Page 34

Gladys didn't change expression, but her eyes full of accusations shifted to me. I opened the door and stepped out quickly, Daddy following with a wide grin. But when we got into the truck and started away, he stopped smiling.

"You got to help me convince your mama about this, Gabriel. She's gonna think it's some plan I hatched to make more money. You be sure to tell her it was Gladys Tate's idea, not mine, hear?"

"I will, Daddy."

"Good," he said. And then, thinking about the money, he did break into a wide smile again.

"Is it a lot of money?" I asked.

"What? Oh. Well, not as much as I would have liked, but it will do fine. make sure your mother has a bundle to stash and then I'll buy us some things for the house and maybe even a new truck and tools for me so I can get more work."

"That's good, Daddy," I said. I gazed back at the mansion and thought at least something good has come out of this terrible thing.

Mama said nothing for a few long, heavy. moments. She listened to what Daddy told her, spewing it all in nearly one breath, and then she looked at me and got up from the table to go stand by a window. The plank shutters were open and the breeze blew the cheesecloth we had hung over it so that it flapped about her.

"I don't like it," she finally said. "It don't sound natural, her pretending to be having a baby and all."

"What?" Daddy's eyes bulged as he floundered. "Here we are getting all this money, Gabriel don't have to walk in broad daylight with her stomach out a mile and take the stares and gossip, and there's a good place for the baby, and you don't like it?"

"Most women I know wouldn't be so gracious about it and want to keep the child as their own, Jack."

"Well, look at the women you know. They ain't got her class. Am I right, Gabriel?" he asked, and nodded. "Go on, tell her."

"I think it's for the best, Mama. She told me so far she hasn't been able to get pregnant. She blames herself, and I think that's why she's not so hard on Octavious and why she wants to keep the baby."

Mama stared at me a moment. "You understand quite a lot for a young woman, Gabriel. You're growing up so fast," she said, shaking her head. "But it ain't right this way."

"What you complaining about now, woman? That the child got good sense? Well, she inherited it from you," Daddy offered.

"That, I believe, Jack Landry," she said, fixing her eyes on him. "How much money did they offer you? Come on, tell me quick and no lies."

"Five thousand dollars!" he said. "How's that?"

Mama was impressed, but she still shook her head sadly. "Blood money," she said. "I don't feel right taking it, Jack."

"Well, you're not taking it. I'm taking it," he said. "And it's just your luck I see fit to give some of it to you and do things around here you wanted me to do," he added.

"It's still the same as if I took it."

"Gabriel," he cried, throwing up his hands. "Will you talk sense into this mother of yours? I'm about outta steam."

"Mama, it's the best solution and at least something good will come from it. Gladys Tate is going to let you visit me, pretending you're treating her."

"What will I tell people about your not being here?" she asked, relenting somewhat.

"You'll tell them she went to visit my brother's family in Beaumont," Daddy suggested. "That'll do just fine, no?"

"No. My friends know I would never let her go visit a Landry," Mama replied. "I'm not a good liar anyway. Don't have your experience, Jack."

"Then don't say nothing. It ain't none of their business anyhow."

"You can tell them I went to visit with your aunt Haddy, Mama. I've always wanted to visit her anyway. It's almost not a lie."

Mama laughed. "You're getting to sound like him," she said, but kept her smile. She walked over to me and stroked my hair and then kissed my forehead. "Poor child. You don't deserv

e this. It wasn't your fault, but it isn't the first time and it won't be the last something unfair happens in this world. You sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, Mama."