CHAPTER 23
When Bernice returned to her room, she stood mid-floor, unsure of what to do next. She could not hide her elation. She grabbed the first shirt and slacks she saw and dressed as quickly as her arms and legs allowed. Her head was still swirling from the good news. It was all too much for her to digest in the few moments since she had received it, so she just tried to calm herself long enough to help Mary get to Fred’s house. She would sort it out later. She wasn’t sure what there was to sort out but, whatever it was, she’d take care of it later.
Bernice scrambled to the bathroom, combing her hair as she went. She knew how impatient Mary was when she had something to do. She brushed her teeth hurriedly and splashed water on her face. Then she stared into the small mirror above the sink as if it offered some answer to the morning’s sudden madness.
“Auntie Momma, I’m ready.” Bernice called from her room as she tied her last shoe. “Let’s go!” She walked back to Mary’s room to retrieve the boxes and noticed that Mary was gone, and so were the boxes, except for the largest one that Mary had left sitting in her bedroom doorway. Mary had never liked depending on someone to do anything for her. So Bernice was not surprised to see the boxes gone. In fact, she was surprised to see that Mary had left one box behind. She pushed it toward the back door and turned off the lights as she went.
She couldn’t wipe the smile off of her young face.
After Bernice placed the last box in the bed of the old black truck, she walked back to the door and locked it before climbing into the driver’s seat with Mary.
Fred didn’t know Mary was moving in. She kept it a secret from him as well. She was determined to just keep her thoughts and decision between her and the Lord. That way, she felt she could not blame anyone for whatever decision she ended up with.
As Bernice started the truck, Mary began to talk. “Bernice, you the boss of the house now,” she said. “Ya know it’s already paid for so ya just gotta keep it up, that’s all. I can’t take care of two houses. You a smart girl. You can do it. You know where I am if ya need me. Right up on that hill is where I’m goin’ be.” Mary talked nonstop until Bernice interrupted her.
“Auntie Momma, I’ll be okay. You don’t have to worry about nothing,” Bernice said in a consoling voice. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll take care of the house, and I’ll still be talking to you every day.” And as Bernice pulled into Fred’s front yard carrying Mary and her boxed possessions, she positioned the truck in front of the porch and parked it there. Shifting in her seat, Bernice took Mary’s left hand and pulled it over to her chest. “Auntie Momma, you don’t have to worry about me. You raised me well.”
“I did my best, babe,” Mary said. “And the good Lord don’t ask for mo’ than yo best.”
Then she turned to Bernice. “Just do yo best. Always do yo best.”
They climbed from the truck and unloaded the boxes, one by one, onto the porch. As they paused there on the porch momentarily, Bernice gave Mary a gentle hug. “Okay, Auntie Momma, let’s go on in.” she said. “You have work to do.”
“Yeah, babe. I sho’ do.” Mary chuckled nervously. “A whole lotta work to do.” Then
Mary looked at Bernice, grinned, and said, “I bet Fred ain’t s‘pectin’ this this mornin’.”
Bernice laughed softly. “No, Auntie Momma, but I bet he’ll like it. You know the best surprises are the ones we don’t expect.”
As Mary stepped to the door, she could see a dim light beckoning from deep inside the house. It was the light of new beginnings; it was Mary’s light of hope.