Randi Pink - Girls Like Us

11 Weeks & 6 Days Along

Summer 1972

Evangelist, Ola, and Izella formed a tight assembly line in their tiny kitchen. Evangelist shelled the peas, sixteen-year-old Ola bagged them into perfect portions, and fifteen-year-old Izella organized them by date in the deep freeze. Izella hated being the youngest. Always stuck with the easiest jobsorganize the vegetables, lay out the spoons, wipe down the table. She wanted to cut, strain, mix, and bake like her big sister, Ola, did from time to time, but Evangelist wouldnt allow it.

Quit daydreaming, Babygal, Evangelist snipped as she vigorously stirred shortening into her hot-water cornbread. You backing us up.

Izella sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes before picking up the pace. Her mother never let her forget her lowly place in the house; she even called her Babygal as a constant reminder.

Im fixing you girls some turkey necks and hot sauce, announced Evangelist with a wide, drawn smile. Your favorite since yall could hold spoons.

I cant, Ola told her mother with a grimace. I think I got a bug.

You stay sick, gal, Evangelist told her firstborn, before grasping a piping-hot cauldron from the potbelly stove with her bare hands and placing it in the middle of their small wooden dining table. Now, everybody down to your knees for grace.

The three dutifully crouched to their knees in the middle of the spotless kitchen, clasped hands, and closed their eyes for prayer.

Evangelist began. Oh blessed, kind, loving heavenly Father. Bless this family with the grace of a thousand angels, oh God. Bless this food and the loving hands that prepared it, oh God

The sisters peeked at each other and giggled. It had become something of a tradition for them to chuckle during their mothers lengthy prayers. She prayed long, as Ola would say. A food blessing could easily last ten minutes, and by the time it was over, they were starving and their knees ached, but there was no way around it. Their shotgun house was outfitted with oak planked hardwoods. It was small, but it was always clean and filled with strangers, since their tiny living room doubled as a neighborhood church, pastored by Prophetess/Evangelist Flossie Mae Murphy. Everyone from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high was welcome in their small home.

Evangelist had been called to ministry after what she called a young life in the world of sin. Word on the streets said that, before Ola and Izella came along, she had run a successful backyard shot house and bootlegged whiskey and moonshine from Savannah. Even though her mother was a woman of God now, Izella could easily imagine her that way. Evangelists nature was to bring people in and surround them with joy. When she became a mother, that joy was from the Lord, but as a young woman, she spread that joy through illegal liquor.

Amen. Evangelist ended her grace. Now, grab a spoon and fill up before chapel. Weve got a full house tonight. That traveling tent revival out of Detroit went up last night. They stop by every year for southern home cooking. Last year was standing room only; remember that, Ola? Babygal was probably too little to remember.

Izella cringed until Ola caught eyes with her and mouthed the word help.

Evangelist? Izella asked her mother.

What is it, Babygal? she replied.

I forgot to take Mrs. Mac her bread this morning, Izella said with her head hung. You mind if we miss supper today to walk down to her house?

Evangelist stopped her stirring to stare at her daughters. Look here now, girls. I know Mrs. Mac is mean as a snake, but shes been through hell and came out the other side scarred up. Its a wonder shes still walking this side of heaven with all shes been through. Im not trying to punish yall. Im teaching something that cant be taught in school or even at church. Evangelist poked her index finger into Izellas sternum. Life aint got a thing to do with what you want. You were put on this earth to help people who cant help themselves. Feed people who cant feed themselves. Even wipe people up when they cant do it, you understand me?

Yes, maam, said Izella.

You too? she asked Ola. Youre the oldest.

Yes, maam, Ola replied. I understand.

Now, she said before going back to stirring. Go on ahead and take that poor woman what might be her only meal today.

Yes, maam, they said, and scurried out the back door.

Back before the streetlights! Evangelist yelled after them.

Ola and Izella quickly walked to the first intersection and turned the corner.

Thanks, Ola told her sister. I couldnt stomach one spoonful of turkey-neck juice.

Youre welcome, but you owe me, Izella replied. I actually wanted them turkey necks. Where we going? Izella skipped after her big sister.

Where else? Ola pointed to the recreation center where her secret boyfriend, Walter, worked.

Izella stopped walking. Ola, I didnt skip supper to watch you and that boy all hugged up again. Besides, I really do need to take Mrs. Mac her loaf of bread. She crippled and cant walk no more.

Ill tell you what, Ola started. You head on over to mean old Mrs. Macs house, and Ill go hug up with Walter, that way you wont have to see us.

Izella turned back toward home. Im telling Evangelist on you.

Okay, okay, okay. Ola gave in. Ill go with you to Mrs. Macs house, but dont get all into a talk for hours and hours like you do. I dont know why you want me there; she just ignores me. You and Evangelist are the only two folks she likes in the world.

Id ignore you, too, if you called me mean old Mrs. Mac, Izella replied. You dont even try with her. Ask her a question about her life every now and then.

Thats just it. I dont care, Ola said before tugging at one of Izellas fuzzy pigtails.

Exactly. Youre a low-down dirty gal.

Ola stopped cold and folded her arms tightly. Im not low-down; Im just not interested in those old, sad slave stories all the time.

She hasnt told me one sad slave story, thank you very much.

Then what yall talk about in that back room, then?

You really dont know? Izella asked, stunned. When Ola shook her head, she continued, voice hushed. Mrs. Mac was a reader back in the late eighteens, hiding out in the weeping woods of Savannah. She tells me stories, real stories about curses and hexes and love spells and protections. She can even read my hand and tell what Im gone be when I get big.

You lying, Ola said with a phony confidence. She could hardly believe that after months of daily visits to Mrs. Macs she had no idea about any of this. Thats a bunch of baloney. What she tell you?

Izella could tell that Ola was trying to act like she didnt care. None of your business! You dont even like Mrs. Mac, re-mem-ber? Izella skipped forward with bigger strides.