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That distracted me and I told her about my little episode with the city government. They raised the tax on business and didn’t tell me. I got a citation for unpaid taxes. The city police came and took me to jail. They charged me with something, took my mug shot, and told me to pay my taxes. I told them I would not pay the increase because I had not been adequately notified. So, they put me in a cell and said I would stay there until I paid up. How dare they take advantage of a widow! I could have died in there. Okay, well, maybe not died but anyway. . .
I imagined Annie shaking her head on the other end of the telephone. She hollered, “Oh SUGAR! How did you get out?”
I told her some anonymous person paid my taxes the next morning. The newspaper came and took my picture and did a story about “Woman jailed over $5.00.” That was embarrassing for the town and the county, so they let me out. I think it was Larry who paid the taxes. It was more than $5.00, by the way.
Annie was clearly exasperated. She huffed at me. “Good God, Ethel. This is embarrassing for all of us. Some newsman could pick up the story and examine our whole family. What were you thinking?”
I said I was thinking I didn’t have the tax money, and they should have given me warning! And I was thinking they won’t do that to me again. I wash the underwear of most people in town, and they like me keeping my mouth shut. Many of my neighbors came by to tell me they would pay my taxes next year.
The telephone is a good way to talk to people. I can hear when I get people riled up. Annie was fit to be tied, so I moved on.
“I want Marie to go to college. The closest one is in Raleigh—State College. We are going to drive up there next week to look around. We’ll go visit Caroline while we are there. The Pollard bank account will cover Marie’s tuition for all four years. I am excited to see her make something of herself. She is not crazy about the idea. She says I need her here. I do like having her around, but Suzy, Larry, and I can manage things. Suzy has her mind on going to school right here in the county when it is her time.”
Annie paused a moment to calm down before she started talking. Then she started preaching to me. She said, “Ethel, Marie going to college fits right in your plan for life. I am glad you are doing that for her. But going to jail fits no plan. In fact, it wrecks it. This business fits in your plan. You are a woman of means, not a lowlife. Act like one, please! You have plenty of money to pay taxes!”
But she wasn’t finished after that tirade. She had more to say. “And another thing, Larry is also a good man who made a mistake years ago. You pushed away Frank. Don’t do the same with Larry. He’s been back for years now and you just keep him dangling. Go tell him thank you for helping you out. He needs to know he is appreciated. Why don’t you marry that man?”
“We will get married in a church someday,” I told. “That is in the plan. We almost got married before, but that didn’t make him stay around. If at some point Larry and I have a real wedding, he might just stay around because he is supposed to. Now he stays around because he wants to.”
“Ethel, that is ridiculous! You once told me to find a man that is good enough for me, not one that I’m good enough for. Larry is that man for you! Doggonit, Ethel, marry that man before he gets tired of waiting!” Then she hung up the phone. You just gotta love a sister like that!
I had the table set. Soup and sandwiches were waiting. When Larry came in, I said, “Larry, I don’t think I ever thanked you for springing me from the slammer. Thank you. And thank you for all that you do for me and the girls.”
Larry looked straight at my face then looked my whole body up and down for something. He grabbed both of my arms and said, “What the heck, Ethel? Are you sick? Did you see Jesus or something?”
I burst out laughing, “No, Larry. I am fine. Just found a crack in that mean side of me.”
He raised my right arm over his head and spun me around. “Well, let me get a better look at that crack!”
We both sat at the table and ate lunch together. Usually he eats while I buzz around the kitchen. He said, “I like this, but I didn’t bust you from jail. You were being too stubborn for me to want to help. But I did hate seeing you in that jail.” Then he said that I didn’t look good behind bars. Good to know.
It was quiet until we heard the horn of a car. “Shoot, can’t they even wait for me to have lunch?” I said more to myself than to Larry.
I started to get up to see who was there. Larry held me back and said, “Where is that crack of sweetness, Ethel? Let’s keep it here for a while. It’s probably somebody picking up their laundry. Remember you have that sign out there that says ‘Honk for service.’ I’ll go.”
He went out the door. I heard Larry say, “How can I help you?”
I heard a familiar voice answer, “Is E, I mean is Ethel here?” I stiffened.
“She is. Come on in,” responded Larry.
As a man approached the screen door, I knew who it was right away. There were those blue eyes and perfect teeth. I summoned my sweetness and pushed back the anger that rises, even seventeen years later, at the sound of his voice.
Frank said, “Hey, Ethel, you look good!” He looked around for a moment and then he said, “I came to ask you something. And I want to talk to Marie, if I may.”
I couldn’t think of what to say, especially trying to use my nice tone. Larry spoke up to give me time to think what to say.
“Good to see you, Frank. Come in and have a cup of coffee. I need to go back to the washing machines.”
Larry looked toward me and his silent smile said, Come on, girl. You can do this.
I moved toward Frank and offered him a chair. “Marie is not here. She spends most of the summer days with her friends doing what teenagers do. I have something to tell you.” I was going to tell him about State College. Then I said, “But you go first.”
I could tell Larry had not gone far. He was probably standing in the hall so he could listen in.
“Thank you, Ethel. I won’t try to explain all that I have done wrong again. I have told you a thousand times. There is no excuse.”
I said, “Good, Frank. ’Cause I am tired of hearing it. You have tried to make amends. Sometimes that is all we can do.” I was surprised my words came out so nice. But it was true. We can’t keep hashing out the past. Then I asked him why he came.
