Miss Carmelia Faye Lafayette Read Online Free PDF Page B

said.
    “I don’t trust her,” August blurted out. 
    “Shhh, she’ll hear you,” Miss Margaret cautioned.  “Why you don’t trust her?”
    “Something ‘bout her don’t set right with me,” he replied.
    “Oh, you just making up things,” Miss Margaret said, looking down at Martin and rocking him softly.
    “I don’t wanna see that boy hurt,” August said.  “I ain’t never seen him daft like this over no woman.”
    “There’s always a first time, August,” Miss Margaret said.  “You just don’t wanna see him grow up.”
    “He is grown,” August retorted. 
    “Yeah, but you ain’t let go,” she surmised.
     “He’s been through so much,” he said worriedly.
    “And he need a good woman to help him leave all that behind him,” Miss Margaret said.
     August thought about her words.  She was right.  Buford Tee did have a lot he needed to deal with, and Miss Carmelia might be the one to help him do just that. 
    A few minutes later Buford Tee and Miss Carmelia walked into the kitchen and sat back down to continue eating their breakfast.  Miss Margaret started a lively conversation with Miss Carmelia , asking her all manner of questions about Martin.  Buford just watched as the two women talked, enjoying their light banter.  August, however, sat motionless, examinng this woman that had Buford Tee’s interest.  They talked for over an hour, and then when Miss Margaret started asking personal questions of Miss Carmelia, Buford Tee decided it was time for them to leave. 
    “Well, folks, we need to be getting on,” Buford Tee said, standing up.
    “So soon?  You just got here,” Miss Margaret said in a disappointed tone.
    “Wow, how time flies,” Miss Carmelia said, not realizing they had been there that long.
    “I really enjoyed this little man.  Next time, bring him when he’s awake so I can spoil him a bit,” Miss Margaret said, handing Martin over to Miss Carmelia who stood up to take him.
    “Thank you for the food,” Miss Carmelia said, Miss Margaret hugging her neck and then hugging Buford Tee’s neck.
    “Alright, Grandpa,” Buford Tee said.
    August was still quiet.
    “It was nice to meet you, Mr. Jefferson,” Miss Carmelia said, extending her hand to shake his.
    He shook her hand with little interest. 
    Miss Margaret asked quickly, “When you bringing her around again?”
    Startled, Buford Tee said, “Uh, I…I’ll let you know,” and ushered Miss Carmelia to the front door, wanting to get her out of there before another awkward comment or question was raised. 
    Miss Margaret walked them to the door and stood outside on the porch, watching as they headed to the horse and buggy. 
    “I’m cooking Sunday supper tomorrow!” Miss Margaret shouted.  “Bring her ‘round, Buford Tee!”
    “We’ll see!” Buford Tee yelled, opening the door and allowing Miss Carmelia and Martin to get inside.
    “Tomorrow!” Miss Margaret shouted again, waving goodbye.
    “They gone have us married off tomorrow,” Buford Tee said, heading down the road.  “Do you wanna come?”
    “It take two to marry,” Miss Carmelia said.  “But I’ll come.”
    Buford Tee didn’t make much of her comment.  He was just pleased she had agreed to come.  The next day they went to August’s house for Sunday supper, August warming up to Miss Carmelia after he spent an hour trying to outwit her at Three-Card Monte, which he never could.  Miss Margaret abhorred card playing, but, in particular, she abhorred it on Sunday, the Lord’s Day.  Martin, however, proved a pleasant distraction for Miss Margaret, who enjoyed his liveliness and playfulness, allowing the indiscretion to go on in her house.  She would just have to pray double time that evening for forgiveness for all of their sins. 
     
    Buford Tee and Miss Carmelia grew closer over the next few months.  Miss Carmelia began slowly opening her heart to Buford Tee, although he was already there.  He was in love with her and was