“What is all that?” I asked as she dumped them on the kitchen table.
“Some of my clothes, for you to wear on your date tonight. But we’ll check out what you got later.”
We headed back to Momma’s room. Violet threw open the heavy drapes to let the sunlight in and dust flew in all directions.
“You would think the woman was a vampire the way she kept this room so cave-like.” Violet said, looking outside. “Hey, who’s the woman in Joe’s backyard?”
I moved to the window. “Don't ask.” I noticed her dog bounding around the yard. It occurred to me her dog had been the dog in my vision about Joe and his fence.
Violet turned to me and put her hand on her hip. “But didn’t you and Joe—"
“I said don't ask.” I turned my back to her as I began to tape one of the multitude of boxes I bought earlier that morning.
We spent the afternoon going through Momma’s drawers and closet, pulling out clothes and putting them in boxes. I had considered using garbage bags, but it seemed so irreverent. It was distressing enough to dispose of the contents of a person’s life. In the end, trash bag or cardboard box, it didn't matter. A lifetime of possessions were just gone.
When I voiced my thoughts to Violet, she snorted. “Please. Momma got everythin’ she deserved and not enough if you ask me. Her will is livin’ proof of that.”
“But Aunt Bessie said that we didn’t know everythin’. She said Daddy did somethin’ that nearly broke Momma.”
Violet stopped folding the pants in her hands. “Daddy never hurt a soul. How could his own sister say that?”
I shrugged. “I pretty much told her the same thing, but Aunt Bessie said I’d want answers some day and she would tell me what she knew. She said Momma had a reason for being the way she was.”
Violet scowled. “I cannot believe you are defendin’ her, especially after what she did to you.” She took the pants and spiked them into the box next to her to prove her point. “I’m still goin’ to make this right, by the way.”
“But Violet, what if it’s true. What if Momma had an excuse for doing what she did.”
Anger burned in Violet’s eyes. “I don’t care what happened to her. There is no reason that could excuse the way she treated us, most of all you.”
Her tone told me she refused to discuss it any further. I was fine with that. I didn't like to think of Daddy doing anything so bad he could break someone.
Boxing up Momma’s possessions was an easy job since we never considered keeping anything, not even for a memento. At five o’clock, Violet announced we were done for the day even though we hadn’t finished everything.
“Time to go through your clothes and get ready for your date.” She sat on my bed, clutching a pillow to her chest as I pulled my new clothing out of my closet and drawers to show her. “Bravo!” she said and clapped when I finished. “I love them.”
“Really?” Her reaction at the funeral made me wary of her acceptance, but I had to admit I had caught her off-guard then.
“Yes, very tasteful and much more age-appropriate. You always looked like a Mini-Me of Momma before.” She shuddered as she said the words.
I considered protesting, but she was right. “So, what do you think?” I asked. “What should I wear?”
Violet picked out a skirt and blouse and told me to take a shower and wash my hair. She would wait for me.
When I got out and dressed, Violet brought in my Walmart receipt. “What’s this?”
“It’s my Wish List,” I said, brushing my damp hair.
“What kind of Wish List?”
“I don't know, things I want to accomplish before I die. Or more specifically, before I get arrested.”
“Rose! Don’t say such a thing! You’re not gonna get arrested.”
I didn't want to think about it, especially since I was preparing for my first date ever. “I certainly hope not, but it’s something I have to consider. There’s circumstantial evidence. Deanna Crawfield says it's a possibility.”
Violet frowned. “I refuse to consider it. You didn’t do it and they’ll catch whoever did.” She turned her attention to the receipt. “This is an odd list.”
“Maybe for you, but it’s mine.”
“I noticed you checked off kiss a man.”
“I already told you I had. That should come as no surprise.”
“I hoped it was some kind of rebellious exaggeration. But now that you mention it, why are you so eager to go on a date after your wonderful kiss? Does it have anythin’ to do with the woman in Joe’s backyard?” She looked a little too smug.