flashquake Fiction

CANNED PEACHES
by Jenny L. Collins

Irene finished canning her Red Globe freestone peaches and wiped up the sticky mess before flies took over her kitchen. A knock on the door startled her.

"Come in, Deacon!" The screen door gave a long squeak with his entry and slammed with a double bang.

"Goodness, Miss Randall. Y'all need to get this thing fixed. It should only take a couple of—"

"I know how to fix it. Why do that and mess with a perfectly good alarm system? Now sit yourself down and I'll bring you some sweet tea."

"I came by especially to acknowledge your recent donation to the 'Give a Hand' fund."

"Is that all? I don't mind giving to the food bank. You didn't have to truck all the way out here to thank me for that."

"But your donation was especially generous. And you make a fine glass of tea."

Irene returned the smile, but felt a blush cross her face. She fanned herself with the sports page.

Deacon Earl looked around. "Your boarders, they help you out some?"

"Yes, some, but I don't need much. The house is long paid for and Sam left me the truck. What I get from the girls keeps the maintenance up. We do all right."

"I understand you have a son in college."

"Junior's up in Athens. The Bulldogs gave him a scholarship. We're so proud of him."

"He seems to be the town hero. Why didn't he come home for the summer?"

"He was here for two weeks when they first let out. But this town is too small for a young man to spend his summer in. He's with his grandma in Atlanta. He helps her out and I think he has a little honey up there. The team will start training before long."

They were interrupted by a sound in the next room.

"Yes! Yes!" came a woman's voice.

"Excuse me for a moment, Deacon." Irene rose and went through the door. She returned shortly, closing the door carefully behind her.

"Mary Lou's on the phone with her gentleman friend. I think she got some good news. Would you like some more tea?"

"No, thank you. I must be going. I do appreciate the offer, though."

Irene looked at Earl. His dark hair was short, but long enough where it was just starting to wave. She hoped he wasn't planning on cutting it anytime soon. She wanted to watch those curls come out.

"Here," she said all of a sudden, handing him a quart jar of peaches. "Enjoy a sweet taste of nature when you have a mind to."

"Why, thank you, Miss Randall."

"Irene. Call me Irene."

"Thank you, Irene. Will I be seeing you in choir practice?"

"I wouldn't miss it."

The screen door let out a long whine as Earl opened it.

"And thanks again for the peaches."

Irene watched Earl go down the walk. She watched him get into his car, a green Saturn wagon. She waved at him and he returned it, with a strong, wide palm.

Yes, Earl, she said to herself, I'd like to see you real soon.

Irene went through the house and found Mary Lou reclining on the front porch swing. She had a headset on and spoke through it, leafing through a magazine the whole while. Irene went back in, to the desk, and wrote down her name and the time of day in her book.

Shortly, Mary Lou removed the headset and Irene went back outside.

"That was the deacon."

Mary Lou looked at her.

"From church!" Irene waited for the words to sink in.

"Well, is he cute?"

Irene picked up the magazine and smacked her with it, laughing. "Yes, he's cute! Good Lord, girl. Is it always on your mind?"

Mary Lou stood up and handed Irene the headset and cell phone. "I just want to take a nice cool bath. It must be well over ninety."

"Sure you don't want to take these with you?" Irene was swinging the headset, smiling.

"No, thank you, ma'am!" Mary Lou went to the desk and wrote her name and the time down in Irene's book. "I'll be down later to start supper."

"Don't you bang those pans doing so," Irene warned. "Halley had a late night."

"Shoot. That girl could sleep through a train wreck." Mary Lou left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Irene put the headset on and closed her eyes, leaning back in a rocker near a fan. She could smell the gardenias from her yard in the breeze and it pleased her. She thought of Earl and wondered if he liked her. He did make a special trip just to thank her.

Presently, a ring came, followed by a flashing light at the desk. Irene adjusted the mouthpiece and spoke in a voice as soft and sweet as Georgia peaches.

"This is Charlotte. What's your name, sug? William. Well, grab your dick, Billy boy, we're gonna have some fun."

Copyright 2003 by Jenny L. Collins

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