A Hidden Truth

One Mad Mama

[Juniper]

    Mama was standing in the middle of the room, looming over Teddy, who was sitting on the settee. She was even more beautiful when she was angry than when she was calm and serene. Her eyes seemed to be an even darker blue than normal and her cheeks were pink from exertion.

    At her full height, without heels, she was about 5’9”. Even after having four children, she kept her trim figure. Her thick, curly brunette hair hung down her back to her waist. It took on a level of sentience when she was mad.

    Teddy was like a male version of her, and he used his beauty to get anything he wanted. He was three inches taller and the curl in his hair was a little tighter than mama’s fat curls. His hair was trimmed, but long enough on top that the curls would frame his face if he didn’t style it for the day. He had a delicate, feminine look to his face. Teddy was lithe and had a runner’s build. He worked out to maintain it, too. His eyes were green, like our father’s, and flashed with his own anger.

    Mother would’ve gone on the attack as soon as he insinuated Remy was anything less than perfect. Teddy often took things too far. He’d probably been trying to distract her from lecturing Remy and punishing him before I could get home. I could see they’d reached a fairly well hashed portion of their fight.

    “… and you never even considered what you were putting me through. All the things people say about you and I’ve defended you. Defended you no matter where I am and who I’m with! You don’t even have the kindness to do the same for the baby!”

    “Mother.” I said coolly. “You’re completely right. Teddy is an uncaring and selfish man.” The room went still and they looked at me. “We should take him in the back and flog him but… the rumor I heard in town is, he goes to a special club for that.” I stated dryly.

    Sadly, the best way to calm her, if you weren’t her husband, was to shock her and turn it quick. I rarely dabbled in rumors, but it would shut them both up. Mother was fiercely protective of both Teddy and Remy as the oldest and youngest of her children. Hearing gossip like that would knock her out of her anger at him and she would start trying to figure out who started it.

    “Kelsey, go get a cool cloth and a glass of hot tea with lemon and honey for mother, she’s hurt her throat with that ungodly racket. Teddy, you’ve been catty and careless again. You promised me, you would control that behavior. Do I have to take parts of your car away again?”

    He shook his head and looked at the floor. I could tell he was trying not to laugh. Teddy loved my threats and was ready to laugh at the drop of a hat.

    “You know better than to insult Remy. He’s doing the best he can and if that isn’t good enough, then maybe mother should kick you out, so you can show how smart and independent you are…” I looked around.

    Smiling, I walked over to a shaking lump in the curtains. When I pulled them back, Remy looked up with tears in his big blue eyes. His glossy black curls had come loose from the gel mama used to style his hair in the morning. I put out my arms and my six-year-old brother flung himself into them.

    “Hush now, baby. Mama didn’t mean to be scary and Teddy didn’t mean to be ugly. You shouldn’t cheat. It hurts you more than it helps, honey. Okay? NO more cheating.” I whispered sternly.

    “M’kay, Juju.” He whimpered as he held me tight.

    “I’ll take the baby in to clean his face. We have company for supper. I expect you’ll both temper yourselves as not to embarrass our family further.” I stated as I walked toward the dining room.

    “Who’s come to supper? I didn’t invite anyone.” Mother said, confused.

    “Bobbi Jensen’s younger brother is in the kitchen with Twyla. His name is Jaxon Boone. He needs to get away from Beau for a while and I invited him. I hope that’ll be alright.”

    Her eyes lit up. Southern Mama senses activating.

    “You invited a man for supper!? Is he single? Handsome? Does he have a good job? Does he have a good relationship with his mama? Who’s his mama’s people? I know who his good for nothin’ daddy is; we won’t hold that against him, though.” She grinned.

    I sighed. “Mama, please. Don’t try and set us up. I’m just bein’ neighborly.”

    “Is he straight?” Teddy murmured as I went past.

    “According to him, he is.” I whispered back.

    “Hmm… We’ll see.” He smirked.

    I carried Remy into the dining room, passing Kelsey on the way. She gave a tight smile and a nod. When I got to the kitchen, I put Remy down on the counter next to the sink and went to grab a clean hand towel. Once his face was clean, I chucked him under the chin.

    “You better go wash your hands proper or Miss Twyla won’t let you have your supper, young man.” I told him.

    “Won’t you wash my hands, Juju?” He asked with big puppy-dog eyes.

    “Remington Henry Merritt, you go wash your hands up and stop tryin’ to make your sister your maid.” Twyla scolded. “Or you’re not gonna get your dessert or your supper.”

    With a yip, Remy bounced onto the floor and ran off. When he was out the door Twyla and I cracked up. He was too cute for words.

    “All settled then?” She asked.

    “Of course. You know how Teddy and Mama get.” I sighed.

    “You tell her to kick him outta the house again?”

    “Yes, but you know that boy’s gonna live here ‘til kingdom come.” I leaned against the counter and put my hand to my head. Only four more months.

    “Umm… Maybe I should go.” Jaxon said softly.

    “No. My mother knows about you now. The only place you’re going is to wash up and mentally prepare for a southern mother who smells fresh, possibly marriageable, meat.” I laughed. “Come on, Jaxon. I’ll show you to the washroom and you can get ready for the attack.”

    “One thing I definitely didn’t miss about living here. At least I wouldn’t have if I had realized it was my future if I’d stayed.” He snorted and followed me out the door opposite the dining room.

    “You’re pretty good with your little brother.” Jaxon murmured.

    “My mother got sick after she had him. Almost died. He’s a June baby so I was out of school and able to help. I took care of him through the entirety of her recovery and it just became a thing. I take care of the baby. I meet with teachers, make his lunch, drop him at school, help him with homework. She does the extracurriculars, doctor appointments, birthdays, holidays, pictures. I just hope she can get on okay without me.” I sighed and pointed. “Right through that door. Switch is on the wall as you enter. When you’re done you just go around the corner and through to the entryway. Turn to face the stairs and you’ll see the arch that goes to the living room. We’ll be there.”

    “Thanks, Juniper. I appreciate it.” He smiled and entered the bathroom.

    I decided I was going to go wash up and maybe add some makeup. If it was my last chance, then I was going to at least look good. I needed to make sure Hank didn’t find out I’d invited Jaxon to the book club for the rest of the summer. I could be prohibited from going or have to bring him with. I couldn’t stand the idea of him in one of my sanctuaries.