Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Lathe Caldwell’s visit left Miss Georgia feeling at sixes and sevens. She’d keep busy, bake a pan of cornbread for supper. What would Tommy and Mrs. Marshall have to eat tonight? Did they have food in the house or were they counting on Jase to bring groceries from town?

Miss Georgia poked more sticks of wood into her stove. While the oven heated, she stirred the cornbread batter. She made a bigger panful than usual. When it was ready, she’d take it to the Marshall’s. They hadn’t invited her, but she was coming, anyway, bringing supper with her.

It didn’t take long for the bread to bake into a golden brown. Turning it from the pan and wrapping a clean dish towel around it, she dropped it into her tote bag. She’d also take along a lantern. It wasn’t dark yet, the sun still hanging up there just above the oaks in the west side of the yard, but she had no idea how long she would need to stay.

This time, Miss Georgia would take the longer route. The dirt road wasn’t nearly as lonely or dark as the shortcut through by Double Eagle Spring and she had no desire to encounter bats or that eerie feeling of being watched.

Tommy met her at the door when she knocked. His eyes were red and he was sniffling.

She spoke first. “Now, Tommy, I know all about the sheriff’s visit. He stopped at my house too. But, you mustn’t think the worst. Why, who knows what went on at the bank? This may not be nearly as bad as it looks and your father will have his own side of the story. Do you have any milk in the house? Or, butter? I’ve brought cornbread and I thought we could all eat together tonight.”

Tommy’s eyes grew wide. “No, I’m sorry, Ma’am. No milk or butter. But, Mama brewed some tea earlier and I think there’s some coffee. Some jam, too, that she made last spring.” He held the door wide as she walked inside.

Miss Georgia went about putting bread, tea, and jam on the table. Mrs. Marshall came into the kitchen and spoke, “This is mighty kind of you, Miss Lee.”

“Tommy, if you’ll set the table, we can all eat,” Miss Georgia said. “I believe our little snack is ready.”

Mrs. Marshall looked as if she had cried all day. Her hair was coming loose from its combs and her dress was wrinkled. Doubtless, she’d been lying down.

“It looks wonderful,” she whispered. “Much obliged.”

“Nothing to be obliged for,” Miss Lee said. “I’m just eating supper with friends. It gets a bit lonely at my house, especially at mealtime. I thought you might feel the same, with Jase away.”

As they ate, Miss Georgia kept up a running chatter about school, the antics of some of the children, and her cat. She noticed Tommy smile a time or two and Mrs. Marshall’s face took on a bit of color.

She felt like kicking Jase Marshall. How dare he put his family through this trauma? What a stupid thing to do—to try robbing a bank, for goodness sake. And, in broad daylight. She paused while she was spreading jam on her cornbread. It was stupid. Why would anybody be that desperate? Unless he had been drinking and somebody talked him into it while he was under the influence.

She and Tommy tidied up the kitchen when they had finished eating.

“You know, Mrs. Marshall…” she began.

“Jenny,” Tommy’s mother interrupted.

Miss Georgia smiled. “Jenny, I was wondering if you need any groceries to get you through the next day or two? I understand you rent from James Stone. Has he been around to check on you?”

Jenny Marshall shook her head. “He was here last week to collect the rent, but I didn’t have any money to give him. I reckon he’ll be back.”

Miss Georgia nodded. “I reckon he will.”

But, not until she’d had a chance to talk to him. She hadn’t yet returned her school key and now was a good time to do that. James Stone was not only the Marshall’s landlord, he was the school board’s president. He was a gruff old skinflint and owned the only car within twenty miles. She’d stop by his house and have a word with Mr. Stone on her way home.