The woman wiped a tear away from her cheek. English’s mouth twitched. She wanted to respond, to say something, to make people feel better, but there was no point. She didn’t know these women, or this child in the room. She only knew Axel. She couldn’t say she understood their pain, because she didn’t. She had a good father. Her mother never had to struggle to pay bills. They were far from rich, but didn’t live in hardship, either.
“Ms. Hendrix, I’m ignorant of the circumstances right now, but it’s obvious that Axel and Dallas love you. I need no convincing. I think Axel is currently in a tight spot. All I can say is that I’m sorry this situation brought up some bad memories for you.”
The woman smiled sadly, then nodded. Ms. Hendrix walked slowly around the dining room table, looking at nothing in particular. She held onto the chairs as she approached each one, tiredness in her eyes.
“I ain’t one to brag, but I’d like to think Dallas got her strength and care for Lucas on account of me.”
Dallas dropped her gaze and shook her head. “I did, Mama…Now, you gotta trust Axel and I to do the right thing. You’re done raising us, even if whatever that thing is involves Tommy. We’re not kids anymore.”
“You’ll always be my babies. Being a mother is a lifetime commitment. Not droppin’ in here and there, when you get good and damn ready. Even when he was in the home, he was a million miles away. He didn’t do anything with y’all.” She stopped pacing, took a deep breath, then sighed. “He was an awful, neglectful, and downright evil husband. I got rid of him, because I had to set an example for my kids, English. No daughter of mine was going to pick a man like ’er daddy, and no son of mine was going to grow up and act just like him. I wanted to break the cycle. My mama was married to a bastard. Her mama was married to a bastard, too. My sisters married bastards. I turned around, and did the same dumb mistake. But I got away… I realized my worth and refused to have my children sucked down a drain.
“I understood the assignment, as the young folks say. That lowlife sits there in jail, after puttin’ his hands on that lady, knowing she has low self-esteem. English, Tammy is a sweet and caring woman from what I gather, but she’s big as a house, and Tommy makes fun of ’er because of that. He picks on her because it’s easy. Like some bully. He treats ’er like trash, and now he gets to skip off into the sunset. It ain’t right!”
“Mama, please…” Dallas wrapped her arms around her mother and squeezed her.
Axel leaned against the wall, his expression blank. He was there, but he was gone…
Just like she’d been during the ride home from the police station. They took turns being shades of gray.
“It may seem like I’m overacting, like this is just a phone call… just one of those things, but it’s not. It’s an omen. A sign.” The woman’s voice grew steely, and uneasiness hung in the air like smoke.
“Mama, it’s not. Daddy did what Daddy does. That’s all. Don’t make this out to be more than it is.”
“That man ain’t done using you, Axel. He’s going to push you too hard, and then, you’ll be on him, like some animal. I know my boy… One day, Axel, you’re gonna blow up on him like a great, big volcano. All of that pent up rage you got deep inside of you on account of him—it’s going to come on out when you least expect it. Like hot lava. You and he get into it all the time according to Dallas, but he really ain’t seen nothing yet.” She shook her head, an angry grin on her face. “He don’t know his son like I do. When Axel blows his top, won’t nobody be able to save Tommy. Not even God.” The woman’s eyes turned to slits as she looked all around the room at each and every one of them.
“English, I’m sorry you had to hear all of this.” She blew her nose into her napkin. “I’m sorry that our night together was ruined. That man has a way of doing that. An uncanny ability to steal joy.”
“It wasn’t ruined. I still had a good time, despite the fact Axel has to tend to this issue.” English stepped to the woman and extended her hand to her. Ms. Hendrix smiled at her once again, then brought her close, enveloping her in a hug. When she let go, she looked at her closely. Ms. Hendrix smelled like pleasant soft perfume, cigarettes, and baked chicken.
“I suppose I’ve made quite the impression… me and my temper. All of my yelling didn’t help. I probably spooked you. Made sure you’ll never come ’round again.”