Page 14 of Fate
“Like shorts and maybe a bikini top?” Belle said.
“A bikini?” Liberty chuckled. “Oh, wow…Well, we’d better hurry then.”
Belle chuckled. “Look who's eager to wash cars now.”
He laughed with her. “Sure. And seeing you in a bikini is the cherry on top.”
“Boo! On the cheap joke, Lib. Come on, man!” I scolded him.
“I agree. That was corny as hell.” Belle smiled and shook her head. “I’m just gonna wear what I have on, I guess?” Briget said as she wore jean shorts and a t-shirt.
I shrugged as I wore some old jeans and a T-shirt. “Me too. I don’t see any reason to change just to wash cars. But I will get us some drinks.” I looked over at her and asked, “Coke, Dr. Pepper or water?”
She laughed. “Always Dr. Pepper.”
I chuckled too. “Yeah, the southern drink.”
“People who aren't from the South think the top beverage here is iced tea,” Belle said. “But they would be wrong.”
“Blasphemy!” Ma exclaimed as she walked by. “Dems fightin’ words here, sweet pea.” She laughed.
Glory followed behind her while carrying a big serving bowl. “Hands down, Ma's sweet tea is the best!”
“Way to suck up to theMa Boss, Glory. I admire that,” Briget teased her.
Glory laughed. “Hey, now…I’m not stupid, girl. I know where my bread is buttered!”
“Smart young woman, she is,” Ma agreed. “And pretty as a China tea cup too.”
“Yep, just like a pink tulip on a Sunday mornin.’ ” Briget nodded.
Ma actually stopped in her tracks to turn and look at Briget. “Where did you learn southern speak?”
Briget shrugged. “My Mama. She used to rule the roost with her ways.”
Ma paused and took a closer look at Briget. “Your Mama? Now that I look at ya, I see the resemblance.” She looked surprised now. “Don’t know why I never saw it before. You are a spittin image of her when she was young! We went to school together too. Grace was a good soul. A righteous woman and as lovely as spun sugar.”
Briget looked a little upset as she replied, “She woulda felt real proud to hear you saying that. She used to tell me how much she admired you and your husband. Always trying to help the families of the town.”
Ma came over and opened her arms.
Briget moved into her embrace. “I miss her terribly,” she whispered to Ma as tears filled her eyes. “Life just hasn’t been the same without her.”
Belle looked like she might cry too.
Looking troubled, Liberty took her hand.
“She was a woman after my own heart and a pillar in this town,” Ma said. “The church organist and a damned good one too. Her voice as a singer was beautiful enough to make the angels stop and listen.”
Briget let out a little sob as she admitted, “I still cannot listen to Amazing Grace without crying my eyes out.”
“Yup, me too,” Ma said as she gently patted Briget on the back. “Her voice reached the heavens alright. No one lovelier than Gracey.”
Both women then cried loudly as they hugged.
I shook my head as I really didn’t know what to do. Maybe hand them some tissues?
Walking by the other way now, Glory tossed me a washcloth. Then she grinned and mouthed at me,“You like her!”
