Peaches

The Visit

Jean didn't know the Montgomery's were coming for dinner until they were already there. Maxine and Clementine were running around the yard, barely dressed, and shrieking when the Montgomery's sauntered up the drive way, in their fancy clothes and feathered hats. Mama hollered at them to come back inside, lest they risked spoiling themselves. Jean cursed herself for not realizing. She should have known as soon as she saw her mother taking out the metal rollers in her hair. She also cursed Mary for not being there. With Mary out with Ed for the night, Jean was stuck in the place of the oldest child. Being the oldest child meant that you were responsible for the little ones, but were still expected to join in to any adult conversations with ease. Jean felt so unprepared; all she wanted was to disappear into a wall somewhere.

In matter of seconds, they Mooneys all managed to pull themselves together and present themselves. Mrs. Montgomery was the one who knocked, lightly and fluttery, like a hummingbird. So light that Mama paused for a second, making sure she actually heard it. After realizing that yes, she had heard it, she practically ripped the door off its hinges, startling Mrs. Montgomery and her son.

Mrs. Montgomery walked in sheepishly, pulling Roger behind her, ducking and looking around like a chicken. "Thank you for inviting us, Nora." She said, almost immediately. Jean cringed when she heard her mother's actual name. She almost never heard it, and when she did it felt so unfamiliar it made her uncomfortable.

 Mrs. Montgomery was a skinny little thing, barely anything besides bone. Her face was pretty, heart shaped and pale, but she looked so sad. Her red eyes constantly looked watery. Her son, Roger, looked even sadder, like a little bird that had fallen out of its nest.

Her mother instantly ran up to Mrs. Montgomery and hugged her viciously. The woman's eyes bulged out of her head like she was furious, but then she relaxed into the hug and accepted it. "It's such a pleasure to have you all here." Her mother said, bouncing with delight. She then let go, opening her eyes and backing away from the poor woman. "I forgot that you haven't met my children." Her mother then took her time, introducing each one, even the ones that were absent.

In Jean's opinion, she was the only one that acted properly upon being introduced. She held her head high, unflinching, smiling as wide as she could. Maxine was starring at her feet, not making eye contact, avoiding any interaction. Clementine had run off as soon as they got into the house, much more concerned with her room. Lastly, Bobby, sweet little Bobby, was picking his nose.

Mr. Montgomery had walked in the house then, far later than his wife. Jean wondered what had taken him so long. He was dressed in a outfit very similar to his Sunday best. He stood behind next to his wife, not touching her, not smiling at her, not anything, as she pittered on with Jean's mother. He stood tall, unfeeling, not really looking at anything. When her mother said her name, she realized she was staring and looked away.

"Jean, could you please take Roger and Bobby outside until we're situated? I'll call you back in when we are ready for supper." Jean nodded silently, and took both Roger and Bobby's hands. She could see how much Bobby did not want it, but Mother's orders were law. Still, she heard no complaints. Jean brought them out to the hay barn, and let them go off and play on their own. She was sure they would have much more fun if she wasn't so close. So, she placed herself close enough for her to see a bird eye's view of their activities.

Around their old barn, there were tiny white daisies that had sprouted from under the wood work. It was a charming sight. Jean decided quickly that she was going to gather them up and make a crown out of them. She walked around the barn, breathing in the dew and the sweet air. It was a beautiful day; not to hot, not too cold. Perfect for anything.

Jean used to know the latin name for the daisies, but she had forgotten it expect for that it ended with vulgar. She had always thought it was funny how such simple pretty things could have such god awful names. Her pa had taught her all the names of every plant on their property once. He had taken her out into the fields, told her which ones were safe to eat, which ones could make you sick for weeks, which ones were the prettiest, and the rarest. She had memorized all their names and at one point could've told anyone what they were. Their names were forgotten now.