Solemn by Kalisha Buckhanon

give free pony rides to the most abject kids’ birthday parties. And free horses to the parades. Soon as Stephanie came of age, one of her mother’s friend’s sons took her to the Ebony Club. They snuck in underage to drink, and he proposed. Uninterested in her gritty measure of prestige, they left Indianola when Theo’s job asked. Stephanie returned for her dad’s homegoing and very often to make sure her mama’s help minded.
    But Stephanie didn’t bother to tell all that. Where she came from put her at risk to be overrun with favors, unpaid tabs, and unclaimed baggage. When it came time to divvy out a couple Cessnas her heart-attacked father left, she passed. She took his silk pajamas instead. Even the Cadillac and Harley were too telling. She traded them in for her Imperial and remainder checks. For even more affect, she sent her only child out to collect bottles and cans for full display in clear plastic bags outside the trailer. Her luck was never going to be a gossiper’s mantelpiece. She made it easy on herself. That way, she could say no to any hint without backlash. Or she could say yes (like she would today), with the faith that one word would be appreciated like it was all she had.
    Right after she met her mama looking for her, Stephanie started to always see that little girl—Solemn she now knew her name as. Matter fact, she had been seeing her all along. Matter more fact, the girl’s daddy skipped out the Hassles’ a few times. Then, the girl’s mama helped that poor woman move out. Much more attention than anyone else paid the Hassles. The little girl pussyfooted around a lot, lugubrious, usually by herself. Sometimes with a cat behind. Stephanie could never really figure out where she had come from or where she was going. She just knew she belonged. They had few places where they could feel like they belonged totally. Solemn was included by default.
    Stephanie set deviled eggs on the patio table. Bev Redvine was supposed to get there around four. Wound up being about five. So, the eggs were warmer than Stephanie would have wanted. But that was just her. Bev wore a nice teddy dress and some shining black flats with a curve. The girl was barefoot. They brought a mud cake (store-bought).
    â€œSo, Stephanie,” Bev started, “thanks for having me by. I was getting worried when no one came by after my note, about what I was going to do.”
    Stephanie pulled out their chairs. She balanced her new Tupperware tumblers and a few linen napkins for them. She pulled her ribboned and straw sun hat down further.
    â€œNo problem at all,” Stephanie said. They sat down with the sun behind the trailer. The Longwoods’ awning had gotten rusted and ornery over the hand-dug patio. The well seemed just a sideways glance away, keeping them from enjoying things.
    Bev elbowed the girl as unexpectedly as a booster shot. “Say hello, Solemn.”
    â€œHi,” Stephanie heard. She scooped some deviled eggs on napkins and waited.
    â€œWell, Stephanie,” Bev said, “I’m thinking ’bout going to Magnolia Bible College. It’s gonna start soon this fall. And my oldest … well, his grades wasn’t good for college.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” Stephanie told her. “I think I’ve seen him with your daughter.”
    â€œHe liked talking more than school and sports, running off Klan, so he thought…”
    â€œI could’ve told him they’re here to stay.”
    â€œHe realized that wouldn’t work when nobody gave a damn ’bout that baby throwed down this here well like that.”
    Bev pointed in the direction Stephanie never looked anymore.
    â€œSuch a shame it was,” Stephanie said. They couldn’t have been related, then  …
    â€œAnd he just had a son gonna need some taking care of,” Bev went on. “And his daddy took care of him, so he should take care of his.