Collection Time

This story is by Fox Jones and was part of our 2024 Spring Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

Ms. Inez’s Catfish House closed after another wild and successful evening. Her son, Willie ‘Blue Lightning’ Gaines, and his band shut the house down with his unique guitar playing and voice. The women of the place poured drinks and entertained the guests with lively conversations and gorgeous smiles. It was easy to see why the money flowed throughout the establishment like the great Mississippi River.

When her trusted house manager, Sweet Mary, turned in for the night, Inez poured herself a drink and reflected on her business in the cool calm. The business had been successful over the years, but Inez struggled to make ends meet. Even after paying the employees and the bills, whatever money remained was never enough. At least her baby boy was living his dream and that gave her comfort. Inez vowed to herself to conduct an audit on the books in the morning. Satisfied with her resolve, she sipped her cocktail and continued to enjoy the night’s stillness.

“Mind pouring me a drink as well?” A deep voice cut through the quiet like a sharp sword through delicate silk. An icy sensation penetrated her spine as she dropped her glass, which shattered once it hit the floor. Her rapid breathing slowed and the knots in her stomach quelled when she uttered the Lord’s Prayer while clutching the mojo bag around her neck. Inez spun around and saw Papa Legba, Keeper of the Crossroads and Guardian of Decisions, standing before her with dark charcoal eyes and a gold-toothed grin which frightened every creature.

“Don’t worry, Daughter; I’m not here to harm you and I’ll wait for my drink.” The deity smirked as he removed his hat, revealing long braided locs which flowed down his shoulders. He took a seat at a table and crossed his legs. He placed his hat on his knee and looked at her expectantly.

Shuddering with terror, Inez dug deep inside and conjured the Spirit of Hospitality to saturate her soul. Feeling calm, she exhaled and cleaned up the mess. Then, she went to the bar, retrieved a glass, dusted the rim with cinnamon and sugar, and poured some whiskey. She crossed herself before she turned around and cat walked to the table with the drink and the bottle in each hand. Inez placed the drink in front of the god and set the bottle in the center. Papa Legba gestured for her to sit in front of him.

“Is there anything else you would like? Something to eat, perhaps?” She smoothed the back of her skirt, eased into the seat, and clasped her hands together. Inez prayed her voice and posture didn’t betray the fear she felt.

“No, Daughter. I’m good.” The heavy silence between them hung in the air like winter blankets on a clothesline while he sipped the fire water. Inez’s mind flashed back to the night she went to the Crossroads outside of town for help with Willie’s music career. Papa Legba granted her wish but at a price. Inez gulped as she forced herself to speak.

“It’s been a long time since I last saw you. Glad to see you’re doing well.” She reached down in her bra and pulled out a cigar. “From the fields out yonder.” She nodded outside as she offered the cigar. Papa Legba thanked her, took the offering, and put it to his lips. Inez lit the cigar and refreshed his glass. He closed his eyes and savored the cherry and honey infused tobacco on his tongue before he continued.

“So, you know why I’m here?” His eyes squinted narrowly at her as he expelled the bluish smoke from his lips.

“Yes, sir. To collect what’s due. You gave me seventeen good years and you’ve looked out for my boy. I couldn’t ask for more.” She shifted in her seat and crossed her legs.

Papa took another puff and exhaled. “As you shouldn’t.”  He took a nip and glared at her. “I know you ain’t about to deny me my dues.”

“I would never deny you, sir, but I ask instead of taking my son, you take me instead.” Inez fixed her eyes on him as she spoke.

Papa cocked his head to the side and chuckled. “A mother’s love knows no bounds.” He shook his head as he took a swig of the liquor and laid down the cigar on the table. He leaned closer to Inez, his breath reeked of tobacco and whiskey. “Do you want to know the future, Daughter? I know you’re aware of what lies in wait outside that door. If you choose to alter our arrangement, Inez’s Catfish House will crumble. The women, the ones you feed, shelter, and protect will be ripe for the picking. Trust, the hounds will take over.”

Inez felt her heart pump faster as she struggled to get more air to her lungs. She knew the old man was speaking truth, but seeing Willie’s destiny fulfilled was more than enough for her. Inez summoned the courage of her ancestors and found the authority in her voice. “I know you know all, so please, allow me some grace. You said crumble, not fall. According to you, my business will stumble, but it will continue. We’ll have a chance to rebuild to better. And if that’s true, my request is still valid.”

Papa finished his drink, grabbed his hat, and stood up. As he was about to leave, a rooster crowed. “Ah! You hear that?” He grinned as he turned to her. “It’s Sunday morning, Ms. Inez, and I must collect. But before I go, I’ll consider your request under one condition: you need to listen with both ears.” Inez nodded as Papa resumed. “Trust Sweet Mary but don’t trust your heart. In the meantime, I’ll let you have one week to get your affairs together. Next Monday, at midnight, I’ll be at the Crossroads to collect. Whether it’s you or your son makes no bit of difference to me. But when it’s due, it’s due.” With a tip of his hat, Papa grabbed the cigar and disappeared.

The sun inched over the horizon as Inez mulled over Papa’s message and remembered her late grand momma’s words: when someone blesses you with a word, acknowledge, accept, and act. She bolted from her chair, dashed to Sweet Mary’s room, and stirred her trusted manager out of a sound sleep. Sweet Mary murmured as she trudged behind Inez to her office. Inez opened the door, turned on the light, and locked the door behind them. She pulled out a key from her bra and unlocked the desk drawer.

Sweet Mary stretched her arms above her head as she yawned. “Couldn’t this wait until morning, Ma’am?”

“It is morning, child. Here, look over these books while I count the money. We gotta make sure they match.” Inez shoved the accounting books in Sweet Mary’s hands and gathered the money from the box. The pair investigated for two hours and realized the books and the money didn’t match. Only Sweet Mary, Willie, and her were the only ones who knew the money box’s location and had access. It began to settle on Inez that her only son, her beloved son, stole money from her over the years and left just enough for Inez to stay afloat. With a heavy heart, she instructed Sweet Mary to do two things: to keep the theft to herself and to make breakfast for the household. After Sweet Mary nodded and scurried downstairs, Inez began to hatch her plan.

Over the next week, Inez changed the will and moved the money box. She gave the only key to Sweet Mary on the condition that Sweet Mary never tell Willie about the will, the money box location, and the theft. Sweet Mary promised as she gave Inez a great bear hug.

The following Monday, at midnight, Inez met Papa at the Crossroads. He waited for her, smoking a cigarette, his hat tipped low over his eyes.

“I guess you’re adamant about your request. It’s such a shame, you deserve your happiness and yet you’re willing to give that up for your son. Lucky for you, you listened with both ears.” He shook his head as he put out his cigarette, stood in the middle, and stretched out his hands.

“Look, Inez! You came to the Crossroads and asked for help. Then the Crossroads came to you. And now, your journey ends where it began!” He jerked his head towards the eastern road and started to walk. A gentle breeze blew as the moon rose over the nearby cotton fields, turning the ivory tops into silver bulbs. In the distance, Inez saw her establishment jumping with hot rhythms, colorful conversations, and beautiful people. The fireflies danced as Inez admired the scenery, a tear rolled down her cheek in gratitude. After she said goodbye to all she knew, Inez followed Papa Legba down the eastern road to finally pay her debt.