Mama

“Hello, anyone home?”

“Coming! Keep your pants on. Well, what do we have here?”

“Mama?”

“'Scuse me?”

“It’s me, Annie.”

“Don’t know no Annie. Must have the wrong place.”

“Mama, come on…”

“You’s still a scrawny thing. Come back to see the old place? It's quite the palace, ain't it?"

“Can I come in?”

“Hmmph. Watch your step. Look out for Cuddles. She likes to escape Whatcha got there?"

“A few pictures… you know… from before.”

“Before what? Before I's arrested? Before you turned me in?”

“Mama…”

“Don't you call me that. I got no daughter. What daughter would do their mama like that?”

“I just…”

“You just what? Come to rub it in my face… This face once stopped men in their tracks. You wouldn't have your looks if it weren't for me. I don’t look so hot now, huh? That’s comin' for you too, sister.”

“I didn't come to stir all that up. I’m getting married. Thought maybe you might…”

“Married... My... my... You's pregnant. Gotta be it. Who’d marry your skinny ass anyhows?”

“No. Mama… I just thought…”

“You thought wrong. 'Less you want me to meet your Casanova. He here too?”

“Uhhh.”

“He out there, in that blue truck?”

“Mama.”

"Must be something special if you brung him. Must have ears of a bobcat. Here he comes. Ain’t he a dapper thing?”

“Mrs. Rivers?”

“Meesus Reevers? Don't know no Meesus Reevers. Call me Sable. Sable, like the fur, soft and refined. And you are?"

"Excuse me? Yes ma'am, my name's Ryan. Ryan Fisher, ma'am."

“Ma'am? Who you calling ma'am? I ain't that old."

"Of course not, I'm just making..."

"I know what you're doin'. I's just givin' you a hard time. Relax a moment, Meester Ryan Fisher."

"Yes, ma’am.”

"Excuse me?"

"Sable. Sorry 'bout that. Just wanted to introduce myself."

"You's very polite, ain't ya? Say, what you see in this one? Not much to offer, far as I can tell.”

“I love her.”

“Ryan…”

“It’s okay Annie. I'm just getting to know your mama.”

“Care for a smoke, Ryan? Better yet, got any reefer on ya? I wouldn't mind a little something to take the edge off.”

“No ma’am. Wanted to say hello, but you and Annie got things to discuss.”

“Ain’t you the perfect gentleman?”

“Mama."

“Hush, I see why you snared this tall drink of water.”

“Ma’am, I’ll be in the truck. Take your time, Annie.”

“How’d you catch him? Wiggle your perky ass in his face, like I done your father? It worked a spell. And then not. Things’ll sag in a few years and he’ll find someone new to play with.”

“Mama…”

“Don’t mama me. Got no daughter… least not one that gives a good God damn about me. Why you showing up and showing off? Best hustle your ass outta here. And take them pictures with you.”

“But look ma… I found these... with your note. Remember that day in the park?”

“I didn't write no note. What's this? Looks like Cumberland Park."

"That's right. We'd go after your shift from the diner."

"Let me see those. I remember now. You played in the park. Never wanted to leave. I was stuck watching you, making sure you didn’t kill yourself. Always climbing some tall thing, scaring the bejeezus outta me.”

“What about this one… when we sang together?

“Shit… that was a long time ago. Say where'd you find these?”

“You left them... for me, in that old trunk. We sounded pretty good though. Pastor Powell had us play regularly on Sundays.”

“’Spose we did.”

“I liked singing with you, mama.”

“Let me see those.”

“Here’s one of us playing at the Rocky Top Dance Hall. Got everyone dancing.”

“Even cranky Old Missus Begley. Those were some days. You were just a mite back then... say fifteen or so. But you could belt it out.”

“Would you ever want to sing again… with me?”

“Hmmm.”

“Mama…”

“It’s been too long… Don’t got that voice no more.”

“We could practice. You know… just see.”

“You best be going before Rod shows up.”

“Rod?”

“My main squeeze. Though I’m the one that gets squeezed more and more.”

“He the one leaving those bruises?”

“That ain’t none of your business. Now go.”

“Can I come again sometime, maybe bring my guitar?”

“Mama? You okay?”

“Don't go fussin' 'bout me. I'm right as rain."

"Think about it. Bet we can get Clarence on the banjo. Ryan plays too... guitar."

"Why you wanna do this? I ain't no charity. Got my own business to tend to."

"I know. It's just... I'd like to play again... you know... together. That's all."

"I’ll leave a message with Earl He owns Red’s Truck Stop now. Check with him next week.”

“Okay mama. I best be going.”

“Best be."

"Oh Annie."