A Virtuous Woman (Oprah's Book Club) by Kaye Gibbons

Author:Kaye Gibbons [Gibbons, Kaye]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780375703065
Amazon: 0375703063
Publisher: Vintage Books
Published: 1997-11-05T05:00:00+00:00

10•

Jack came in the house, kissed me like I knew he would. Now he’s gone again, gone down to the store to meet his pinball game. I should’ve gone with him. I usually do. I just didn’t think I’d be much fun today, and even a short walk seems to ruin me lately.

I wonder what mama would have to say about me sitting here alone as I am, waiting for Jack’s pinball game to break up, no friends to speak of, except Burr and June, my brothers and their families. I bet she’d want to know if I could say I’m happy in spite of everything, living so far out here, being sick. She’d say, “Tell me, has there been a single ounce of good to come of all you’ve been through?”

I’d look around the house, far as I can see from this kitchen table, while mama waits for an answer, and I’d show her Jack’s old brogans in the corner by the broom, the picture of a snowman June made for me that Jack had framed, photographs I brought back when I went home for daddy’s funeral, especially the one of me holding my little prize Schubert bust at my ten-year piano recital, and then I’d say, “Well, mama, I do believe I am. In spite of everything, I do believe I’ve been happy. That John Woodrow time was something I went through to get where I am, and I can appreciate good now because of it.” Surely that would satisfy her.

June’s been about as much reason for the good I’ve felt as any other, all those times she’d run to Jack and me. I couldn’t count how many mornings we got up and found her sitting on our front porch, swinging, waiting for us to start stirring, Saturdays, summer days, school holidays. She still comes to see us about every other weekend. I’ve been making some clothes for her to take on a cruise this winter.

Since I’ve been sick June’s brought me a present every time she’s visited. I’ve told her not to bring me anything, but I feel like I have to accept the things, and when she leaves I take the robes and gowns and slippers, they’re all so pretty and I know expensive, and I put them in the cedar chest with all the presents she made me when she was small. Sometimes I can’t help but think how mama would’ve liked June.

Jack and I’d been married about three years with no babies when we figured something might really be wrong. It took us another year to decide to see a doctor and then another year to get enough nerve to go. When we finally went and found out I wasn’t likely to ever have a child, I think Jack and I both more or less assumed possession of June. Burr knew what we were doing. It didn’t bother him. I think he was glad for the help with her. A man must have a hard time looking after a girl.

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