elizabethlevett

Mercy Watkins has about had it with all this nonsense. Jason was late. The dry cleaners ruined the drapes. And that young man never seems to want to talk any more unless he wants something.

Mercy Watkins used to have a good job. She loved living on her own and keeping her checkbook balanced. Why, she was even a toastmistress in good standing. And they say nobody could hold a candle to Mercy’s skills at taking shorthand. And now what’s she got? Bunions, diverticulitis, and a second mortgage.

If just once, if just one person knew, really knew what Mercy Watkins thinks about when she has a minute’s peace! Honestly. I know Mercy pretty well, living right next door all these years. Why, one time Mercy was talking with a few of us ladies from the neighborhood. She’d had a few snorts at the time and she just poured it all out. Let me tell you it just about broke my heart. It really did.

Mercy Watkins was a pretty girl once upon a time. Long, curly hair and all. She used to go dancing every Saturday night with that nice Mr. Miller. He was tall and so good looking. You know the one. He was even a volunteer fire fighter. They seemed so in love and were talking about running off together. But you know how things go. Seems Mercy found out he had a wife already and two little children in Ohio. So, there you are and it just goes to show you. Mercy never saw that man again. Darn near broke her heart but she’d never say a word about it to me.

Anyway, I was talking with Mario the other day and I told him. I said, “Mercy Watkins has just about had it.” That’s what I said.

Why, just the other evening, Tuesday I guess it was, I was walking along past Mercy’s house after dropping off a casserole for that nice Mrs. Henry who just lost her sheepdog. She’s been so upset. Anyhow, I could hear Mercy Watkins giving that no-good son of hers a real dressing down.

“You come in here late and sit down at the table and take your boots off right there without a word. Didn’t I just spend hours on this pot roast? Now I got to get these dishes cleaned up and do you bother to lift a finger? No! You never do. Coming home at all hours, don’t think I don’t know it either. What are you even doing in the kitchen anyhow? I have about had it with your nonsense!”

Sounded to me like Mercy was crying all of a sudden. I couldn’t help but hear the whole thing since I was right outside at the time. Finally, she says to him, “You know the worst part? The worst part is that you’re just like him. You’re just like your father!” After that Mercy kept on crying for a while so I got on home.