SATURDAY JANUARY 5, 2008
ACALENDAR HUNG ABOVE A row of hats in the mudroom with Wednesday, January 16th circled in red. Dee’s shoulder had been pronounced healed at his last orthopedic appointment, with no follow-up required. He and Ginny were planning an engagement party to be held at Mother’s house on February 9th. Edgar wasn’t due at the optometrist until March. Lee Ann straightened the line of boots under the hat rack and took another look at the date. Must have been a mistake. She collected the bulkier jackets and carried them to the hall closet before Jo arrived, and there she was, right on time.
They took chairs next to each other at the kitchen table and divided the list of registered Republicans. Walt’s son, Terry McIntyre, would soon be instructing his wife and daughter to do the same in his taxidermy shop. Leo’s cousin, Nestor Rodriguez, had also thrown in his name for county commissioner and Harley’s nephew, Ralph Ellison, was hoping there’d be enough of Harley’s loyal-to-the-end cronies to ensure him enough votes. James Catlett, the sheriff’s son-in-law, was the only Democrat, but only twenty-seven percent of the county voted liberal, three percent Independent.
Registration was May 8th. Jo had insisted they start early, get folks used to the idea of a woman running for something other than county clerk or county treasurer. She suggested Lee Ann attend every friggin’ county event (she slapped her hand on the table) and get back to church! They laughed at that, since Jo was no churchgoer.
“And I have no intention of pretending,” Lee Ann said. “Look at us, presuming to elect a woman as county commissioner! Using a woman’s kitchen as campaign headquarters!”
They laughed at the odds, at the chance. They laughed until they cried, until they had no breath, until their sides ached.
Lee Ann handed out paper towels and they dabbed their eyes and noses.
“Can I confide in you?” Jo asked.
Lee Ann’s smile vanished. Friendships required trust. Throw up a roadblock, close that avenue. Or make a friend.
“Go ahead,” she said.
“I’m seeing Gerald Murray.”
A friend would express her feelings, comment, or add an opinion.
“I’m glad, Jo. He seems like a nice man.”
“About the nicest thing with three legs that’s ever come into my life,” Jo said.
They giggled at that.
Lee Ann divided the list in half and straightened the envelopes. She tapped the stacks and took one off the top and put the envelope down.
“Jo, do you think Walker is…”
Jo laid her pen down and fingered the roll of stamps.
“Dead? I’d hoped not. But yes, I do. And I’m so sorry.”
They lowered their eyes and gave Walker a moment of silence.
Lee Ann handed her half of the list.
“You start with the As and I’ll start with the Ms. Would you like something to drink?”
“Not unless it’s ninety-proof.”
“Sorry, I don’t have any hard liquor. But, there’s beer in the fridge.”
“Join me.”
Lee Ann eyes twinkled like a kid who just got permission to stay up late.
“All right.”
They addressed envelopes, telling tales and reminiscing about incidents associated with names that came up, Jo stopping from time to time to jot down points to include in Lee Ann’s introductory letter.
“We want to mention education.”
“I don’t think so, not yet,” Lee Ann said. “The topic makes people uncomfortable.”
Education. The circled date on the calendar. The final day for late registration at the University of New Mexico.
“Excuse me,” Lee Ann said, knocking her chair back.
She grabbed her jacket and ran to the pigpen. Scott wasn’t there. She called out. Louder. The barn was empty. She found him behind the workshop changing the oil in his pickup.
“There you are! I’ve been looking high and low. Scott, the deadline for late registration is a week from Wednesday. You must go.”
“We already talked about this, Mom.”
“I know. Look, Dee and I can manage.”
“I doubt it.”
“He thinks Derek might work out. He’s starting part-time next week. You can come home once a month, and for roundup and butchering.”
He closed the hood and she leaned both elbows on top.
“I expect to see you packing tomorrow.”