“White Is for Weddings”

White Is For Weddings

Sylvia A. Witmore

AuthorHouse™

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Phone: 1-800-839-8640

© 2011 Sylvia Witmore. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/20/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4685-0003-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-0002-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-0001-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011960077

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

This book is dedicated to all of my cousins

and is not based on any one living or dead.

Prologue

Present Time

‘It has been reported that evil lies in the hearts of all men’; however, that is hard to digest when babies are born perfect with no defects whatsoever but still some of them grow up to become unhappy, deranged teenagers with a penchant for mischief all their lives or as adults end up with criminal intents later in life.

There was a classic Radio Broadcast series (broadcast from the 1930s through 1950s), which was initially called The Detective Story Hour for CBS. The narrator, played by James La Curto and then Frank Readick, was referred to only as The Shadow.

The Shadow was famous for the comment: Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows…

Response for the mysterious voice was absolutely overwhelming and writer, Walter B. Gibson, quickly launched a pulp fiction magazine defining this new super crime fighter. The Shadow became one of the most enduring pulp fiction heroes, lasting for 325 novels; 285 of these novels were penned by Mr. Gibson himself over 17 years, and this was marked as one of the most successful pulp publishing ventures during that time span.

On the radio, the Shadow continued to play only the role of narrator until 1937 when the Shadow commanded the lead in fighting crime over the airwaves. A young, 22 year-old actor named Orson Welles, won the audition to become the voice of the Shadow in the new expanded format. His eerie voice was created by standing close to the microphone and whispering into the top of a glass, which magnified the sound into the air waves.

Although the famous Shadow laugh continued from the earlier Frank Readick era, Welles’ enthusiasm and talent helped to propel the radio series as the highest rated dramatic program during that time. With Bill Johnston and Bret Morison picking up the cape over time, the broadcast run lasted an astonishing 25 years with as many as 15 million weekly listeners enjoying the mysteries and learning the lesson that the seed of crime bears bitter fruit…crime does not pay!

Criminals are not born; the evil that lives in their hearts can be manifested through the years to reach monumental proportions of wrong-doing; sometimes this is attributed to their background. This very essence of evil could possibly have been controlled by the love of their family, their own conscience or their actual moral aptitude. Without morals or a conscience, some of these criminals commit evil deeds and sometimes they actually get away with it; especially if they are adept enough to fool everyone just by professing their profound innocence.

It has been debated by some that if there happens to be a defect in a newborn child that it can be traced back to how the mother cared for her body while the child was developing but, of course, that is not always true. Sometimes the condition of that baby is not always caused by a genetic defect but because there is a more long-range plan from out Creator above.

A significant amount of research has been performed which connects abuse as a child to personality development and various behaviors as adults, even negative behaviors depending on the severity of the abuse. Lawyers have used such a defense in a court of law very effectively throughout the years; they profess that men or women who perform evil deeds do so because of their own treatment during childhood and this defense is used constantly with great success world wide today. Again this defense often depends on the level of the actual abuse.

Environmental factors play a HUGE role in the mental health of a child. Where there is a home centered in love, trust, responsibility and so forth, a child more often than not turns out to be relatively happy and successful in the long run. Not to say there are no ups and downs in life because for sure there are…it depends on how that particular individual handles the pitfalls he or she encounters during their lifetime.

Also there are certain labels placed on people daily that they might not deserve, therefore, this author agrees that it’s possible for the stigma of that unflattering label to eventually affect the future of that particular child.

It has been reported that sometimes children who are raised without discipline often become bored and unruly during his or her lifetime. Boredom absolutely reduces the child to search for relief; sometimes, it is manifested in simple mischievousness, which they outgrow, but again it can become more serious and could be taken to a completely new level.

Sometimes evil deeds are covered up by the simple façade of complete innocence.

Some children are born with a loving, accepting disposition that endures them to everyone they meet. Then there are others with just a little bit of naughty mischief ingrained inside their hearts which at times becomes apparent when they are allowed the freedom of calling the shots in their life continuously without any censure whatsoever.

Then there are the children who are born with an inherent ability to look wide-eyed and blameless after a deliberately naughty prank; that is a natural gift that some people automatically possess; this practiced innocent act can smooth over ruffled feathers, personal injuries as well as erase hurt feelings without anyone ever harboring a grudge against the mischief maker. Most children possess a learned behavior; the child learns from an early age how to act and what to do in order to get exactly what they want; essentially they are all seeking the same thing, attention perhaps.

Children learn what works by the responses of the adults around them. For example, some children may learn to be a little sneaky because if they get caught their parents will get very angry. Other children learn to ask permission because they are very good negotiators. All through their lives they are learning and relearning ways to act to achieve exactly what they want; they may do different things in order to obtain it. Some children cry, some throw things, some ask nicely.

If the child involved is always given anything and everything their heart desires without any limitations, restrictions or some type of control, things sometimes will spiral completely out of control.

Boredom is a tedious trait for a child to have. Busy hands will always keep a child out of mischief and in the long run can produce a capable, loving adult who will be able to reach out to others with acceptance, love and understanding.

A child who is always searching for relief from that debilitating boredom sometimes produces chaos in order to end their tedious existence. That particular child sometimes ends up in more trouble than they could ever have anticipated.

This is such a story…

June, 1990

Dyke and Millie Randolph were just a little late arriving at the state park that Sunday afternoon because their precocious almost five year old little girl couldn’t decide right away which outfit she wanted to wear. She chose to wear a frilly dress but her parents knew that she needed to wear shorts or a little romper suit that was suitable for running that afternoon out on the playground; it was a real battle to finally convince her to change her mind.

They had always enjoyed attending the Festival in the Park at the local park which started on the first Sunday in June of every year. The tradition became so popular after the first successful year that the schedule of the festival was changed from once yearly to four times a year always beginning on the first Sunday of each June then ending on the first Sunday in September.

This particular state park was shaded; it was a beautiful setting in perfect view of the Blue Ridge Mountains; since it was just south east of Asheville there was an easy access off I-40 into the park entrance so lots of Asheville residents as well as tourists traveling through the mountains during that time were always in abundance.

Children, mothers and fathers all enjoyed an afternoon of music, companionship and various activities for the youngsters.

There were several food booths set up in the park where hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream were always available as well as cold soft drinks. Teenagers often met there to discuss their upcoming plans for the summer while they enjoyed the music from the various bands, which could be heard all over the park.

The group who always met at one of the big covered picnic areas was either close neighbors or friends; although some of the men actually worked together. The guys gathered there to talk politics and business ethics with other fathers; mothers swapped recipes, discussed childish temper tantrums then talked about what their husbands did or did not do in their homes.

Meanwhile the children all had a wonderful time playing on the monkey bars, slides and the numerous swing sets that were set up around the playground. There was also a paved walkway near the water connecting the two separate wooden piers together for those interested in renting a rowboat for a cruise out on the lake.

That afternoon a sudden strident scream of distress had everyone turning around to look for their child. Dyke rushed forward to meet the blue-eyed blond cherub running to him with her arms outstretched. She was crying hysterically as tears streaked down her cheeks.

What happened, Precious? Her father reached her before her mother could move away from the picnic table. He cradled his daughter, checking her thoroughly for cuts or bruises.

Petey pushed me off the slide, Daddy; I hurt my knee.

Oh, sweetheart, let me see. Oh, honey, it’s just a little bump; let Daddy kiss it and make it well again.

No, daddy; that won’t make it better; you have to go push Petey off the slide like he pushed me.

I can’t do that, precious. That just would not be right.

Then you have to go beat him up for me; he’s bigger than I am.

I can’t do that either, honey. That’s not the way to handle this. I’m sure it was just an accident.

Then he needs an accident, too.

The tears flowed freely and she sniffed audibly as her arms tightened around his neck in a strangle-hold.

Just then her mother ran up checking to make sure there were no broken bones or permanent injury while the child clung tightly to her daddy’s neck. Her mother brushed the dirt off the bottom of her playsuit, whispering to her.

What happened, darling? Did you fall?

No, she wailed plaintively as the tears continued to course down her face. Petey pushed me off the slide. I hurt my knee.

Oh, sweetheart, it will be all right in just a little while. Look, I have some Princess band-aids in my pocket. Let me put one on your knee right now. I know that will make it all better.

Okay, but, Mommy, I want Daddy to go push Petey off the slide.

Her daddy held her tighter. Sweetheart, you know I can’t do that. We’ll think of something else.

But, Daddy, he said his daddy said you were mean.

Her father’s dark head looked behind him as he saw another couple checking over their son out around the slide. He recognized the father instantly.

His wife looked over at him as she questioned him. Dyke, do you know why Petey’s father would say that about you?

He shook his head slowly. I can’t believe he carried his gripes from work home to his son. Remember last week, Petey’s father and I were opposing counsels on that architectural squabble about the long-range plan for that shopping mall just on the outskirts of town. Our firm handled it for the Western Range Architects. The judge ruled in our favor so Western is going to build that lucrative shopping mall at a wonderful price. Mr. Stanley was quite upset when his firm lost in the deliberation. I’m certainly sorry that it mushroomed into a vendetta that he took home with him then repeated to his son who threw it up to our baby.

Well, Gloria certainly hasn’t said anything to me. She’s been very friendly and quite nice all day.

I’m sure she won’t either, Millie. It was just one of those unfortunate court cases that all of us lawyers face at one time or another. I’ve been on the losing team myself a time or two but I never brought it home to you or my child.

As the child snuggled closer to her father, she whispered again. You have to punish Petey, Daddy, because he hurt me.

Oh, come on, darling. I’m sure that it’s already stopped hurting by now. Let’s go over the ice cream booth for a really special treat. I’m sure that will make you feel so much better.

She nodded her head as she whispered again. Okay, Daddy; I do want some ice cream.

But she looked up over her dad’s shoulder to watch Petey as his father picked him up to swing him around. She made a face in his direction then stuck out her little pink tongue defiantly in his direction.

As they walked over to the booth for the promised treats Millie walked over to the picnic table to sit back down. She was grateful that Gloria, her husband and Petey had left the gathering at the table. She looked back just in time to see them walking out toward the parking lot.

Millie took a deep sigh of relief as she watched her wonderful husband console their unhappy daughter with a double scoop of chocolate ice cream but she was still pouting visibly.

After twenty years of marriage, they had almost given up hope of ever having a child of their own; it was a wonderful experience when she discovered miraculously that she was expecting a baby; it was almost six years ago; she could still remember the jubilant elation they felt when the doctor told them for sure that everything was going to be all right this time.

Millie had suffered two miscarriages during the first five years of their marriage which, of course had devastated both of them; then nothing had happened during the next fifteen years, but she had never given up hope of being able to carry a child full term.

Since the birth of that precious child, their lives had been so wonderfully enhanced that sometime she had to pinch herself to make sure that she wasn’t actually dreaming.

When they knew for certain that she might be able to carry the baby to term, she stopped working as a legal aide in the law firm where she met her husband. To give the baby more of a chance to survive she remained on bed rest for the next five months. She relished becoming a full time mother and she had never regretted giving up her career to cater to the child’s every need.

Needless to say, she and Dyke loved the child to distraction. She knew that they spoiled her ridiculously at times, but she was such a delight to both of them that they refused to worry that all of the spoiling might some day get out of hand. They never dreamed that it might create chaos and tragedy in the future for them.

Because Dolly made her parents so happy every single day if they ever had a doubt they were doing the right thing with the child’s upbringing, both of them would always push it to the back of their minds. Dolly was so charming; she was always just a joy to be around when she smiled so innocently, instantly reminding them of her unwavering love.

Even better, Millie’s only sibling was her twin sister, Maggie, who also had a little girl just a couple of months after their child was born so it was a lot of fun to watch the two little girls grow up to play together and then actually become close friends as teenagers.

Although they were so far apart in looks and temperament, they seemed to love each other very much.

Through the years the difference in these two children was very noticeable. Dolly was petite, blond and blue-eyed with a head full of beautiful curls. Juliana was taller, thinner and had jet-black hair which also curled naturally around her pixie-like face; her eyes were the emerald green color that matched her father’s. She was a sweet, easy-going little girl who was also a delight to everyone who met her.

Millie noticed during their early years that Juliana often caved in to let Dolly have her way regardless of what they might have been disagreeing over; still she was unable to admit any fault in her own child; that was just Dolly’s way!

Unfortunately some children’s minds run deep even at an early age…and unless unruly behavior can be curtailed at the beginning, she knew that certainly it could one day get out of hand.

Each time she voiced her worry to her husband, he told her that he was sure Dolly would outgrow any of her selfish and sometimes impish behavior. She was naturally mischievous. He thought that it was normal for their only child to somehow act so possessive over different things during her formative years.

That was the way it was with Dolly Randolph throughout her adolescent life.

Someone was always making excuses for any unruly behavior she might have exhibited. They found out very early that she absolutely could not stand being unproductive or bored at any time.

When that sometimes escalated into an unruly prank during the next few years…even in the worst case scenario, Dolly always had an answer for any misbehavior that she might be accused of…she always pulled the wide-eyed, innocent look that completely fooled everyone around her.

Even in the exclusive all girls’ school she attended, if there was an intricate maze of activity occurring, or anytime an argument or squabble broke out, Dolly was always the ring leader; she considered the resulting fiasco poetic justice for relief from her boredom. It was relatively easy for her to create the chaos in the first place then sit back to just watch the fallout.

When she got in trouble with another student or had to report to the principal or the administrator’s office, she always pulled that oh, so virtuous act of helplessness; she convinced everyone that she didn’t know how the trouble started but she was certainly not guilty of instigating it. Her wide-eyed innocuous act always saw her through every single bit of mischief during the next few years.

In fact, lots of times those in authority ended up having to apologize to her for ever suspecting that she was guilty in the first place.

It didn’t hurt that her father was a top notch lawyer with a reputation for honesty and moral integrity which followed him through all of his court cases which he won on a regular basis; therefore, he was able to request and receive some of the highest legal payments in the state.

Then through the years Dolly turned into an outstanding beauty with an intricate brain to match. She had a loving personality with the uncanny ability to charm everyone she came in contact with. Her teachers all considered her one of their best students except when she insisted on playing the roll of queen trying to boss the other children around her; but unerringly she was able to accomplish this with the blue twinkle in her eyes and an engaging, dimpled smile.

She was always very agreeable and managed to camouflage the fact that she absolutely resented authority of any kind. She seemed to get away with this because she was always at the top of all of her classes, excelling in all levels. She accepted no less than straights A’s and in the process earned several different scholarships through the years.

She won several local beauty contests then actually placed in the top five during the Miss North Carolina contest the year she turned eighteen. She didn’t want to become a lawyer like her dad or just a housewife like her mother but since she was such an accomplished pianist, after receiving her Masters degree, she decided to teach music to young students in the beautiful home her dad built in an exclusive neighborhood there in Asheville, N.C.

Chapter One

June, 2010

The rambling low-slung ranch-styled house surprised Julie Jarrett when she turned into the drive for the first time. Unfortunately there was nothing about the bright brick façade of the house that warned her of the horror that would happen there very shortly.

The modern newly-built home seemed almost austere and unwelcoming with its blatant structure; it was a far cry from the rambling old Randolph family farmhouse where her Aunt Millie and Uncle Dyke had lived for as long as she could remember; it was difficult to realize now they no longer resided at the wide country house surrounded by numerous acres of apple orchards where you could see only Randolph land for miles. Now they lived in this elite residential area on the outskirts of Asheville, N.C.

Although Julie could tell by the sizes of the homes she passed in this Country Club district that this probably was one of the most affluent sections of the city. All of the lots were large with high walls surrounding the homes which offered the desired amount of privacy the residents craved.

Certainly Julie realized her Uncle Dyke would be much closer to his law practice here; this house offered many more modern conveniences than the drafty old farmhouse they had lived in out in the country but she could hardly picture the Randolph family, especially their lovely daughter Dolly, ever living any place except the farm where the girls spent so many lazy, wonderful days of summer running across the fields and through the apple orchards. Four years ago they had moved into this house immediately after it was constructed but this was the first opportunity Julie had to visit.

Dolly was Julie’s only cousin on her mother’s side of the family. She was to be married Sunday; Julie was her Maid of Honor so she had been invited to spend the weekend with them.

Julie Jarrett had not yet had the pleasure of meeting Dolly’s bridegroom; but since the girls had been very close throughout their adolescent years she was anxious to meet him. Little did she know just what tragedy loomed ahead for everyone before the weekend would finally end!

There had only been two children in her mother’s family; her mom, Maggie, and Aunt Millie; since Dolly and Julie were also only children, they had always been close.

Julie’s parents always traveled every summer since her grammar school days so she would spend three months each summer out at the farm with the Randolph family until the summer the girls turned eighteen. Then Julie was allowed to either travel with her parents during the summer or stay at home with only the occasional supervision of her mother’s best friend, Lynn Hinson.

Although their mothers could pass for identical twins, Dolly and Julie were as different as night and day. Dolly was a fair-skilled petite, perfect blue-eyed blond of poet’s fame; she was as dainty and elegant as any Dresden china doll, which was the origin of her nickname. She had been christened Delana Dale but from babyhood, she had been called simply Dolly by everyone who knew her.

Julie was totally different from Dolly; every long skinny inch of her felt the difference emphatically. Being tall and lanky she always felt slightly awkward around the pint-sized Dolly; she had towered over her by four inches since adolescence. Also she was dark-haired with an olive complexion and bright green eyes.

Julie tried not to let it show but she had always been acutely aware of their physical distinction; she had only recently outgrown the self-consciousness she’d previously felt when they were unfavorably compared.

Shaking her dark head to dispel the memories Julie followed the curve of the paved drive around the immaculate lawns surrounding the lovely house. She smiled at the sweeping arc of the circular drive; she had only a moment to glance over the green sloping hills and the paved tennis courts before she was able to pull her little mustang next to the high brick fence. She stepped out of the car glancing around in rapt appreciation.

Curiously she moved over to the open brickwork of the lattice fence as she glanced through the delicate scrollwork for the first time. The clean anti-septic scent of chlorine reached her before her roving eyes found the Olympic sized swimming pool with its sparking blue-green water.

Julie’s eyes briefly scanned the deck chairs and round tables, which were strategically placed all around the marbled terrace. The long line of perfectly matched sliding glass doors led to all the rooms on this side of the house; each one had long flowing drapes which reminded her vaguely of the individual motel rooms she had glimpsed on her drive up here.

Several other cars were parked near the open garage at the top of the driveway. Julie checked her watch quickly to make sure she wasn’t behind schedule. Dolly had been specific in her request for Julie to arrive between four and six. It was only five o’clock now so she was relieved to be well within her designated timeframe.

Her eyes roamed over her linen pantsuit briefly looking for signs of travel damage before she moved up the steps to the back porch to ring the doorbell.

Suddenly for an unknown reason, she felt very nervous. An eerie strange feeling washed over her as Julie experienced an almost alien sensation. The skin on the back of her neck crawled. She felt as if someone somewhere was standing back malevolently watching her. Goosebumps sprinkled along the tanned skin of her long arms. She tried to push aside the sudden feeling of dread and apprehension. A coppery taste of fear filled her mouth so she shuddered involuntarily before she could control it. Resolutely she recovered her balance to move on.

Nervously she fingered the bright multi-colored beads of her shoulder bag, glancing behind her quickly she listened to the soft chimes sounding inside the house. That’s all she heard until the door was flung open.

Julie was warmly welcomed inside by two huge dark arms which enveloped her lovingly. She was literally lifted right off her feet in grateful acknowledgment.

Oh, Miss Julie; you shore are a sight for sore eyes. Delilah mumbled between vigorous bear hugs. Come in, sweet child, come right in here; let me look at you!

Delilah! You haven’t changed a bit!

Julie looked into the mahogany face of the Randolph’s cook and housekeeper who had been part of this family since she and Dolly were babies.

Delilah was much shorter than Julie but her strong width made up for her short stature because she had to look up to be at eye level with Julie. As she was pulled against her massive breasts to be hugged again, she tried desperately to breathe.

I should have known you’d move to the city also when they left the country place. You have been a fixture in this family for as long as I can remember, and that’s almost forever!

Not quite forever, child, she denied happily still holding on to Julie with both arms. Not quite but almost, I guess.

Laughing brightly Julie disentangled her arms, automatically straightening her rumpled blouse. She glanced around in avid appreciation.

Now, tell me, Delilah; how in the world did Uncle Dyke ever persuade you to leave your little country cabin out near the creek…I believe you called your place ‘heaven on earth’.

Delilah chuckled loudly as her huge frame shook with her effort. Again Julie remembered how much Delilah reminded her of Mamie of the Gone With The Wind movie as she pulled out a bar stool for Julie before she turned away to stir a flour mixture in a huge bowl on the nearby counter in one graceful fluid motion.

Now, Miss Julie, she reprimanded her mildly. You know I did not leave my little cabin to move away to any big old city. I don’t like the noise of all those cars and trucks out on the bypass; they just ramble by giving off those nasty old exhaust fumes. I still prefer the calm countryside with nothing but my crickets chirping, the birds singing along with the bullfrogs down at the creek. I love rocking on my front porch watching the kudzu grow; I enjoy the smell of Jasmine and Honeysuckle blooming in the woods. I still go out to the apple trees in my back yard every fall and pick enough of the fruit to preserve so I can continue to make all the fried apple turnovers anyone could possibly ever want. Now, that’s what I call ‘utopia’.

I remember; I don’t think I blame you!

Delilah laughed. Remember how I used to fuss at you and Miss Dolly when you got dirty before you changed your Sunday school clothes? Well, now I have to do the same thing to those grandkids of mine.

Oh, yes, I do remember. Julie returned with a sparkle in her bright green eyes. We really had some good times out there. You always made up for fussing by giving us some of that homemade peach ice cream you made.

As well as all those hours we spent around that old wooden churn, too?

Julie tossed her head as she reminisced. The taste of that sweet nectar was well worth all that effort the churn used. Besides, we enjoyed taking turns.

Yep; store bought ice cream is good but just ain’t the same. Delilah nodded her dark face, surrounded by hair that had been gray as long as Julie could remember.

How are your grandchildren, Delilah? Julie wondered remembering her earlier statement. Are they all okay?

Just fine, thank you.

Do they still come over and visit with you every day like they used to when you were up at the old house?

She nodded as her broad dark, beloved face broke out in a delightful grin, showing the two rows of perfectly even sparkling white teeth that age would never be able to diminish. Miss, Julie, you don’t forget nothing, do you?

Not about the good old days, Delilah. I wouldn’t trade those wonderful memories for a king’s ransom today. Aunt Millie and Uncle Dyke didn’t discipline us much, but you more than made up for it.

I raised my sons and my grandkids with the belief that if you ‘spare the rod, you’ll spoil the child’. I’m proud to say that your parents handled you much more effectively than Dolly’s did with her. They were much too conservative and lenient with her. Now, I love that child with all my heart but I have to admit that she’s more than just a little spoiled; she can be quite a handful at times!

Julie nodded silently agreeing with her but she was wise enough not to comment about Dolly’s upbringing. She remembered her parents commenting one time that if the Randolphs did not get a stronger hold on their rambunctious daughter that they would regret it one day; but now since she was about to get married on Sunday, maybe her wild reckless days were far behind her.

Instead Julie swung around on the barstool to look around the spacious, very comfortable kitchen.

This is a very pretty house but I don’t think anything can compare with all those endless acres of apple orchards, watermelon patches and that old creek; not to mention all the wide open spaces in all those fields and pastures.

Delilah nodded again. And I remember you and Miss Dolly running off to jump in that creek almost every day during those hot summer days. The two of you didn’t care if you had swimsuits on or your brand new party dresses either, missy.

I remember, Julie said laughingly though she neglected to remind Delilah that it was usually Dolly who pushed her into the creek first while she was wearing her best dress then Julie had no recourse but to retaliate by pulling her down in the water with her. But don’t knock it, Delilah. Both of us learned to swim in that old muddy creek. I see Dolly has really come up in the world with that magnificent pool out there. Now she can practice her backstroke every single day.

"As well as her high dives, Miss Julie. Fact is I heard her tease her daddy last night; she told him she was going to miss her swimming pool more than anything else while she’s on her honeymoon. But to get back to my grandkids, Miss Julie; did you know I have ten of them now?’

My goodness no; ten is a lot! Tell me about them.

She chuckled as she moved around the center island with her mixing bowl.

They can’t come visit me here in the city but all ten still come every weekend and lots of nights to the cabin; they look to see what’s in that big black pot on my stove. I really do enjoy their company. The older ones switch around, taking turns to spend nights with me; course sometimes they even argue about who gets to stay.

That’s good, Delilah. Families are nice to have around. Do both your boys still live close by?

Sure do, Miss Julie. They both built their homes right there on the other side of that creek on those acres your Uncle Dyke gave me. They both still work at the Coke plant in the city. Course they both are still trying to outdo the other. Last year Eddie had a baby; that made five apiece but then Eliot had to have another one so his wife is expecting her sixth in two months. But my Eddie says he don’t care how many more Eliot has; his five are all he can afford. Those boys of mine sure are a mess!

Julie was enjoying their warm conversation. She felt relaxed and happy now as she laughed with her although Julie knew even when her sons were old with gray hair Delilah would still lovingly refer to them as ‘her’ boys.

But, Delilah; I still don’t understand; how did Uncle Dyke ever persuade you to come all the way to the city to work for him?

She grinned even broader as her dark face positively shone with excitement. Well, Miss Julie, did you notice that green Cadillac parked outside?

Julie nodded. But I didn’t pay much attention to it.

Then that’s why I came here. I always wanted a Cadillac of my very own; your Uncle Dyke knew that. He told me if I would come to the new house here in the city to work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for him just like always that he would buy the new green Cadillac of my dreams as a bonus. And he did!

That is hard for me to believe, Delilah, especially with your fear of driving out on the highway!

She turned back around to the counter as she wiped her hands on her big apron.

Course I’ve been here every day this week; the wedding is almost here so I’m helping out with the caterers and Miss Millie with those last-minute details. There’s a lot of work involved in a wedding this size.

But, Delilah, Julie protested, quickly remembering Delilah’s phobia about automobiles. You were always reluctant to ride in cars; that’s one of the oldest memories I have of you. You used to walk two miles to that little country store rather than ride to town with anyone.

I know that, she chuckled again as she pounded the dough rolling out little pastry strips on the counter. But I’m not scared of my own driving, Miss Julie, just other folks.

But you can’t drive, Julie quickly protested.

Oh, yes, ma’am, I can now!

Julie was shocked but she couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer. Do tell me what changed your mind!

That was part of our bargain! Your Uncle Dyke bought me that new car out there then he taught me how to drive it! Now I’ve got my own license and I drive over here to work. I can go anywhere else I might fancy, too. I reckon I just naturally got over my fear now that I’ve been out there in traffic so much. I still don’t like the crowded interstates, but I’m not nervous while I’m on the secondary roads anymore.

Julie hugged her again with spontaneous joy, genuinely happy for her.

Oh Delilah, I think that’s wonderful. Now, aren’t you proud of yourself?

It’s your Uncle Dyke that’s wonderful! she mumbled, her broad chest expanding in her vigorous efforts over the flour bowl. He’s the one I’m proud of.

You don’t have to tell me, Julie replied softly. I’ve always known that! But, where is everyone? I saw several cars out there but no one else is around.

Some of the bridesmaids are already here. Three of them left their cars to go to one of the clubs this afternoon. One car is your aunt’s. Your uncle took her to the country club for dinner. Miss Dolly is eating out also; she said she had an important errand at the mall…something about a special new dress for tomorrow night.

I tried to get here earlier; I know I’m supposed to run some of those last minute errands for the bride but my vacation doesn’t begin until Monday so I had to work most of this morning.

Delilah continued to put her at ease. Well, don’t you fret at all, Miss Julie; Miss Millie already offered to do some of those errands for Miss Dolly but she wouldn’t accept any help with any of it! She said she preferred to do her own things herself. She refused to even tell us what else she had to do.

Delilah shrugged forcefully over the mixture in the wooden bowl, concentrating for a moment. The metal spoon scraping against its sides was the only sound in the room.

Then she directed her attention back to Julie. If you want to bring your things in now from the car you can. Miss Dolly gave you the third room on the right down that hall there. It’s not far from hers; there’s a bathroom in between the two rooms for you both to use if you don’t mind sharing.

Julie smiled again. Oh, that’s all right, Delilah. You know me. I don’t mind sharing a bathroom. Dolly and I have shared more than that over the years. We slept in the same room until we were teenagers then Aunt Millie assigned that yellow room in the front part of the old house to me but Dolly and I would sometimes fall asleep on her bed after talking and giggling half the night. I’ll just get my suitcases out of the car then settle in.

Go right ahead, Miss Julie. Your aunt and uncle already told me to make you welcome. You go right ahead and make yourself perfectly at home. I’m going to finish this pastry for the crepes tomorrow then bake some cupcakes for the bridesmaid luncheon tomorrow.

Are they strawberry crepes? Julie wondered.

Delilah grinned again. They’re your favorite…just like always!

Julie flushed with pleasure. You remembered.

Course, how could I ever forget? But if I had, your uncle would certainly have reminded me.

Julie glanced happily over her shoulder as she left the room.

Thank goodness some things never change.

Delilah agreed. Hope they stay the same after this shindig on Sunday, too.

Julie was no longer tense