The Shortened End

The Shortened End

Suzanne Marsh

“Dang nabbit, that boy ain’t got the sense of a mule.” Abner Mantis scratched his head, as he watched the scene before unfold. Tommy Banner, drove up the dirt road, hoopin n hollerin, as he made his way to the Mantis shack. The chickens were peckin the dirt as Annie Mantis sat on the stoop. She knew Tommy would be here some time today. This was their regular date night. She dreamed someday of being a lady, not a sharecropper’s daughter. She hated the five room shack she shared with her nine siblings. Pa, did the best he could, she knew that from things her ma said. Amy Mantis, was not a complainer, she had accepted her life as it was. Jimmy reminded her of Abner, when he was younger. He, had courted her, swept her off her feet, married and settled down to married life. Amy’s Pa had not use for Abner, but love had prevailed. Amy hoped that Abner would see that it was the same for Annie and Tommy. Annie, ran toward the 1939 Ford, excited to see Tommy once again. Tonight, they were going to a movie then to the Castle Burger Joint. Tommy had waited a long time for this occasion. He, knew he was ready to propose to Annie, he just hoped Abner wouldn’t shoot him or worse, forbid him from seeing Annie at all.

As Tommy and Annie drove off, Abner stood still watching, his felt hat wet with sweat. He wanted a better life for Annie than he and Amy had. Tommy, he knew, lived in comparative comfort with his family up on Boston Mountain, in the Ozarks. He still had no idea how Tommy met Annie, and danged if he were gonna to ask. He’d made his up about Tommy when he said to Amy:

“That boy ain’t got no sense atoll. He can’t hoe a straight row, he has no idea how to

plant cotton, how is he gonna support Annie, if he ever asks fer her hand.” Amy smiled at Abner, as she began:

“Well Abner Mantis, my pa said you didn’t have a lick sense either, we done all right.”

“Amy, that don’t have a lick of sense no how. I wish he would drive a little bit slower,

Abner knew what Amy said was all to true, Jed Larson hated Abner, he always had, actually there had been a feud for the past fourteen years, from day Abner married Amy. ‘That’s life’ thought Abner.

Life, of a sharecropper and his family was really difficult in the 1930’s, Tommy and Annie were the next generation and like any daddy, Abner did not want to see his daughter hurt or worse, relegated to the life Amy led, he wanted better, he just hoped that Tommy was the right choice. He knew Amy was right, her daddy didn’t like Abner none, he still didn’t. Abner and Amy had not spoken to Jed Larson, since they married. Abner knew that Amy did talk to him from time to time, he also knew that Amy wanted peace in the family.

The drive-in picture show feature was Captain Blood starring Errol Flynn; Annie was so excited, since she thought Errol Flynn was the hunk of hunks. Tommy, found a spot, pulled in. He carefully placed his arm, around Annie’s shoulder. Annie, snuggled up next to Tommy, resting her head on his shoulder. Happiness flooded them both, just Captain Blood was about to kiss Arabella Bishop, Tommy quickly slipped his high school ring on Annie’s delicate hand. Annie’s blue eyes were like tea saucers as she realized what Tommy had given her. Tommy, never at a loss for words:

“Annie, will you marry me? I will get you a ring but for now will you wear

wear my high school ring?”

Annie was over the top, her dream of marrying Tommy was coming true at last. She wasn’t going to be an old maid, she thought; ‘I am fourteen, same age as ma when she married pa. Annie, her voice trembling as she said sweetly:

“Yes, Tommy, YES! You have made me a happy girl.”

Tommy smiled as he caressed her face:

“I hope I always will. We should set some sort of time. Then we have to tell our families.

My mom and dad will love you. I hope your mom and dad feel the same way as mine will.”

Tommy and Annie, held on to each other through the entire movie, neither one was sure of what they had seen except for each other. Later that evening, Tommy drove Annie home. Abner, was waiting up, very much playing the angry father:

“Annie, you got any idea what time it is? It is past midnight!” Abner thought: ‘there is

something afoot here. She is beaming like a full moon.’

“Pa, Tommy and I have somethin to tell you. Please, pa, don’t git on your high horse.”

Abner, waited as Tommy began to speak:

“Ah, sir, Mr. Mantis, I wanna marry your daughter, I am askin your permission.”

Ma, when she heard pa yelling came scurrying down the loft stairs.

“Abner, what is going on? It is after midnight, Annie? What is going on here?”

Tommy cleared his throat only to be cut off by Abner:

“He wants to marry Annie, Amy. What do you think? I say she is to young to marry.”

Amy, looked him square in the eyes:

“Abner Mantis, you remember how old we were when we married? Annie is in love with

Tommy, she has been for over a year. I was thirteen when we got hitched, so don’t

go gittin on yer high horse.”

Amy knew Abner had to think that over, he wanted what was best for Annie, and what was best for Annie was Tommy. Amy watched Abner as he thought things through:

“Annie, Tommy ain’t got a lick of sense, and he got the short end of the stick, if he is

what will make you happy then marry the boy.”

Annie hugged Abner and Amy as Tommy shook their hands, the last thing Abner said:

“Tommy, you take good care of Annie.”

Tommy smiled as he replied:

“Yes sir.”