Burdens We Bear

Burdens We Bear Shelba Cole Robison When first shift ended at Callaway Towels the millhands steamed their way through the company gates. Number two spinner Leola Coburn trudged home in the afternoon heat with her sisters, Katie Belle and EuIa Mae. "I tell you I'm hot," she griped as if her sisters were not equally warm. To Leola, also know as O-lee, the June heat seemed several degrees more than a human body could stand. "Lord. No matter what, this is the last time I'm sweating my way home," she squinted her announcement up to her Maker. "You sound like God don't have nothing better to do than hang around waiting for your dictation," spat Katie Belle, too heat-cranky herself to put up with her older sister's complaints. "He ain't going to cool it none just for you." She might not be able to change the heat but she could make it more tolerable O-lee thought. She would buy a car and learn to drive. No other woman she knew drove: but with a car, she would never have to walk home in that blasted sun again. Even though Katie Belle and EuIa Mae helped pay for it, O-lee called the 1932 Ford hers. Seven years of scuffling feet had worn the floorboard matting right down to the wood planks, and the road showed through the hole around the 11 gearshift. When it rained, she made her sisters take off their shoes and set them on a piece of oilcloth she kept under the front seat. But she wasn't selfish about it. She ran neighbors' errands. "It's my Christian duty to help those who can't help themselves," she told Mrs. Hepworth when she delivered her medicine. "God has blessed me so, I must share my gifts," she told the Cogginsons when she dropped off their groceries during their mumps quarantine. She always waved off their offers of money. "Nothing for me. Just give it to the Lord." But to her sister Katie Belle she said, "I don't mind being a chauffeur, but the least you can do is be ready." "Leola Coburn. You never said you were leaving early." Katie Belle couldn't find her pocketbook. "You don't tell a soul you re leaving, then you start complaining you're late." "I don't have all day to ferry people. You'd think some persons I could name would be grateful. Look on top of the kitchen safe." "I don't remember putting it up there. God made you oldest, but he didn't appoint you foreman of this family." "No, but He sure did hang some ingrates round my neck." Chagrined, Katie Belle lifted the missing purse from the safe and hung its straps in the crook of her elbow. "What time is your appointment with Mildred?" "10:30. You should go to Mildred yourself." Even though Mildred was better at finger waves than Zona, the truth was that Katie Belle didn't go to Mildred because Leola did. "Zona's been my friend since second grade." "Come on, then." This was another going-to-town, getyour -hair-done, go-to-the-Piggly-Wiggly Saturday. The sisters' roles on this day never changed; Leola chauffeured, and Katie Belle was fussed at. This morning Katie Belle watched CDlee and wondered how difficult driving could be. Katie Belle was the first to admit she was cowardly. But now that she studied O-lee, driving looked real easy. Pickensville didn't have that many cars. Besides, Odelle's son drove and he was as simple as EuIa Mae. When the car pulled onto the highway, Katie Belle told O-lee, "You're right. It's not fair that you do all the driving." "I'm glad somebody appreciates me for a change." "Not fair at all. So I've decided to help out. You can teach me, then I'll drive, too." Katie waited for the outburst . "There's no need, Katie Belle. What's the point of having two drivers with only one car?" "Well, you always say that you can hardly keep up. I just want...