Mamaw, Ms. Wellington, Uncle Muddy and Shady all got loaded up this Saturday morning at 6am sharp, to leave for the knitting vacation thing. Every one of them gave me and Jewel a hug, and told us to behave ourselves, and for dang sure we were to see to it that Double Mamaw didn’t get into no shenanigans neither.

We waved bye to them from the driveway, and went into the house. We sat down across from each other, because Mamaw had us both a breakfast plate set, and we both ate our breakfast. I looked at Jewel from across the table, and she looked at me, then we both busted right out laughing like idiots.

“What’s so funny?” I asked Jewel. She replied, “Oh nothing Peter, I was just hoping – and praying something good like this would happen for us. Now there is just your ‘Double Grandmother’ here, and she is still asleep in her little house, and we get a whole meal together, with no one interrupting, sneezing, yelling, or bumping into us. And I really like this a whole lot.” Jewel let out a big sigh when she said that, and the sunlight from the kitchen window hit her hair just right, and there she was, sparkling.

I said, “I do too sweetie. And I promise, cross my heart I will be a gentleman, the best one ever and I won’t be trying nothing dumb.” Jewel raised her eyebrows, “Oh Petie Sweetie, if I had thought anything different, I would have just stayed home with dad and Robert. But I am so tired of dealing with Robert and Mullard on Saturday, I just am. Those boys really need to go to church and pray, but mother does not make Robert go.”

I nodded in understanding, when I remembered what Uncle Muddy had asked. “Jewel, I have to clean the hay out of the barn later today. If you want you can grab a rake and gloves and help, or just talk to me while I finish it.” Jewel replied, shaking her head, “I would love nothing better; maybe I could help you feed and water the animals too? I love animals, but we only have a dog and a cat. That’s it. That would be so fun, helping you take care of the farm today and I would love that so so much.” I agreed, then we both looked at each other from our now empty plates, and laughed again, just for no reason.

Just then the back door opened, and Double Mamaw’s voice rang out, “Hey kids! Any of y’all want to help an old lady to her favorite chair? And maybe brew me a pot of tea?”

“Yes ma’am,” we both said in unison. Just them Double Mamaw let out a whistle, pretending to be a tea kettle I guess; “I sure like me some tea in the morning. That coffee gets stronger and more bitter the older I get.” She had never laid eyes on Jewel, but when she saw her she let out with, “Whoo wee Pete! Now what do we have here, come here you beautiful little gal and let Double Mamaw give you a proper greeting. She is quite the looker son, quite the looker.”

Jewel blushed and went in to say hello, and give Double Mamaw a hug, while I drug out the tea kettle and put water on. I cleaned the breakfast table off, and set three cups and three tea bags and the sugar bowl there, and went over to Jewel and Mamaw.

As Double Mamaw eased down in her chair, she told us, “Seems like I have me a house guest this weekend. I sure do like company to come over, I sure do. That Pete is a sweetheart too; he always comes over and sweeps my fireplace, and gets my trash and brings me my newspaper. He even cooks a bit for his old grandmother too.” Double Mamaw winked and I grinned back at her.

Double Mamaw went on to tell us a story about her and Big Daddy was ‘courtin” each other, and she went on, and on and on until the tea kettle finally whistled its rescue. I made us all a cup of tea, and gave Double Mamaw hers first. She finished her tales of love and courtship, and out of the blue she said, “Now I know you two ain’t fixing to be spoonin’ or nothing, we ain’t having that.” We assured her that we were doing nothing of the kind. But that is Double Mamaw, direct and mostly tactless, but I could tell she was trying hard not to be rough on us.

“I ain’t gonna breathe down your necks, seeing how Charlene trusts both of you kids to look after yourselves, and a little old lady all by your lonesome. Now I will tell you, I was spry in my day, and could get around good. But all I ask y’all two is be respectful to yourselves, and my sister Charlene’s wishes.” We assured her again that we would.

“And y’all two probably better not get much farther than the close up fishing pond, out of earshot, in case I get me one of them spells or something. I don’t do too good if I have a spell. I got my walker if I need it, but with you two around I oughta be fine.” Double Mamaw was giving us her spiel, as I knew she would, but I knew she really liked Jewel, I could tell straight off.

Jewel asked, “Ms. Hegelund, is there anything else we could get you for your tea? Also, its a tiny bit chilly in here. Perhaps I could get your shawl, or your wool blanket?” Double Mamaw shook her head no, “No I am warm enough love, I am sure you and Peter over there have them chores my brother Hiram done roped him into doing. Y’all might want to go fishing early; I hear they are biting. And the pond is real pretty in the early sun like this too.” Double Mamaw summarily dispatched both of us, and I was pleased as punch.

Jewel and I decided not to go fishing; we went for a walk around the property and it was just as beautiful as Double Mamaw said, and even more beautiful because Jewel just set it off. The sun was perfect, the water was perfect and we was just walking around the pond, holding hands, saying a few words now and again.

I thought up a little prayer just after Jewel looked at me with her smile about the tenth time., “Dear God, I thank you for this wonderful weekend, and I aim to be Godly and not get into no trouble. You have trusted me with this responsibility, and I aim to enjoy every second of it, and not get into no situations. Please help me not blow this, and help me be perfect in my doings this weekend. Thank you, Amen. I felt peaceful after that prayer, and Jewel and I came back to the house after about 45 minutes.

I realized my prayer sounded just like Mamaw praying, and I chuckled softly to myself.