“Meemaw, mama’s home!” exclaimed 4-year-old Isabella. She had been waiting all day, sitting on the edge of a battered old sofa, that flanked a washing machine and a couple of lawn chairs, on a makeshift porch covered by corrugated plastic.
She was watching for the arrival of her daddy’s car. On this September afternoon it was carrying precious cargo.
“Okay, Bella, come on in now and let papa and mama get the baby inside. I don’t know how you can sit out there in this sweltering heat with those damn gnats swarmin’ around your head.”
The Honda parked behind an old Ford 150 crew-cab pickup and the rusted hulk of a Dodge Charger which sat on blocks. Marshall got out of the driver’s side and hustled around to help Chandra and their newborn out of the car.
Isabella stood quietly just inside the doorway as her brand-new sister, Makayla, was carried in and settled into a crib in the dining room.
Such an odd place for a crib, but the tiny three-bedroom double-wide in Millen was home to the Singletary family of six plus Chandra, Isabella, and now, Makayla. Chandra, Marshall, and Isabella slept on the tattered fold-out sofa bed in the living room just a few feet from the dining room and kitchen.
The trailer in Millen was too small, money was too tight, and tempers flared without much provocation.
Millen is in Jenkins County, one of the poorest counties in the state of Georgia. Marshall, being the eldest, helped support his mother and four siblings after his father was killed coming home from work by a drunk driver.
Chandra was only 16 when she found herself pregnant with Isabella and there was no doubt Marshall was the father. Chandra’s mother was lost in a fog of drug addiction and prostitution, so Chandra and Marshall agreed that it be best for all concerned if they moved into the Singletary home. Since Isabella’s birth, Chandra took care of Marshall’s siblings and the household while Marshall and his mother, Linda, worked.
Marshall was a rather good mechanic having completed a program at Jenkins County High School. He worked for the county maintaining their vehicles, doing oil changes and tune-ups. Linda waitressed and bartended at the local watering hole not far from the garage where Marshall worked.
At Halloween Marshall and Chandra drove his brothers, sister, and his baby girls sixteen miles to the Mallards Mill Mall for trick or treating.
“You remember Devon that I went to high school with?” Marshall asked as they walked the mall with Makayla snuggled into a baby sling against Chandra’s chest.
“Sure, he was the smart one in your posse, wasn’t he?”
“Yeah, smart enough to get the hell out of here as soon as he graduated. He went down to Florida and got a certificate from the community college in heating and air conditioning repair. He says it’s a booming business down there.”
“Sure does get hot in Florida so I imagine it’s a good job.”
“So we were talking, and he figures if I applied with the school district where he’s working he could put a good word in for me and get me on with them. He says it’s a good, solid place to work with benefits and a pension down the road.”
“Wow, that sounds great, Marshall. Are you thinking of doing it?”
“I was, but then I thought about Momma and the kids. I’m responsible for helping them with my dad gone, and I bring in more money than Momma does. I can’t just leave them.”
“Marsh, I’m not that good with money, but I’m pretty sure that the money you’re bringing home is used up by taking care of us, Isabella, and now Makayla. Do you really think your paycheck is helping your momma? I think the four of us probably cost her more than you make.”
Once the mall circuit was complete, they rounded up the kids and headed back to Millen. Marshall’s siblings were in the back seat taking inventory of their candy haul, while Isabella sat quietly strapped into a car seat that she had outgrown, sucking on a cherry lollypop. Chandra stroked Makayla’s peach-fuzz covered head and stared out the window wondering what life would be like if she could ever escape the pre-determined poverty and struggle of rural Georgia.
The next morning after all the kids were out the door for school Chandra approached Linda.
“Did Marsh tell you about hearing from Devon Johnson?”
“What’s he up to? I know he moved right after school”
“Yeah, he went to South Florida, got a certification in air conditioning repair and has a great job with the school district. He thinks he could get Marsh in if we moved down there.”
“Sounds like a great opportunity if Devon’s not just blowing smoke out his butt. He always was a big talker.”
“He was that. Doesn’t matter though, Marsh wouldn’t leave you and the kids in a bind, besides who would take care of the kids while you were working?”
“Girl, look around here. You’re smart, you know this isn’t where you want to raise those little girls. It would be hard not having you and Marshall here, mostly because he keeps his little brothers in line, but I won’t stand in your way. I’ve made my bed and I’m layin’ in it every day. It’s not Marshall’s burden. Besides, Franklin’s almost 15 and he can take care of the younger ones until I get home. We’d figure things out.”
It was decided then. Marshall went online during his lunch hour and put his application in with the Broward County School Board. Linda agreed to carry a larger burden of expenses so Marshall could save some money. When March 2008 roared into Georgia like a lion, Marshall and Chandra loaded up the Honda with Isabella and Makayla and all their meager belongings to head south. Marshall still hadn’t heard from the school district, but Devon told him to come anyway. He was sure there would be a job for him.
