I was reminded of Aunt Esther and Cora’s home when we walked into the Manning house. The furniture wasn’t old or shabby, or modern, but well cared for over the years. While the sisters didn’t continue a public memorial, the seventeen years August Manning had lived were memorialized in many places in the living room. The same photo that Aunt Esther gave me hung larger than life above a fireplace.
I followed Jocelyn through the living room to where three women sat at a dining room table. They were laughing and enjoying what appeared to be a coffee cake. The women stopped talking and looked towards us. It was my first time seeing August’s sisters. I could tell both were very pretty women when they were younger. Both in their seventies, they were very beautiful, sharing the same rich dark chocolate complexion as their deceased younger brother. Their large brown eyes and smile were warm and kind. I looked from them to the woman I really wanted to see up close.
Clarice Miller looked even more like Louise today. Her eyebrow was raised in that same way Louise’s eyebrow would arch when she inquisitive. I also noticed how blue Clarice’s eyes looked against her honey-colored skin. Her hair flowed down her back reminding me a bit of the actress Vanessa Williams. She was Louise’s daughter with no doubts.
Jocelyn cleared her throat. “Mom, Aunt Ruth and Thelma, this is Ms. Eugeena. She’s the lady I told you about. Her aunt was one of grandfather’s teachers.”
I wasn’t sure what angle Jocelyn wanted to go with after that introduction, but I stepped forward and stretched out my hand to both sisters. “It’s so nice to meet all of you.”
Ruth didn’t stand, but I gathered from the walking cane that leaned against the table, she had some difficulty. She looked over at me over glasses that sat perched on her nose. Her smile was kind. “Who was your aunt? If she taught August, we probably had her as a teacher too.”
I answered, “Esther Gibson.”
Thelma clapped her hands together, “I remember Ms. Gibson. She was one of August’s favorite teachers.”
Ruth looked at her sister. “Ours too. I think we both became teachers because of Ms. Gibson.”
I smiled. “That’s good to know Aunt Esther had that kind of influence. I just retired after thirty years as a social studies teacher, and I must say she inspired me too.”
I glanced at Clarice who was looking at me with interest and giving her daughter questioning looks. Jocelyn was looking everywhere except her mother’s face. This was going to be an awkward conversation and I wondered how I could get some of my questions answered with Clarice present.
Thelma stood. “Let me get some more coffee made for us. Have a seat, Eugeena.”
“Thank you.” I pulled out the dining room chair noticing the set was the kind of furniture you don’t find anymore. The chair was sturdy and beautifully assembled cherry wood. I sat down next to Jocelyn who seemed to being avoiding her mother’s stare by staring at the center of the table.
I smiled at Clarice. “What do you do? Are you a teacher too?”
Clarice looked at me. “No, I probably have the most boring job of us all. I’m an accountant.”
“That’s pretty important.” I thought to myself Clarice was a woman of details. She probably didn’t miss much. I did want to know what happened to make her so angry with Jocelyn, and why she wouldn’t try to touch base with Louise again.
Thelma stepped back into the dining room with a pot that was steaming. “Here is some fresh coffee. There are some plates there if you want to help yourself to the coffee cake.”
I answered, “Oh I better not. I have diabetes and it’s been a struggle trying to stay away from sweets.”
Ruth and Thelma looked at each other and giggled. Ruth reached over and patted my hand. ”Honey, you can eat this cake. We know all about diabetes since both of us are diabetics. We used Splenda with this recipe.”
“Oh, well, then I would love to try a piece.” I reached for the knife and cut off some cake placing it on a paper plate. When I brought the fork to my mouth, I savored the flavor. “Mmm, this is so good. I’m going to have to get this recipe.”
Thelma shook her head, “Glad you like it. Now what did you want to ask us about August?”
The room which was full of energy before seemed to have changed. I swallowed the last piece of cake in my mouth and looked over at Jocelyn. “Well, I was really interested in how August passed. It appears like no one has ever solved his case?”
Ruth shook her head, “No, they haven’t and we are content in our spirits that we will probably never see justice.”
I asked, “Why is that?”
Thelma shook her head. “People were afraid to tell the truth back then and now it’s just been too long for anyone but us to care.”
Out of curiosity I inquired, “Do you have any idea who was responsible?”
Thelma looked over at Ruth. The sisters seemed to talk intimately with their eyes. Thelma finally responded, “We talked to the police and told them the names of the boys we suspected.”
“Aunt Esther mentioned Bill Hopkins and Chuck Nelson. Sounds like others in the community suspected this too. I’m having a hard time about Bill Hopkins.”
“Why is that?” Clarice who had been silent finally spoke. Her voice was sharp and piercing.
I glanced over at Jocelyn who stared at her mother as if to quietly tell her to calm down.
It was probably time to let Clarice know why I was really here. I leaned forward. “Bill Hopkins was my neighbor for many years. I’m good friends with his wife.”
Clarice’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She seemed shaken. “What is this, Jocelyn? What’s going on?”
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. “Mom, I came to talk Aunt Ruth and Thelma. I didn’t know you were going to be here.”
Clarice stood from the table, “So you’re talking to people who know Louise Hopkins behind my back.”
I frowned. “Louise and Bill were good people.”
Clarice leaned forward on the table with her arms as if to steady herself. “Louise married the man who could have been responsible for dad’s death.”
“From what I’ve heard, Chuck Nelson was more in love with Louise. Bill may not have had anything to do with August’s death.”
Thelma reached over to touch Clarice’s hand. “Clarice, please sit down. There’s no need to be upset.”
Clarice sank into the chair as if some force pushed her down.
Thelma continued, “That’s true. Chuck grew up with Louise. In fact, Thelma and I have always suspected it was Chuck who went after August. It wasn’t the first time he threatened him or tried to fight with August. He had an ugly temper.”
Thelma chimed in, “Though Bill seemed to follow what Chuck said, he wasn’t around that day. We think he probably suspected what Chuck did and didn’t come forward.”
Clarice spat, “That made him an accomplice.”
Jocelyn slapped the table. “Then everyone who knew what Chuck did was an accomplice. It sounds to me like the police knew, but they didn’t move forward because the Nelsons had power here.”
Ruth and Thelma both nodded in agreement with Jocelyn.
I hadn’t realized the family who owned the car dealership had more stakes in Charleston. “Clarice, would you mind if I asked what happened the day you tried to see Louise?”
Clarice looked at Jocelyn. “Why are you telling strangers my business?”
Jocelyn snapped back. “It’s not just your business. Louise Hopkins is my grandmother. I’m an adult. The same way you chose to have a relationship with Aunt Ruth and Thelma, I can reach out and find out more about her if I want to.”
Ruth held up her hands. “Calm down, both of you. There’s no need to have this type of anger. Clarice, when you went to see Louise you were angry that day.”
Clarice looked in the other direction.
I suspected she was near tears as I saw Jocelyn wipe away wetness from her own face. I felt helpless, but drawn to this family drama playing out. Secrets had devastated these women, but I really admired the Manning sisters. In all these years, they harbored no bitterness and didn’t want that to infect the next generations.
Clarice turned around and spoke. She looked directly at me as though she wanted to break down any perceptions I may have had about Bill. “Mr. Hopkins answered the door that day I came. I already knew who he was from talking to Ruth and Thelma. I had these thoughts of how could he and Louise be married if he had something to do with my father’s death. After he opened the door, he just looked at me. He finally asked who I was and I just told him my name was Clarice Miller and I wanted to meet Louise. He told me that it wasn’t a good time and that it would be too painful for her. He thought I would bring back the past and all those memories.”
Ruth added, “The day that Clarice went to see Louise, it was the anniversary of August’s death.” Ruth looked over at Clarice. “I told Clarice when she returned that Louise really did love August. I felt like he was her first love and she probably was grieving him, not knowing that Bill was keeping her child from her.”
I sighed, thinking about what Bill did. I commented, “Bill was very protective of Louise. He sheltered her from her own son, William, and all his craziness when he could. Bill probably died a year or two after you came to see Louise that first time. Why didn’t you try again? I believe she would have loved to have met you.”
Clarice stared at me. “You know her that well. Did you even know I existed before my daughter showed up?”
Clarice had a point. Even though Louise didn’t share her secret with me, I knew some things about her that the women in this room didn’t. “Here’s what I know. Louise had a child she miscarried in her first marriage. It was a boy. She married Bill later and she had a boy. I know when I had my daughter, Louise talked at length about always wanting a daughter and she so wanted grandchildren. Those are the things I know about Louise.”
Clarice wouldn’t look at me.
I continued, “She just lost her son. It would be lovely for her if she could have that chance to be a part of your life and your family. I saw it in her eyes. August is still close in her mind all these years later.”
Clarice stood. “I can’t. I just can’t. Because she never searched for me.”
Ruth spoke up. “That’s not true. She did want to find you. Years ago she came to see us.”
Thelma nodded. “She sat right here at this table and told us how she missed August. She never forgot about the child she gave up. That’s why when we met you, we sent you to see her.”
Clarice looked torn. “I have to go. It was good to meet you, Ms. Eugeena.”
My heart sank in despair as I watched Clarice leave. I was hoping that Clarice would say she would be in touch or she would at least consider reaching out to Louise.