1.

I ain’t sure about these people hereabouts.

Janey was busy in the kitchen cooking her man’s breakfast, and frowning. Do I wanna live the rest of my days here in Gainesville? Among these fancy pants Texan oil men? She didn’t know.

Most of ’em was billionaires, and the rest sure wanted to be. But not Joel! He looked the part, all right. He was a big man, fair, handsome. But I don’t know as he belongs here.

She heard him thumpin’ down the stairs. He would be hungry, like always. She loved this man, didn’t she? Today, she didn’t know.

2.

Janey clunked his breakfast on the table, and stepped back to pour the Colombian. Like always, her tongue ran away with itself. ‘You ain’t like them, Joel.’

‘Ain’t like who?’

‘All them sell-your-own-grandmammy types you knock about with.’

‘What?’

‘All them rich momma’s boys, Joel.’

‘Them’s good men, Janey.’

‘Good for their selves.’

‘Aw, come on. Ain’t so bad.’

‘A woman knows, Joel. They don’t treat their women good. You know that.’

‘Don’t talk like that, Janey. It ain’t becomin’ for a wife.’

‘It’s how I feel Joel!’ she said, kneading the flour. This loaf was going to be tough.

3.

Joel finished off his fried bacon and eggs and hash browns with a satisfied sigh. ‘Got to get me goin’ now, hon’. Got a few deals to make today.’

‘Netty and baby George is comin’ over. Prob’ly be gone by the times you get back.’

‘That so. Why’s she always come when I’m at the well?’ Joel asked, more to himself than his wife.

‘Maybe ‘cos you’s always at the well,’ said Janey. ‘Got your cell phone?’

‘Course I got it.’

‘Okay.’

‘Okay. See you later, honey.’

‘I’ll give your love to Netty.’

‘Sure, and I’ll give yours to Marie.’

4.

‘You seein’ Marie today?’ asked Janey, her heart sinking.

‘And William. He’s got some real modern rock bits,’ said Joel. ‘I could do with somethin’ like them.’

‘Oh, okay.’

Joel picked up his Stetson and headed for the door. ‘Bye.’

‘Kiss?’

‘Oh, yeah. Forgot. Sorry.’ Joel returned to give her a little peck, and then went on his way with a final, ‘Bye.’

Janey heard him revving up the Impala. He liked to play in that old Chevy a while before unhitching Jake, his chestnut stallion. Joel liked to go horseback to the office. He loved his Jake like nuttin’.

5.

She shook her head. Why’d I marry that dumb hick, anyway? She smiled. He ain’t so bad, not like some of them boneheads. He din’t never run off with another woman. And what’s his is mine. He give me a beautiful daughter, too. Netty’s oval face came into her mind, and she smiled again. ‘Better get ready,’ she said, and got started.

Two coffees later, the place was pretty good. Netty wasn’t due till the afternoon, so Janey had a couple hours to kill. She’d go see her mom in the old people’s home. It was only a twenty-minute drive.

6.

At Heavenly Lodge, the receptionist smiled. ‘Maybelle is in the sunroom just now. She’ll be delighted to see you.’

‘Thank ya, Charley,’ said Janey. She made her way there, and looked out at the garden. Sure wish mine looked like that.

Maybelle spotted her daughter instantly. ‘Why, Jane! How ’bout that! Ain’t it a beautiful day?’ she said.

‘Hi, Momma.’

‘Jane, ain’t never quiet here, darlin’, let me tell you. Somethin’ happening all the time.’

Life for Maybelle was always exciting, wasn’t it? I got me a wonderful mother. And a wonderful husband too. I am one lucky girl. Truly.

The end.