Page 75 of Home Body
“Oh, nothing.” She blinked like a cagey teenager trying to get out of trouble. “It’s just that he put in a bathroom back there in what used to be the utility room, and there’s a back porch that I’d love to have closed in for my sewing room someday. So, as you can see, I have everything I need right here. There’s total privacy in that big old upstairs. It’s like an apartment all its own practically.”
“I see.” He leaned in, his hands in his pockets.
“But there’s something I need you to know, Brody.”
“What might that be?”
Mamie sat down on the side of the bed. “Well, when Dalia marries again, if she and her husband ever decide they want their own place, I would completely understand. They could build whatever they want on any part of this property they choose. She says she’ll never leave the farm but even if thathappens, I would be okay. Her first responsibility would be to her husband and children. I expect and respect that.”
Brody took a seat beside her. “I see. What if this husband of hers was okay with living here. That’s okay with you?”
“Oh my, yes. Butch and I always wanted a big family.”
“This husband of Dalia’s would no doubt want to support the family – including the house and farm and expenses. If he happened to be somebody like me, I’m afraid he wouldn’t make enough money to do that. He’d feel bad about that.”
“Oh goodness, don’t be silly.” She slapped his knee. “This house was in Butch’s family for generations. There’s no mortgage or anything. It’s meant to be passed down. Dalia’s sheep business takes care of the animal expenses. She loves those sheep! Butch left us with enough to get by just fine for years to come. We can’t afford extras but we’re not destitute. And we make a nice bit on our own with baking. Hopefully, we’ll make more with the bakery. Another income would be a bonus, but I’d expect this husband to put part of his earnings aside for his family’s future. Wouldn’t you?”
“Mamie Blackburn, do you realize what a gift that would be?”
“Of course. That was the plan Butch and I made long ago once our girl came into our lives. Just thinking about it made us so happy.”
“You and Butch were such excellent parents. And you still are.”
“Well, be that as it may, a lot of men don’t like living with their mother-in-law.”
“Those men don’t have you for a mother-in-law. Who can cook like you do, no less.” He put an arm around her shoulder and drew her close.
Mamie guffawed, slapped his knee, and stood up. “Well, glad that’s settled.”
When they went back into the kitchen, Dalia and Rose quietly sat at the table.
“You done talkin’?” Rose wanted to know.
“Yes, we are.” Mamie patted Brody’s shoulder.
Dalia sent Rose upstairs to get ready for bed, with a promise that someone would be up to read to her. Innocently happy as a child should be, Rose trotted upstairs with Rover.
The adults went out on the front porch. Mamie and Dalia sat in the swing and Brody in a chair as they watched the sun go down on the horizon. That magnificent spectacle was different every single evening and marveling over it never got old.
Mamie broke the spell of silence by casually saying, “Dalia, there’s something I never told you about your dad and me.”
“Really? What’s that?”
“It isn’t the kind of thing you want your teenaged daughter to know lest she get ideas that feed her immature, hormonal impulsivity. You know that Butch and I knew each other, of course, when we were young. The black community in Farmdale was small. But he was older and I was just a little kid to him when he went into the Army. It was when he came back and I’d grown up and he came home looking so handsome and captivating in his uniform that we, shall I say, clicked. We got married three days after setting eyes on each other. It would’ve been sooner except that’s the waiting period for a license in Michigan.”
“What? Mama! I had no idea. I mean, it ended up great, but you’re right. That was rather impulsive.”
“Mamie,” Brody said, “I think it’s romantic. There’s no need to wait when you know it’s true love.”
“Exactly. No need to wait. It’s Monday. If someone were to go register for a marriage license tomorrow on Tuesday, they’d have it no later than Friday. They’d be all set for a nice weekend wedding. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a wedding right here onthe farm? Especially this time of year surrounded by the scent of our lilacs?” She inhaled as dramatically as an actress on stage, her show of feigning innocence masterful. “Why, they’ll be done blooming before long.” She chuckled at her own performance and got up. “I’ll go check on Rose.”
Once the screen door closed behind her mama, Dalia shook her head in disbelief. “She’s as subtle as a steamroller. We’ve been played.”
He grinned. “Yup. And I love it.”
She went over and snuggled into his lap. “So, what do you say?”
“Dalia Blackburn, are you proposing to me?”
