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, βI 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 hadnβt considered.
βThis ainβt over!β Melvin hurled at his back.
βYou know where to find me, any time. Β Beating up an inexperienced eighteen-year-old kid is nothing to brag about.β Charles was done.
Long after midnight, Marzellβs brought roused Cora from her bed. Β β I have to see Charley!β Β Cora was surprised to see her in a scarf and raincoat since itΒ was a moonlit night.
βMiss Marzell, you know yore daddy ainβt gonna like this none. You donβt want to bring no more trouble on Charley. Β And why are you wrapped up so? Β We ainβt looking for rain.β Β Marzell winced as Cora took her scarf and coat. Β βLet me see yore face.β Cora said. Β βOh, you pore thing! That devil beat you, too. Β Ainβt nothing too low for him, beatinβ on a little olβ gal.
βIt donβt matter now. Β Iβm marrying Roger. Β Heβs waiting in the car. Β I just canβt leave without telling Charley. Β It wouldnβt be right.β Marzell told Cora.
βNo, Child. Β You canβt marry that boy. Β You donβt even like him. Β Just wait till Dr. Charles gets back. Β Heβs out on a call, but heβll help you figure something when he gets in. Β Coraβs heart ached for the battered child, knowing how sheβd come by her injuries.
βCora. I need a husband. Β Iβm going. Β I have to get away from Melvin. Β Heβs always after me. Β My mama caught him tryinβ to mess with me and says itβs my fault. Roger wants to marry me. Β Iβve got nowhere else to go. Itβs the only way.β
βYou are in a bad spot. Β Go on up and see Charley. Β He needs to know you are a good friend.β 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.
βCan you come in, Roger. Β Iβll tell Marzell youβre here.β Β She greeted him.
βThanks, Cora. Β We got a lot of miles to cover. Β Just so you know, weβre gonna wake up the preacher, then head on to Spearsville, but Iβd Β thank you not to noise it around. We need a few days before Marzell can call her Mama.β Roger confided.
βWhat you gonna do?β Cora asked kindly. Β βYou got a job lined up?β
βMaybe. Β Mamaβs brother is foreman at the tire plant and heβs gonna try to git me on. Β We can stay with my mama Β till we git a place. Β She run her olβ man off so we can stay a while. Β Weβll be alright. Β If that donβt work out. Β Iβll find something else. Β Iβm used to workinβ hard.β
βTake good care of Marzell, Roger. Β Sheβs had a rough time.β
βI know, Cora. Β We both have.β
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