Chapter 4
'Love don't pay the bills'
It was Monday. Lebonnie and Helen were listening to Mrs. McAllen, drag on an on about the history of Arkansas.
"This is science class! Not 'The Complete History of our State' class!" Helen whispered.
But Lebonnie was hardly listening anyway. She had her mind elsewhere.
"What's wrong?"
Lebonnie ran her fingers threw her hair and sighed. "Got the monthly bills. We're in debt up to our eyeballs."
Helen gave her a sympathetic smile. "Well, at least college will be done soon." She said trying to cheer her up.
'Yeah yeah yeah.' Lebonnie thought. 'You've never experienced being as poor as dirt or havin' welfare on yer speed-dial!' She closed her binder shut and threw it in her school bag. She didn't care Helen was starring at her like a crazy lunatic. 'Lack of money makes me cranky!' she thought again.
Helen looked away and sighed. She was smart enough not to carry this conversation any further. Lebonnie was always upset about money, mainly because she had hardly any. Helen on the other hand, did. Not terribly wealthy, but rich. She always felt uncomfortable going shopping with Lebonnie. Helen would look at some cute, expensive dress, as Lebonnie was making her way down the Wal-mart isles. 'It's not fair.' Helen thought. 'I wish I wasn't rich, I wish I could live like the average Joe, so I could fit in more.'
The bell rang. Usually after this class on Monday, the two friends would head to McDonalds for a burger and a coke. But Lebonnie didn't feel like hanging out. She dropped her schoolbag on the floor next to an empty cafeteria table. She sat down and started her homework for her next class; Money Management. 'Managing money is important.' Lebonnie read. 'Someday, when your out on your own, you will find money is demanded on an everyday basis. You need to know how to make a successful living, pay for those pesky bills, and never, never have to worry about bankruptcy...'
Lebonnie slammed the book shut and grunted. 'I am so tired of this shit...'
Helen sat down beside her. "Hey grump."She said. "Bought you a coke."
Lebonnie smiled weakly. "Thanks."
"Listen," Helen began, choosing her words very carefully, "I know yer upset right now, but remember, I'm here for ya. All they way."
"Yeah...I know Hel."
"Need help on yer homework?"
"Nah." She replied putting her book away. Suddenly she felt guilty. Why was she getting upset at Helen because she had more money than she did? Was her jealousy becoming that out of control? She was jealous of her money, her fancy house, her nice clothes, her prom dress three years ago, that diamond necklace she was still wearing...she was jealous of everything about her. Yet Helen was the nicest rich girl you could ever meet.
Lebonnie thought of buying her a cookie or something to make up for it, but her wallet was empty. So, she changed the subject instead.
"So," Lebonnie began briskly. "You and Luke were quite cozy at the party. Where'd you two lovebirds fly off to afterwards?"
Helen blushed. "That's fer me to know."
"Oh stop being so modest! Tell me everything."
Helen adjusted the strap on her purse and avoided eye contact with her. Helen always became embarrassed about this stuff. Lebonnie on the other hand would tell the whole world about her crazy adventures.
"Helen...I'm waiting..."
"Okay, okay." Helen said still not looking at her. "Well after Jake and Mabel's party, we headed to Mirado Creek and just listened to music ya know. We talked fer hours! Then he brought me back home. It was great"
Lebonnie just starred at her, waiting for something else. "That's it?"
"Well, yeah."
"How unbelievably boring!" Lebonnie said. "I'm disappointed in Luke. He didn't even make a move on ya?"
"No!" Helen said taken aback. "He was a gentleman! He's always been a gentleman."
"Well," Lebonnie said as she took a gulp of her soda. "He a boring gentleman."
Helen just rolled her eyes and chomped on her gum. This is why she never told Lebonnie about her and Luke's adventures. She wouldn't understand. Lebonnie was use to Chase; a rebellious redneck who's always treated woman like an object, not a person. Of course that changed when they married but, he still has quite a bit of control over her. Luke has never been that way. He's always been the mature, respectful small town guy. And that's just the type Helen was looking for.
"Mommy Mommy! Can I get this one please?" Dixie asked holding a fifty-dollar Barbie doll in her hands.
"No. You already have a doll." Lebonnie replied as she grabbed the Barbie and placed her back on the Wal-mart shelf.
"But she's old! I wanna new one!"
"Dixie, you can't have everything..."
"It's not fair!" Dixie screamed as she burst into tears.
Lebonnie picked her up and managed to put her in the cart without being kicked in the gut. She browsed through the isles buying only what they needed, as her three-year-old daughter screamed bloody murder at the top of her lungs.
"Chase!" Lebonnie called as she unloaded groceries into the refrigerator. "Go git yer daughter out of the truck. She's driving me insane!"
"I gotta go to work Baby." Chase replied pulling on a shirt. "Did you git my cigarettes?"
"Couldn't afford it." Lebonnie said through clenched teeth.
"Course we can." Chase lied. He didn't want his wife to worry about the bills. He'd take care of it, he always has.
"Well can you please go git Dixie? She won't let me take her out of the car seat."
"Why won't she let you..."
"Just go Chase!"
A little surprised, Chase said nothing else, but put his ball capon and went to bring his daughter inside.
He opened the door for Dixie, and slammed it shut before Lebonnie could thank him.
'Great. Now my husbands mad at me.' She thought as she opened a beer and collapsed in into a chair. 'Why do I git like this?'
Dixie walked in the messy kitchen, glared at her Mother, and stormed off to her bedroom. Yelling and punching the wall on the way. 'She's got Chases' temper that's fer sure.'
Lebonnie finished the bottle in a few more gulps and tossed it in the trash before grabbing another one, and turning on the television.
They only had three channels. Channel two, 'The News,' channel three, 'Outdoor Network,' and channel four, 'Soap Operas.' The TV was most always left on Outdoor Network, but when Lebonnie had the house to herself, she'd secretly watch Soaps all day and cry along with the rich characters.
'Yes!' Lebonnie thought excitedly. 'I've been waiting for this episode!'
A tall redhead wearing an expensive emerald gown on the screen had just betrayed her husband, Marcus, with another, spoiled-rotted, tofu-fartin' pretty boy. Of course Marcus was oblivious to the betrayal, as he was too distracted by the redhead's sister, 'Veronica,' who was also wearing a ten thousand-dollar dress.
'I wonder what it would be like?' Lebonnie let herself wonder. 'If I married a man with all the money in the world? Cheat on him, and still keep all the diamonds and cars he ever bought me?'
Lebonnie pictured herself as the redhead. Perfect manicure, flawless skin, great body, wealthy husband...'That'd be a change.' she thought.
'Course, my life's better then hers. I love my husband, my daughter, and my family. I have the best friend in the world, and I'd prefer my torn jeans over that fancy dress any day!' She said. And with that, she finished off her second beer, changed the channel to Outdoor Network, and grinned. 'Being poor is a million times better, then bein' rich and miserable.'
