The Ghosts of Varner Creek by Michael Weems Read Free Book Online Page B

folks she didn't care too much for over for dinner. She'd lecture them about morals, try to help them find God, and even help them find work if they needed it, but having them under her roof was another matter. She was very particular about who she invited under her roof, but she made an exception for Pap for Mama’s sake. And it was because of this closeness she couldn't help but notice that Mama just hadn't been herself today. "Are you feeling all right, Annie?" she asked. "You’re looking a little peakish, dear."
    "Huh?" asked Mama. "Oh, no, Miss Thomas, I'm just fine. Happy as a clam after seeing Sarah have such a perfect birthday. I can't thank you enough for coming and for the book. I'm sure she's just going to love it."
    "Well, I know it's difficult sometimes, Annie. But God made your child just as loving and pure as she can be.” Mama didn’t respond but Miss Thomas knew something was eating at her. She was thinking that maybe Sarah's condition was weighing on Mama lately, and in times of need Miss Thomas relied on the scriptures. “'Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God'. —Matthew five:eight',” she told Mama. Miss Thomas had an arsenal of her favorite verses memorized and she was quick to whip one out for appropriate occasions, “And she's blessed to have a mother like you, Annie. You're doing very well by her."
    Mama paused a bit and looked in Miss Thomas' sturdy eyes with her own frail hazel ones. She had her left pinky between her teeth working on it a bit. She still didn't say anything, though.
    "What is it, Annie?"
    "Nothing. I'm just wondering if I have done right."
    Miss Thomas gave her a little hug, "Well of course you have, child. You've done as well as anybody could ask of you. The Lord has given you burdens, to be sure, but He wouldn't give you more than He thought you could bear, Annie."
    She had hoped her words would have a cheering effect on Mama, but instead Mama said something that took the cheery wind right out of Miss Thomas' sails, "And what happens when the devil throws his lot in on top of what the good Lord done give me?" There weren't any tears in her eyes but there was something deep and painful in them that really struck a chord with Miss Thomas. "What do you do then?"
    Miss Thomas paused and thought a moment. Uncle Colby and Aunt Emma were waiting for her and this wasn't the chance she'd have to try to get my Mama to open up some more. "Then that person must ask Him to help them bear it, Annie. Isaiah forty-one:ten, ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee. Yea, I will help thee. Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’” That was just the right one, I’m sure Miss Thomas was thinking to herself, “Whatever shadows or storms come, Annie, they pass. Just be strong like you have been and you'll weather them."
    Mama kind of nodded in feigned agreement. "I know. Thank you again, Miss Thomas. I'll see you Sunday at church."
    "We'll talk some more then if you feel like it, okay?"
    "Of course, Miss Thomas. I'll see you later." She gave Miss Thomas a hug as the lady in blue climbed in the wagon and they headed down the road.
    I helped Mama clear the dishes and Pap dismantled the makeshift table. Sarah followed Mama and me around modeling her princess dress and casting spells with, what she had chosen for the moment to be, her magic wand. She wanted Mama to read to her from her new book and was trying to enchant the dishes clean so Mama would hurry up and finish them. Mama seemed to be moving at a snail's pace, though. Her expression was distant and she moved as though somebody else was directing her around on hidden strings.
    Eventually, the house was put straight again and Sarah and I climbed in our beds while Mama read us a bit from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland . Mama was on Chapter two, The Pool of Tears , and she read: "Dear, dear! How queer everything is today! And yesterday things