Traces

Abstract

Traces Audrey Petty (bio) When she called to tell me, I didn’t believe her at first but after it sunk in, I could hear the fear in her voice. Her voice was real soft, like a little kid’s. And after a while I could hear her teeth chattering. It’s not like Crystal’s anything close to a virgin, but I thought she was careful. Of course, I couldn’t say that to her. I wouldn’t. I just told her I’d find her a good place and to give me two days and I’d be home to take her to Chicago. I didn’t want her taking chances. I’ve got some girlfriends in Chicago, and a couple of them went to clinics there and didn’t have any problems. I got in touch with Regina the next day, and she gave me the name of the place she went. She said the people were professional and very sweet. Me and Crystal made a three way call to Concord and made her an appointment. Luckily, they had an opening the next day at their downtown clinic. A girlfriend of mine at The Floreale agreed to take my shifts, so I took off for Galesburg that night. I always seem to think real clear when I’m driving at night. I spend a lot of time alone around my apartment and just getting things done, but I feel alone the most when I’m driving. Even with the radio on. That night I thought mostly about Crystal. I was the only one she told. Things with Paul weren’t going real well, and she didn’t want him to know. I wasn’t going to argue, but it didn’t sound right to me. Of course, she wasn’t going to tell Mama or Daddy. I wondered if somehow Mama knew anyways. She’s so damned suspicious. I thought some about how me and Jim had wanted a baby. It had never occurred to me that it could be so hard. We’re both healthy people. And you would’ve never been able to convince me that something like that would wreck us. Funny how things work out. When I got home, Mama and Daddy were sitting up front watching Johnny Carson. I told them they better start locking doors since times are changing all over. They didn’t seem to hear. Mama was just hugging me, and Daddy was on the couch with his feet on that poor old coffee table and a weary sweet smile on his face. They asked me what I was doing home. I joked about being homesick and told them I was going to take Crystal to Chicago for an early birthday gift. I wouldn’t be able to make it home in July since the hotel would be real busy then with the state fair and all. Daddy folded his arms and said I’d be missing seeing Crystal drink legal for the first time. I told them I was taking her to see that play, “Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat.” Folks in Springfield were raving about it. Mama smiled and sat back down, and Daddy nodded, lifted his arm and held my hand. It was good to see them. When Jim and I were married, we usually made it to Galesburg for weekends now and then and for the big holidays, Thanksgiving and [End Page 422] Christmas and the 4th, splitting time between his folks and mine. But since we broke up, I stayed in Springfield mostly. Last time I’d been home was back at Christmas. Felt strange being in Galesburg even though it’s where I was born and raised. I kissed them and locked the door and told them I was heading up to sleep. Me and Crystal would have to get to Chicago real early to get tickets. I found Crystal lying on her bed watching a rerun of “Alice.” She had a raggedy carton of Virginia’s ice cream in front of her. Her hair was darker and more natural than the way it was the last time I saw her. She...