Nobody Knows Your Secret

61

"What's Beanie doing in your backseat, Hadley?" Maury asked as Hadley opened the passenger door for her.

"Hop in, Sis," Hadley said. "Beanie was walking down Main. I spotted him on my way over. He's off today. Harvey's having hernia surgery."

"So," Maury said, "the cemetery is closed today?"

"That's about the size of it," said Hadley.

"If Harvey's out sick," Beanie added, "I get a vacation day."

"Ain't that nice," Maury said, looking over at Hadley.

"Nobody's there to supervise Beanie," Hadley said. "Clora usually subs for Harvey if he has something to do, but since Harvey's having surgery, Clora thinks it's her wifely duty to be by Harvey's side."

"To hear his confessions while he's under anesthesia?" Maury asked.

"Something like that," said Hadley.

"What kinda things do you confession under ana . . . anahteasjah, Hadley?" Beanie asked.

"Oh, things you wouldn't want your mama to know, Bean," Hadley said.

"Ouuuu," Beanie said. "Hick'ry sticks 'n' switchy switches."

"Yeah," said Hadley. "Harvey might get his tater patch tilled by Clora."

"Boy, I hope not," Beanie said. "That Clora's as strong as a mule."

"Maybe she'll knock some sense into Harvey, for once," said Maury. "And I cannot believe we are having this conversation."

"Beanie, are you afraid of snakes?" Hadley said.

"Not since I saw you wrestle one," Beanie said.

"But don't try that yourself, okay?" Hadley said.

"What are you two talking about?" Maury asked.

"Hadley . . ."

"Bean," Hadley said, giving him a look in the rearview mirror.

"Nuthin," said Beanie.

"Nuthin' like a horse's patoot," said Maury. "What is he talking about, Hadley?"

"Promise me, Beanie," Hadley said.

"I promise," said Beanie.

"Like the man said," Hadley said. "Nuthin.'"

"You know," said Maury, "sometimes I can't figure out who is worse. Beanie or you!"

"Hadley says she's my pea pod," said Beanie.

"Your pea pod?"

"Yeah. We're just two peas in a pea pod."

They pulled up to the service road and pressed the buzzer.

"How y'all comin' on cleanin' out that old buzzard's house?" Maury asked.

"Almost done with the heavy stuff," said Hadley. "Good thing, too. Those dumpsters are about stuffed."

"We're going to party when we're done," Beanie said.

"You are," said Maury.

"Yep. Me 'n' Hadley are gonna get drunk on peach floats and banana splits."

"I'd like to see that," said Maury.

"No you wouldn't," said Hadley. "Trust me. It ain't gonna be pretty."

"Good to see you, guys," Ruth said. "Unexpected, but always good."

"We thought you might could use a few spare hands. Nobody had much to do today. Well, one of us planned to soak her corns," Hadley said.

"Hadley!" Maury said. "That was a joke!"

"I know that," Hadley said.

"Whatever," said Ruth, "I'm always glad to see you. And hello, Beanie. Glad you've come to help, too."

"Yes, ma'am," Beanie said. "I cain't rastull no snakes."

"Beg pardon," Ruth said.

"Hadley made me promise not to rastull no snakes."

"I'm glad, Beanie," Ruth said.

"Don't worry, Ruth," Hadley said. "Beanie and I promise to behave, don't we, Bean."

Beanie shook his head.

"All right, Beanie you can water and feed the bunnies."

"I remember everything you told me, Miz Ruth," Beanie said.

"Come on, Beanie," Maury said, "me 'n' you got bunny duty. I'll feed. You water."

"A team," said Beanie.

"A team, Jelly Bean," said Maury.

The two left to start their tasks.

Hadley looked Ruth in the eyes.

"How are you?" Hadley asked.