Getting the Scoop at Stubby's - Episode 22

Finally the end of the day, thought Josey as she watched Mandy stroll down the sidewalk.

“That one is going to need some hand holding.” Slowly she pulled the cord on the mini blinds, rubbed her aching back and made her way towards the back room. Glancing at the clock, she saw she had to hustle to get home, eat, and still make the prayer meeting tonight.

“Come on Corky, time to go home baby,” she said, fumbling for her keys. She snapped the lights off, pulled the door to and checked to make sure the burglar alarm was set. Giving a nod in Bud Taylor’s direction, she walked to the small parking lot behind her building. Settling into the warm seat of the car, she gave an exaggerated sigh.

“Goodness Corky, now just settle down,” she said, as she adjusted her sunglasses and shot the volume up on her radio. County music blared as she lit a cigarette.

The short drive home gave her a few minutes to think about the meeting tonight. “Good Lord,” she said into the wind, “I’ve been so busy today, I forgot to go over my prayer list. But with all the sin in this town, I don’t think we’ll have any trouble finding someone to pray for. What do you think Corky?”

Corky gave a nod of understanding and then went back to chewing on her old sock that Josey kept in the car for her. Josey sang along with “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town,” as it blared on her radio and just as she was about to reach the crescendo, the announcer broke through.

“Folks, I hope all of you out there are paying close attention to your local weather reports. Hurricane Charlotte is quickly building in strength. . .”

Josey subconsciously turned down the radio as the announcer’s voice droned on.

 “Interrupting my song for that kind of nonsense. Hello, Mr. Announcer,” she said, as she irritably turned the dial, “we are in the middle of the state here. One last stop darling,” she said to Corky, as she wheeled into Stubby’s Drive Thru Liquor store. She pulled forward and noticed the car ahead of her, waiting to pull on to the highway, blinker flashing. Honey colored hair caught her attention.

“What the heck, Corky, you see that baby,” she sputtered.

Her mind was working so quickly she could hardly speak. “Why I don’t believe my eyes. The pastor’s wife, at the liquor store? I knew there was something about that one. What the . . . why I’ve got to let Tootsie know about this.” She began to rummage through her purse for her cell phone.

Pulling forward, she gestured with her hand to Stubby. He was familiar with her hand signals. It meant the usual order, a carton of Virginia Slims 100’s, a bottle of gin and two six packs of beer, whatever was on sale. Stubby couldn’t help but laugh to himself as he watched Josey flailing around with her arms, as she spoke on the phone. She always reminded him of one of those dogs you see in the back window of cars. The ones where the dog’s head rotates back and forth with the movement of the car.

Josey nearly gasped, as Tootsie’s voice boomed through the phone. “Hey Josey, what are you doing? Do you know what time it is? I’m in the middle of getting ready for the prayer meeting.”

“Hush up for one minute, Tootsie. You are not going to believe what I just saw. You know that new preacher’s wife, Mandy? I just spied her leaving Stubby’s Drive Thru. Can you believe that? I told you there was something going on with her. What? I don’t give a hoot and a holler what anybody has to say in this town. Just because I am head of the prayer group does not mean I have to change my life. The Lord wouldn’t have put me in this position if He didn’t think I had something that group needed. I didn’t call to be preached at by you.”

As usual, Tootsie was lecturing Josey on how she should not be frequenting Stubby’s in the light of day. As he handed Josey her change she covered the phone with her hand and whispered, “Stubby, you know that car ahead of me? Who was that?”

Adjusting his pants and rolling the tobacco in his jaw, he smiled and said with a big yellow grin, “Why Josey, I do believe you are wanting some info from me. Now that might just cost you something.” He had been trying to get a date with Josey for eight years.

“Go on, you know I don’t date divorced men. You all carry too much baggage for me,” she said, as she adjusted the volume on her phone.

“Well for your information, that little lady bought a small bottle of brandy. That was one hot looking woman. I haven’t ever seen her before, but she can cruise through my drive through all day long. She had a northern accent, that’s about all I can tell you. You going to need some extras with the storm coming?” he asked, as he handed Josey her purchases and gave her side door a slap.

She gave him a wave and continued her conversation with Tootsie.

“Well Stubby just told me he sold her a gigantic bottle of bourbon. Now what would a preacher’s wife be doing with bourbon?  I can hardly stand this. Just when I was in hopes the Lord was sending a shepherd to bring correction to this trash heap of a town, I find out the shepherd’s wife is fleecing the flock. Well I gotta go now. See you in about 45 minutes. Time I drop Corky off, touch up my face and have a little prayer time, I’ll be good as new. I feel like the Lord is going to do something mighty tonight.”

 Stay tuned for the next episode!

Just a Touch of Sweetness - Episode 21

Mandy shuddered. She’d been the object of too many welcoming committees. Too many towns and cities had given them the right hand of welcome and the left foot of fellowship. All she could think of was a group of nosey women strolling up to her front door, inspecting every flower and weed in the yard, and checking to see if the windows had been washed.

She had never grown past the feeling of being violated. It was worse now, since she had the kids. Mandy figured it must be her motherly instinct that caused her hair to stand on end. When that horde of women would surround her kids, cooing and clucking over them, it took everything she had not to slap their gnarly fingers from her children’s sweet cheeks.

“Honey, you doing okay?” asked Josey. She noticed that Mandy had gotten real quiet.

“Now don’t let that Tootsie scare you. She’s got a heart as big as the moon and she means well. If Tootsie takes a liking to you, you’ve got a friend for life, believe me.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” said Mandy, as she relaxed under Josey’s soothing hands. “It’s just a little overwhelming. What with unpacking, two kids, a new church, and being so far away from my family, you know.”

“Well, I can’t say as I do know, because this town is all I’ve ever known,” said Josey, as she dried Mandy’s hair. “And kids…well if the good Lord has a plan for me, then He better jack some guy in the head, because I’m not getting any younger. Not to mention, if my eggs sit any longer, they’ll be hardboiled,” Josey said with a laugh. “But my, my, I do love children. Always wanted a whole yard full of them. Now though, it seems like I’ll have to settle for just a pair.”

Mandy watched as Josey whipped the blow dryer out and began methodically drying her hair, section by section. The warm air soothed her and she closed her eyes. It was so seldom Matt had time to watch the kids for her that she was determined to enjoy every moment of the pampering. Besides, with her eyes closed, hopefully it was a signal to Josey that she was finished talking. She had enough to digest with just Tootsie and Josey. If they were any prelude to what awaited her, then Lord help her to get through meeting the entire congregation.

Josey had enough experience doing women’s hair to know when a woman just wanted to relax, so she used the time to study Mandy. She found herself envious of the young woman, and for Josey, that was unusual. There was something about this one that seemed to be bursting with sweetness . . . a goodness that was not seen too much in Carington.

  

Maybe it was the monotonous lives, the sameness, the going nowhere for so many people in town, the only way they had to bring drama into their lives was to create it. Constant sniping, griping and backbiting was a way of life, and they had all grown accustomed to it. Without it, what in the world was there to talk about? thought Josey.

She pulled her brush through the silky strands and gave the ends a little flip. The hair just rippled through her fingers. Josey had forgotten what it felt like to handle such pretty hair. She undid the towel around Mandy’s neck and spun her around to look at her handi-work. Mandy shook her head and the honey waterfall floated around her shoulders and down her back. Her cheeks were flushed from the blow dryer, giving her an unusually healthy glow. She smiled at Josey in the mirror.

Josey once more ran her fingers through the shiny locks. “Now, don’t you look pretty. You just keep your head up high and don’t let the folks in this town get you down. If you believe the Lord sent you here for a purpose, then you and your husband hold on to that. Give Him time to work on some hearts and everything will be all right.”

“Thank you Josey, that is so sweet,” said Mandy, as she fairly bounced out of the chair. “How did you know I needed to hear that?” she asked with a little laugh. “And I am going to take your advice. It was so nice meeting you, and I will be back, you can bet on that. Now if I can talk Matt into babysitting for me more often, I may even get extravagant and take time for a manicure and pedicure. Can you tell me where I can get some stamps and the best place for groceries?”

“Well you’re talking to the right person about stamps,” laughed Josey. “They call me the sweepstaking queen around here. The post office is right down the street on your right and the Piggly Wiggly is where you want to go for groceries. Make sure you shop on Wednesday mornings though, because that’s when all the sales start. If you’re not there at the crack of dawn, Mertis Taylor and Glenda Jackson will clean off those shelves.”

Tilting her head Mandy asked, “What do you mean sweepstaking?”

“Never mind honey, that’s for another day. Call me anytime for an appointment.”

She watched as Mandy gently opened the door, poked her head out and looked back.

“Go on girl, you go get em,” Josey said, as she flicked her wrist, her thumbs pointed upright, in a sign of victory.

Stay tuned for the next episode!

Mandy Makes Her Move - Episode 19

A crisp white tee shirt dove into jeans that encased a perfect size six figure. Oh boy, thought Josey, this cannot be good. As Mandy reached out her hand in greeting, Josey took in the well-manicured nails that matched the petite, cocoa painted toes. My word, even her lipstick matches her nails, thought Josey, this one has style.

“Hi, I’m Mandy and thank you for taking me on such short notice. We just moved in and with all the unpacking, I haven’t had time to do anything with my hair. Tonight we’re meeting the congregation for the first time, so I think I need some work. My husband, Matt Brennan, is the new pastor of Trinity church. I’ve been admiring your little town and I just love it.”

Little town, thought Josey, now isn’t that just like someone from the city, but she couldn’t help but like this woman. Maybe it was her eyes, or her soft voice. When Josey looked past the Barbie doll image she felt, rather than saw, that this woman had something going on, and it was going to be her mission to find out just what that was.

“Have a seat honey and let’s see what we can do for you.”

Josey called over to Tootsie, who was nonchalantly acting like she was reading a magazine.

“Tootise, there is the new pastor’s wife. Mandy, this is Tootsie, Tootsie, Mandy.”

Tootsie quickly dried her toes, wedged them into her shoes and plunked herself on the chair next to Mandy.

“Now, you’re just too cute. Where exactly do you come from? I’ve got to tell you, the whole town is sitting on pins and needles waiting on both of you.”

Before Mandy could respond to any of the questions, Tootsie went on, “Well Josey and I are both members of Carington Heights church and have been, long as we can remember. Josey is actually head of our prayer group. It’s supposed to be a surprise, but the whole committee is going to drop by to welcome you here. Were you really in the Peace Corps in Africa?” As she stopped to catch her breathe, Josey interrupted.

“Good Lord Tootsie, you trying to scare this one off? You’ve not let her answer one question. You’re mouth’s running like a jack hammer and if you don’t watch it, you’re gonna get your eye started on that ticking business again.”

Tootsie anxiously rubbed her eyes. “What, is it doing it again?” she asked.

“No,” Josey laughed. “I just said, if you don’t slow down, it’s going to.”

Mandy gave a big smile. “Oh don’t worry about scaring me. I love meeting new people and yes, I was in the Peace Corps and enjoyed every minute of it. When you see the needs of so many people, you realize how blessed you are. If I hadn’t gotten pregnant with my daughter, I think I would have stayed there.”

“Daughter, you’ve got a daughter?” asked Josey. “Honey, you don’t look old enough to be out of high school, let alone have a daughter. How old is she?”

Josey pumped up the chair and clipped a towel around Mandy’s petite shoulders. “Well, I have a beautiful four year old daughter named Madison and Mathew is my eighteen month old son. They keep me pretty busy, which is why I’m so grateful you could squeeze me in. Matt’s at home watching the two of them now.”

Tootsie had been silent long enough and leaned over towards Mandy’s chair so she could be heard over the running water. Josey ran her hands through Mandy’s thick hair, silently admiring it.

“How long has your husband been preaching?” Tootsie asked.

Josey silenced her with a look, as she continued washing Mandy’s hair. “Mandy’s here for some relaxation, so you just hush for a while. I’m sure she hardly gets out from under those two babies, so let her enjoy it.”

Tootsie was a little put off. She had always jealously guarded her and Josey’s friendship. She didn’t take kindly to anyone who even hinted at being of interest to Josey. She opened her purse and rummaged for her lipstick. “Well I’ve got to go. I’ll see you tonight at the prayer meeting Josey, and Mandy, it was so nice meeting you. I’m sure I’ll see you real soon. When the committee shows up to welcome you, act surprised okay. No use letting on that I let the cat out of the bag.”
Stay tuned for the next episode!

The Finger of God-Episode 18

She glanced at her watch and saw she had about fifteen minutes before her appointment. Just enough time for one quick smoke, she thought. Making a beeline for her car, she hastily opened the door and fumbled for her cigarettes. Ducking her head, she pulled on the cigarette and let the nicotine settle her. Like a fugitive, she fervently watched, making sure no one could see her. She had this down to a science. She kept a plastic container of handy wipes in her car at all times, alongside her saving grace, peppermint breath mints. Just a few more puffs to steady her nerves, she thought. Pulling down the mirror she gave herself the once over. She made sure there was no pecans from the cinnamon bun wedged between her teeth, threw out her cigarette butt and popped a peppermint into her mouth. Sliding some Coffee Kahlua lipstick over her full lips, she gave a jerk to her lopsided ponytail and smacked her lips.

“It’s show time,” she said aloud. How many times had she been through this? How many new places and faces had she been forced to deal with over the years? Her sincere love of people is what sustained her. She refused to believe man could possibly be so evil, and that is why she never gave up on people. She had a handful of good friends and all the other people she’d met throughout her life were mere acquaintances. The few she allowed to get close to her accepted all her flaws, her own private demons.

It was a good thing she was a creative person because she had to constantly be “on” when she was before the people. It was an unwritten requirement for all pastor’s wives that they always smile, forgive, and above all else, be holy. Mandy laughed to herself. And as soon as I find the secret to all those things, I will have arrived, she thought. She took a deep breath, reminded herself who she was in the Lord, and set out for one more battle, the beauty shop.

Now every woman knows about beauty salons. They are like being the new kid on the block that everyone is wary of. Until you establish a relationship with “the girls,” everything you do and say is chewed on like a piece of bubble gum, and if you’re not careful, you’re liable to get spit out.

The allure of the small town settled Mandy down. She was determined to enjoy herself today and build a new life for herself here. No one knew anything about her, so if she wanted to, she could use this opportunity to recreate herself. Be anyone or anything she wanted to be. It was all in how she presented herself to others, and that was an exciting thought.

Josey’s Dippity Do Beauty Salon was painted across the huge picture window in stenciled letters with flowers dotting the i’s and hanging on the tails of the y’s. That’s cute, Mandy thought, as she grabbed a hold of the doorknob. Taking one last deep breath, she arranged a smile on her face and opened the door. She let her eyes adjust, if that was possible. What she saw made her think she had stepped back in time, instead of into a beauty salon.

The walls were Pepto Bismo pink, the strong odor of permanents stung her eyes, and everywhere she looked there were pictures of naked babies. Suppressing a laugh, her eyes waited for some Disney character to pop out of a flower and when they landed on Josey, she was not disappointed.

Josey had a few seconds herself, to quickly survey her new customer. Long honey colored hair was held hostage by a pink scrungee, but wisps of the fine hair had escaped and framed a perfectly shaped oval face. The thickest eyelashes Josey had ever seen shielded huge amber eyes, and two dimples drew attention to a set of lush lips.

Looks like the finger of God went and stamped His approval on that face, thought Josey. The Lord may have given His approval, but once the women in town saw this one, watch out. They’d forgive you for most anything, except good looks. Somehow they just couldn’t get past that jealousy.

Stay tuned for the next episode!