I could wait but I knew waiting was in vain. I closed my eyes and laid my head back. My memories would have to be sufficient. Until those memories would fade.
Chapter Twenty
Hazel was waiting in the yard before the car could even stop. As she ran in circles her long curly hair flew up into the air like antlers, the smile on her face whitely beaming. I felt my eyes fill with tears and realized how much I’d missed them. More so than I had imagined. Hazel’s excitement made life whole. For a moment I was complete.
“She’s missed you the most, that one there. I’d say she’s gone insane with the gigglies.” Momma said it to be touching and it was.
“I missed her crazy myself,” I replied. As soon as we stopped I opened the door and Hazel pinned me to the seat, her arms clutched tightly around my neck. She held on as I gently forced her back.
“Sammy Jo,” she squealed, like a young girl squeals. “I’m so glad you’re home forever!”
So was I. Right now forever was fine with me, and the bakery seemed like heaven.
“I also missed you precious.” I told her with a smile on my face that eased some of my pain. I carefully positioned my arm so her excitement couldn’t injure me further. She pulled back and a frown touched her lips. “Your face is hurt Sammy Jo.”
“I told you she was slapped around. But she’s fine. Be gentle with her. Especially her arm,” said momma.
Hazel loosened her grip. “I forgot. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Much better now.” I then hugged her to me with my good arm.
“Ohmygod you’re back! And you’ve been hit! Did you shoot him? Is he dead?” Bessy, still loud and dramatic, remained loud and dramatic.
“Shoot him?” I asked while smiling.
“Of course. No man hits a woman from the state of Alabama and lives without a bullet in his brain.”
This time I laughed and it felt really good. “No, I decided against murder.”
Bessy frowned. “I’d’ve shot his ass.”
“Bessy Marie! That mouth!” momma scolded, though I was glad to hear it.
“Give me a hug,” I told her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. Bessy sank into me and I could tell that the feeling was mutual between we sisters. There was relief in her sigh and the way that she cuddled and such comfort cannot be explained.
“Sammy Jo!” That was Henry’s little voice.
“He woke up,” Bessy said, stepping back.
“Henry,” I called and bent down to hug him as he ran waving his hands.
“Don’t let him hurt your arm. Henry, please slow down.” Momma was worried he’d slam into me and cause additional damage with his love.
“He’s fine,” I assured her, as he made his way to me, pausing when he noticed the brace on my arm and the bruising scattered on my face.
“You have boo boo’s,” he said. “Lots of ‘em.” His smile became a tiny frown.
“Yes, but I’m okay.”
He reached and touched my face. His fingertips were gentle like a breeze. Tears stung my eyes, because he looked even taller, since I’d seen him before I left. I’d missed a month of his life and that made my heart ache when I thought about how he saw it. A month to Henry was the same as a year. What had he learned in my absence? Would he remember when he learned it I was gone?
“I missed you,” I told him.
“I missed you,” he replied and then kissed my swollen cheek.
“Let’s get Sammy Jo inside. For thirty minutes you can ask her your questions. Then she’s taking a nap. She needs some rest after all that travel.”
We turned our heads in momma’s direction and again I felt the joy of being home. I couldn’t remember why I’d wanted to escape. Having my siblings around me, and my momma’s strength, struck me as a priceless piece of wisdom.