Family Thang by James Henderson

sat on the bed. She hugged Teddy tighter. He leaned over and buried his face in her hair. “Forever.”
    This made her want to cry even more. “I know you will.”
    “I love you, Ruthie,” the words tickling her neck.
    She knew she should say I love you, too, but couldn’t force herself to utter the words. In fact, she hadn’t told him those words in a long time, though Lester said them daily.
    Lester released her and reared back, feigning astonishment. “Baby, you’re s’posed to say I love you, too, Lester.”
    Ruth Ann closed her eyes. “You know I do.”
    “It would be nice to hear you say it every now and again, you know. I hate to whine, but it would really be nice to hear you say it.”
    Ruth Ann opened her eyes and studied the window curtains. Priscillas, gray trim. She remembered the day she bought them and hung them up. 
    “Watch my lips,” Lester said.
    Has he lost his mind? His lips were the last thing in the world she wanted to look at.
    Lester touched his lips, actually put a finger on the mark, the mark that couldn’t be washed off, a permanent reminder of his idiocy, his stupidity, his infidelity. “Come on, honey, watch my lips.”
    Yes, he’s lost his mind!
    “I…love…you…Lester,” he said.
    Completely!
    “You and I together. I…love…you.”
    Ruth Ann mouthed the words.
    “A little louder,” Lester insisted. “I…love…you.”
    “I love you,” she said, a whisper.
    “Was that so hard?”
    Yes!
    “Give me a kiss, honey,” Lester said, puckering his lips.
    Will this madness n ever end? she wondered, staring at his mouth, which now looked like an atrophied cow teat. She sat up and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “I’m sorry, Lester, I haven’t brushed my teeth. Give me a minute.”
    Inside the bathroom she locked the door, sat fully clothed on the commode, covered her mouth with both hands and sobbed, not certain for whom she was crying. Her daddy? Shane? Lester?
    There was a knock on the door. “Ruthie?” Lester said.
    She grunted in response.
    “You okay?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    She didn’t love Lester. He was a good man, she couldn’t deny that. He loved her, truly loved her, and practically bent over backward attempting to make her happy. Still, she did not love him. Yet she needed him.
    What made the situation so unfair, so damn frustrating: she needed him. Holding my breath in an out-house, she thought, desperately needing oxygen but can’t stomach the smell.
    If not for that damn mark, she thought as she dabbed her eyes with tissue, I possibly could love him. She stood up and flushed the toilet, and then a thought hit her: once she got her share of the money she wouldn’t need Lester. She wouldn’t need him at all; she would be able to take care of herself, and even if she lost her house, she would have enough money to buy another one.
    The first time that day she smiled, thinking everything might work out. Lester, after a fashion, would find someone else, forget all about her. And she--her smile turned into a grin--would be free to find a man whom she could love, a man who wouldn’t foolishly burn his mouth.
    She opened the door, and Lester stood there in the hallway.
    “You okay?”
    She nodded, avoiding his eyes.
    “Come on,” taking her hand. “You need some rest.”
    He led her to the bedroom and she lay down.
    “Where’s Teddy?” she asked him.
    Lester retrieved Teddy from the floor. “Here he is. Get some rest, Ruthie.” He sat on the edge of the bed looking at her.
    What’s he waiting on?
    As if reading her mind, Lester said, “Ruthie, before I go, may I have a hug?”
    “Yes, Lester,” and didn’t move. Lester sat there, no doubt waiting for her to reach up and hug him.
    Not in this lifetime!
    Lester leaned down and hugged her. Ruth Ann held her breath. He continued hugging her as her arms lay to her sides. She groaned softly, to cue him enough was enough.
    “I love you,” Lester whispered.
    Another groan, much louder, and Lester