“I thought she would appreciate the grand gesture. It’s my grandmother’s ring and on my momma’s birthday…”
“Oh heaven have mercy, Dane,” Charlie was cackling now. Through the leaves, I could see him bending over onto his knees, holding himself up as his body shook.?
“Charlie, please go ask around to the busboys and see if anyone has a valium,” Sutton commanded. “They’re all suspiciously mellow today, so they might have some good shit.”?
Charlie sauntered back toward the house on a mission, trying to catch his breath from laughing.?
“You’re in deep shit, Dane. Deep. Shit. Are you pulling this stunt because your brother’s here? Or is it because you’ve been acting like a real shithead lately?” Sutton meant business. I could hear it in her voice.?
He shook his head. “No. Myfatherand I have been discussing it all afternoon, and Momma thought it was such a good idea, she brought down my mimi’s ring.” There was a hint of smugness to his voice. “My parents thought it might be a nice way to let everyone know that Magnolia had moved on. I mean, I guess because my brother’s home…”?
I could practically smell Sutton’s irritation brewing through the twigs and leaves.
“Jesus,” she let out a long, heavy breath. “Anything, Charlie?” Charlie was back and handed something over to Sutton.?
“I’m not developing a pill problem over this! I might feel better if you all went away!” I cried.?
“The bush speaks,” Sutton mused. “Come on out of there, sweetie. Charlie found you a joint and a bottle of tequila.”?
“Only if Dane goes away.” I sounded—and felt—like a child.?
“Alright, I’m going. Give me that. She’s not going to smoke it.” Dane grabbed the joint out of Sutton’s hand and stomped off.?
“Is he gone?” I waited a few beats before I crawled on all fours out of the bush, my periwinkle tea-dress now covered in dirt and regret.?
Sutton bent down to pick pieces of brush out of my hair. “This is, hands down, the most extra dramatic bullshit I have ever seen. Honest to God, next time just go home. It’s not like it’s a very far walk.”?
Charlie crossed his arms and glared at me like he was upset, but the way the corner of his lip tipped up, I could tell how amused he was.?
“He was chasing me. I didn’t have a choice. I felt like a giant ring was charging down the hallway at me, and I panicked. And y’all know I can’t move fast after all that booze and food in these shoes.” I grabbed the bottle of tequila from Sutton, took a hefty swig, and handed it back to her. “We could all use a drink right now,” I said.?
***
With the party winding down, I took refuge behind the azalea plant again, trying to stay out of sight. A wave of guilt washed over me. I hadn’t even managed to catch Eunice all day, and here I was, once again, making everything about me.
“So, I hear you’ve had an eventful day. I’m not at all surprised.” Lee was standing just below the veranda, looking up at me from the yard where, not too long ago, I’d been squatting among the bushes like a spy who’d bungled her mission. He had his hands in his pockets, and when I turned to meet his stare, I saw him grinning like he’d just caught me in a particularly ridiculous moment of a sitcom.
Which was exactly what that doomed afternoon felt like.?
“Please don’t.” I shook my head. “This day has been traumatizing enough as it is.”?
His smile quickly changed to a slight frown, and he rocked a little bit on his heels. “Come on down here and talk to me, Maggie. I won’t bite.”
I looked around to make sure I wouldn’t bump into anyone, especially his brother, as I made my way down the stairs.?
A small, gliding porch swing hung under the veranda, in one of the few shaded areas in the Wilder backyard. When we were kids, we would practically live under there, hiding from the sun and his parents. I’d read a book, and Lee would strum at his guitar, furiously scribbling lyrics in his notebook, every now and again stealing a glance at me.?
“Sit down, Maggie. I told you I won’t bite.” He patted the seat next to him, and I settled in, kicking my legs out. The chair swung back and forth, creaking with the sound of rust and years gone by.?
“I can’t believe him,” I confessed.?
Lee gave a resigned sigh. “I can. He’s loved you a real long time. Can’t say I blame the guy for being overly enthusiastic.” I could feel him smiling next to me, but I couldn’t look his way.?
“We’ve only been going out for a few months. I never even—” I stopped myself and sighed, putting my face in my hands. Lee always had a way of stealing the truth from me. He didn’t need to hear about my lack of intimacy with his brother, though.?
He was quiet for a minute and then tapped my leg softly, sending a shiver down my spine.?“I told Momma you were having such a great time, but you got into the pecan pie and gave yourself a wicked stomachache like you do, so you had gone home to rest it off. She’s sorry to have missed you, but she’s glad you had a good time.”?
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and finally turned to face him. “Thanks, Lee. I mean it.”?
