Free Family Thang by James Henderson

do. We--Shirley, Robert Earl and I--stayed here when you ran off to Chicago. It’s not fair she exclude us.”
    “Exclude you from what, Ruth Ann? Other than the barbecue, when was the last time you visited Mother?” He waited for a reply. None came. “Mother needs a little down time. Why don’t you and Shirley come back later, after she has rested?”
    “Negro, please!” Ruth Ann said, fed up with this conversation. Leonard said something, but she ignored him and walked into the kitchen.
    Ida stood next to the sink, beating batter in a bowl with a wooden spoon. A boiling pot covered every eye on the stove. The smell of baked fish drifted from the oven. Sarah Vaughn’s voice emanated from a transistor radio on the refrigerator.
    “Momma, can I give you a hand?”
    Ida did an about face, giving Ruth Ann her back again. The rhythmic thump thump thump thump from the bowl grew louder.
    “Momma, if you need something, or if you need me to do anything, then call me. You know my number, don’t you?” Of course she knew the number…thump thump thump thump thump…“I guess I’ll be going now, Momma. Call me.”…thump thump thump thump thump…
    Ruth Ann turned on her high heels and headed for the front door. “I’m outta here,” she said. “Shirley, please move your car!” The screen door slammed before Shirley could respond.
    “Ruth Ann, hold up,” Shirley said, catching up with her. “What’s the matter?”
    Ruth Ann turned, started to speak…couldn’t.
    Shirley embraced her. “It’ll pass, honey,” holding her tight, rubbing her back. “It’ll pass. She’s upset. We’re all upset. I miss Daddy, and I know you do, too.”
    Ruth Ann had wanted to rid herself of her family, to get as far away from them as possible…Shirley had caught her off guard. She buried her face between Shirley’s large breasts.
    “She ignored me!” Ruth Ann blurted, and started crying. “Sh-sh-she acted like I wasn’t even there.”
    Shirley kissed her forehead. “It’s okay, Ruth Ann. It’s okay.” Shirley wiped away Ruth Ann’s tears with her hand, and brought her face close to hers. Looking her straight in the eye, she said, “Ruth Ann, remember this. Whatever happens, no matter what, we’re family.” Bringing her face even closer, their noses almost touching: “I’ll always love you, Ruth Ann. Always.”
    Ruth Ann looked away, unable to maintain eye contact. “Thanks, Shirley.” She stepped back. “I better go. Lester is probably hungry.”
    “He can’t cook for himself?”
    Ruth Ann laughed. “Lester has trouble dialing Dominos. Men, what are they good for?”
    “You got that right. I can’t begin to tell you the trouble Eric and I are having.”
    Ruth Ann’s shoulder jerked, as if someone had sneaked up and grabbed her. What have I done?
    Eric, his name throbbed in her head like a toothache. Why had she betrayed her baby sister? Her only sister. Shirley, sweet Shirley. Fat, loveable, sensitive, puppy-dog eyes, give-you-the-shirt-off-her-back Shirley.
    What have I done?
    “What?” Shirley said. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
    “I love you, Shirley, I really do. I might not act like I do, but I do. It might not seem like I do…I do! Really. Cross my heart, hope to die. Honest!” Aware she was groveling, but couldn’t stop. “I really do. Always! Till I die. No matter what happens, or what somebody says, remember I love you. No man could come between…I mean, even if a man did come between us, it wouldn’t mean anything. Wouldn’t mean a damn thing!”
    “Ruth Ann, relax. I know. Trust me, I know.”
    “Huh?” Ruth Ann gasped, heart skipping beats. “You know?”
    “Yes, I do.”
    Ruth Ann started to kneel, but they were standing on concrete and she was wearing a dress. “Please forgive me, Shirley. I didn’t mean for it to go as far as it did. You gotta believe me!”
    Shirley gave her an odd look. “What the hell are you talking about?”
    Ruth Ann backed up to the