$ugga Momma (Old Version)

[25]

Taking a sip of her wine Mrs. Davidson watched contractors set the large tree in its perfectly round hole. The sun was slowly fading away as the clouds formed above, its quite clapping noises of thunder made sure to warn everyone what was to come. Slowly becoming louder She could see the rain falling miles away. Hopefully, it would wait to rain for a few hours, but who was she to ask the weather to wait for her?

Letting her heels click on the covered wooden patio she clenched her jaw as they started shoveling dirt around the infant tree to keep it steady. It was a beautiful addition to her yard. Brooke was right to suggest another tree be added.

Seeing a man run up from the work area she put her wine glass down to turn her body to face him. He took off his hat and smiled. Dirt covering his face and clothes. "Is there anything else you'd like us to do before we head out for the night?"

Observing the tobacco that Sat in his lip she shook her head politely. "How long have you done this Reagan?"

Scratching his sweaty head with his hat, he shrugged. "A couple of years."

"Do you think it's good enough to raise a family?"

Switching his weight between his feet nervously he nodded.

"Even though you left a machine at my house last night?"

Shutting his mouth Reagan didn't say anything.

"I'm paying you to work on my landscape. I don't see in our contract anywhere that I'm being paid to house your machines."

Nodding quickly he put his hat back on. "We will make sure everything is cleared out tonight. My sincerest apologies Mrs-" He paused."Ms."

Thinking she tapped her nails on the wooden railing and sighed loudly. Days like this was when she felt the loneiesy. She just wanted to be to the part where Brooke and her would sit under this porch under a blanket listening to the rain. She hated the waiting process.

What made it even worse was she was the one who had to do the waiting. She wasn't waiting on an answer anymore. She was pushing her away for the extra benefit of her process. The process was long and gruesome but worth it. Taking the last swig of her drink she threw the glass on the ground. "Clean that up."

Watching him scurry down the steps, he put his gloves on and started to do what he was told. Becoming bored she made her way back into her house. Kellie, whom she left to set up her equipment, beamed when she saw her finally come in. She sat at the island with her pen and paper ready to write down whatever she could.

"There you are." Kellie took her voice recorder and pushed record. "Thank you so much for letting me use you as my first real story."

"of course." She gave a fake smile and took out two more glasses. "What would you like to know?"

"Well I was wondering if you could walk me through the last night you saw Jerry Davidson."

"He refused the idea of divorce." The blonde poured them both a new bottle of wine. "We didn't have a very good marriage. Even if it looked like it on camera." Winking she took a sip and pushed the other glass over.

Gladly taking the alcohol the shorter haired girl cleared her throat, "enough to get physical?"

Squinting Mrs. Davidson leaned forward on the cabinet. "Enough to give me this black eye yes."

"And he stormed off?"

"Into the sunset."

"What was the last thing he said to you?"

"That he was done." She shook her head and looked past the young reporter. Almost in a trance. "He was a sorry excuse for a man. He left the campaign, his wife, and every one of his responsibilities."

Scribbling down her words Kellie tapped her pencil on the next question. Hesitant to ask she looked up slowly. "Your husband was very famous for his radical ideas. Did you agree with them?"

Tightning her jaw the blonde smiled. "Not one."

Widening her eyes, she scooted the voice recorder closer. "You're saying you don't believe in your husbands politics?"

"Ex." Taking another sip she stood up straight. "I'm no longer going to sit aside Kellie. That man abused me into silence, and I won't let that happen to anyone else. I'll be voicing my opinions regularly from now on."

"What opinions to you have to raise?"

"Well more than an opinion I have a fact I would love to share finally." Mrs. Davidson picked up the voice recorder. "I'm gay."

Watching for a few seconds Kellie finally nodded and wrote down her words. "Did Jerry Davidson know?"

"Yes."

"I'm so sorry." Taking the recorder and stopping it the young girl sighed. "Off the record Sophie I'm so sorry."

Tilting her head and taking another drink the older woman crossed her arms. "Why?"

"Having to hide who you are for a man who just disappears when things get hard! That's so rough."

"It was, but not anymore. I'm running for office Kellie."

"Is that on record?"

"It will be when you publish it."

"Do you understand how good of a campaign? Strategy that is?"

Mrs. Davidson raised an eyebrow as a response.

Scribbling down their conversation as quickly as possible the girl held her forehead. "I think you just gave me an A+!"

"I could give you more." Taking out the phone Jerry accidently left behind she saw Brooke's dad texting him frantically. Not understanding why his best friend left with no words. "If you stay here and not go back to Austin, I'll give you great stories."

"I'll have to call my professor."

"Well let me know what he says." Winking at her she went and opened the front door. "When is the article coming out?"

"Midnight, if I edit fast enough."

"Then get the fuck out of my house and do it."

Smiling from cheek to cheek Kellie grabbed her stuff and ran out frantically not wanting to disappoint.

"Kellie!"

She stopped and looked back shielding her eyes from the sun.

"Is Brooke going to the dance?"

She nodded. "She's going with her friend Lea!"

Grinning she waved at her again. "OK be safe." Watching her get into her van and pull out of her driveway she looked at the newly planted tree and empty yard. Everything was going to be out in the open now. The next step was done. Now all she could do was sit by herself and wonder what Brooke was doing.