CHAPTER 21
Now Mary was faced with a life-changing decision that Fred had placed on her shoulders.
And as she walked along the dusty road that evening, Mary felt burdened. “Lord, Lord,” she whispered under her breath, “I gotta bother ya again ’cause I ain’t got no idea what I’m s’pose to do here.”
Mary’s strides were shorter than usual that evening, more labored, as if her entire being was weighed down with ball and chains. “There ought to be some young folks ‘round here somewhere that he can git to live in that house,” Mary said as if someone else was walking beside her. “I know it got to be some young folks he can git. They much stronger than me, Lord. I’m too old for this. I’m s’pose to be a granny by now, not a momma.” And she continued her conversation until she reached her porch.
Bernice could see as soon as Mary entered the living room that something was heavy on her mind. Her speech was slower, measured, as if she wasn’t sure of what she should say or what she shouldn’t say. One thing was clear: Mary was not prepared to tell Bernice of her newest dilemma because Bernice would bother her too much about it; she wouldn’t allow Mary the time she needed to think in silence. She wasn’t in the mood to be bothered with Bernice trying to tell her what she should do with the rest of her life. So she kept this newest information close to her chest for the next few days.
During those days of Mary’s contemplation and indecision, she continued to walk up and down that hill to the Leigh’ home. Every morning before sun up and every evening before sun down she walked and prayed. And all through the day she prayed for an answer from the Lord.
On the following Sunday night after supper, and several days after Fred first asked her to move into his home, Mary finally put her praying to rest. “Well Lord, I won’t worry ya no mo’ ‘bout it. Just tell me what ya thank I’m s‘pose to do whenever ya git a chance.” And with that, Mary climbed into her bed, pulled her sheet to her chin and fell asleep. That night she was calmer than she had been since Fred first approached her the week before. The Lord never let her down, she thought as she dozed off into a deep sleep.