Icey May

By Kowanda Stroud

In spite of themselves and their families ten year old Janiece Addison and fourteen Year old Icey May Watkins become friends one summer. Growing up in Love, Oklahoma was a wonderful experience for Janiece but Icey May had the misfortune of being born on the wrong side of the tracks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9781590883662

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Wings ePress, Inc.

Edited by: Dianne Hamilton

Copy Edited by: Leslie Hodges

Senior Editor: Dianne Hamilton

Managing Editor: Leslie Hodges

Executive Editor: Lorraine Stephens

Cover Artist: Richard Stroud

All rights reserved

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Wings ePress Books

http://www.wings-press.com

Copyright © 2004 by Kowanda Stroud

ISBN 1-59088-366-7

Published by Wings ePress, Inc. at Smashwords

Published In the United States Of America

March 2005

Wings ePress Inc.

403 Wallace Court

Richmond, KY 40475

Dedication

Icould never understand people dedicating their books to their editors until I found my editor Dianne Hamilton. Thank you my faceless friend out there in cyber-land! Without your help and encouragement this book would have remained a dream.

Also to some of my long time friends, Karen, Fran, Kathy, Robyn, Gerry, and of course Anna Myers, thank you all for listening to my stories and laughing and crying in all the right places.

Also to all the Icey May’s in this world, hopefully times have changed and there are more people like Briny to help you. I pray this is true.

One

Love, Oklahoma, August 1953

I’ll tell you the truth, Faye told Donna, all a man really cares about is, well... you know. When Donna didn’t reply she said, Did you hear me?

Yeah. You’ve told me that before, but Mama! I don’t care, I just want to have a good time and go on dates. Donna started to roll up the car window beside her because the wind was messing up her hair.

Don’t you dare roll up that window! Are you crazy? You know those kids will burn up back there. Faye glared at her daughter and turned up the hillbilly music playing on the radio.

Donna glared back her mother and turned the volume down, then turned and looked at her little brother and sister in the back seat. She had to smile, even though she thought they were a couple of royal pains in her neck. Mama, look at them stuffing their faces.

Faye glanced over into the back seat and smiled, too. They’re trying so hard not to go to sleep. Janiece thinks she’s too old for naps. Told me yesterday, ‘only babies like Nickie take a nap’.

Oh, I’ll bet he loved that! He just hates it when she calls him a baby, or frog face, or turtle eyes, or any of the other pet names she has for him. Donna smiled thinking Nickie did resemble a frog. This popcorn is making me thirsty. Can we stop at the filling station at Richard Spur and get a bottle of pop?

Well we’re almost to Porter Hill when we’re at Richard Spur! Faye said humming along with Eddie Arnold.

Yeah, so what? Donna asked wondering about her mother’s reasoning. She realized her mother didn’t have to make sense—she was driving the car.

Well, when we get to Porter Hill we’re just six miles from Taylor, and when we get to Taylor we’re just four miles from Love.

So? Donna prompted sarcastically.

So, we might as well wait until we get home. When she heard Donna grumble she added quickly. Now you might as well stay quiet about it. If we stop, the kids will get out too, right?

Yeah. Donna answered in a tired voice. She already knew she wasn’t going to get a good cold Coke until they reached Love.

"Okay. So if I stop at Richard Spur, everyone gets out, everyone buys something, somebody spills theirs, somebody else gets mad, somebody else falls or hits somebody else and the next thing you know we’re an hour late getting home. Supper will be late, your daddy will be mad, I’ll be late for the movie, and you’ll be late for your date. Now, do you really, really want to stop at Richard Spur for a Coke?" She smiled at Donna.

No, I guess I’m not that thirsty after all. Donna laughed with her mother and smoothed the side of her hair behind her ear. After all, I sure don’t want to make you late for that stupid space movie. How do you watch that junk?

Easy. Faye plopped a chocolate peanut cluster in her mouth. But the big question is, what are you going to tell Don when he asks you to marry him?

What? Are you nuts? Mama! I don’t love Don. I like him a lot, well—a whole lot, but I don’t want to marry him! For goodness sake!

Okay then. When he messes with you, she frowned when she saw Donna’s expression, now you just stay quiet—he’s gonna mess with you. Men can’t help it. It’s in their nature. It’s up to the woman to put a stop to that. You have to be the one. You have to be strong and don’t let any man or boy mess with you.

Donna put some more salty popcorn in her mouth and turned her attention forward staring straight-ahead and decided to ignore her mother the rest of the way home.

Two

It was hot in the Addison’s old ‘49 Ford. Even though all the windows were down, only hot air filled the car. The trip home from Lawton was insufferable in the Oklahoma summer heat.

Donna rode in the front seat with their mother Faye while Janiece and her little brother Nickie shared the back seat. She was allowed the privilege of riding in the front for two reasons. One, she’d suffered carsickness while riding in the back seat and two, she was the oldest of the Addison children. She’d been more or less responsible for Janiece since the birth of their brother.

Since Janiece was three years older than Nickie, she thought she should be able boss him around, like Donna did her. But Nickie didn’t take bossing very well from anyone and Janiece in particular so there was usually a fuss when Janiece tried to correct him.

Their stomachs were stuffed with salty popcorn and melted chocolate peanut clusters they’d bought at Kress’ Five and Dime in Lawton. Janiece tried her best not to yawn; but the warm car and full stomach made her sleepy. After all, she thought, yawning in spite of herself; I am eight years old and not some little baby.

Nickie stood on the seat and Janiece yanked on his arm hard trying to pull him back to a sitting position onto the seat beside her. One of her big sister duties was to tattle on him. She said loudly, Mama! Mama! He’s doing it again. He’s standing up on the seat.

Ow! Janiece yelled when he slapped at her arm. The popcorn sack she held fell to the seat and popcorn flew over the seat and out the open window.

Now look what you made me do you little creep! Just for that I’m gonna beat the devil out of you as soon as we get home! She threatened him through gritted teeth.

Nickie looked unconcerned and didn’t take her threat seriously. He knew she didn’t have that much authority over him.

Janiece frowned at him. Being a big sister was not an easy job with a little brother like him. She thought when he turned five maybe he would straighten up and not cause her so many problems. But, she thought shaking her head sadly, he just keeps getting bigger and stronger and now he can hit almost as hard as me.

If you both don’t shut up, I’m going to reach back there and slap each one of you. Donna threatened, never taking her eyes from the road in front of them. Since a threat from her was very serious to both of them, they settled down and gave the back of their sister’s head dirty looks.

Janiece thought her sister didn’t have to talk to her so hateful but she stayed quiet anyway. She would wait for a chance to get even with Donna later.

When Nickie was certain Donna couldn’t see, he stuck his tongue out at her and Janiece giggled.

When she realized she’d laughed, she slapped her hand over her mouth so Donna wouldn’t hear them and know they were laughing at her. Her mother had said Donna had a bad temper, just like their daddy. She didn’t take teasing very well either.

When Janiece looked out her window and realized they were near Taylor, a horrible thought entered her mind. She spoke loudly so her mother could hear over the wind blowing through the open windows.

Mama! Mama! Please don’t pick up Jeep Patterson today. It’s too hot back here for stinky old Jeep to ride.

When her mother ignored her she turned to her sister for help. Donna, don’t let Mama pick up Jeep Patterson. Okay? Huh? Janiece knew Donna couldn’t stand Jeep either but he was sweet on Donna and sometimes that made Donna feel good.

Faye’s voice sounded tired when she yelled to Janiece over the back seat. Janiece, will you shut your mouth? What has gotten into you today? I swear you clatter more like Aunt Maddie every day!

Aunt Maddie was a mystery to Janiece since she’d never met her; but she sure didn’t want to be like her, because whenever her mother got mad she’d say, You sound just like Aunt Maddie.

Donna looked away from the highway long enough to look at her mother.

Mother, if you give Jeep Patterson a ride, he can’t ride up here. I feel sick to my stomach and it’s just too hot for three people to ride up here. If I puke in this car, Daddy’s going to get mad.

Donna knew the words that worked magic with their mother. Of course, Janiece reasoned, she’d been around longer to learn their effect better. Donna’s long black hair was blowing out the window and the white ruffle on her blouse fluttered around her face. She reached for the handle of the window and started to roll it up.

When Janiece saw her reach for the window handle she screamed. Mama, she’s gonna roll up her window again and we’re gonna die back here. It’s too hot and we’ll suffocate. Make her stop!

Donna turned her head slowly and looked at Janiece. Donna squinted her eyes menacingly. My hair is getting messed up. Besides, you’re not too hot back there. You’re just a big baby. You don’t hear Nickie fussing about it being hot.

Hell no! Janiece yelled making sure she wasn’t within arm’s reach of Donna, He’s too busy making a fuss about everything else. With everything I have to put up with it’s a wonder I’m such a sweet little girl.

Donna looked at Faye and they both laughed.

Yeah, you’re so pitiful you ought to write a book about it, Donna told her still smiling.

Janiece was relieved to see her sister’s smile. She just couldn’t stand it when she thought her big sister was mad at her.

Faye stared ahead, sparing a glance every now and then at the shoulder of the road keeping watch for any sign of Jeep Patterson, Love’s most notorious hitchhiker.

Now, kids, how could I pass up that poor little old Jeep Patterson? Their mother told them. When she spoke in Donna’s direction she sounded mad. Especially since it’s so hot today? What if you had to walk home from Lawton and you saw Mrs. Patterson coming down the road behind you? Faye’s tone of voice changed and she sounded nice, You’d be so happy cause finally you would finally get a ride. Then Faye’s voice changed and once again her voice was mean when she said, And what if Mrs. Patterson just smiled and waved at you and passed by? What would you think then?

Donna gave a bored sigh and rolled her window back down and turned her watchful blue eyes back to the highway.

"Why, Mother, I guess I’d think she was a bitch to pass me up on such a hot day. But if she didn’t see me when she passed... why then I’d think ‘That sweet Mrs. Patterson would have given me a ride if she’d seen me because Lord knows’, Donna turned and faced her mother and shouted, ‘She gives me a ride every damn time I walk down this road!’ That’s what I would think, Mother."

Janiece was afraid her sister had pushed her luck too far this time. But it is a wonderful plan, she thought.

Yeah, Mama. Janiece said, let’s pretend we don’t see him and just keep going. We’ll just be a talking and a visiting and we won’t even see poor little old Jeep Patterson a-walking down this old hot highway.

Faye wasn’t nearly as thrilled with Donna’s plan as Janiece.

Her words rushed out in a gasp. I couldn’t face my friend if I passed her son up on this highway. She turned and looked at Janiece and gave her a stern look over her shoulder. Why, of course, I would see the poor boy! He’s out here hitchhiking every day. And if one or two days a week we happen to meet him, well then, yes, I’m going to give him a ride back to Love. She ended the argument when she put another handful of popcorn in her mouth. So there! You two just settle down, ’cause that’s the way it’s going to be.

Since their mother was the boss, Janiece knew the subject was closed, but Donna still had hopes of convincing their mother to her point of view.

Fine, Mother, Donna told Faye, just remember that I warned you about puking and I’m not kidding. I can’t help it and you know I can’t.

When Janiece saw her mother and her sister exchanging looks she thought, I think Donna learned how to give mean looks from Mama.

I hate Jeep Patterson! Janiece said. He swallows his snot and whistles through his teeth! It makes me sick and between him and icky Nickie, I might puke back here. She poked her head over the front seat between her mother and sister. If you give him a ride and he swallows his snot just one time I’m crawling over.

Donna pushed Janiece’s head back from the front seat. Oh, no, you’re not! she said roughly. Who do you think you are? The backseat’s bigger than the front seat and you are not scrunching me up like that! Besides, if I puke, it might be right on you, Smartie Pants.

Janiece’s stubborn streak set in because she was sick and tired of getting pushed around just because she was younger than Donna. It just wasn’t fair.

Umm, Donna? she said slyly while she eased farther back and squatted on the floorboard between the seats. Nickie said you love Jeep Patterson and that you want to kiss him when he gets all that snot in his mouth! She felt safe crouching on the floor between the seats because she didn’t think Donna could reach that far to slap her. When they got home she’d better be on the look out though.

Where did you get that about swallowing snot? I never heard of such a thing. Faye made a face and shook her head, busy watching the oncoming cars. Most of the time she was a good driver unless she was upset about something. And as for whistling through his teeth, she continued, That’s not such a bad thing. Why, I could even figure out a tune the last time we picked him up.

She looked away from the traffic just long enough to give Donna one of her best mean looks. "Besides, Donna, I don’t believe you’re grown enough to be going around giving orders. The last time I looked, I was the mother here—not you. When you’re grown and married, with your own car and kids, then you can pick up whoever you want to, and slap whoever you want to, but right now you’re just a kid, too. You’re my kid, in my car, and you will do whatever I say do! ‘Cause I am the boss."

She looked back at the traffic, satisfied. So shut the hell up every one of you. Nickie, sit down in the seat. Janiece, get up from that floorboard before you have a heat stroke. And Donna, quit talking about puking before you talk yourself into it.

She dabbed at the sweat on her neck. Now, we may not even see poor little Jeep Patterson today. We’re nearly to Taylor. Please, for God’s sake, be quiet. My head is killing me. I’m just going to have to lie down and rest a while when we get home or I won’t be able to go to the picture show tonight.

Gladys told me that about swallowing his snot. Janiece said unable to stay quiet as her mother had ordered. Gladys was her best friend’s mother. Janiece and Judy had been best friends all their lives.

I told Gladys that Jeep Patterson made real funny noises then kinda gulped real hard and swallowed. She allowed he was sucking up his snot and swallowing it. Really that is yucky and I don’t see why Nickie and me have to put up with it every time we come back from Lawton. It’s not fair and it just ruins our trip! She had trouble swallowing her peanut clusters just thinking about Jeep Patterson’s snot.

She looked at her little brother suspiciously. He’d been awfully quiet lately and she saw the reason for it. He’d made a mess in the seat and every time he did something like that Janiece got in trouble.

By the way Mama, did you know that Nickie picked the peanuts from his peanut clusters and stuck them on the seat? I don’t know what you’re going to do with him. He is a total mess! Janiece shook her head looking at the chubby, disgusting figure beside her, covered with chocolate. She thought the chocolate smeared around his mouth made his red face look more awful than usual.

Faye sounded disgusted when she turned her eyes away from the road long enough to give Nickie an angry look. Why did you let him do that? she asked Janiece. I told you to watch him. After all, you are three years older than him and I thought I could trust you to watch him just a little while. You don’t have any more sense than he does!

Janiece shrugged. I’m not surprised you yelled at me because the little rat did something wrong. It happens all the time and it’s not my fault he’s bad. She wished she was brave enough to give her mother one of her mean looks, but she knew she couldn’t do that so, she hit Nickie on the arm instead.

Faye tried to stretch her arm over the seat and grab him by the shoulder. Nickie! Stop that right now.

A few oncoming cars honked at them as their car swerved.

Janiece asked, "I wonder if they are from Love, too?

Donna’s laugh sounded more like a bark.

Faye spoke sternly to Janiece once again. All right, Janiece, just for that, you can wash the seats when we get home. You’d better get it done before your daddy comes home, too.

Janiece shrugged her shoulder unconcerned because she knew her mother wouldn’t make good on her threat.

Faye turned her attention back to the highway and told Janiece in a nicer voice, Nickie is just a baby but you’re older and you should know better.

Finally the little monster beside Janiece spoke.

I ain’t no damn baby! Nickie said. And I’m gonna hit the next one that calls me one.

Janiece couldn’t resist temptation and she started to chant, Well—Baby! Baby! Baby! Nickie is a big fat baby!

When Nickie hit Janiece, she pounded at his arms and he tried to pinch her in retaliation. Donna and Faye ignored them both, staring intently out the windshield at the highway. But to Janiece and Nickie this was a serious fight. Only something more serious could end it and it happened quickly. The car began to slow and when their mother pulled onto the shoulder of the highway, gravel kicked up under the fenders. All fighting stopped because they knew that could mean only one thing.

They heard their mother call out sweetly, Hi, Jeep! You want a ride honey? I’m so glad we saw you. It’s too hot to be walkin’ on a day like this. That’s right, honey, just climb back in there with Nickie and Janiece. Faye smiled at Jeep.

Donna covered her face with her hands, hiding her smile.

Janiece thought her mother seemed happy he was here to make them miserable and she didn’t appreciate that either. She told Nickie in a loud whisper, Oh wonderful! Here he comes and I’m sure glad to see him.

Jeep didn’t seem to notice Nickie and Janiece’s groans and the ugly faces they exchanged when he pulled the front seat forward so he could get in the back of the car with them.

Make them give you some of that popcorn, too. You want some candy? It’s kinda melty but that’s the way we like it. Faye smiled while she watched Jeep climb in the car.

Jeep had a sweaty smile on his face. Um. Thanks, Miz Addison. It is awful hot out here. I was just a hopin’ and a prayin’ that somebody I knew would come by and give me a ride.

Janiece frowned when she watched Jeep duck his big ugly head so it would fit in their car.

He stopped short when he noticed Nickie’s melted mess of chocolate peanuts on the seat and he seemed hesitant to sit next to him.

Hi kids, he said then looked at Janiece and asked, What’s this stuck on the seat? Your Daddy’s gonna give you a whippin’ when he sees that mess!

His big smile irked Janiece. She was already mad when he tried to act surprised they had stopped for him; she knew he depended on their rides. She didn’t sound nearly as nice as her mother when she told him smartly, You don’t need to be worried about what Daddy’s gonna do to me, Mr. Jeep Patterson! She wasn’t going to let him talk to her that way. After all, it was her back seat!

You better worry ‘bout who’s gonna pick you up tomorrow. ‘Cause it sure won’t be us. Tomorrow is our laundry day and we won’t be goin’ nowhere but McKenzie’s Laundry, right, Mama? That’s what you said. I wish I had one of their good cold Cokes right now. They always have ice in them. Dang that popcorn made me thirsty!

Don’t start in about a cold Coke! I’m about to die of thirst right now, Donna said closing the door behind Jeep.

Faye frowned at Janiece over the seat then smiled sweetly at Jeep.

Don’t pay any attention to those kids today, Jeep. I swear I don’t know what’s got into them. They have about drove me crazy all day a fussin’ and a fightin’. She laughed just to show Jeep that they really didn’t upset her too much. It must be the heat. They usually get along so good being so close to the same age and all.

Donna turned in to her mother in disbelief. Mother! She groaned loudly.

Jeep tried to act like he just noticed Donna sitting in the front seat. "How you doin’, Donna? You going to the movie tonight? I reckon I’ll