Good Woman Blues by Lynn Emery Read Free Book Online

“I—I’m
not. How are you doing?”
    “I’m good.” Roz nibbled on a piece of romaine
lettuce. “A little more pepper.”
    “I guess it’s just one of those things folks
go through every now and then. Right?” Erikka sprinkled finely
chopped fresh parsley on the buttered bread. Not a bad start. She
looked at her mother.
    Roz sighed. “You’re not the first and won’t
be the last, sweetheart.”
    Erikka dropped a loaf. “Huh?”
    “Listen, you’ll get your job back and the
traffic court hearing will be fine. You partied a little too much.
I’m sure you’ve learned your lesson. Agreed?” Roz raised an eyebrow
at her.
    “Oh, right.” Erikka picked up the bread and
put it back on a plate.
    “Girl, please.” Roz grimaced. She reached
over and tossed the bread into the trash can.
    “You always say your floors are so clean we
could eat off them.” Erikka set the table.
    “That doesn’t mean we will.” Roz wiped up
invisible crumbs with a damp paper towel.
    “According to Grandmaman Lillie ‘What don’
kill ya will make ya fat’.” Erikka did a perfect imitation of her
grandmother’s Creole accent.
    “Her putting on that act is what kills me,”
Roz retorted. “Acting as though she walks barefoot in a wooden
shack down the bayou.”
    Erikka laughed. “I suppose she does
dramatize.”
    “Humph,” was her mother’s only response. She
put the salad bowl on the table. “Back to you'.'
    “Back to me.” Erikka waited for her stomach
to tighten with anxiety. Nothing.
    “Yes. You’ll more than likely have to attend
one of those driving schools. But the fact that you went into the
hospital is a big plus.” Roz tossed out the condensed description
of the worst night of Erikka’s life while she set the table.
    “Okay.”
    Erikka refrained from mentioning she’d been
drunk, mumbled to the paramedics something about death, and was
committed to a psycho ward by the emergency room doctor. However,
if her mother wanted to spin the story that she’d voluntarily
sought help, Erikka wouldn’t argue. Besides, Erikka’s lawyer had
jumped on Roz’s version. They were both so convincing that Erikka
could almost believe it. Almost.
    “You’ve got a good job and no previous
record. I’m sure the judge will totally understand.” Rosalinde
smoothed a wrinkle from one of the place mats.
    “Sure thing. Just don’t forget the bribe,”
Erikka quipped in a dry tone.
    “Not funny at all, Erikka. I suggest you curb
that smart mouth. Neither the judge nor your boss will be
impressed.”
    Erikka tried for an expression with the right
mixture of remorse and rehabilitation. “Yes, ma’am. I’ve learned my
lesson, and I’m a changed woman. How’s that?”
    “Work on it.” Roz squinted at her, and then
sat down. She unfolded a sage green cotton napkin and put it in her
lap.
    Craig strolled in, wearing a loose cotton
shirt over baggy drawstring pants. “Smells some kind of good in
here. That’s how I know Erikka’s in the house. Thank God we’ll get
a decent home-cooked meal for once.” He kissed Erikka on the
forehead.
    “Good timing, Daddy.” Erikka tossed the oven
mitt aside and hugged him tight.
    “Whoa now, those are my ribs you’re
cracking,” he teased.
    Erikka still held on but loosened her grip.
She breathed in the familiar scent of soap, aftershave, and freshly
laundered cotton. “Like I could hurt a big strong guy like
you.”
    “Squeeze all you want, sugar. It’s going to
be all right,” Craig replied quietly, his baritone voice made
deeper by paternal protectiveness.
    “Yes, it will be.” Roz nodded in agreement.
“Now where’s my supper.
    As they exchanged casual conversation, Erikka
watched her mother and stepfather. Soon they were laughing at one
of Craig’s funny stories. Roz’s smile at his jokes seemed easy and
genuine. Craig showed no telltale signs of disgust with his
marriage. Erikka wondered if she’d imagined that their marriage was
rocky or that her life had