The Opposite of Never by Mary Kathleen Mehuron

Author:Mary Kathleen Mehuron
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SparkPress
Published: 2018-05-05T04:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Three

“One is easily fooled by that which one loves.”

—Moliere

It was early morning, and Margot had unexpectedly stopped by Georgia’s house as she was headed for work. She sat across from Georgia at the kitchen table and glared at her. Georgia was still in her pajamas and was startled when Margot walked in, but she recovered quickly and offered her a cup of tea.

As more of a social convention than genuine interest, Margot asked how things were going. Georgia told her about the baby’s funeral the day before. Her daughter’s response was abrasive: “It’s not like it was a real baby. She didn’t even know it.”

“Maybe since you weren’t with us, it’s hard to understand how horrible it’s all been. Zelda suffered a horse kick to the abdomen so traumatic it ripped her body inside and killed her baby. She almost bled to death and she’s trying to deal with horrible pain without narcotics. She’s devastated. It’s been hard on all of us watching her go through it.”

“But, it’s over now, isn’t it? It has a happy ending. She’s getting better, has a terrific boyfriend by her side, and friends who rallied around her. You’ll feel better in a few days, Mom. Can we please talk about something else?”

“The funeral was yesterday, Margot. I may need more than a few days to get over it. Would you like another cup of tea?”

Margot nodded, and Georgia went over to the sink to put more water in her blue enamel kettle. She looked though the double window over her white porcelain sink out at her garden. While it was still beautiful, it was getting overgrown. She used to do the pruning herself, but the plantings got bigger, she got older, and the weeding and cutting plants back got away from her. She resolved to call Rolland about hiring someone to get it under control. I have to start thinking about getting this house ready to put on the market. Kenny’s application for subdivision had been approved. There’s so much work to do before I can even think about moving. Georgia was staring, thinking hard, when Margot spoke.

“I came here to discuss a problem, Mom.”

Georgia was still facing away but suddenly she was listening carefully, her senses on high alert. She scrunched her face up in a grimace wondering, How much more angst can I take today? Margot has asked me for money twice this month. She is twenty-six years old. It’s time for her to stand on her own two feet.

Georgia put the kettle on the stove to boil and then sat back down across from her daughter trying to steady her breath. Dolly Parton came over and put her head in Georgia’s lap. After stroking the scruff of her neck for a while, she inched her away, and her good girl lay down by her feet.

“Mom, I have a letter here from Dad that I want you to read. And I want you to understand what he expresses in it is the same thing he told me over and over all the time.

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