Chapter Seven: Gator Babies & Glass
I don't see Rowdy the rest of the week. Ma carries us all over town, running errands, volunteering us for this and that, and helping me prepare for the pageant. In the evenings, Papa rants about the gator he hasn't caught and blames Billy and Jacob for setting the traps all wrong.
"How's Carlisle doing?" Ma asks over supper Friday night.
"Just fine," Papa replies, and it almost sounds like a compliment coming from him. "I told him I could use some extra hands and he should get that no good son of his to help out, but he refused. Said Rowdy needed to help Esme with the boys back at home. I ain't never heard of such nonsense in my life."
I don't fault Papa for the way he thinks; it's just the way things are. Men work and the women stay at home.
"She's almost due soon," Ma chips in. "I'm sure she can't do a lot of stuff on her own."
"I reckon," Papa answers. "But when I was 16, I was already helping my old man at the store. Builds good work ethic."
"Times are changing Papa," AJ adds. "Boys now, they go to college."
I want to say that Rowdy can't even read, but it's not my place.
Papa laughs, but AJ isn't even trying to be funny. "College? Not 'round here they don't. Look at us. I got five acres and a huge estate, all without some foolish schooling. You don't need school unless you gonna be a doctor or a lawyer. And I doubt that's what that Masen boy is planning on doing."
It takes everything in me to keep my mouth shut. Papa doesn't know what he's talking about. Rowdy could be anything he wants to be. He's smart. Not book smart maybe, but he's real intelligent and knows stuff most people don't.
Ma senses the uneasiness around the table and changes the subject. "Jessie, help me serve this cherry cobbler. You did a great job helping me."
"I put the crumbs on all by myself," she says proudly.
Sure looks like it, I think as I glance at the cobbler on the table with the oversized crumbs.
"You did?" Papa scoops her up into his lap, tickling her round tummy. "Well, I want a big ol' slice."
Jessie giggles and helps Ma place the pies on several dessert plates.
"Charlie, you coming to the cake walk tomorrow? Supposed to be the best one yet."
He hasn't been to one since I was born.
Papa taps his chin like he's thinking about it. "I think I might. Billy said he's going, so I just might."
Ugh. If Billy's going then that means Jacob is going.
I can't stand Jacob Black. Or Billy for that matter.
Billy's always trying to hint for Jacob and me to date. Papa doesn't usually like me fooling around with boys, but when it comes to Jacob, he's all into it.
They'll build the empire, he says. Grandbabies that'll keep the gator business going.
I don't want any gator babies.
"Oh! Well that's just grand!" Ma is suddenly overly excited as she places cobbler down in front of me. "The Reverend will be so happy."
I dig into the cherry filling and moan at the sweet taste. Ma always bakes the best desserts.
"Is Esme coming too?" I question. I really want to ask if Rowdy will be there, but that'll look too suspicious.
"She sure is. She made a lemon meringue pie. I'm sure it's delicious."
That didn't answer my real question, but hopefully he'll come.
Papa shakes his head. "A lemon pie? At a cake walk? Is that even allowed?"
I shoot him a dirty look for being so judgmental, but it goes unnoticed.
Hush, Papa. Just hush.
.
.
.
The church parking lot is filled to the brim with families. Ma hands us each a wad of cash for the raffle tickets and games. Most of the children are outside, and Jessie and AJ scatter as soon as we arrive. There's plenty of competitions and face painting and an inflated air castle. I'm too old for most of the activities, and there's no way I'm messing up my pretty dress.
It's white with ruffles and small pink flowers all over it. My pink bow on the side adds the final touch. Charlotte Rose always gets on me for overdressing, but I'm everything a Southern Belle is supposed to be: perfect.
I glance around for the Masens, but Jacob spots me a mile away.
"Bella!"
He races towards me, dressed in dark slacks and white shirt that's buttoned to the top even though it's hot as the dickens out here. Girls like Rose Charlotte like him, and they fawn over his caramel complexion and dark hair. He's handsome in his own way, but it's his attitude that makes him not my type.
He's no Rowdy.
Jacob finally reaches me and wraps his arm around me in a hug I never asked for.
"Stop calling me that." He calls me Bella just to get on my nerves.
"You know you love it," he says, enclosing one arm around my waist. "The official cake walk doesn't start until two, so we've got a few hours. What do you want to do first?"
I try to pull away and maneuver his hand off of me. "Nothing. I'm looking for Rose Charlotte."
"She's inside helping her mom with the platters." He looks offended that I've distanced myself away from him, but I don't care. He smells like musky cologne and desperation.
"I'm going to go find her. Why don't you go look for Papa? He was just bragging about you earlier," I lie.
Jacob's ego is too big to resist the notion of someone talking about him. "Really? All right. I'll come looking for you in a few minutes. Maybe we can finally get Mr. Embry all wet in the dunk tank."
"Yeah, maybe," I say nonchalantly, running towards the church building hoping to find Rose. She's right where Jacob said she would be, uncovering cakes and arranging them on a table.
"Cotton!" Mrs. Hale's hands are covered with plastic gloves and bits of icing so she gives me a half-hug. "You look beautiful, sugar. Where's Renee at?"
"Thank you," I say graciously. "She's talking up a storm to Miss Sue."
Mrs. Hale's blue eyes twinkle as she laughs. "Poor Miss Sue. I'll go rescue her. Rose Charlotte, go play with Cotton. I've got it from here."
"Thanks!" Rose Charlotte smiles and throws her gloves in the nearest trashcan. She grabs my hand as we walk back outside. "What do you want to do first?"
"Hide from Jacob if we can. He's hounding me again."
Rose sighs. "You don't know how good you've got it. He's cute. I wish he would look at me like he looks at you."
I roll my eyes. "That's 'cause he doesn't know better. You can have him. I don't want any gator babies."
We giggle together and I hear the chugging of an engine as an old, red Chevy pulls into the parking lot. The Masen boys are piled into the back and they jump out as soon as Carlisle stops the vehicle.
"Oooh, look who's here." Rose Charlotte points in the direction I'm already looking. I try to hide my grin as Rowdy glances through the crowd.
I hope he's searching for me.
"Look at you smiling!" Rose catches me and nudges me in the side. "You've got a thing for Rowdy. Don't you lie, Cotton Swan! I know you like the back of my hand."
I glance down and she hits me again. "I knew it!" She scrunches her nose. "Rowdy? Really, Cotton? He's kind of … dirty."
"He can't help it," I argue, defending him. "He ain't got much, but he's as sweet as pie."
She holds her hands up. "Hey! I'm not one to judge. If you like him, then you like him. I suppose he's got nice looking eyes."
I sigh, feeling all gooey inside. That he does.
"Well go get him!" She pushes me forward, but I feel bad.
"I'm not leaving you here by yourself. If Angela, Bree, and Victoria come…"
I don't finish my statement. She knows those girls ain't nothing but troublemakers. Angela and Bree are Reverend Weber's daughters, and their cousin Victoria ain't got no papa at all. They're all bad news. They like to bully Rose Charlotte and me whenever they get the chance.
"I can fend for myself," she replies. "I'm going to go find Jacob. Let's at least do the cakewalk together, okay?"
"You got it!" I agree as she runs off in Jacob's direction. I straighten the ruffles on my dress and take my time walking towards Rowdy.
He's wearing the same filthy trousers and suspenders I last saw him in, but he's changed his dingy tan shirt for a soft colored blue one.
"Cottonseed." His face lights up when he sees me and I can't help but grin. "Fancy meeting you here."
"At a cakewalk? You should be shocked." I deadpan. "I'm more of a pie runner."
Rowdy chuckles and tosses his arm around me. "So, what do you want to do?"
"Ummm…" I glance around and point to the safest activity that won't mess up my dress. "How about the ball toss?"
Rowdy squints his eyes and notices the sign. He attempts to sound out the words, but gives up within seconds. "What's that say?"
"Ball toss," I answer. "One dollar a ticket."
He shifts his feet uncomfortably. "I can't-I don't have-"
My heart hurts for him, that he's embarrassed. He should be having fun, not worrying about money. I pull out the wad of cash from the pocket of my dress.
"You're not scared, are you Edward Rowdy Masen? I mean, I'd hate for you to get beat by a girl…"
He grins and squeezes my side. "You're on, Cottonseed!"
I laugh as he chases me to the booth, where I hold out my dollar bills. "Six tickets, please."
Riley, Deacon Biers' son, hands me the tickets and I give half to Rowdy.
"All right, you get three balls," Riley explains. "Points are 25, 50, 75, and 100. You get any of the balls in the last hole and you win a prize."
"Ladies first." Rowdy steps back and I toss the first ball. It doesn't even make it into any of the holes.
"You're shooting too wide," Rowdy tells me. "Pull your arm back like this. Aim downward."
His hand covers mine and I shiver from his touch. We swing together and my ball falls in the second hole.
I cheer loudly. "I did it!"
"You sure did." He beams at me. "All right, do the same thing, but a little further."
I take my time and this time, my ball falls into the first slot. I'm glad I made it in, but I pout 'cause I don't win anything.
"That's all right. I'm proud of you. Now let's see if we can turn that frown upside down." I step aside so Rowdy can take his turn. His throw is much quicker and smoother than mine.
His ball falls in the hole marked 75 and he curses, "Shit! Almost had it!"
Riley looks at him in shock, but I giggle. Rowdy tries again and it lands in the same spot.
"Is this rigged? It looks rigged." Rowdy starts to sweat and looks at Riley accusingly.
"I swear, it's fine. You get one more throw."
Rowdy cracks his neck side-to-side and jumps three good times. "All right, you little bastard. Get your ass in there."
Rowdy swings his arm backwards and throws the ball with great force. It circles the last hole and finally falls in.
Riley rings the bell loudly and I yell enthusiastically, "You did it!"
Our arms are wrapped around one another before I even realize what we're doing.
Riley points to the all the prizes behind him, specifically pointing out the male prizes. "What do want? Businesses around town donated lots of items. We've got a baseball with the matching bat, a tool set, even lottery tickets. Just don't tell the Reverend."
Rowdy glances read hard and points to an item on the bottom shelf. "I want that."
"This?" Riley holds up a small blue box that is glittering with a small sparkly item.
Rowdy nods as Riley passes him his prize. Inside is a delicate gold necklace shaped with a clear circle and an ornate design at the bottom.
Rowdy carefully removes it from the box. Before I can object, he slips the strand over my head and pulls my long curls from underneath.
"You ain't gotta give me anything. You should get something for yourself."
He waves his hand, dismissing me. "Naw, I want you to have it."
"That's awfully sweet of you. Thank you." I lift the trinket up between my fingers. "What is it?"
"It's a miniature magnifying glass. See how the tiny handle's got a butterfly attached?"
"Oh!" I smile as the thick crystal of the circle starts to make sense. "Am I supposed to be looking for something this small?"
"No, I reckon not." Rowdy shrugs and traces the chain across my neck with his bare finger. He steps closer to me and holds the tiny circle up to his chest. The pocket of his shirt enlarges.
"But years from now you'll remember the moment I told you I'm falling for you. Then you'll know my love was bigger than anything you could see."