Story Week: "Fancy That" Part III

Good morning, Boys and Girls... story week continues!

click here for Fancy That, Part I: Paulette Reese
click here for Fancy That, Part II: Arthur Reese

(3rd of 4 character sketches: Portia Reese, 33 year old daughter of Paulette and Arthur Reese.)

Portia Reese

I've never understood my mother and father's relationship.

I've always assumed they stayed together because of me. I thought that once I turned 18 and went away to college, they would get a divorce and go there separate ways.

But I guess that wouldn't look right being from a small town. They seemed to be more concerned with putting on airs than going with their hearts.

They were one way in church, all lovey-dovey, and another way at home. They barely spoke to each other at home. We’d eat our meals together, albeit quietly, at the dining room table. Mama never said anything much to either of us. She'd go off to herself and do her things while Daddy sat in the den, watched television, or read his bible.

I wasn’t all that close to my mother. I knew to do what I was told and stay out of her way. It was as if, I don't know, she tolerated me, and was one thought from pulling over to the side of the road and abandoning like an unwanted puppy.

Daddy did his best to take up the slack. We went fishing and camping together. He'd take me with him when he ran errands. He helped with homework and attended PTA meetings. It was my Daddy that told me about the birds and the bees. It was my Daddy who I ran to when got my first period. It’s a shame that he had to hold my hand and walk me through the store and help me buy what I needed that day.

I cried on my Daddy’s shoulder when my heart was broken for the first time. He was the first one that I called when I popped up pregnant and didn’t know what to do.

My Daddy was my hero.

Mama just looked at me like I’d stole something.

Maybe she acted that way because I was the spitting image of Daddy and looked nothing like her.

At least that’s what I kept telling myself.