

It’s been two days since Kip got sick. The doctor said it was a nasty viral thing that’s been popping up here and there. He should be better within a few days. I’ve been taking care of him for the most part. He’s spent just about all his time asleep. When he does wake up, he says the same thing to me over and over again—
you’re the one.
I’m not quite sure what to make of it.

I’ve been staying in a spare room at the Taylors’, and to be quite honest, I’ve thought several times to ask Alma if there was any way we could make that a permanent situation. Things have just been getting stranger at my cousins’. Uncle Big Daddy has been a nightmare to deal with. He wants to know where May is and has come down hard on the girls. He won’t let them leave at all. Poor Aunt Bea. I don’t even want to think about what he’s done to her. He screams at her every night, calling her worthless and whatnot.

Maggie has changed drastically. I think she’s getting ready to follow May out the door. And, well, Missy ... she’s just a whole ‘nother story. That girl’s mood has been all over the place. I find it remarkable that all of their boyfriends broke it off with them in the same week. Well, Maggie said she left hers. It’s just all strange. I really don’t know what to make of it.

The whole situation over there is just creeping me out. Uncle Big Daddy is terser with me, too, although he doesn’t see me much. I like to keep it that way.

I grab the tea I’ve made for Kip and head to his room. Knocking gently, I let myself in. Kip pushes himself up into a seated position on his bed.

“Hey, you’re up.” I offer him a pleased smile.

“Looks that way, huh?” He rubs his face.

“I brought you some tea.” I hand it to him and immediately place my hand on his head. “Fever’s broke,” I say as I slide his hair away like I always do. His eyes close at this, almost as if he’s savoring it.

“Shelby,” he breathes.

“Are you hungry? Do you want some toast?” I ask as he takes my hand and brings it down his face. He turns his head into my palm and gently kisses the center. My heart flutters up to my throat. He kisses my palm again, then my wrist. I almost whimper as his teeth graze my skin. “Wh ... what are you doing, Kip?” I finally manage to say. He releases my hand and stares at me.

“Sorry, Red.” He smiles sheepishly and passes me his teacup. I set it on his nightstand.

“What can I get you?”

“Just your company, please.”

“Do you feel like taking a shower?” I play with the hem of one of his pillowcases.

“Why, Shelby, that’s very forward of you.” He laughs lightly. I give him a quizzical look, then laugh along with him when I realize what I said. “Actually, I managed to take one already. I even brushed my own teeth.” He gives me a wide grin, showing them off. I release another nervous laugh.

“Well then, I’ll go and see what your mom needs.” I start to stand up, but he pulls my arm.

“Can you read to me?”

“Read to you?” I try not to roll my eyes. “You’re gonna milk this nursemaid thing, aren’t you?”

“What? I’m still sick!” He pouts, and goddamn it if it isn’t cute!

“What do you want me to read?” I look around.