Carrying Mason (9 page)

I
watched Aunt Sapphire’s chauffeur help her out of the backseat.

“Thank you, Frederick. I won’t be too long. You should wait in the car.”

Frederick tipped his cap. “Very good, Ma’am.” And he closed the door with a bang.

Aunt Sapphire flung her dead foxes around her shoulders and harrumphed toward us.

“Hellooo, Aunt Sapphire,” Ruby Day called. I knew she was trying to be strong and courageous and steadfast.

I didn’t want to be so polite and only waved. I kept looking at the letter.

Sapphire walked up the porch steps. Her tiny heels clicked like crickets.

“I hope you’re packed, Ruby Day,” Sapphire said. “It’s a long ride home.”

“She’s not,” I said. “Ruby Day has decided to stay.” I waved the letter in the air.

“Nonsense,” Aunt Sapphire said. Then she looked at Ruby Day. “And why are you hanging onto that … that pole?”

Ruby Day didn’t say a word. She just pressed in tighter with her cheek against the post.

“I told you,” I said. “She isn’t budging. And I guess you don’t know about this.” I waved the letter a second time.

Sapphire started to stutter and bluster. “Why … why she must move. She can’t stay here. Not now. And who are you to tell me what—and what have you got there, young lady?”

“It’s a letter from Uncle Charles.”

“Charles? You mean Charles Radcliffe?”

I looked at the letter. On top, in fancy writing, it read
Radcliffe, Porter, and Tremanian—Attorneys at Law.
“I suppose so. But Ruby Day just knows him as Uncle Charles.”

I thought Aunt Sapphire was going to fall right back down the porch steps. She teetered and tottered on her heels, her foxes flailing like the skinny, gutless creatures they were, until she regained her composure. The foxes sure didn’t have any backbone, and I hoped I could find mine.

“What?” Sapphire said. “Show me that letter. This instant, young lady.”

“No.” I took a step back. “And you can’t take Ruby Day back to the Henry R. Mason Home for the Feebleminded. Not when we know the truth. This letter will stop you. It tells the truth about you.”

Aunt Sapphire tried to pull Ruby Day from the post. “Come on, dear. You know this is best. It doesn’t matter what’s in that letter. You must do as I say. I am your guardian.”

“No. You aren’t,” I said. “According to this letter you’re just … just the third person in line for Mason’s money … I think.”

“Oh, yes, Mason. Poor soul. Would have been better if we put him up for adoption like we wanted.”

“Adoption?” I said. “You tried to take Mason away from Ruby Day?”

Sapphire sucked in a breath and blew it out like a bull. It smelled like old coffee and licorice. “Oh, dear, yes, of course we did. The pour soul would have been better off.”

“He was not a poor soul. Never was, never will be. He always said he was richer than most and had more to be happy about. I just never knew how rich.” I stamped my foot on the porch floor. “You are just such a …”

“Careful, young lady,” she said. “Respect your elders.” She glared at me. It sent a chill down my spine.

“Come with me, Ruby Day,” Sapphire said. “You don’t need to pack. I’ll buy you all brand-new clothes when we get home. New dresses. New shoes. Everything you need. Brand new.”

Sapphire tried to pry Ruby Day’s arms from the post.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I said. “She might start to wail.”

“Nonsense. Come now, Ruby Day,” Aunt Sapphire said. “We need to leave. I gave you plenty of time.”

“No,” Ruby Day said. “I ain’t going back.”

“But you must.”

“Nope.” And then she started to wail louder than I had ever heard her wail before. Only this time I cheered her on.

Sapphire looked so unnerved she let go of Ruby Day. “Well this is just preposterous.”

“And you are just … just ostentatious,” I said.

“I must use your telephone.” Sapphire looked toward the front door. “You
do
still have a telephone, correct? I know I had one installed.”

I bowed and waved low with a sweep of my hand, secretly hoping the time it took for her to make her call would be time enough to make a plan. “Of course. It’s in the kitchen.”

I opened the screen door for her. “It’s the black thing on the wall in the kitchen.”

That was when I caught Frederick’s eye. He looked away. Like he was in on the whole thing too.

I sat on the steps and started to think. “There must be a way to make her just drive away and leave us alone,” I said. Then I saw my sister Delores, of all people, marching up the driveway lugging a suitcase.

“Luna Fish,” she called. “Can I stay with you and Ruby Day?”

“Delores? Do you have any idea what is going on? And why are you asking me that
now
?”

Delores stopped when she got to the Plymouth. “Who’s fancy chariot is this?” she said with her voice all flouncy like anyone cared. “It’s the ginchiest—like, wowsville.”

I hated it when Delores talked like that. Like she was so hip and all.

“It’s Aunt Sapphire’s. Haven’t you heard?” Then I remembered that she went to Carl’s for Sunday supper.

“She’s here to take Ruby Day back to the Home for the Feebleminded, and I’m trying to stop her.”

“Aunt Sapphire? What a name. She sounds real cool.”

“No, she isn’t,” I said. “She’s … she’s ostentatious. And didn’t you hear what I just said?”

“Oh, why are you always the bearer of bad news? Anybody with a chauffeur has got to be the coolest.”

Delores dropped her ratty old suitcase on the pavement. “Where is she? And why in the world is Ruby Day hanging onto that post and crying?”

“She doesn’t want to go.”

“Go where?”

“I just told you, Delores. Back to the home. It’s a bad place. A place where they hurt people like Ruby Day. Mama said so.”

“But maybe it would be best for her, Luna. You can’t live with her … forever.”

“Yes I can. That’s my plan. I’ll go to college and become a teacher and take care of myself and Ruby Day.”

“Suit yourself. But it sounds like a dumb idea.”

Delores started up the porch steps. “I want to meet Aunt Sapphire—wow, what a name. With a name like Sapphire, she could be one of them silent screen stars.”

“She’s not,” I said. “And how come you came here with a suitcase? Did Daddy finally toss you out?”

“No.” Delores put her hands on her hips and when she did both of her knee-high socks drooped down to her ankles in sloppy wrinkles. “He got mad on account of I was kissing Carl on the stump in the backyard. So … I left. I told him I am fifteen years old. Old enough to kiss a boy.”

I had a feeling there was more to the story than that, but it would have to keep for another time.

“Mama was just seventeen when she married Daddy,” Delores said.

“This isn’t the time to settle your silly problems. We have to help Ruby Day.”

Delores moved closer to me and whispered in my
ear. “I still say it’s better this way. You know she is … retarded.”

“She’s smarter than you,” I said. “Maybe we should send you to a home for the … incurably selfish. And never use that disgusting word.”

I heard Frederick laugh.

“Don’t be so mean, Luna. I am not acting selfish. Now I want to see Aunt Sapphire. Where is she?”

“Inside. Talking on the telephone—leastways that’s what she said.”

Delores pulled open the screen door and went inside.

“Don’t you worry about Delores, Ruby Day. You keep hanging onto your porch post.”

“Okay, Luna. I will.”

I stood next to Ruby Day, my heart pounding like a big brass drum, though I didn’t tell Ruby Day that. I had to use the information in the letter to stop Aunt Sapphire. But how?

T
he wind settled down a little but the air was still cold. Dark clouds had moved in overhead, and I prayed that God would not send rain that day. We had enough storms for one season. Then Delores pushed open the screen door.

“Luna, Luna!” she said. “I got to tell you something.” “Not now, Delores.”

“No, it’s about Sapphire and Ruby Day. It’s important.”

I let go of the post. “What?”

“I heard her on the telephone. I was standing in the dining room waiting —you know I didn’t want to interrupt her while she was talking on the phone. So I stood there and well, I couldn’t help but overhear—”

“What? What did you hear?”

Delores caught her breath. “I heard her tell whoever it was on the other end that if she didn’t find a way to get Ruby Day back then Ruby Day would get to keep all her money.”

“I know all about it,” I said. I waved the letter toward her. “It’s all in here.”

“So you know about Mason’s money,” Delores said. “She mentioned a will and something about provisions—whatever that means.”

Ruby Day wailed.

“Stop that this instant,” Delores said. “A person can’t even hear herself think over that shrieking. So you just hold on, Ruby Day. Just ‘cause you’re … you know, slower than most, don’t mean we have to listen to that noise.”

“Delores,” I said. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

“Well, if she wants to be treated like everyone else in the world, she’ll need to learn to take it.”

Ruby Day stopped her wailing, and I will confess that I was thankful Delores acted so stern.

“Listen, Delores,” I said. “Go get Daddy and Mama.” I thought for a second. “And anybody else you can think of.”

“Okay, Luna, but—”

“No buts, just go. And hey—did Sapphire see you?”

Delores shook her head. “I don’t think so, but … boy, is she spectacular. Did you catch a load of them foxes she’s wearing?”

“Just go,” I said.

Delores ran down the driveway.

Ruby Day started to shake. I tried to hold on to her but it was like she just melted into a puddle on the porch, with her arms still wrapped around the post. I thought I might cry—but I remembered I needed to be strong and courageous and face the Sapphire storm head on.

That was when Sapphire came outside. Only this time she tried being so sickeningly sweet I thought I might upchuck.

“Ruby Day, darling,” Sapphire said as she stroked Ruby Day’s arm and helped her to her feet. “We only want what’s best for you. Now please don’t make me get … well,
forceful
about it. You do remember that I own this house.”

Ruby Day clung tighter. Her face was as bright red as a candy apple.

Sapphire tried once more to pry Ruby Day’s arms from around the post.

“You can’t force her,” I said.

“You keep quiet,” Sapphire said. “You’re just a child. You have no say in this matter.”

“That child is my daughter.”

I looked up and saw Daddy standing near the Plymouth.

“You can’t talk to my daughter like that.” He walked toward Sapphire.

“Aunt Sapphire, I presume,” Daddy said.

“Why yes, yes, I am.”

“Justus T. Gleason. Luna’s father.”

Sapphire stepped away from Ruby Day. “Well, I am very glad to make your acquaintance, but you must realize, sir, that you have no say in this matter either. It’s a … family situation.”

“I was hoping you would be reasonable,” Daddy said. “And see it from Ruby Day’s perspective. She likes it here. She visits Mason’s grave nearly every single day. She can’t do that if she’s back in Philadelphia.”

“She won’t need to. She’ll forget. People like her don’t have good memories.”

“A mother never forgets her children,” Daddy said. “No matter what their … situation.”

I saw Mama, Polly Dog, and Delores making their way up the driveway. The big guns had arrived.

Daddy looked at me. “Now what’s this about a letter? Delores was talking so fast. Something about a will?”

I handed Daddy the letter. “Go on, read it,” I said. “It explains everything. Mason’s granddaddy was a rich man, and he left nearly all his money to Mason, but Mason wouldn’t get it until he turned sixteen.”

Daddy read the letter. Then he looked at Sapphire. “I get it. According to this letter from the grandfather’s lawyer, if for some reason Mason can’t take the money then it goes to Ruby Day.”

“Well, I hardly think this is any of your—”

“Unless,” Daddy said, “Ruby Day is declared unfit and sent back to the home. Then you can control the money. Isn’t that right, Sapphire?”

“That’s right, Daddy,” I said. “That’s what I figured out. It was a big puzzle, but I knew she was up to no good. I’m just glad Ruby Day remembered the letter.”

Aunt Sapphire glared into my face. I thought if her eyes were ray guns, I’d be dead.

“Oh, I can’t believe this,” Mama said. She pulled me in for a hug. “I am so glad you came to live with Ruby Day, Luna. I am so proud of you for sticking to your guns and getting to the truth.”

“Uncle Charles said he would take care of me,” Ruby Day said. “He told me not to worry.”

“That’s right,” hollered Delores. “I heard Sapphire talking on the telephone.”

For the first time, Delores’s eavesdropping was welcome.

“That’s right,” I said. “Delores heard you say that if Ruby Day didn’t go back to that … that prison, then she’d get all the money.”

Sapphire stuttered like a stuck fan blade. “But … but it is none of your business. Why do you all care so much anyway?”

I saw Mr. Haskell coming up the driveway. He was followed by three other store employees and some of our neighbors. And then I couldn’t hardly believe what
I saw next. The high school football team was coming down the road, led by Coach Trawler. I figured they really didn’t want to be there, but Coach Trawler had a way of getting them boys to do what he wanted.

“Well, look at that,” Daddy said. “The whole town is coming.”

“I sent Jasper and the twins to round everyone up,” Delores said.

“Why don’t you try and explain matters, Sapphire?” Mama said. She took Sapphire’s arm and directed her toward the front door. “Come inside and tell me the truth.”

Sapphire jerked her arm away. “The truth is, my dear lady, that Ruby Day is a feebleminded idiot and needs more care than … than that little girl can give.”

I watched Mama pull herself up to her full height. “I’ll have you know,
my dear lady,
that Luna Gleason is one of the most capable young ladies you’ll ever have the pleasure of knowing. Ruby Day could not be in better hands, so how dare you call her that … that despicable name.”

Polly barked and snarled at Sapphire. I patted Polly’s head, and when I did I spied April near the car. She was dangling a snake in one hand and trying to open the car door with the other. I knew what she was fixing to do, and I was truly going to tell her not to when Ruby Day wailed. She let go of the post and took a step toward Sapphire. Daddy held on to Ruby Day’s hand. “Stay,” he said.

“She is not an idiot,” I said. “Ruby Day is smarter than a lot of people. She takes good care of her flowers, and she took good care of Mason and—”

“She’s an excellent employee,” Mr. Haskell said.

“She’s never late,” said Lavinia. “She’s … she’s my friend.”

“And we like her,” said April and June. “Yeah,” said Jasper.

“This … this display is … is well, it won’t get you anywhere. I’ll just sell the house.”

“Go ahead,” said Daddy. “You still won’t get Mason’s money, and Ruby Day will buy her own house.”

That made me cheer. “That’s right. Ruby Day doesn’t need you or your house or your stupid Home for the Feebleminded. Her home is right here. With me—” I looked over the crowd. “With us.”

“Maybe you should just get back into your fancy-dancy car,” Mama said, “and go back to your fancy-dancy house in Philadelphia—”

“Bryn Mawr,” Sapphire said with her nose in the air.

“And leave Ruby Day’s care to us.” Mama indicated the now growing crowd on the street. “We’ll all be taking care of her.”

Ruby Day cried. “I … I don’t need money. I got a job, Aunt Sapphire.”

“It’s not enough, and you can’t work forever,”
Sapphire said. “Now, don’t you want to go back to Mason’s Home? The place where you and Jeb got married? The place where Mason was born? I got a nice, pretty room all set up for you with flowers—your favorites. Lupines and mums.”

“Lupines don’t bloom in fall,” Ruby Day said. “I am smart.”

“Then we’ll get them in spring.” Sapphire’s voice dripped with so much molasses I nearly slipped in the driveway.

Frederick walked toward the porch. “You silly, silly people do not understand. Sapphire is more capable of knowing what’s best for this poor, wretched woman then any of you.
She,
after all, is family.”

“No,” I said. “I’m her family.”

“Silly girl,” Frederick said.

“I bet he’s in on it too,” Lavinia said. “He has cagey eyes.”

Sapphire walked onto the porch and stood in front of Ruby Day. “Now look, honey, just get in the car. I have your favorite chocolate bars in there and a bouquet of roses right in the backseat. You want to see the roses?”

I felt glued to the driveway when I heard Ruby Day say, “Yes, Aunt Sapphire. I love to look at pretty flowers.” I could hardly believe it as I watched Sapphire lead Ruby Day toward the car.

“No! Ruby Day, don’t go!” I hollered. “Don’t get in her car.”

“I just want to see the roses,” Ruby Day said.

“Please,” I called. I started after her. I managed to grab her coat sleeve but Sapphire yanked my arm away. “You let her be!”

“Ruby Day,” I called. “Run inside the house.”

“And you can have that chocolate,” said Aunt Sapphire. “I’ll buy you lots more too.”

“Don’t go, Ruby Day,” Delores called. “She doesn’t care about you.”

Frederick opened the back door.

“Daddy,” I said. “Do something.”

Daddy shook his head. “Luna, I don’t agree, but I can’t stop them either. Maybe that Uncle Charles can help down the road, but for now—”

The next thing I knew, Ruby Day had climbed into the backseat and Sapphire climbed in after her. She slammed the door shut.

I ran toward the car. “Ruby Day. No.” I pulled on the door but it was locked.

Delores put her arm around me. “I don’t believe it. She got in the car.”

Frederick got in the driver’s seat, and I heard the engine start. My heart raced along with it.

I took Delores’s hand and pulled her toward the Plymouth. “Lay down,” I said. “Like this.” I stretched out as close as I could to the back wheels of Sapphire’s car.

Daddy banged on Frederick’s window. “Don’t back up. My daughter’s there.”

“What are you doing?” I heard Frederick holler.

I shut my eyes tight and held Delores’s hand. Then I heard the car door open and a second later Sapphire stood over me like some shadowy monster. The dark clouds drifted behind her.

“Get up from there this instant,” Sapphire said.

“I will not,” I said. “Frederick can run over me if he wants, but I’m not giving up.”

Polly Dog skittered by and lay down at my feet. She whimpered and then looked at me with her bright eyes.

“Well, if that’s what you want,” Sapphire said.

I heard her click back to the car door and a second later the car door closed.

“Luna, what are you doing?” Daddy called.

“Don’t you get it, Justus?” Mama said. “She’s laying down her life. For her friend.”

Mama lay down next to Delores and held her hand. Then the twins and Jasper lay down on the ground. Then Mr. Haskell, and before I could say Jack Robinson the football team and Coach Trawler had joined the chain along with everyone else who was there. Even Clovis Hunkle, the boy Coach pulled out of Mason’s funeral, lay down in the street.

“I’m doing it for Mason,” Clovis said. “I … I’m sorry I made fun of Miss Ruby Day.”

“We can’t let you take Ruby Day,” I hollered.

“That’s right,” Daddy said. He squeezed next to Mama and me. “I’m proud of you, Luna, for caring so
much about Ruby Day. I’m sorry I doubted you. I’m sorry I doubted your strength.” I squeezed Daddy’s hand.

I closed my eyes tight to keep tears from spilling. When I opened them I saw Aunt Sapphire standing over me once again. A great dark cloud passed right behind her.

“You win. For now,” Aunt Sapphire said. “But I’ll be keeping my eye on you.”

“Go ahead,” Mama said. “Luna and Ruby Day will be just fine. We’re all watching.”

Thanksgiving arrived a couple of weeks after the Aunt Sapphire incident. Mama, of course, invited Ruby Day and me over for Thanksgiving Day dinner. Delores and Daddy had settled their squabble, and she and Carl made plans to become engaged when Delores turned seventeen, in spite of Daddy’s protests.

As a result, the table that year was fuller than it had ever been. Mama made the traditional foods—turkey with stuffing, and mashed potatoes that were so creamy and tasty I could have eaten them for days. Delores’s favorite was dessert, but she was so sweet on Carl she hardly ate anything. Ruby Day especially liked yams with marshmallows. And Daddy, of course, stood at the head of the table and carved the bird.

“Before Daddy asks the blessing,” I said, “I got something to say.”

“What is it, Luna?” Mama asked.

“You all know how I always wanted to be a teacher. Well now I know what kind of teacher. I’m going to become one of them special teachers that teach kids with … kids like Ruby Day.”

Mama took a deep breath. “Why, Luna, I think that’s wonderful.”

“Thank you, Mama. I don’t know how exactly, but maybe I can help. Maybe I can help people understand that folks like Ruby Day aren’t feebleminded or retarded or any of the other silly words people make up.”

Daddy pointed his finger at me. “Luna, I couldn’t be more proud of you then I am right now. And you were right. You can do anything you set your mind and heart on.”

After the blessing—which was longer than usual—hands went wild around the table as the food was served. Ruby Day’s eyes lit up like Christmas tree bulbs when she got her first taste of Mama’s homemade cranberry sauce.