The Sweet Smell of Magnolias and Memories by Celeste Fletcher McHale

Author:Celeste Fletcher McHale
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2017-04-10T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Ernestine Harrison meant what she said. The “friend” she had at the sheriff’s office was the sheriff himself.

Harrison County Sheriff Roger Jefferson was at Mrs. Ernestine’s home exactly one hour after she called him. Before he arrived, Mrs. Ernestine told Jacey and Georgia all about Roger and how the two of them had become close friends.

“Roger was a little snot-nosed boy who grew up right down this road.” She laughed. “Always into something. His daddy, Cephus, worked for my husband. We used to own close to three hundred acres of land around here. We raised cattle, you know. When Ebben got sick, we had to sell it off piece by piece until all that was left was this old house place. Anyway, Roger’s daddy was a good, hard worker. Could fix just about anything from a tractor to a refrigerator.” She laughed again. “That Roger tried to fix things too. He just made a bigger mess. He was real smart in school, though. Always made good grades, played a lot of sports. He went to college on a scholarship. I don’t think I have ever seen a daddy any prouder than his was. Cephus got to see Roger graduate before he passed away. I was so glad of that. Roger went on to become the first black sheriff of Harrison County. I sure wish Cephus could’ve seen that too. Roger has never forgotten the old lady who made him cookies and Kool-Aid every day. Comes to visit me once a week, even though he’s got other things to do. Me and Ebben never had no kids, and I ’spect Roger was the closest thing we had to one of our own. He sure is a good boy.”

Soon after, Roger Jefferson, a big man with a warm smile, walked into Mrs. Ernestine’s house with an armload of groceries and a bouquet of spring flowers.

“How’s my favorite girl?”

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop spoiling me?” she said. “But I’m sure glad you still don’t listen.”

Roger laughed and gave her a hug. “Now, Mama Ernestine, you know I always listened to you.”

Mrs. Ernestine introduced the girls to Roger. “Y’all need to sit down at the table and have a talk.” She excused herself and went outside to tend to the chickens.

Roger shook hands with each of them and sat down at the table. “Mama Ernestine told me about you on the phone, Jacey. You don’t remember me, do you?”

“No, sir, I don’t,” Jacey said, a little confused. “Should I?”

“I helped pull you out of the water,” he said.

Jacey swallowed. “Thank you,” she said, her chest suddenly tight. “I don’t know how I could ever thank any of you enough.”

“No need for that,” he said. “We were just doing our jobs. It sure is good to see you healthy and well. I understand you are trying to find the boys.”

“Yes, sir,” she said. “I’d really like to see them.”

He leaned back in his chair. “Those boys were the light of Lillian’s life,” he said.

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