"Sometimes I think about you.
Wonder if you're out there somewhere thinkin' about me.
And would you even recognize,
The woman that your little girl has grown up to be."- Kellie Pickler

Week Two: Lemon

Hours

3:00. It doesn't take three hours to run to the store for milk. Magnolia's cryin' for you and you promised you'd braid my hair for AnnaBeth's party later.

7:00. Mama, hurry home. Daddy's actin' real strange- he's real quiet, pacin' and he keeps checkin' the window that looks over the driveway.

11:00Daddy sent me off to bed, and I tucked Magnolia in for you, too. I snuck downstairs and caught him sittin' with his head in his hands. What's going on, Mama? I fell asleep there, leanin' against the railing, waitin' for the sound of your car pullin' in.

Days

I missed AnnaBeth's party, and school today. Daddy offered to take me, said I really should go, but I stayed home to take care of Magnolia. She's come down with somethin' and Daddy doesn't know just the right way to spoon her soup, and rub her forehead like you did.

Sometimes he goes out for a drive, asks me to watch Magnolia for a while, and doesn't come back for an hour or two. I think maybe he's out there lookin' for you, but my heart just freezes over in my chest everytime the car pulls out of the driveway.

Weeks

Daddy sat me down today, and told me he didn't think you were comin' back. I didn't understand- I thought somethin' bad had happened, that you'd been hurt, lyin' up in a hospital somewhere, and Daddy's eyes filled up all over again.

I still don't understand, Mama. I'm sorry I said those hateful things that time you sent me to my room- I didn't mean any of it, I swear.

Magnolia's still not talkin' yet. She's stopped even makin' those silly noises since you've been gone. Daddy says it's 'cause she always had us Breeland women to talk for her.

Months

You should hear her, mama. I've been workin' with her for a while now, and she's finally talkin'. She has the cutest little voice, all high pitched, like a little bird. She calls herself 'Magola'. 'Magola wants this, Magola wants that'. Her hair's growin' out in the sweetest little curls.

Sometimes I show her your picture, and I tell her who you are. Most of the time she pays no attention, and I can't get her to say mama, but sometimes she snuggles into my lap and falls asleep against my chest.

We're the Breeland women now, Magnolia and I.

Years

Twelve years, mama. Do you wonder what your girls look like now? Do you wonder if we think of you? Do you ever wish you'd been around to hear Magnolia's first words (she said 'Lemon'), or to see me rise to head of the Belles, just like you? Do you wish you were here now, when your first baby is gettin' ready to be married? I have so many questions, but I guess I'll never know for sure, will I, mama? Just like I'll never know why you left like that.

It doesn't take twelve years to run for milk.