The day after Christmas, Neeley miscarried and was shamed at her relief. She already had five children and faced an uncertain future. Mama Cassie came to help out for a few days bringing her youngest daughter, Cynthia. At nine, Cynthia was about the age Neeley was when Ma died. Seeing the child playing with her children was bittersweet, remembering Mama had long abandoned her by that point in her life.
Mama Cassie was a sharp-spoken, bitter woman, not given to tenderness. In the way of many neglected children, Neeley basked in any affection her mother showed and would have never antagonized her. Cassie must have sensed her questions, since she brought the subject up one morning over coffee. “I always felt bad I left you. I wanted you with me an’ felt real bad when I found out Ma died an’ you was with Jep. I was a’living with my husband Jeb Cox then in Smackover, Arkansas. He was a mean one. He drank an’ beat me till I lost a baby right about that time. I knowed if I brung you there he’d a’done you wrong. I felt just awful about losing that baby, but that wasn’t a fit home to bring another youngun into. Soon as I was able, I left Willie and Albert with their Grandma Cox an’ slipped off from him. I just had to live however I could till I married Joe Miller. I just want you to know I would’a raised you iffen I could.” A tear slid down her cheek.
Neeley understood how hard it was trying to do right by children. Her heart melted. “I’m glad you told me, Ma. You ain’t had no easy life neither.” Any resentment she’d still held melted away in light of her mother’s contrition.
Eddie made arrangements to rent a farm about six miles down in the low country, eighty acres with a creek. The only problem was, there wasn’t a good well. They would have to haul water about three hundred yards till Eddie could get a well dug. Willie, Albert and a couple of cousins would help. By March, they’d moved onto the place. Neeley was sorry to leave her brothers’ place, especially since Eddie told her the house wasn’t as tight and they’d be hauling water for a while, but at least it would be their own place and it was reasonably close to family. The school was only two miles away, so the kids could get there in good weather. She was a little down in the mouth when she saw the house. She could see daylight through cracks in the walls, but she got to work tacking cardboard, newspapers, catalog pages and anything else she could get her hands on over the cracks. Every house she’d ever lived in had paper tacked over cracks, so that wasn’t a problem. There was a good iron cook stove in the kitchen and a wood heater in the front room. That made up for a lot. The first time it rained, they had to set pots around to catch the drips, but Eddie split shingles and fixed the roof right away. The chimney had pulled away from the house, but they tipped it back and braced it before mixing red clay mortar and hay to daub up the seams and cracks. By the time they were through, it was a decent place for the family. Eddie never let her run out of water, hauling in a barrel from the creek
images pulled from internet
Great must find the source – I moved all my google mail to the app and so i am so slow to get to it and you are so fast in writing…
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https://nutsrok.wordpress.com/2016/12/15/two-roads/ Here’s the link
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thank you – found her – you are going to publish these
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Thanks so much.
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Thanks
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Tough life but a good husband who looks out for her and the kids. What a strong woman! Loved reading the 10 parts and can’t wait for more.
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Writing another now.
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Hurray!!!
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Enjoying this allot Linda! thanks for writing
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Thanks for letting me know.
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Love your storytelling
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Thanks.
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Poor thing, I can only imagine the hardship. Our little shanty was sorry, but in SoCal, the hardship not so bad because the weather is good but where Neely is it could be harsh. I so feel for her.Children would be less inclined to take note because they are being cared for, an adult would certainly feel the futility of the situation. What stamina people had in those days.
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Everyone wants the best for their children. You know it hurt.
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Absolutely! It did in those days.
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She is such a handy lady blessed with a husband who is ready to do his best by her
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They tried hard.
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These stock photos actually add quite a bit of “flavor” to a tale that you yourself have already made great with your amazing story-telling ability. If I may be so bold as to inquire, do you hunt them all down yourself, or have you “delegated” the research to your favorite co-conspirator?
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My co conspirator is hostile to computers.
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Then she’s probably the smartest of us all.
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No kidding
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I’m pleased Cassie spoke up. Did Neeley a world of good. ❤ ❤ ❤
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Great illustration with that newspaper on the wall. I had no idea. Nice chapter !
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I used to go to an uncle’s house who had papers plastered everywhere. There was a beautiful blonde woman carrying a ham. She was put upside down. I loved lying on the floor in front of the fireplace and look at the pictures. I’d drift off to sleep listening to the adults talk admiring the woman and the ham.
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It is amazing how she keeps going – such love
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Wasn’t she tough.
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I am happy Neeley and her mum had that little chat. I hope things start to improve now they have moved.
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Me, too.
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Reminds me of when we stayed at my Grandfather’s cabin in the woods in the Province of Quebec, Cda. We had to get in a row boat, cross the l-a-k-e, beach the boat and climb up into the mountain to fetch drinking water, cooking water, etc. from a spring. load the boat and row back. It was FUN! #NotReally
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Bet you didn’t throw half a glass of water out when you got a drink.
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What a great mom Neeley is and for what she had to go through in her life a beautiful heart to go with her courage. Seems like the Lord sent her a good man to be her partner. Loving this story too Ibeth.
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Thanks. She needed a break.
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This was a heartwarming episode. It’s good to see them doing better. 🙂 — Suzanne
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They had some good times.
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I enjoy your story telling. Admittedly, I probably will not get to every part, but I like the parts I read. ☺
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That’s good. Serials can demand a lot.
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Abrupt ending. But waiting for more.
Susie
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More to come.
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