Eventide - Kent Haruf [20]
As they approached the Highway 34 Grocery Store Betty said: Oh, I forgot my napkins.
What do you mean? Rose said.
It’s my time of month come round again. I don’t have my napkins. I’ll have to change sometime.
Do you want to stop and buy some?
If you please. I better.
They pulled in and parked among the cars near the front doors. Beyond the plateglass windows the store was brightly lit and there were women standing at the checkout. Go ahead, Rose said.
Betty looked toward the store but didn’t get out.
What is it now?
I don’t have no money. I didn’t bring my pocketbook. Could you loan me some? I’ll pay you back first of the month.
Rose gave her some bills and Betty went inside. When she disappeared into the aisles, Rose turned in the seat to look at the children. Are you two all right back there?
She’s not going to want us, Joy Rae said.
Who isn’t?
Mama’s aunt.
Why do you say that?
Last time she said not to come back again. I don’t see why we have to go out there.
Maybe you won’t have to stay very long. Just until your parents can calm down a little.
When’s that going to be?
Soon, I hope.
I don’t want to go out there either, Richie said.
Oh? Rose said.
I don’t like it out there.
Cause you wet the bed the last time and she got mad, Joy Rae said. He wets the bed.
So do you.
Not no more.
Betty came back with a paper bag and Rose drove east from town on the highway out into the flat open treeless country, then turned north a mile to a little dark house. A light came on above the front door as the car stopped. Okay, Rose said. Here we are.
Betty looked at the house and got out and climbed the steps to the door and knocked. After some time a woman in a red kimono opened the door. Her hair was flat on one side, as if she’d been in bed already. She was smoking a cigarette and she looked past Betty at the car. Well, she said. What do you want now?
Can me and my kids stay here tonight?
Oh lord, what happened this time?
Luther slapped me. He’s being mean to me again.
I told you the last time I wasn’t going to do this again. Didn’t I.
Yes.
I don’t know why you two even stay together.
He’s my husband, Betty said.
That doesn’t mean you have to stay with him. Does it.
I don’t know.
Well I do. I got to get up in the morning and go to work. I can’t be running you all over town.
But he’s being mean. I don’t want to stay with him tonight. Betty looked back toward the car. Rose had turned the engine off.
Then suddenly the rain started. It came down slanted brightly under the yardlight next to the garage and glinting and splashing under the yellow porch light. Betty began to get wet.
Oh, all right, the aunt said. But you know you’ll just go back to him. You always do. But you listen to me now, it’s just for tonight. This ain’t going to be anything permanent.
We won’t make no trouble, Betty said.
You already have.
Betty looked away and put her hand up over her face, shielding her face from the rain.
Well, tell them to come in, the aunt said. I’m not standing out here all night.
Betty waved toward the car for the children to come.
I think you better go on, Rose told them. I think it’ll be all right.
Joy Rae took the bag from the front seat and she and her brother got out and hurried through the rain up onto the porch, then followed their mother inside. The aunt looked again at the car. She flipped her cigarette out into the wet gravel and shut the door behind her.
THE WIND WAS BLOWING THE RAIN SIDEWAYS IN GUSTS