47
The next day I decided to spend some time with my family at my old house. Forrest was driving me and he was driving slowly as well. The roads were icy and Forrest was watching the roads.
"We could've visited your folks when the ice melted." he said quickly. I sneered mildly.
"The tires of my car are fine on the road, you should have let me drive my car." I told.
"You don't need to be driving alone anywhere, Eula not when you are so close into going into labor." he told and I smiled softly and looked away.
"Of course." I replied softly. It wasn't long before we reached my old home. It felt like forever since I had been here. Forrest got out of the car and helped me out and led me towards the porch. I was in a thick coat and it felt as if no cold air could even get to me. Forrest knocked on the door.
"Oh she's here!" I could hear mom cry out with excitement from the inside and Forrest only shifted in place with mild discomfort, his hand around my waist as if to keep me warm, like the coat was not enough. The door opened and there stood mom in a beige dress and her hair was pulled back in curls. I smiled.
"Hi." I replied and from behind mom stood my father and brother.
"Hey come on in," she said then glanced at Forrest. "Hi Forrest." We moved inside and Forrest tipped his head to my mother.
"Hello Mrs. Kincade." he told. Mother embraced me and then my father did and then my brothers.
"My my Eula your time is almost here. Are you excited?" Father asked slowly shaking Forrest's hand after mother hugged him which he already looked uncomfortable with. When father's hand met his they shook slowly and released. My brother's did nothing. I nodded.
"I am excited and nervous." I told and mother nodded.
"It's to be expected. Let's all move into the kitchen. I have some meatloaf and vegetables steamed up." she said taking my arm and leading me into the kitchen leaving Forrest to follow behind and then my brothers and father. She helped me sit down and Forrest sat down beside me taking his hat off and placing it on the table. I missed this table as well. Mother and father moved to grab plates for us. Mother was moving around fast as if she was excited.
"Can you believe this Dohn, we are going to be grandparents." she said happily. Father nodded.
"Yes dear I know. So Forrest you still running that bootlegging business?" father asked. Forrest looked at my father and I did as well. I thought that was a little personal on his end but I did not reply. Forrest nodded.
"Uh yes sir. Business is still going well." he told. Father made a wincing face before nodding. Mother gave Forrest and I our plates and we ate silently for a moment.
"Arliss, Ray come get some food." he told and the boys got up and did what was told. Father glanced at my husband again. "You know I heard that deputy is cleaning up all those illegal bootlegging businesses around here. What do you think of all that?"
Forrest was putting some carrots and green beans on his fork when he looked up at my father and then looked down for a moment as if thinking.
"I think he is doing his job until he messes with the wrong people." he stated and Ray arched a brow and looked at my Father. Mother sat beside me looking at the men.
"You ain't afraid he's going to come for you and anyone who is associated with you?" Father pressed as he sat down at the head of the table. Forrest shook his head.
"It won't come to that." he answered. Arliss looked at Forrest now.
"You gonna kill him?" he suddenly asked and mother and I looked at him with hard stares.
"Arliss." mother warned and Ray and dad seemed to be waiting for an answer. I looked at Forrest knowing his answer. They didn't know what he did to me, what he put me through. Forrest looked at my older brother and then tilted his head with a mild nod.
"If it comes to that point." he told. In other words, yes. Everyone seemed content with this answer and we all began eating again. I never thought we could all be sitting together and eating so calmly. I wonder what would happen if we added Howard and Jack.