Sassafras, Part 56

Joan


I didn’t want to go to Don’s afterwards, but I knew how hurt he would be if I just went home. I didn’t want to have to listen to any more meaningless condolences. I knew what a wonderful person Jenny was, I didn’t need the entire town reminding me, telling cute stories about her, showing me pictures of her. Deana tried to convince me to let her drive us to Don’s, but I lied and told her I was fine, even though I felt like driving off a cliff. Luckily, there weren’t any cliffs near Sassafras.

There was a big sign in Don’s window saying they were closed until 4. God, I hoped nobody expected me to sit there until 4. I really would start screaming by then. Don was waiting for me at the door when I walked up the steps. He looked like he had been crying. He said he would have been at the funeral, but he needed to make sure everything was ready for me here. Two ladies from Jenny’s church were poised behind the counter, ready to serve from trays and pans of food lined up in front of them. Don wouldn’t take no for an answer so I let them pile ham and potato salad on a plate.

Don and I slid into a booth. He started telling me a story about something Jenny had done years ago. I just nodded occasionally and looked out the window. The snow was coming down harder. I watched the grass disappear beneath the big wet flakes. I couldn’t imagine Jenny in the ground, covered with snow. I shuddered and looked away from the window. That was when I noticed Billy looking uncomfortable, standing near the door talking to his aunts from Phoenix. I heard one of them telling him how much he would like Phoenix. That sounded familiar.

“Excuse me, Don. I have to talk to somebody.” I got up and walked over to them.

“Aunt Jo, this is Aunt Sandy and Aunt Margie. They’re from Phoenix.”

“Yes, we met at the funeral. I hope you’re enjoying the weather. It never snows in Phoenix, does it?”

“Not very often, but it does happen,” Margie said.

Aunt Sandy nodded. “We were just telling Billy how nice the weather is in Phoenix. I think he’s going to like it there.”

“You do? What do you think, Bill? Do you want to go visit them sometime?”

“Visit? We want Billy to move there with us,” Sandy said. “Now that Jenny’s gone, he needs somebody to take care of him.”

“His name’s Bill,” I corrected her. “And he’s staying here in Sassafras with me.”

“But I thought you live in New York?”

“I’m moving back to Sassafras.”

“I know you mean well, Joan, but you just don’t have the experience you need. I have two boys Bill’s age….” Margie started.

“I mean well!” I interrupted her.

“You don’t know anything about taking care of a teenager. He needs a family, a mother and a father.”

”I think we’ll be just fine. I learn quick, and not having a father hasn’t hurt Bill yet.”

“Joan, you need to do what’s best for the boy,” Sandy chimed in.

“The boy!” They were both starting to really piss me off.

“My name is Bill.”

“Look, Billy, I’m just trying to do the right thing,” Margie said. “My husband and I want to take care of you. He’s a lawyer, and he already drew up the custody forms. They just need to be signed…”

“You have custody forms! Let me see them.” She took a large envelope out of her purse and passed it to me. I flipped through the papers that had been inside. I couldn’t believe the nerve of the two of them. That they thought they could just waltz into town the day of Jenny’s funeral and take Billy back to Phoenix with them was beyond belief. I ripped the papers two or three times and threw them at her. “You can take your custody papers and stuff them right up your ass. Bill’s the only family I have left and I’ll see you in hell before you take him away from me.”

Both their jaws dropped. The whole restaurant was silent. Margie recovered first. “I think it’s time to leave. Tell Mom and Dad I’m waiting in the car.” With that she turned and stormed out the door.

Sandy stood there for a second, a hurt and confused look on her face. “We, we were only trying to help,” she stammered. “We didn’t think… I’d better go.”

“Way to go, Aunt Jo!” Billy said after she walked away. “Remind me never to piss you off.”

“I hope you didn’t want to move to Phoenix.”

“Hell no. We’re staying right here.” It was good seeing him smile.

“I still have to find a job, Bill. You might end up wishing you’d gone to Phoenix with Sandy and Margie.”

“I don’t think so.” We both sat down. “You need to do what’s best for the boy,” he mimicked Sandy and laughed. Don was over at the counter checking the food. I picked at my potato salad a little.