Mr. Hayes noticed a distinct change in his daughter during her first visit home as a married woman. She was talkative, confident but most of all respectful. It seemed the timid, unsure girl he sent off to get married had faded into the strong, loving woman that he met with a bearhug on the front porch. Yes, getting married was the best thing to ever happen to this girl.
As a good wife should, he noticed she stayed close to her husband and offered help when appropriate. When her mother came into the living room, she graciously offered her seat. A good thing, since her rear hadn't completely recovered from the whipping her husband gave her just two nights ago.
She was the last to sit when dinner was served and made sure all had their fair share before she took her helping of corn, beef, biscuits and potatoes laid out for dinner. Her parents sat at either end of the table while her husband sat beside her. Beneath the table cloth they held hands warmly, an act that did not go unnoticed from either her mother or her father.
Across from them sat Amanda, the youngest of the four daughters. She still lived at home and attended the local college during the day while helping manage the finances of the family farm whenever she had a spare moment. She was a bright girl, though increasingly antagonistic as she grew older. This frustrated her parents, especially her father, who couldn't discipline her as fervently as he once did when she was a child. Over the years her bottom had grown a resilience to his hand and hairbrush that grew stronger as her mouth and attitude only worsened. Though she did well in her classes, her parents were finding it more and more difficult to control her. It seemed that she, as women tend to do, was growing up and asserting herself. She would be leaving home to make her own life soon and this saddened them.
As always the dinner was a fabulous success and afterward the family sat around the table cleaning their plates of every last scrap. Travis thanked his mother in law and the women for preparing such a delectable meal and, resting his hand on his wife's knee, sighed contentedly.
All seemed well until Mr. Hayes spoke to Amanda to ask if she had finished the paperwork for the bank.
"I did but I still have to look it over once more to be certain," she replied. "I won't be here tomorrow night so I'll finish it before then."
Not entirely pleased with this answer, he asked what was so important about tomorrow night.
"It's Billy's party dad. Remember I told you it's time for his annual blow out at his father's ranch?"
"You know I don't approve of him and the type of people he surrounds himself with. I thought I told you you couldn't go?" Travis saw her bite her lip and roll her eyes. Apparently Mr. Hayes saw it too. "You'll be staying home tomorrow with Travis, your sister and your parents. I expect you to listen and remember what I say next time."
Hands balled into fists, the girl left the room. The room was silent as everyone listened to her bound up the stairs. Though unsaid, everyone knew it was up to Mr. Hayes to do something. It's never been the way of this family to let a girl pout as she just did.
Casually, to address the tension in the room, Mr. Hayes remarked, "Just let her get it out. Come tomorrow she'll know better and will be more obedient."
In fact, the opposite proved to be true. The next day Amanda slept late and missed her first class, though she managed to sneak out before anyone but her brother in law was aware of it. She did not return until late afternoon, having gotten dinner elsewhere. She retired to the den to watch television while the rest of the family chatted and enjoyed another large meal.
Halfway through, Mr. Hayes called to his youngest daughter using both her first and middle names. When he called for her a second time she reluctantly appeared. "I'd like you to bring the rolls from the oven," he told her.
She looked over at the oven which sat just a little beyond her father's reach yet was across the room from her. Knowing better than to complain, she sighed and walked to the appliance, opened the door and retrieved the basket full of freshly cooked rolls nestled in a cloth napkin. Without a word, she plopped them down beside her father and turned to leave.
"and put the cake on the counter for desert," her father called after her.
With a slightly more animated step, she went to the refrigerator and took out the cake. She placed it on the countertop and looked at those seated around the table as they watched her. For a moment she had a vision of her scooping a fingerful of homemade chocolate frosting onto her finger and sucking it into her mouth but knew better.
She didn't join them for the rest of the meal and turned off the television to read the newspaper. From the other room she heard pieces of their conversation, none of which interested her. The night neared to a close and she found herself drifting to sleep on the overstuffed sofa her mother got from her grandmother. When she awoke the house was almost completely dark. Slowly rising from her sleep, she made her way to the kitchen and found the chocolate cake inside the refrigerator. A great deal of it was missing from leaving almost half. She knew her father never missed a chance for seconds when it comes to her mom's chocolate cake and she regretted missing her portion by falling asleep.
She happily cut a thick slice and placed it on a small plate. Skipping into the living room, she began eating, curling the blanket around her.
Mr. Hayes awoke just before the sun rose, as is his custom and showered as the rest of the family slept peacefully. Dressed and ready for the day, he saw his youngest daughter still asleep on the living room sofa, a plate of crumbs and an uncleaned fork rested beside her.
Standing beside her prone body, he called her name quietly. When she didn't answer he raised his voice.
"AMANDA LYNN!" Her father called to her, causing her head to rise quickly. She had spent enough years in her family to know when her father was all business and to tread lightly. This was one of those times.
"You left a mess in the kitchen and you're quickly on your way to missing class again. I want you upstairs getting ready this instant!" She was on her way before he finished speaking. His hand slapped her bottom as she walked by, causing her to jump and wince in embarrassment and more than a little pain.