In Constant Sorrow

Chapter Eight: My Liver Will Handle What My Heart Can't

Chetta sat on the edge of the tub watching as Scrim took a pair of clippers to his head. "You really let that old fuck get in your head?"

"Nah."

"You been wearing that ski mask to cover your face when we're doing pickups and drops and now you're shaving your head... I think he did."

He turned to look at the other man, "Declan proved to me that we are highly visible. He just fucking walked in here like nothin' bro." He went back to shaving his head. "It's time to lay low."

Abilene sat at Granny's dining room table across from her parents while Granny tended to something in the kitchen. Caroline was talking a mile a minute while Declan shoved slice after slice of butter soaked cornbread into his mouth. "Oh, Declan, honey you're gonna ruin your dinner."

Declan threw a side glance at Caroline as he swallowed, "I've been waiting for eight years to eat my mama's cookin' I'll be ok." He tipped back a glass of sweet tea and looked to Abilene, "Baby girl it's so good to see you."

Abilene gave him a weak smile and went back to staring her mother down. She knew better than to get into it with Caroline in front of her father.

"Alright! Supper is ready, I made Declan's favorite, chicken and dumplins, a blackberry cobbler for Abilene, and buttermilk drop biscuits."

Abilene excused herself to help her Grandmother bring the food to the table.

"She still mad at you," Declan asked between mouthfuls.

"You see the way she's lookin' at me with your own two eyes, Declan."

He chuckled, "yeah."

Abilene began to serve her father when Caroline interrupted, "Oh Abby let me do that." Abilene jerked the serving spoon out of Caroline's reach and continued her task like the woman hadn't said anything. They shared an icy look.

"Well!" Granny looked around everyone with a pleased look on her face, "let's have Declan say grace before we start."

They held hands and bowed their heads as Declan cleared his throat. "Come, O, Heavenly Father, our guest to be and bless this food we take as nourishment. Bestowed by thee. Thank you for the food before us. May we be gracious, forgiving, and kind in all that we do. May we act in your likeness and walk in your light, O, Lord. Thank you, in the name of your son Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen."

"Just beautiful Son, thank you."

"Well," Caroline looked up from her meal, "Abby you have some good news don't you honey?"

"Uh, yeah. I made the dean's list and got recommended for a full ride scholarship."

Granny clapped her hands together, "Oh Abilene, that's wonderful! I'm so proud."

Abilene looked to Declan for some validation and he nodded, "I'm proud of you baby girl, doin' what nobody in this family has ever done. It really is a testament to your brilliance and your drive to be the best version of yourself."

Abilene smiled softly, "Thanks Daddy."

The rest of dinner went relatively well, Abilene even mustered the strength to give her mother a short hug before she left.

Caroline and Declan sat in the den as the news played quietly on the old tv.

"Why is she so mad at you?"

Caroline let out a long dramatic sigh, "Well after you went away I was not my best."

Declan raised a brow, "Caro, you were never your best."

Caroline huffed. "Everything came to a head one day and I threw my little Obama phone at her and hit her in the face, so I am sure that didn't really help things- oh do not look at me like that Declan-"