*Author's Note*
Thank you for all the follows, favs, and reviews.
Thank Ya, Aunt Betty
Tolbert POV:
The crisp fall weather had made the trees change colors. The leaves were bright yellows, reds an' oranges all 'round me as I rode up t'my Aunt Betty's house. Things 'tween me an' poppy'd been strained ever since I stormed outta Sunday dinner last month an' since we couldn't smooth things out, I was goin' t'ask Aunt Betty if she'd take me in. It was really my mama's idea for me to go to Aunt Betty, but I complied since I needed some place t'stay since campin' out at my still wasn't an option since it was October now an' a bit chilly at night.
When I reached the end of the path that opened up to my aunt's property, I was met wit' the site of Aunt Betty prunin' her fall flower garden. Her back was to me so she couldn't see me ridin' up to the hitch post. After stoppin' at the hitch post, I dismounted Eldorado an' tied him up. I grabbed my saddle bag an' tossed it ov'r my shoulder an' walked ov'r to my aunt while announcin' my presence wit' a simple, "Hi, Aunt Betty."
Aunt Betty startled slightly an' turned 'round. Upon seein' my face, she placed a hand on her chest an' let out a long breath. "Sakes alive, ya scared me." Takin' her bonnet off, she asked wit' a small smile, "What're ya doin' out here, sugar?"
"Me an' poppy's been buckin' heads for the last month; mama says you'll take me in." I told my aunt, causin' her to just give me a tilted look. "Got nowhere else t'go 'cept here, Aunt Betty."
She placed her prunin' sheers into her apron pocket an' waved me ov'r wit' her hand while softly assurin' me, "Come on, we'll get'cha fixed up in a room upstairs, sugar."
"Thank ya, Aunt Betty." I told her, walkin' ov'r to her.
"Ya can show me your thanks by doin' some house chores an' repairs." She told me, placin' a hand on my shoulder an' leadin' me ov'r to the porch steps.
"Course, put me t'work for my keep." I scoffed, a bit jokin'ly, as I walked up the porch wit' my aunt.
Aunt Betty didn't say a word, just patted my shoulder an' opened up her door. She ushered me inside an' upstairs, where she took me to my room. "It ain't much, but it'll make due." She told me as we walked inside of the room that only had a metal bed an' a bedside table in it.
"It's fine, Aunt Betty." I told my aunt since I didn't mind how sparse the room was.
"I'll get'cha some fresh linens." Aunt Betty suured me, even tho the bed looked clean to me. Maybe she was just bein' polite. Who knows? "Just put your bag down; then go spilt me up some firewood if ya could, sugar." She told me, gesturin' to the bedside table, 'fore walkin' outta the room t'go grab some linens from the linen closet.
Well, looks like it's official. I'm stayin' wit' Aunt Betty for the foreseeable future.
"Wood's split." I announced as I walked thru the door wit' a small pile o'wood in my arms. Goin' ov'r to the iron wood rack by the fireplace to drop off the wood pile, I informed my aunt, "It should be 'nough t'get us by for a week or so." The rest of the split wood's stacked up 'gainst the house on the porch. I'd just bring 'em in when the wood by the fireplace gets low.
"Thank you, Tolbert." My aunt told me as I came to a stop by the wood rack, which was right next to the stone hearth.
"Uh, Aunt Betty, if I asked ya t'do me a favor would ya do it?" I asked, kneelin' down by the rack an' stackin' the wood on it.
"What'cha need, sugar?" She asked in a way that portrayed she was open t'hear my request. That she'd consider it no matter what.
"Jessa's birthday's comin' up in a couple o'weeks an' I wanted t'get her a blanket for the baby, but I ain't got the money t'buy it. Was wonderin' if you'd make one instead." I told my aunt, stackin' up the wood 'fore makin' my way ov'r to the empty rocker
"And is there a reason why you wanna give her a baby blanket for her birthday? I mean, Tolbert, she's married to Shaw Eldridge…" Aunt Betty remarked, not in a harsh way, but a curious one, as I took a seat in the rocker by the window.
Well, now was the moment of truth. I began to rock in the rocker while tellin' Aunt Betty, "The baby she's pregnant wit's mine. She only married that Vance Bastard cause Devil Anse ordered her to."
"Oh, Tolbert, you poor thing." My aunt gave me a sympathetic look. Great, now she pities me. Wit' a soft smile, she told me, "I'll make the blanket." She leaned over an' picked her teacup up off the coffee table while assurin' me, "We'll go to Pikeville t'morrow to get what's needed for the blanket."
"Thank ya, Aunt Betty." I told her as she took a sip of her tea.
Gesturin' to the archway near her, my aunt told me, "There's a fresh pot o'coffee on the stove. I know ya don't care much for tea."
Gettin' up from the rocker, I told my aunt, "I'll go get myself a cup."
"There's some muffins in the bread box. Help yourself, sugar." Aunt Betty told me as I crossed the room, walkin' by her an' the sofa while headin' ov'r to the kitchen.
"What kind'a muffins?" I asked, reachin' the archway an' steppin' foot into the kitchen.
"Blueberry." She simply answered, causin' me to sigh in relief.
I liked blueberry muffins, so at least I wouldn't be ettin' somethin' I didn't like. I've only been at Aunt Betty's for an hour or so, but I think we'll get on just fine. Maybe I'll actually have some peace an' solidarity in my home instead of strife.
It's been roughly a week since I've moved in wit' Aunt Betty an' I must say that it's been refreshin' t'live in a house where I wasn't lectured, berated, or scrutinized. Aunt Betty was a good listener too. She was always encouragin' me t'get my problems off my chest; listened to them wit'out any bias either. She'd always offer me coffee, sweets, an' assure me that in time I'd find some sort of peace an' solace. Aunt Betty never told me to find somebody else to be wit' or to move on. In fact, she told me quite the opposite. She told me that some people move on in the sense that they keep on livin', but don't find love 'gain.
I think she was speakin' from personal experience tho since it's rumored in the family that Aunt Betty had a man once, but he died an' she went on t'live a lonely life. Became a bitter spinster. Even tho she's the old bitter spinster aunt, she's wise an' I'm able to talk 'bout things t'her wit'out feelin' like I'm bein' judged or taken as a fool. I think I understand now (bein' a grown jilted man) why Aunt Betty's the way she is, a bitter old crone that live alone.
Even tho I was livin' wit' my aunt I still needed t'make a livin', so I made the trip down t'my still regularly t'make an' bottle my shine. I was still makin' deliveries too since that's how I sold shine to my customers. My customer base was dwindlin' tho due t'Johnse Hatfield's lower prices. His whiskey was nothin' more than horse piss, but since it was cheaper, he was gettin' all the business.
It pissed me off t'no end, but there wasn't much I could do 'bout it. I just had'a deal wit' it. At least I didn't have t'worry too much 'bout money since Aunt Betty wasn't chargin' me rent. She told me t'save up my money; that she just wanted my help 'round the house as payment for me livin' wit' her.
I was tired from spendin' most of my mornin' an' afternoon at my still, bottlin' up shine an' cookin' up more mash t'set up t'brew a fresh batch of whiskey wit'. God, I needed a strong cup o'coffee t'perk my ass up wit'. Knowin' Aunt Betty, there'd be a fresh pot of coffee waitin' for me on the stove.
When I walked into the house, I saw that Aunt Betty was sittin' on the sofa, sewin' the blanket I'd ask her t'make. "Looks just 'bout done." I told my aunt, shuttin' the door 'hind me, as I pointed to the blue an' grey blanket she had in her hands.
"I'll have it finished soon, Tolbert." Aunt Betty told me as she stitched a patch of blue cloth onto the blanket.
"Good. Her birthday's in a few days." I told my aunt, walkin' 'cross the main room an' into the kitchen.
"How do you plan on givin' it t'her? Won't her husband be wit' her on her birthday?" Aunt Betty asked me as I walked into the kitchen an' went ov'r to the cupboard the mugs were kept in.
"I was gonna just go see her soon as ya finish it up." I told my aunt, grabbin' a mug an' goin' ov'r to grab the coffee pot from the stove.
"So, you're gonna over there t'morrow instead of on her actual birthday's what'cha mean, sugar?" My aunt asked from the next room ov'r as I poured myself a mug of coffee an' walked 'way from the stove.
"Yes, Aunt Betty, that's what I mean." I told my aunt as I emerged from the kitchen, passin' thru the archway that separated the kitchen from the main room as I sipped on my hot coffee.
Aunt Betty just nodded her 'head 'fore lookin' 'tween me an' the blanket in her hands. "I hope this babe comes a boy, otherwise she's got no use for a blue an' grey blanket." She clicked her tongue as I leaned 'gainst the archway, sippin' on my coffee.
"It'll come a boy." I confidently told my aunt since, from what I've heard 'round the Tug, Jessa's sure she's havin' a boy an' even picked out a name for 'im too. Endor John, least that's the talk goin' 'round.
I knew why she was cursin' that boy wit' the middle name John, cause my middle name's John. At least his first name wasn't gonna be John. Endor, like the Canaanite village in the bible, was a better first name then John ever could be. In a way, I liked Endor. Had a certain feel to it that seemed strong an' fittin' of a son o'mine.
My heart was racin' wildly in my chest as I walked up t'Jessa's house. I was tightly clutchin' the paper bag I had in my hand, somewhat afraid that she wouldn't like what was inside of it. The gift wasn't just for her, but was for our baby. It was somethin' he'd have from me even tho he'd most likely nev'r know me. All he was ev'r gonna have from me was the blanket Aunt Better made an' my middle name.
I straightened my spine as I walked up the porch. My boots thudded 'gainst the wood floorboards as I went ov'r to the door. I bit the inside o'my cheek an' pushed down any fears I felt 'fore curlin' my hand into a fist an' knockin' on the door.
'Bout a minute later the door opened an' I was face t'face wit' a wide-eyed Jessa. She'd gotten bigger from the last time I saw her. God, I still can't believe that she's carryin' my baby. She blinked her indigo eyes t'ward off the shock she felt at seein' me. Clearly, she wasn't 'xpectin' me an' didn't know how t'feel 'bout me standin' at her doorway.
'Fore she could even ask why I was on her front porch, I held the paper bag out t'her an' simply said, "Happy Birthday, darlin'."
"Thanks, but my birthday's still a couple days away." She told me, steppin' out onto the porch an' shuttin' the door shut behind her 'fore takin' the bag from me.
I didn't say a word, just gestured for her to take her gift outta the bag. Quietly, Jessa put her hand inside of the bag an' pulled out the blanket. Her look twisted an' she arched a brow as she held the blanket in her hand. A small giggle escaped her mouth as she looked at the blanket. A giggle that quickly turned into a maniac laughter.
Oh hell, she's laughin' at my gift. She thinks it's funny. Well, it's not.
My blood boiled ov'r an' my temper flared as I snarled, "Go 'head an' laugh. I try t'do somethin' nice for ya, but ya just find it funny." I reached out to snatch the blanket outta her hands while snappin', "I'll just take my gift back, since it's just a big joke to ya."
Jessa batted my hand down, stoppin' me from snatchin' the blanket from her. "I wasn't laughing at the gift, just the situation since this is a deja vu moment for me."
My brow quirked up. "What?"
"When I had Silas, Shaw showed up with a blanket; wanting to see the baby." She told me while placin' the blanket back into the paper bag.
"He wanted more than just t'see the baby." I deadpanned, rollin' my stormy eyes at the mere thought o'that Vance Bastard sniffin' 'round an' playin' wit' Jessa's feelin's when she was a new mother. While I was out workin' an' couldn't be of no help t'her. Well, least now I know why she was so snappy wit' me after she had Silas…
"Yea, well, now 2 ½ years later you're doing the same thing. See how I find that amusing?"
"I don't find it funny, Jessa. Find it insultin' that yer compairin' me to that bastard husband o'yers."
"Tolbert, I'm sorry if you're insulted, but the way I see it…well…you both gave me a blanket when I was unattainable."
"The blanket's got nothin' t'do wit' tryin' to get'cha back. Just thought ya'd like a nice blanket for Endor's all." I honestly told her. Goddamnit, I wasn't stupid. I knew she wasn't gonna be leavin' her husband cause I gave her a blanket. I just wanted t'do somethin' nice for her. Hell, I needed t'save up a lotta money an' figure out a way t'get Bad Frank t'leave us 'lone 'fore I could even approach Jessa 'bout bein' wit' me.
"So, you heard what I'm naming him then." She stated, not asked, while keepin' her features in check. Whatever emotion she was feelin' I couldn't see it. Jessa was hidin' 'hind a mask, not wantin' me t'figure out how she felt 'bout me knowin' what she's namin' our son.
"Yea." I nodded. Jessa didn't say a word, which prompted me t'make the remark of, "Least word has it yer namin' 'im Endor John. I don't like the name John, but reckon ya already know that."
"Don't complain to me about what I'm naming my kid, Tolbert." She hissed, her indigo eyes givin' me a hard stare. "Now, if you're smart, you'll leave before Mary comes outside wondering who I'm talking to or to announce that she's done with her English essay." She advised in a long sigh.
"Yea, can't have yer sister-in-law seein' me an' runnin' off t'get some Hatfield t'hunt me down." I sarcastically quipped, shakin' my head.
Jessa's chest tightened and her indigo eyes got a serious look in them as she told me, "Don't joke 'bout that, Tolbert. If you're not careful, your uncontrollable temper and nasty mouth's gonna get you in trouble."
"God, now ya sound like my ma." I deadpanned.
"Well, maybe you should listen to her creepy ramblings." She advised me before shutterin' an' trailin' off wit', "They seem to pan out so…"
"Hmm…" I huffed out. "When have I listened t'any 'bout anythin'? Ya know I'm mule stubborn an' cruel tempered, ain't nobody gonna tell me nothin'."
"If you don't get a hold on your temper, well, it's gonna be our demise." Jessa told me, not warned, as she looked at me wit' a hollowness as if I was already dead.
"Hell, when did ya get so cynical an' bitter? Weren't ya a bit brighter, darlin'?"
"The hardships I've experienced in the last few years left me a bit bitter, Tolbert. Besides, in order to survive I needed to out think, outwit, and outplay everyone cause I've got kids depending on me. I can't afford to be soft and bright."
"I thought marryin' that Vance Bastard was yer ticket t'survival?" I dryly asked, givin' her a furrowed look.
She placed one of her hands on her hip while tellin' me in a hard-clipped tone, "It is, but just cause I'm married to a cunning man doesn't mean that I can relax and stop worrying about the safety of my kids." Her indigo eyes bore into my stormy ones as she concluded her thought wit', "I'm on the side of this feud that has the stronger numbers, but things are gonna get worse before they get better and only a strong-willed person can survive that."
"Yer husband's got Bad Frank doin' his biddin', ya got nothin' t'worry 'bout when it comes t'yer safety." I scoffed, nearly chokin' on that ex-Pinkerton's name. Hell, I hated him for what he'd done to me. For danglin' me ov'r a balcony an' threatenin' to drop me t'my death (or injury) if I didn't pay up all my money for his client, Shaw Eldridge. Fuckin' Shaw Eldrisge always seemed t'get ov'r on me.
The door squeaked open causin' both me an' Jessa t'look at who was standin' in the doorway. Her sister-in-law was there, wide-eyed as she took in the site o'me on the porch. "Jessa, what's he doin' here?" The golden-blonde girl asked, her voice a bit shaky.
"He was just leaving. Seems that Mr. McCoy brought over a peace offering to go along with the money he paid up, from the court case with Shaw, last month." Jessa smoothly lied. Dear lord, I nev'r knew how good of a liar she could be til I saw her pull one outta her ass t'explain why I was standin' on her front porch.
"Oh…Okay…" The girl let out in a sigh. I thought the girl would just go back inside, but she didn't. Instead, she told Jessa the distrubin' news of, "Silas was climbing on the counters and cabinets, but I didn't notice til he grabbed a whiskey bottle from one an' threw it on the ground."
Hmm, so Shaw's back to drinkin' like a fuckin' fish. Great guy…God an' he's what'd gonna be raisin' my boy…Hell, I know I drink a lot too, but I ain't ev'r been locked up for a month t'dry the whiskey from my veins. I ain't as bad of a drunk as that Vance Bastard is. Hmm, wonder how much Oo'my money he's drinkin' up? Prolly all of it.
"Jesus…" Jessa breathed heavily while rubbin' her temple. "You were supposed to be keeping an eye on the kids."
"I was, but I was writin' my essay on Little Women for English." The golden blonde defended herself in a small apologetic tone.
Little Women. I remember Jessa read it out loud once. It bored me, but maybe that's cause I didn't care 'bout the lives of sisters durin' the war. Hell, I grew up durin' the war an' experienced hardships so readin' bout it wasn't entertainin' for me. Jessa enjoyed the book tho. Particularly the end where Jo and Behr reunited, kissin' in the rain an' admittin' their feelin's. I just liked that part cause it meant the book was ov'r an' I didn't have t'listen t'anymore paragraphs an' chapters.
Eh, I wasn't much of a reader, but there were a few books that I didn't mind. But I was usually too busy t'read anyhow. Readin' was moreso Jessa's thing; I'm sure she's an avid reader o'bedtime stories t'her chil'ren. Lord knows she'll prolly shove books onto our son, but in a way I'm fine wit' that. I'd rather have Endor turn out like her then like me.
"I know, Mary." Jessa told the girl 'fore usherin' her inside. Jessa just gave me a look ov'r her shoulder 'fore slammin' the door shut 'hind her; leavin' me alone on her porch.
Well, that's my cue t'go. I let out a scoff, turned 'round, an' walked off the porch. Only god knows when I'll see her 'gain, but at least I was able t'give her a gift. Well, looks like I better go check out my still 'fore returnin' home to Aunt Betty's.
AN:
Well, I hope you guys liked delving into Tolbert's mindset. I decided to have Tolbert stay with Aunt Betty since I imagine she was the one that took in family members that were down on their luck. Plus, since Roseanna's married to Johnse, she doesn't need Aunt Betty's spare room, lol.
Next chapter we'll be returning to Jessa's POV.