“Tonight’s
a big night for your mom and grandmother.” Mildred placed miniature butterflies
on the table reserved for the night’s honorees. “One day you’ll follow in their
footsteps like I have mine.”
Baxley
shivered and grimaced. The Southern
Butterflies were not her thing. She’d
joined to stifle the constant conversation of why she wasn’t one. “I’m sure Janie is more the traditional butterfly.”
“Janie
has always been a sweet girl.” Mildred
repositioned the floral arrangement for the third time. “Always organized and on top of things.”
“That
she is. I guess she’s her mother’s daughter after all.” Baxley hated the constant comparison to her
saintly older sister. “I need to get home and check on the kids.”
“Sure. I think we out done ourselves.” Mildred
surveyed the room. The Southern Butterflies held their monthly meetings in the
fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church.
“It’s
because you’re our version of Martha Stewart.” Baxley knew when she was paired
with Mildred that her job would be easy. Mildred felt that since she was the
town’s florist no one could top her creative talents. All Baxley had to do was
answer the insane amount of emails from Mildred with ideas and decisions.
********
A hum of conversation buzzed down the corridor
of the church hallway. Elvina adjusted the skirt of her new suit. She was glad Twyla Faye was able to work her
in for hair. Elivna knew the spot had
been a standing one for Tootsie Harper for the past ten years.
“That scarf does add some pizzazz.”
Zolena always appreciated her friend’s rebel streak. When she saw the zebra
stripped scarf she knew it would be perfect for Elvina.
“Who
said sixty-five had to be defined by the colors of taupe, beige, and cream?”
Elvina had chosen a crimson red suit.
“Definitely not you.” Zolena spotted
her daughter among the crowded room. “There’s Sadie. Twinkles did a great job
on her hair.”
“Twyla
Faye did.” Elvina refused to call the
girl Twinkles. Twyla Faye had been one of her best students until she dropped
out of high school.
“Hi
mom.” Sadie hugged Zolena. “Elvina you are fashionable as ever.”
“Same can be said for you Madam
Monarch elect.” Elvina was equally proud
of Sadie.
“Too bad Mimi is going to miss tonight.” The thought of wayward daughters made Sadie
scanned the room for Baxley. “Looks like
my youngest is running on her usual schedule.
We better get our seats. I think Flossie is getting ready to start.”
********
Baxley opened the door with ease, and slid through the narrow
opening. She hoped no one would notice her tardiness. That hope was dashed with
the squinted look and pursed lips of her mother. Her best friend and partner in many crimes,
Cissa, gave a quick wave. Baxley took a
vacant chair at the last table. Great
she was stuck sitting with two of the biggest gossips of the group, Hattie Mae
Purvis and Mavis Dickerson. It served her right for being late.
“I bet Tootsie is rolling in her
grave with Elvina Ward being pinned a Tiger Swallowtail.” Mavis whispered. “She always said it’d be
over her dead body before that woman held any position on the board. God rest
her soul. Can you believe Twinkles gave
Elvina Tootsie’s spot? She was sitting
in Twinkle’s chair when I came in the shop today. I’m thinking about going to
Paulette’s to get my hair done.” Hattie Mae shared Tootsie’s dislike for
Elvina. “Look at that suit she’s wearing.
A woman her age should dress more like her age and not some floozy.”
“Can’t imagine what she was thinking
with that scarf. Anyway, remember how bad Paulette butchered your hair the last
time.” Mavis realized the connection
sitting at their table. “Baxley, we are pleased
that Zolena is becoming a Tiger Swallowtail.
Your mom has worked hard and deserves the Monarch pin tonight.”
“By all means. And let’s not forget how wonderful my sister
is.” Baxley did not care how snarky she
sounded. She liked Elvina and felt
protective of her. This was why she hated these meeting. Everyone had an
opinion and believed it was their right to share it.
”Ladies, I call the Unadilla Chapter of the
Southern Butterflies to order.” Flossie Gunnar’s squeaky voice tried to speak
above the room’s conversations. She had
to stand on a foot-stool to reach the microphone and see over the podium.
“Ya’ll
quieten down.” Mavis shrilled a loud whistle.
“Thank
you, Mavis.” Flossie smiled but inwardly did not appreciate the crude way Mavis
often handled situations. “Nonnie will you give the blessing for the meal?”
“I
will.” Nonnie, the wife of the First Baptist Church pastor, walked to the
podium. “Let us bow our heads and give thanks.”
Nonnie had accepted a long time ago that
people seemed to think her marital status gave her a better connection
to God. She’d also learned that people expected prayers to be short, sweet and
not a mini sermon. She gave her standard
words of thanks.
********
“I tried to hold you a spot at
our table.” Cissa held her plate and spooned green beans onto it. “Sorry you
got stuck with Hattie Mae and Mavis.”
“With
those two we don’t need The Weekly Reporter.” Baxley poured dressing over her
salad.
“Your
momma looks nice tonight.” Cissa considered Sadie her second mom.
“She
does. I think Mrs. Elvina is rocking
that suit.” Baxley followed Cissa to the drink counter. “I wanna be like her at that age.”
“Maybe
we are the younger version of them. I’m
your Zolena.” Cissa giggled.
“You girls are having a good time.” Zolena reached for a glass of sweet tea.
“We
are Grandma. These meetings are the
highlight of my social calendar.” Baxley
took a sip of her tea.
“Don’t
be sassy.” Zolena admired her
granddaughter’s spunk but wished she’d learn how to control it. “Uh-oh. Looks like Hattie Mae is circling the
wagons. Let me get back to Elvina.”
********
“I heard they found her in her daylily
bed.” Hattie Mae had an inside source
with the sheriff department. Her
grandson. “Drew said she’d been there for a while.”
“Poor
Tootsie. I hear her closest relative is
a cousin twice removed and lives in California.” Mavis couldn’t phantom why anyone wanted to live
where there was threat of falling into the ocean.
“Must
be her daddy’s side. Her mother was an only child.” Mildred knew the lineage of anyone in the
county. She watched life’s cycle come
through her shop. Pink and blue flowers
for a new arrival, assorted arrangements for birthdays, and a blanket of
favorite to drape them in death.
“She never got over Harold.” Fannie joined the group and was not surprised
by the topic. Her face was flushed and
her breathing heavy. She felt like she
was always running at full speed and behind the eight ball.
“At least Zolena will be the second Tiger
Swallowtail. Shame that Anna Bell had to
step down.” Mavis was still haggling
with the woman’s car insurance about the accident. Anna Bell plowed her car
into the sign in front of the Happy Hooker Bait and Tackle store. “It’s gonna
take another six weeks before my sign is fixed.”
“I’ve
never been sure which one was more blind.
Her or the dog.” Fannie thought
of the times Anna Bell brought her little dog, Muffie, into the vet. “Her son moved her to an assisted living
place over in Americus last week.”
********
“Janie
make room for you sister.” Sadie moved
her plate and chair to open a space at their overcrowded table.
“She’ll
be fine where she is.” Janie hated
having to make concessions for her younger sister. “One day she’ll learn to be on time.”
“Janie.
Do as your momma asked.” Zolena agreed
with granddaughter but felt her tone disrespectful to her mother.
“Yes
ma’am.” Even as a grown woman, a simple admonishment from her grandmother made
Janie feel like a child.
“I
can move to another table.” Twinkles
started to gather her plate.
“You
don’t need to do that Twyla Faye. We’ll
be fine.” Elvina scooted her chair and
moved her plate.
“Are
you sure Mrs. Ward?” Twinkles liked that
Elvina used her given name. The way she
spoke it made Twinkles feel smart and special. Twinkles fell in love with
reading because of Elvina’s passion about the characters and stories she taught
them. Secretly, she dreamed of writing one day.
But, who would want to read what a high school dropout turned hair
stylist had to say?
“Baxley. Come over here.” Sadie spoke above the crowd in an attempt to
get her daughter’s attention.
“Momma
there’s not enough room.” Baxley could tell by the scowl on Janie’s face that
her mother was forcing the issue.
“I
want my girls sitting with me.” Sadie
moved a chair into the spot she’d created.
“I’m
sorry Twinkles.” Baxley wedged herself into the space.
“No
worries. I’m just glad to be off my feet.”
Twinkles had closed the shop early for tonight.
The rap, rap, rap of a gavel brought a hush to
the room. Flossie cleared her throat and
spoke into the microphone. “The first order of business is the dedication of
the plaque commemorating Tootsie. Hattie
Mae if you’ll come up.”
Hattie
Mae’s knees shook and her voice quivered. Tootsie had been her best friend. “Tootsie
Harper spent her life dedicated to the Southern Butterflies.In memory of
Tootsie the plaque will be placed in the Butterfly Garden on the square in
town. Some of her prized daylilies will
be transplanted into the garden.”
“Tsk.”
The sound escaped Elvina before she could stifle it. “Sorry, had a tickle in my
throat.” Elvina quickly took a sip of
tea.
“At
least she will forever be with her blessed daylilies.” Zolena whispered.
“The next order of business is the
installation of our new Tiger Swallowtails.
It is rare that we have a double induction.” Flossie directed her attention to Zolena and
Elvina.
“Zolena,
Elvina, Twinkles and Sadie if ya’ll would come on up.” Flossie sat down and checked her watch. Her
favorite Tuesday night show came on at eight.
It was already past seven.
“The
Tiger Swallowtail is known for its endurance of making long flights. That is why it is the symbol for Southern
Butterfly Ambassadors. Those chosen to
become a Tiger Swallowtail must include years of dedicated service to one’s
chapter, be active in one’s community, and obtain strong moral character.”
Twinkles spoke from memory. She knew
nothing less would have been acceptable from Mrs. Ward.
“Elvina
Ward and Zolena Hayberry exceed these requirements.” Sadie turned to her mom. “For as long as I can remember, you have
always been a Southern Butterfly. Your
dedication to this chapter, our community and your family is unfailing. It is your example that I strive to live my
life daily.” Sadie took a pin replicating the butterfly from the box in her
hand and placed it on her mother’s lapel.
“When Flossie asked me to present Mrs. Ward
with her pin I was beyond words.”
Twinkles looked at Elvina. “You
inspired me every day that I sat in your class.
You continue to inspire me each time you sit in my chair at the
shop. It is with great honor that I pin
you tonight.”
Elvina
rarely found herself choked with emotion.
But, Twyla Faye’s words had created one of those occasions. She accepted
the former student’s embrace and whispered, “You are smarter than you allow
yourself to be.”
“The
last order of business tonight is the induction of the Monarch.” Flossie stood next to Sadie. “The final duty of the current Monarch is to
pin the new one.” Flossie removed the
pin and attached it to Sadie’s jacket. “As the outgoing Monarch, it is keeping
with tradition that I now hand over my gavel to you.” Flossie took the gavel and presented it to
Sadie. “Congratulations, Madam Monarch.”
Sadie
accepted the gavel and took her position behind the podium. She looked at the table where her family sat.
Baxley’s subtle movement to wipe a tear surprised her.
“As
Madam Monarch, it is my first duty to officially end tonight’s meeting.” Sadie
rapped the gavel on the podium.