Common Thread-Uncommon Women by Marylin Hayes-Martin

Author:Marylin Hayes-Martin [Hayes-Martin, Marylin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781481705592
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Published: 2013-03-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

The annual Christmas program was the community social event of the year. Jennie was up early to prepare fruitcakes and peanut brittle.

Minerva perched on a stool, stirring the cake batter. “Jennie, I don’t know why you changed this old recipe of mine.”

“All I did was put in pecans, and poured my Muscatine wine on top. At the last program, Mrs. Murray said my fruitcakes were delicious. Said she savored every bite as long as she could before she swallowed.”

“Well, I can’t see spoiling a good cake. But then you always did have a mind of your own.”

Jewell came into the room, yawned, and rubbed sleep from her eyes. “Mama, what dress am I wearing?”

“Jewell Marie. Can’t you see I’m busy? I don’t have time to think about your dress.”

“I’m not wearing that baggy red dress Thedis made me.”

“Don’t you get sassy, you hear. Sit down and eat.”

Jewell plopped in a chair, slumped over and pouted. She spooned her oatmeal into her mouth and returned to the bedroom.

Mumbling to herself, Minerva got up and began washing dishes.

“Mama, look! This dress fits now.” Jewell twirled across the wood plank floor in her bare feet, as the shiny, red taffeta skirt flew above her knobby knees.

Jennie placed her hand on her cheek. “Oh, my goodness, honey! You’re beautiful!” Jennie knew just the right words to say to her youngest daughter to change her mood. She showered all her children with unconditional love, but Jewell, being the last, held an extra soft spot in her heart.

“I’m wearing this tonight.” Jewell twirled a few more times, pleased she had her mother’s attention.

“Mama, can you tie a pretty bow in the back? You tie the bestest bows.”

After an early supper, Jennie twisted her silky hair into a chignon and piled it on her head. A dusting of rouge brought out her prominent cheekbones. Slipping on her crimson wool cape, she stood in front of the mirror. “Why, if I must say so myself, Mrs. Benton, you look just like those highfalutin’ ladies in a New York magazine.”

Minerva’s aging bones felt the chill of the night as she gathered up socks that needed darning, and sat down by the oil lamp. Taking a spool of thread from her sewing basket, she removed a needle from a folded piece of red flannel cloth. Her eyesight was dim, but she wasn’t easily discouraged. Squinting, she jabbed the thread at the needle.

Her granddaughter came into the room.

“Jewell, would you help Grandma?” Minerva moved the lamp closer. “Don’t know what’s got into my eyes. They used to be sharp as a hawk’s.” Jewell threaded the needle, and Minerva pressed a piece of hard candy in her hand.

“Mama, I turned the quilt down, and laid your nightgown on the bed. Water is on the stove for your cup of tea.”

“Don’t worry about me. All I need is a spoon of castor oil. Where’s Thedis?”

“She went early to help decorate the church.”

A wood stove radiated warmth as Jennie pushed open the heavy oak door and held it back for Jewell.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.