Page 4 of Whispered Southern Secrets

Everyone in town knows my memaw and pepaw, Minnie and Millard Montgomery. Like I’m known to everyone as Honey, she’s known to everyone as Mimi. They own the only gas station in Magnolia Point, Mimi’s Gasoline Grove. It’s full service. Pepaw still believes in pumping folk's gas and cleaning their windshields. It’s rustic and outdated but holds lots of charm. Especially with all the flowers in the window ceils that Mimi loves to baby.

In the mornings, Pepaw fishes and brings his catches for Mimi to fry up and serve. Mimi’s most known for making the best sweet tea to touch your tastebuds. I had the best summers spent staying with my grandparents and hanging around the gas station.

At Mimi and Pepaw’s house there were always homecooked meals and fresh baked desserts. Olivia’s grandmother lived next door, so while Mimi and she’d have a glass of iced tea and gossip, Olivia and I played along the river and got into whatever trouble we could find. Between our two grandmothers we always had plenty of warm hugs, amazing food, and sweets.

A sharp pain pierces my chest. I should’ve visited more after I got older. I didn’t start coming to visit on Christmas until aftermy parents passed while I was away in college. They’re my only family left.

When Mimi and I are situated back in the pew, Pepaw turns to me, shaking a medicine bottle. He turns the bottle for me to read what it treats. His leathered skin finger points to the words as he reads, “See there. It treats headaches and backaches, that’s what I use it for. But it’ll also take care of menstrual cramps. Take one of them there pills and it’ll fix ya up, baby doll. Oh wait—I’m sorry. I apologize you need two. Yeah, it says take two.”

I accept the bottle and my eyes feel warmth. I’m well aware of this brand of acetaminophen, but I allow him to explain it and listen intently. Him taking the time to explain and his genuine concern over this is what makes me misty-eyed. I’ve missed them taking care of me. “Thank you, Pepaw.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. After this we’ll go by and get some ice cream. Take your pills and some ice cream, and all will be right as rain.”

Mimi sighs. “Millard you think ice cream fixes everything.”

“Well dear, it might not fix it, but it sure does make any situationbetter.”

Sage advice.

I whisper to Mimi, “Should I go to Olivia?”

“I think she’s got plenty around her right now. She’ll need you most after everyone clears out.”

Someone begins playing the piano signaling the beginning of the service. I can’t see who it is because the church is full and we’re in the back, but it’s definitely someone different from when I used to come on Sundays in the summer. The talent is incredible.

Brother Johnny Brewster stands at the front behind the podium. He’s been the pastor at Shady Grove Church for as long as I can remember coming to visit my grandparents in the summer—and he was old then. The nicest man you’ll ever meet,other than Pepaw of course. Brother Johnny’s wife, Mrs. Jinny, sits in the front pew. She usually plays the piano, but Mimi had told me her fingers have been bothering her. Mrs. Jinny is an extremely talented pianist and organist. It’s a shame to hear she can no longer perform since it’d been such a passion for her. There’s been whispers that Brother Johnny has been considering retiring. What will this little church do? I highly doubt they’d ever follow another pastor. Brother Johnny and Mrs. Jinny have been a staple of not only the little country church but the town of Magnolia Grove.

Mrs. Jinny is a feisty little thing. Like Brother Johnny, she’s always been a sweet elderly lady, yet never aging for as long as I can remember. She’d often visit Mimi at the gas station and they’d share a glass of sweet tea. I think they enjoyed poking fun at the little group of retired old men who enjoy sitting in the corner eating fried catfish and gossipingshamelessly. It wouldn’t be so comical if it wasn’t that these are the very men who are the first to talk about their wives partaking and spreading gossip. Now if you ask them, they’ll tell you they’re only speaking out of concern and need to know who to pray for or who might need a helping hand.

“No wonder they got the wives they do with those silver tongues,” Minnie would say.

“Smooth talkers that bunch,” Mrs. Jinny would agree. “Is it any wonder they were all in politics?”

Now that I’m back in town they’ll have someone new to discuss, give their typical victims of ridicule a break. I don’t want my grandparents to have to go through that though. They’re the best people in the world and don’t deserve to hear one of their own being talked about. That’s the main reason I didn’t want to come here. However, I felt isolated in my own town after the ugly divorce. Mimi and Pepaw wouldn’t hear of it. They insisted I come home. Even though I’d only spent summers and holidayshere, this washome.They’d never made me feel like this was a second home, but rather this was my place. My grandparents had that effect on people.

Mimi’s Gasoline Grove was a gas station yet it was so much more because of them. There was fresh catfish caught by Pepaw. The best sweet tea you’d ever have because of Mimi. Flowers decorated the place. The place felt like stepping back into a similar time yet still held modern conveniences. It was so them. Mimi and Pepaw were the ultimate southern couple with their warm hellos, offering snacks and beverages, their faith and love for others, and protecting family and friends at all costs. Which is why I don’t want them to have to choose between friends or family when it comes to me. I know what everyone is going to be whispering about me being divorced and so young. Whereas Mimi and Pepaw have never once made me feel judged, they did throw in atold you so,I know not everyone will think like them. And I know they’ll put me first and unleash their temper on anyone who says anything ugly about me. Which I do not want to happen.

After the service I don’t stick around and hurry home to Mimi and Pepaw’s. I’ll make plans to go visit Olivia in her bakery. I promise my grandparents I’ll go to church with them Sunday morning and we’ll do ice cream afterward.

Between church services,Bible studies, and funerals, Shady Grove Church stays active. I notice the beautiful landscaping work that Wade Jenkins has been maintaining. The service has just begun with the choir singing the opening hymn by the time I slide into the pew next to my grandparents. I purposefully did this to avoid small-talk with anyone.

The church might be small, but the choir is strong and powerful. I notice Mrs. Jinny is playing the piano this time, and she’s glowing. Brother Johnny comes to stand at the podium and his smile, too, is a little brighter.

“Welcome. Good morning, good morning.”

Everyone calls back, “Morning,” “mornin’,” and “good morning.” Brother Johnny looks beside himself with happiness. “I’m so pleased to welcome Brother John David who will lead us this morning.”

Mimi and Pepaw both turn and smile at one another. I lean closer and whisper, “Who is this?”

Mimi tells me he’s the pastor’s only son. He’s recently moved back to Magnolia Grove. I didn’t know they had a son. Or maybe I did? I search my brain and vaguely remember a lanky boy with long hair always hanging in his eyes. He was always getting into mischief. Nothing serious. You know what they say about preacher’s kids… They’re always the ones getting into trouble. He was a cute kid in a dorky borderline emo kind of way. We never interacted though when I came to visit.

Or so I thought.

My entire body stiffens and goes on high alert when from behind the podium a giant figure stands. Long dark hair is pulled back into a neat tiny bun. Piercing blue eyes look out into the congregation. His sharp features might now have a neatly trimmed beard, but there’s no mistaking him. Then that deep voice echoes off the church walls. The preacher’s son was never tall, dark, and intimidatingly handsome. Cute would be a vast understatement.

Never. Never in a million years would I have expected to see my one-night stand at the church altar. I’m beginning to hyperventilate at the gravity of this situation. My one and only—my one night stand was with my mimi’s preacher! Isn’t that some big no-no? Aren’t pastors supposed to be held to a highermoral ground? What was he doing in a bar? He told me he was in the Air Force.

“Honey?” Mimi’s cool, bony hands gently touch my wrist. “Are you okay?”

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