Page 79 of The Deadly Candies

"Yeah, baby, I’s fine,"Claudia said, fussing with something Debbie couldn’t see. When she turned, a crumpled tissue clutched in her hand, her eyes were red-rimmed. Debbie’s heart lurched. Her mother wasn’t one for sickness, yet twice today, she’d looked unsteady.

"You sure? You look tired,"Debbie pressed.

"I said I’s fine. We both are. Front’s done?"Claudia forced a smile.

"Yes’m. I, uh… wanted to talk to y’all ‘bout somethin’ important."

"Okay, baby,"Claudia said.

Brenda’s brow furrowed."What’s the matter?"

Debbie bit her lip, then charged ahead."I’m doin’ real good in school. They got an accelerated program—could graduate by January. Just gotta double up on classes, but I can do it."

Claudia blinked."Okay… you in some kinda hurry?"

Debbie closed her eyes, wishing Kathy were there."I’m in love."

The air left the room. Both women stiffened.

"—and I wanna get married,"Debbie rushed on.

"To Chester?"Claudia’s voice turned to gravel."That boy ain’t worth a piss!"

"No."Debbie swiped at the tear escaping down her cheek."José. Me and José are in love. We’re gettin’ married."

"No, you ain’t! Absolutely not!"Claudia lunged forward, but Brenda caught her arm.

"Wait, Claudia. Wait,"Brenda soothed, then fixed Debbie with a piercing look."You don’t see it? Look at her—shakin’ like a leaf. What girl you know announces in her senior year she’s gettin’ married, and ‘love’ is her only reason?"

Claudia’s gaze darted between them."Lord! Please, Lord, no!"

Debbie watched, frozen, as her mother stumbled back, hands flying to her mouth like she’d been struck. When Claudia cried out—a raw, guttural sound—Debbie nearly ran to her, but fear rooted her in place. Brenda pulled Claudia into an embrace instead.

It took minutes for the sobs to subside. Debbie’s confession about José died in her throat—neither woman wanted to hear it. The truth hung thicker than the kitchen’s grease-scented air: a baby meant dreams narrowing to motherhood’s hard edges.

Claudia finally pushed up from the sink. Debbie braced. When her mother had discovered she’d helped Kathy with the Italians, the slap had split her lip. Her father had done worse. Now, she deserved every ounce of shame her mother might unload.

Instead, Claudia dragged her into a hug so tight Debbie gasped, then laughed through her tears. The relief was dizzying. Her mother’s arms around her—forgivingher—felt like grace.

"It’s okay, baby,"Claudia whispered into her hair."Mama’s gonna help you. You gone be okay. We’s having a baby! My baby is having a baby!”

Aunt Brenda wrapped them both in her arms."We stick together. No matter what."Brenda said in a voice as strong as steel."We got you, Debbie. We’ll handle the men; get this weddin’ movin’ soon. Ain’t no need to worry."

"Thank you,"Debbie wept."Thank you, God."

Butts, Mississippi - Last week Sunday —

The crackle of the line stretched like the miles between Kathy and home.

[Brenda’s voice was bright and cheery.]

"Hey, baby. How you holdin’ up?"

[Kathy twisted the phone cord around her finger]

"Same as ever. They put floors in the schoolhouse, Mama. Real wood, not dirt."

[Brenda sighed a warning]

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