Crazy Charlsie Part 14

The next few days blurred as Charles and Cora tended Charley. Β With a concussion, broken ribs, and a reopened surgical wound, he was bedbound. Β Not surprisingly, pneumonia soon followed. Β He was laid low for weeks refusing to tell what befallen him. Β When Charles heard rumblings that Melvin was boasting of the beating, Β he paid Melvin a visit at the filling station whereΒ he lounged with his beer-drinking buddies in an empty bay.

“If you ever come near Charley, again, I’ll see you regret it!” Charles told Melvin.

“What do you think you’re gonna do? Β I’m twice the man you are! ” Melvin blustered, β€œI can take you and your little girly-man that he/she ever comes around Marzell again.

Infuriated, Charles swung. Β Melvin found himself on the ground with a missing front tooth and bloody nose. Charles was lean, but muscular, a fact Melvin hadn’t considered.

β€œThis ain’t over!” Melvin hurled at his back.

”You know where to find me, any time. Β Beating up an inexperienced eighteen-year-old kid is nothing to brag about.” Charles was done.

Long after midnight, Marzell’s brought roused Cora from her bed. Β β€œ I have to see Charley!” Β Cora was surprised to see her in a scarf and raincoat since itΒ was a moonlit night.

β€œMiss Marzell, you know yore daddy ain’t gonna like this none. You don’t want to bring no more trouble on Charley. Β And why are you wrapped up so? Β We ain’t looking for rain.” Β Marzell winced as Cora took her scarf and coat. Β β€œLet me see yore face.” Cora said. Β β€œOh, you pore thing! That devil beat you, too. Β Ain’t nothing too low for him, beatin’ on a little ol’ gal.

”It don’t matter now. Β I’m marrying Roger. Β He’s waiting in the car. Β I just can’t leave without telling Charley. Β It wouldn’t be right.” Marzell told Cora.

”No, Child. Β You can’t marry that boy. Β You don’t even like him. Β Just wait till Dr. Charles gets back. Β He’s out on a call, but he’ll help you figure something when he gets in. Β Cora’s heart ached for the battered child, knowing how she’d come by her injuries.

”Cora. I need a husband. Β I’m going. Β I have to get away from Melvin. Β He’s always after me. Β My mama caught him tryin’ to mess with me and says it’s my fault. Roger wants to marry me. Β  I’ve got nowhere else to go. It’s the only way.”

”You are in a bad spot. Β Go on up and see Charley. Β He needs to know you are a good friend.” Β She sat nursing her coffee waiting for the girl to come down. Β In a few minutes, Roger was at the door asking for Marzell.

β€œCan you come in, Roger. Β I’ll tell Marzell you’re here.” Β She greeted him.

”Thanks, Cora. Β We got a lot of miles to cover. Β Just so you know, we’re gonna wake up the preacher, then head on to Spearsville, but I’d Β thank you not to noise it around. We need a few days before Marzell can call her Mama.” Roger confided.

”What you gonna do?” Cora asked kindly. Β β€œYou got a job lined up?”

”Maybe. Β  Mama’s brother is foreman at the tire plant and he’s gonna try to git me on. Β We can stay with my mama Β till we git a place. Β  She run her ol’ man off so we can stay a while. Β We’ll be alright. Β If that don’t work out. Β I’ll find something else. Β I’m used to workin’ hard.”

β€œTake good care of Marzell, Roger. Β She’s had a rough time.”

”I know, Cora. Β We both have.”

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