CHAPTER 20
Mary was involved in supper preparations when Junior rushed through the front door. “Miz Mayree,” Junior called from the living room, “Come look at Mary Jane! She look red; an’ she been scratchin’ all the way on the bus!”
“Lord, No!” Mary prayed as she rushed from the kitchen wiping her hands on her floral apron. “Lord, no.” As she approached Mary Jane, who was visibly feeling ill, Mary appeared to be witnessing the arrival of a ghost; she held Mary Jane at arms length and examined her with her eyes. There was no doubt about what she saw. Mary Jane had the measles, too. Mary fought back tears as she reached out and felt Mary Jane’s forehead and neck, knowing what she would find even before she touched her.
That was the first time since Mary arrived at Fred’s house that she wanted to run and never look back; it was the first time that she really wanted to throw in the towel. Yet she knew Fred could not care for those sick children because he had to work; and Junior was too young and inexperienced to be left to care for three sick children. Besides, he'd missed too many days of school already and he didn’t need to miss more, Mary thought. So she vowed silently to stick it out during those trying times; she could not, in good conscience, abandon the family now.
Once Mary Jane was rubbed down and dressed in nightclothes, Mary sat in the living room and looked from face to face. There was Derek on the floor still asleep, Mary Jean was at one end of the couch and Mary Jane at the other end, and Junior was sitting on the floor talking, although she couldn’t concentrate on what he was saying. She just pretended she heard him by nodding her head from time to time. But her mind was swirling as she told herself that something had to change, although she wasn’t sure what. Mary felt overwhelmed and she didn’t like that feeling. She felt she had gotten into something that was much larger than she had imagined. At the same time, the children had grown accustomed to her presence and her genuine mothering spirit and she didn’t want to disappoint them. As she sat rocking in the rocking chair, she wondered if she should talk to Fred about finding someone younger and more experienced to take over. She was questioning if her body was even physically equipped to do this job on a regular basis.
Eventually, Mary finished dinner while the children were still quiet and just minutes before Fred arrived home. When she told him about the children, he was visibly shaken. Before he even removed his work shoes, he walked through the kitchen, into the living room and studied each sleeping face. Then he returned to the kitchen with Junior following close behind.
“Ain’t that somethin’, three of my child’n sick in one day! That ain’t never happen before. Junior, ya feel alright?” he asked, staring into Junior’s face. “Yessah, I’m ok. I ain’t got no measles,” Junior responded with pride. “Thank the Lord,” Fred said, “cause Miz Mayree goin’ need ya ‘round here.” “Fred, I ain’t goin’ need him; let that boy go on to school. He miss’ enough days already. I can take care of the child’n,” Mary said. “They be well soon.” “Alright, if ya thank so, Miz Mayree, that’s alright wit’ me.” Then Fred stopped and looked at Mary. “Miz Mayree, can ya stay here tonight? You can sleep in Junior’ room. It won’t be no problem.”
What Fred didn’t know was that Mary had already decided to stay the night. She knew the children would need her later and she also knew that if she were not there, Junior would have to take over. She wanted Junior to start living the life of a 12-year-old boy, and that didn’t include caring for three sick siblings.
“I’ll stay, Fred. Ain’t no problem at all. I be happy to stay here wit’ the child’n,” Mary answered as she wiped her hands on her apron. And she stayed for the next 12 days, until the children were back on their feet and feeling better. During that time, Bernice came to the Leigh' house every day to check on Mary and the children. She always brought food for the house or clothes for Mary and she would sit for a while before moving on to finish her day.