Steady Love

Inheritance

     Stars, crickets, the moon, the evening breeze and me.
     I could hear bull frogs by the water, and the rushing of the shallow river that flowed thru the back of the property. The hinges of the wooden porch swing as I swung back and forth lulled in sync with the sounds of the night, lulling me to rest.
     I ran my hand across my belly, I felt the tiny kicks daily, reminding me that there wasn't much time left. But I silently prayed that the time seemed longer than it was. I wasn't near prepared enough to bring this baby into the world. My sister in law, who was also my midwife, didn't seem to think I would have much longer, but I was holding out hope that the sweet baby would stay put a while longer.
     I prayed that god would protect the sweet baby. And also that he would help me to navigate my new normal as I worked my way thru the things that lie in front of me. I was left to do it on my own now, and it was a strange, solemn feeling to know that I would not only be taking care of myself but also a baby in just a short time. All on my own.
     I sat the tea cup in my free hand down on the table in front of me and tipped my head backwards, allowing my neck to rest some and my eyes to close as I sat wondering what I would do the next day.
     I was in the middle of making a mental list when I heard the gravel turning down the long road. I looked at my phone,  sitting next to my now cold tea on the table. 10:15.
     It was late. I could see headlights now, but couldn't make out what type of vehicle until it was much closer.
     It was a gold dodge truck. One is never seen before. It looked newer. Surely newer than my small Chevy sitting to the side. It pulled up next to my truck in the driveway.
     I shifted in my seat on the swing, wondering if I should stand or stay put.
     A man stepped out of the truck and came forward, stopping at the bottom step. He was tall and lean, with sandy hair the was just long enough to see under his hat, without being shaggy. He removed his hat, and ran a hand thru his short hair , brushing it back away with his large hand before replacing a cowboy hat back onto his head. He had a dusting of hair accross his face, not a thick and heavy beard yet, but the start of one.
He stood in front of the house silently for a minute and then cleared his throat, seemingly distracted. I looked down at myself.
No wonder he was distracted. I was beginning to become pretty sizable, and the may heat was getting to me. I had been in the garden most of the day, planting and pruning and weeding things out now, so I had already showered before coming out on the porch to sit and study the Bible and sip my tea. The thin t shirt and cotton shorts did nothing to hide my growing state, although the t shirt was too big, it cling to my belly as I leaned against the back of the swing with my feet up on the stool, falling down against my belly and revealing the size.
"Uh, can I help you?" I finally asked, curious as to why he was standing in front of me at 10:15 at night.
"Oh!" He snapped back from whatever he was thinking. "Uh, I don't know. Maybe." He started. "I'm looking for Corinne Hudson."
"That's me." I said, still unsure what he could be wanting.
He stood silent for another long second before continuing "uh, okay. Well, Mrs. Hudson, it seems there's been some estate left in your name. Is your father Don Farley?" He asked, holding up a Manila envelope.
I didn't know what to say. I nodded silently. I took a long time to reply.
"I'm going to assume you came a long way. Would you care for some tea?"

He sat at the table now, silently watching as I boiled the kettle.
"I don't have any coffee. I know yea isn't really a manly beverage." I apologized. By the looks of him, he drank coffee. He had calloused hands and deep eyes, and his clothes were clean, but his boots were scuffed and worn.
He waved a hand at me "no, teas fine. I certainly don't need anymore caffeine after the long drive."
I filled his cup and sat down across the small table from him. I suddenly felt self conscious of my unmatched, thrifted, tea cups, and I wasn't sure why. The one in front of me was my favorite from the whole cabinet. It was milk glass, elegant and sweet. It had belonged to my grandmother. Just as much of the other "pretty" things in the small, clap board cottage had. The one in front of the still nameless man was blue china, with tiny white daisys sprinkling the sides of the round dish.
" can I get your name?" I asked after setting down near him.
"Oh, gosh. I guess I haven't given ya much information." He said, chastising himself. "I'm Cal Quinton." He said. "I'm not typically this unmannerly, Mrs. Hudson, I apologize-"
"Miss." I cut him off
He looked at me puzzled. "It's just miss, I'm unmarried."
He stuttered. "I didn't mean to offend, it's just that, in your..." he stopped himself. I knew what he was saying.
"In my condition you thought that there must be a husband." I finished for him.
He looked down at his tea. I would normally agree with him. I did agree with him. There should be a husband. But there wasn't. And we didn't need one. I did just fine on my own.
He cleared his throat again. Maybe the tea would be soothing for that.
"So, it should all be in this envelope." He said, sliding the thick package across the table.
I took it and sat it next to my cup on the table. "Are you his attorney?"
He shewed air out of his mouth, shaking his head again. "Oh, no. I was just a good buddy. We met on a drive a few years back, I was workin' for a ranch just south of his and we were helpin' out. He kinda took me in, and hired me on with his mean and I been there ever since." He said, pushing himself back from the table a bit and then settling in the chair again.
I nodded in understanding. "Hm. Well, I'm glad he took someone in."
It was the wrong thing to say. I knew it was. I silently asked gods forgiveness. And again asked it for the thought recurring that all men leave. Although, in my experience, that is how it seemed.
"Well, I appreciate you coming all this way. Im not real sure what he could have left me, but I appreciate you delivering it nonetheless." I said, taking a small sip of my tea.
He looked at me puzzled. "Well, your father owned a lot of land. He had a lot of cattle and horses. Some money even." He said. "Although im not sure how much."
I shook my head. "I know, my momma use to tell me about it sometimes." I said. She did. My mother use to tell me beautiful stories of a ranch in the west, where she rode bareback white horses in the tall grass. Stories of being barefoot on the bank of a river and watching cows drink. But it wasn't hers. It was his and he didn't share. He'd made her leave and take me with her. He didn't want either of us.
      "Im just not sure what of that he could think I'd want or even care enough to leave to me." I acknowledged, raising my glass to take another sip.
"Well, to my understanding ma'am, all of it."