The Cornstalk Man, by Daniel Crocker

It was well into November before Cynthia told Mamma about her relationship with Tom Orr. It was a fairly crisp evening, not quite cold enough to frost, but thinking about it. Mamma’s behavior had become erratic. Sometimes she was as sweet as summer blackberry. Other times she was as bitter as venom. Those times were growing closer together. Still, other times, I just didn’t know what to make of her.
    We were all at home when Cynthia broke the news to Mamma. Will was alone in our room and had been all day. I had learned to let him be at those times. I was on the couch, listening to Mamma cuss about cooking supper. Cynthia bustled about the house nervously, picking things up and trying to help Mamma with supper when she would let her.
    “What’s wrong with you?” Mamma finally asked when Cynthia tried to reach over her shoulder to stir the brown gravy.
    “Mamma,” she said, “I’m in love. I really am.”
    “Really?” Mamma seemed indifferent.
    “Yes. All those dates I’ve been going on lately have all been with the same wonderful man.” Any minute I expected Cynthia to start mooning over how dreamy Tom was. Just like the kids on TV did.
    “And just who is this man?”
    “You already know him, Mamma, that’s the good part. It’s Tom Orr.”
    “Tom Orr,” Mamma mulled the name around, “Sis’s teacher. The one who unloaded his crappy dog on us.” Mamma continued to cook dinner.