Page 74 of Under the Tulip Tree
“He took my doll,” Holly wailed at the top of her lungs from the middle of the staircase as I stood in the doorway.
“Did not,” James screamed over the banister above her. “I don’t have your stupid doll.”
Somewhere in the house, Buddy was crying and Mary yelled to her older children to stop arguing. They ran back upstairs, bickering loudly before a door slammed, muffling their voices.
My instincts told me to flee. I could escape to GrandmaLorena’s and no one would be the wiser. Besides, I truly did need to talk with Grandma. Frankie’s story about Burton Hall sparked more questions that were beginning to demand answers.
“Rena, I’m glad you’re home.” Mama rounded the corner from the kitchen with Buddy in her arms, trapping me before I could get away. His thumb was tucked in his mouth and his eyes drooped. “I’m going to put the baby down for a nap. Mary’s cooking dinner. She could use your help.”
She passed by me, cooing to the little boy, and climbed the stairs.
“How was your day, Rena?” I whispered sarcastically after she’d disappeared. I took off my hat and coat and hung them in the hall closet. “Did you meet anyone interesting, Rena?”
I knew I was being as childish as my niece and nephews, but would it kill Mama to show a little interest in me?
Mary stood at the counter snapping green beans when I walked into the kitchen. She glanced up and offered a small smile, but I could tell she’d been crying. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot.
She sniffled. “The kids are hungry.”
I nodded and set to work peeling a pile of potatoes. We stood beside each other in silence. I didn’t know what to say to my sister. Her life was a wreck.
“Daddy thinks I should file for divorce.”
I looked up, surprised. Not just by her statement, but that our father had actually crawled from his hole to offer his daughter advice.
“Are you going to do it?” Divorce wasn’t common in our circle, but it did happen.
She shrugged.
“I’m sorry, Mary.” I didn’t know what else to say.
Mama returned to the kitchen. “I put him down in my room since the children are playing in yours.” She opened the oven door and peeked inside. The aroma of roast beef wafted out before she closed it again, offering me a pleasant surprise. A cut of beef was expensive, so we didn’t have it often.
Her gaze landed on me. “Rena, please go down to Mother’s and walk back with her. She’s joining us for dinner.”
I leaped at the opportunity and hurried from the house.
The sun clung to the edge of the horizon and filled the sky with muted shades of orange and blue. I loved autumn in Nashville. Crisp air nipped at my nose, and the hint of woodsmoke told me someone in the neighborhood thought it cold enough for a fire in the fireplace. Winter would be here soon enough, and though we didn’t receive too much snow, cold days would keep me inside more often than I wished.
Grandma was in her bedroom sitting at a small dressing table when I arrived.
“How was your day, dear?” she asked as she ran a comb through her short gray curls.
I sat on her bed. “Good. I met an interesting gentleman who went out west after the war. He had all kinds of wild stories to tell.”
Grandma chuckled. “No doubt. Your grandfather alwaystalked about going west, but thankfully we stayed right here in Nashville.” Her eyes met mine in the reflection of the mirror. “How is Mary, poor girl? It breaks my heart to see her little family move in with your parents.”
I heaved a sigh. “Dad wants her to file for divorce.”
Grandma shook her head. “Oh no. I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
I shrugged. “Homer is a fool and a cheat. I wouldn’t blame her if she left him for good.”
We walked into the living room. While she went to get a coat, I looked at the black-and-white photographs on the mantel. Some were of her and my grandfather in their younger years. A cute little girl grinned in another, and I wondered when my mother had stopped smiling like that.
“I’m ready.” Grandma waited for me by the door.
We linked arms and started for home.
