Magnolia Whispers: Tales from a Southern Soul: The Early Years, #1

By Gale Miller

A Southern woman from Mississippi, I am embarking on my debut novel—a heartfelt journey through the lives of three generations of resilient women: my mother, myself, and my daughter. Inspired by my own life, this story captures the essence of strength, love, and legacy within our family. For years, I've lived with a chronic illness, one that has shaped my daughter's perception of me as only a disabled mother. But there is so much more to who I am. This book is my way of showing her the vibrant, determined person I have always been, while reminding her of the unshakable lineage of strong women she comes from. At its core, this is a story of empowerment, connection, and the enduring strength passed from one generation to the next.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gale Miller
• Release date: Dec 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798230102502

Book preview

For my dearest daughter,

You are the blessing that I most cherish. You have brought so much joy and purpose to my life. May you one day fulfill all your dreams.

Know that I am proud to be your mother. Remember that you come from a line of strong southern women; and you too are stronger than you know.

Embrace your passions and realize that you have a unique story to tell. Believe in yourself, sweet pea. I do.

With all my love,

Your mother.

"God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

I’ll be there, before the next teardrop falls ...

– Freddy Fender

It’s not how many times you’ve been knocked down, It’s how many times you get back up. Courage is when you’ve lost your way, But you find your strength anyway.

– Orianthi

If I could just come in, I swear I'll leave. Won't take nothin' but a memory, From the house that built me.

– Miranda Lambert

Take my hand; Take my whole life, too. For I can't help falling in love with you.

– Elvis Presley

Forward

Imet Gale the first time in 2005, when she asked if her daughter could join my Girl Scout Troop. Little did I know that this chance encounter would introduce me to a remarkable woman and a truly inspiring story.

Gale's book is a heartwarming, true account of a Mississippi mother's unwavering dedication to protecting her children and herself from harm. Through her courageous storytelling, Gale sheds light on the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and determination.

As I read through these pages, I found myself reflecting on my own life experiences and the strong women who have shaped me. I have no doubt that Gale's story will resonate with you, too, and inspire you to cherish the relationships and memories that make life truly precious.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a story that will touch their heart and remind them of the transformative power of love and perseverance.

- Bessie Cleveland

Chapter 1​​​​​

Mud Pies and Lullabies

Weeping Willow Road , a quiet street in Houston, Texas, lined with pine thickets and humble homes, feels peaceful after a rain with birds performing a symphony that fills the air. Under the sprawling branches of an old willow, a little girl with blonde pigtails and blue eyes pats together a mound of wet earth, singing, Do you know the muffin man, the muffin man... A welcoming breeze carries the scent of damp soil as raindrops linger on the branches, falling every so often in a gentle rhythm.

The girl, Paula Gale, is deeply absorbed in her mud pies until the sound of a creaking screen door breaks her focus. A slender woman with long brown hair and hazel eyes steps out onto the porch. Paula Gale, time to come in! her mother calls, her voice soft but firm.

Paula looks up, pouting. But Mama, I ain’t done makin' mud pies yet.

Her mother, Gladys, gives her a knowing smile. No matter! It’s getting dark, and you need to wash up for supper.

With a sigh, Paula reluctantly sets down her tin-foil pie pan and clomps toward the house, leaving muddy footprints behind. Now my pies are ruined, she mutters, her arms crossed in defiance. She toes off her muddy shoes on the porch, casting one last longing look at her creations before heading inside.

In the bathroom, warm water is already running in the tub, and clean clothes are neatly laid out. After her bath, she’s drawn to the kitchen by the mouthwatering smell of cornbread fresh from the oven. When she arrives, the family is gathered at the table: her mother, her stepfather Lewis, Uncle John, and her two older brothers, Cole and Tristan, all ready to eat.

Lewis, a man of sturdy build with slicked-back hair, greets her with a grin. "Chiquita Wanita, we were waiting for you. Next time, no discutas with your mama, eh?"

She blushes, dropping her eyes. Yes, sir, Daddy Lewis, she says, folding her hands to pray, as is their family tradition. Her stepfather's nickname for her, Chiquita Wanita, a blend of Spanish affection and pride, always brings a smile to her face. Being from Mexico, he often uses phrases from his culture and language. As a family, they believe in teaching good manners and respect. Lewis’s Mexican roots and Gladys’s Southern upbringing have combined to shape their household.

After a short prayer, they dig into a spread of Southern-Mexican flavors: seasoned pinto beans, pan-fried pork chops, and cornbread baked in a cast-iron skillet, which creates Paula’s favorite, a crispy crust. An assortment of peppers and salsas accompanies the meal, making the food a delicious blend of Southern comfort and Mexican tradition.

As they eat, they chat about the day’s events and upcoming plans. Lewis turns to her brothers, "Cole and Tristan, school comienza pronto. Are you boys ready?"

No way, Cole says, wrinkling his nose. I like playing outside.

Tristan nods enthusiastically. Yeah!

Paula, ever eager, pipes up, I go to school too!

Uncle John chuckles, tousling her hair. Not yet, kiddo. You gotta wait till next year.

Your uncle’s right, Gladys says gently. Cole’s heading to fourth grade, and Tristan’s starting kindergarten. You’ll get your turn in preschool next fall.

After supper, Lewis, and John usher the kids to bed while Gladys tidies the kitchen. The boys dash off to brush their teeth, and Paula runs over to her mother for a goodnight hug. Gladys’s long hair brushes her face, making her nose twitch, and she giggles as she clings to her mother.

Lewis picks her up, giving her a warm kiss on her cheek. "Sweet dreams, Chiquita Wanita. Te amo."

Paula beams. Though he’s her stepfather, she calls him Daddy without hesitation; he’s loved her as his own from the start. She scampers off to her bedroom, where she shares a small space with her brothers in their snug two-bedroom house. She realizes she forgot to tell her uncle goodnight, so she scurries to the living room.

Their uncle John, her mother’s half-brother, stretches out on the living room couch. His thick dark hair is cropped short, and his face is shadowed with a slight five o’clock stubble. Paula runs over for one last hug. He squeezes her tight, sneaking in a quick tickle, making her squeal with laughter.

As she settles into bed, her brothers tease her, whispering mischievously about creepy-crawly bugs sneaking in the window. She starts to settle, but a dark shape zooms past her ear, making her shriek and jump out of bed.

Daddy! Mama! she cries, her heart racing. Don’t let it get me!

Within moments, Gladys, Lewis, and Uncle John rush in to find a large, flying wood roach crawling on the wall. John calmly removes his shoe and dispatches the intruder with a swift smack. Gladys soothes Paula, brushing her damp hair back from her tear-streaked face.

Hush now, honey, Gladys coos. It’s just a bug from the cattails out back. Nothing to be afraid of.

The ones by where the dragonflies live? Paula asks, sniffling.

Her mother nods with a smile. Yes, where the dragonflies live. Now, time for bed.

Lewis scoops Paula into his arms, tucking her in snugly. See this headboard? he murmurs, tapping the soft, white leather. "It’ll protect little angels como tú. Nothing will get past it. Prometo. He kisses her forehead, pulling the blanket up under her chin. Her brothers snicker, and he gives them a stern look. Suficiente de eso, you two. It’s bedtime."

Once the lights are off, Paula lies in bed, watching the curtains flutter softly in the evening breeze. The house falls silent, save for the distant melody of chirping crickets. From her parents’ bedroom, she hears the faint, familiar strains of Lewis singing his favorite song, Before the Next Teardrop Falls, by the Latino singer, Freddy Fender. It’s a song he always sings to her mother, and as she listens, Paula feels wrapped in the warm, loving notes.

Lewis’s voice lulls her to sleep, a lullaby that fills her dreams with comfort and safety. In the gentle quiet of the night, Weeping Willow Road feels like a world all their own.

​Chapter 2

​​​​An Unexpected Life​

On a sunny Saturday morning, Gladys realizes she needs groceries. As she prepares to leave, the children beg to come along, anticipating a treat. But their stepfather, Lewis, insists they stay behind. "You’re with your mama all week. She necesita some time para ella misma ."

While Gladys is out, Lewis and his brother-in-law John assign chores, hoping to wrap up household tasks so the family can enjoy the day when she returns.

Tristan and Paula dutifully clean their room and bathroom, but Cole drags his feet, glaring at Lewis. You ain’t my daddy! he snaps. I don’t gotta listen to you!

John, overhearing the outburst, steps in. He leads Cole outside, gesturing to the yard. Listen here, boy, he begins firmly. I know ya don’t care much for ya mama’s new husband, but you need to realize somethin’: she’s happy now, and you kiddos are better off than you were before. Whether ya like him or not, he’s family now. And he’s your elder, so show some respect. Now, since ya want to be a heathen, ya butt can stay out here and mow the grass.

Cole crosses his arms defiantly. I don’t care. I’d rather be out here than around him!

John lights a cigarette and sits on the porch, watching as Cole yanks at the lawnmower cord, muttering under his breath each time he pulls. Eventually, the mower roars to life, coughing smoke that mixes with the scent of freshly cut grass.

Meanwhile, inside, Tristan and Paula are on their bedroom floor, engrossed in a game of Candyland. Pleased with their attitude, Lewis grants them free time to play. He steps out onto the porch and joins John on the steps. "Gracias for handling Cole, he says. Kid can’t stand me. I’m not su padre, and he makes sure I remember it."

John takes a drag on his cigarette. Ah, don’t worry. He’s just a young fella and hurtin.’ One day, he’ll understand.

Just then, Gladys pulls up in the driveway with bags of groceries in the backseat. Lewis heads to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her as if to say, I missed you. He loves her and the kids, but it stings that Cole refuses to accept him.

Despite his efforts, Cole still sees Lewis as an outsider, someone who isn’t his real father. Thoughts of his old home drift through his mind; if only they could go back to Amory, Mississippi, where his real father lives.

Life in Houston, Texas, feels alien to him; so different from Amory, a small town where everyone knows everyone else. While Houston bustles with noise and traffic, Amory is a quiet, close-knit community stuck in simpler times.

That’s where Gladys met their birth father, Sherman Beckett. She married him soon after they started dating, more to keep up with friends who were also marrying than from real love.

Sherman's brother, Felton Beckett, moved away and began working for the railroad in Alabama. His sister, Peggy Lynn Beckett, married and moved up north. Since the house was half empty, Gladys moved into the house with Sherman and his parents after they wed.

Sherman had never left home and was the baby of his family, spoiled by his mother. When Gladys moved in with him and his parents after the wedding, she quickly realized how coddled he was. His mother doted on him as if he were still a child, and Gladys often felt she’d married a man whose maturity hadn’t yet caught up with his age.

Sherman’s insecurities surfaced on their wedding night, igniting his temper when he learned Gladys wasn’t pure. She confided that her virginity had been stolen by the notorious Elridge brothers, Billy Ray and Gus, rough men known for causing trouble. Instead of comforting her, Sherman’s rage took over.

He forced her into the car and drove them to the Elridge brothers' rundown house. With