The Haunting Hour

3. Aganasti Creeks, TN-2

‘Sounds like a bridge to cross when we get to it, then. You’ll stay for supper, I expect?’

‘I would truly hope that bridge gets washed out ‘fore then, Mrs. Dripp—I cannot overstate the importance of Hennie’s virginity. Please, do stay as vigilant as you possibly can in that regard. As for your invitation, I am much obliged, but I’m gonna have to head straight back. We’re livin’ on borrowed time down there and my wife needs all my attention, I’m afraid.’

Mrs. Dripp nodded her head and accepted a satchel my Daddy handed her with not a little reluctance. Mrs. Dripp tested the weight as it surrendered a deep jingle or two, but she never did make to open it in front of us.

‘By the way, Mrs. Dripp …’ Daddy spoke sheepish and high, which meant an additional favor was forthcomin’. Ms. Dripp set the bag down on the ground impatiently. Think someone was itchin’ to skedaddle back inside for a good countin’ and stackin’ session.

‘Yes, Mr. Mason? You’re not going to tell me there’s a bunch of slugs in this here bag, are you?

‘Oh no, ma’am, you’ll be plenty happy in that regard. Was wonderin’ though—you got room for three healthy coon hounds? They’re sweet as can be, will tree anything you’ll let ‘em and you can run ‘em all night.’ Daddy walked back to the wagon where our girls were sittin’ nervously, their tails slappin’ hard on the wagon boards. They knew somethin’ strange was brewin’.

‘What were your plans if I was not to oblige?’

‘Put ‘em down or just let ‘em loose on the side of the road, I reckon. They ain’t much for swimmin’.

Mrs. Dripp spied over at all those innocent eyes. ‘Ok, Mr. Mason. Seems you have found my weak spot, the strays of the world. Let ‘em loose and we’ll keep ‘em out back. I’m sure the girls will enjoy their company and care for ‘em fine.’

Daddy untied ‘em and they leaped down together, sniffin’ before they even landed on the gravel. I dropped to my knees and they all three bounded over to attack my face with rough sloppy tongues. At least I wouldn’t be completely alone. It was one less c***k through my shatterin’ heart. After some first-rate fur huggin’, Daddy grabbed me up. I felt the mist settlin’ on me as he brought his face close to mine. Might have been tears. It was that time.

‘Hennie, my lovely, it’s time for me to travel on. I know you must hate me for this and I don’t fault you for it none. Be a good girl and always remember your Mama and Daddy, and especially your Mama’s lessons. We will all be together again, that I promise.’

It might have been that I was just in a daze from it all, but there wasn’t a word I could say back to my Daddy. My world was destroyed. Anything from this point on didn’t matter much. I threw my arms around him and squeezed as hard as I could. Weren’t no tears left, and I let go before he did. I picked up an end of my trunk and started draggin’ it toward the giant house that was gonna be the center of a faded life. The dogs ran on ahead, catchin’ a scent somewhere out beyond.

‘Strong one, that girl.’ I heard Mrs. Dripp say as I reached the porch steps.

‘That she is, ma’am. That trunk weighs about 100 pounds.’

‘Not what I meant. Get back to your wife now, Mr. Mason. I’ll take it from here.’

I heard the wagon clangin’ down the hill as Mrs. Dripp held the door open for me. The house was lit with more lamps than I had ever seen. Some were sittin’ dusty on the floor, while others were piled on tables. Green shades, n***d ladies, some were animals I had never seen before. Mrs. Dripp led me through the hallways, and I was hit with the smell of food boilin’ in pots and a chorus of jolly voices. I would never see faces to match with ‘em, though. Mrs. Dripp pointed to a big ole oak door under a grand staircase.

‘Take what things you need down there and get settled. You can leave the trunk. I’ll bring you a plate of supper and a glass of cold milk, toot sweet.’

I twisted the knob and pulled with both outstretched arms to swing the crusty thing open. Mrs. Dripp handed me her lantern and down I went. If I’d known how permanent that walk down was going to be, I would have taken in my surroundings on the top side a bit more. I reached the cellar floor with a cautious creep and, lo and behold, there were more lamps in every direction. Mrs. Dripp had switched on the ones that still were in workin’ order, I suppose. I was surrounded by sort of a lamp graveyard where some were still flickerin’, fightin’ the ole dirt nap. The shelves were lined with jars of jellies and jams, vegetables and taters and a slew of stuff I would discover for myself in the many days that followed. There were about six windows almost flush with the ceilin’ on three sides, grimy enough that I could just about tell the difference between day and night. Had me a cot and bedding and a pot for my business. I learned what a dumbwaiter was that night as I caught quite a fright when a little door opened on the far wall with my supper inside. There was a hole right next to it that I could talk into, and she would answer. Never did figure out how that gizmo worked.

Now on occasion, Mrs. Dripp would climb down the stairs to talk with me and help me tidy up, so I never did peg her for some kind of monster. Sometimes in her stead she would have one of the girls she said was ‘in a bad way’ come down. I got friendly with a few, but they never were around for too long. Once they had their child they were kindly asked to move on down the line, I reckon. Only so much room in that old house, no matter if it seemed like there was a whole world right on top of me. I was below it all. This dark earthy square full of shadows and unknown sounds was my new home.

I didn’t know about heaven, Daddy, but I sure had a better idea about hell.

I spent most my days tryin’ to figure out how to get a chance to talk up that pretty little thing that did the wash hangin’ up at Mrs. Dripp’s. I had my time with a few girls back in the Navy, but I don’t recall ever bein’ sober or not bein’ on the wrong end of the clock. Didn’t even know what I’d say, as I figured Mrs. Dripp would be on me like white on rice ‘fore I could get more than a sentence or two out. Supposed the best plan of attack was talkin’ the lil’ peach into sneakin’ out after dark and gettin’ to know her a little better in the cab of the delivery truck, or maybe in the back starin’ up at the clear mountain stars. I figured I could muster up enough charm to see where it led. Ain’t like them girls up there were gettin’ bombarded with gentlemen callers. Supply and demand, I heard the boys say when we’d land in port.

Maybe I could give one of them hobos a nickel to create a ruckus that Mrs. Dripp had to see to? Or, maybe a black bear would stumble out of the woods and look to wrestle some table scraps from the hound dogs out back. Just needed to be ready to pounce. Even though my loins weren’t currently with the program, I had to believe patience was the proverbial key to unlock one of them thin cotton dresses.

It had done plumb almost a year before I finally got my shot. It was late summer and the land was awfully tired of being green. Funny thing about the whole affair was not that it was lightnin’ fast as I figured it would be, but I never even saw her face. Talk about blind faith. I’ve been bettin’ on those stolen glances behind the hangin’ sheets and—hell—I don’t even know if it was the same girl I’d been spyin.’ Coulda been a witchy combination of all the girls Mrs. Dripp sends out to do the wash. They all seemed to look pretty dang good from what I could gather, even if a few are a bit big ‘round the middle.

As it seemed, when I pulled up the drive, there was a ruckus afoot. A couple of competin’ cutthroat salesmen had by chance chosen to stay at Mrs. Dripp’s at the same time, and they were not too keen on the coincidence. I suppose it was quite the twist of fate that they happened to be sellin’ checks as I saw one throwin’ blue vinyl samples at the other. Maybe that was what put the thought in my head later on in life. Although bloodied and clothin’ torn asunder, these two were dressed to the nines and looked to have a couple of fancy automobiles to boot. Seemed one askin’ to pass the biscuits to the other was not meant to be literal. Mrs. Dripp, with the help of the fellow guests, had steered the fist-a-cuffs safely around most of the more valuable lamps in Mrs. Dripp’s vast collection onto the front porch. Mrs. Dripp, lookin’ to have me sidestep the fracas seeing as I was carryin’ some valuable dairy goods, asked me to walk around back and deliver to the kitchen. I was more than accommodatin’, seeing as I could hope to steal a chat with a little lady hangin’ wash if one happened to be about. I was rollin’ sevens that day, boy, cause lo and behold there was a wicker basket and pair of tasty gams due straight ahead.

‘You got a stake in the fight out front?’ I asked from the other side of a gingham sheet.

‘Don’t make me—no, never mind, but I suppose here soon there will be one less able-bodied check salesman in East Tennessee.’ That was a syrupy drawl I had heard in the Navy, and I supposed it came via Louisiana way.

‘Yeah, I guess one’s gettin’ cashed out. You ain’t from these parts, are ya?’

‘No, sir, ‘round Baton Rouge. Mrs. Dripp got me lined up with a nice couple in Johnson City.’

At the time I didn’t rightly know what she was gettin’ at, but again my time was shorter than an opossum pecker on a frosty night.

‘Well, if you’d like to see around more of where you’re at, I’d be willin’ to give you a dime tour.’

‘That’s mighty sweet, but I got another six months ‘fore I see a dime.’

‘Well, I’m willin’ to waive that fee seeing as I’m not a professional.’ Right then, I was hopin’ she had an adventurous spirit —she still hadn’t peeked around to get a look at me and the delivery that was sweatin’ in my shaky arms.

‘Aight, mister. Why not? The damage has been done, as they say.’

What in the dickens was she talkin’ about? ‘Well that’s the bee’s knees! Whaddya say you meet me down at the bottom of the drive tonight around midnight? Make sure Mrs. Dripp is well on her way to two steppin’ with Mr. Sandman.’