Sweet Betty Jo

I live in a small town in Mississippi, consisting mostly of elderly widowed women. It's the type of place where you might find a fresh baked pie or a jar of homemade jam on your doorstep when you go out to get your morning newspaper.

We have one grocery store that is owned by the Mayor.  It always amuses me when my family comes to visit and we go there to shop.  I love to tell them that the man that just bagged our groceries and brought them to the car is the Mayor. Sometimes if I walk there and have several bags to carry, he will carry them home for me.

I have lived in a big town most of my life, so I wasn't used to this type of atmosphere. When you walk out the door you might as well put your hand in the air and start waving. People you know and some you don't seem to come out of nowhere with a huge smile on their face and their hand flying in the air. I've been here seven years and I'm still not used to it. In fact, I find it kind of creepy.

Out of all the widowed women here, my favorite  is Betty Jo. She was a good friend to my Mom and Uncle Dootsie and has always been nice to me too. I  visited her as often as I could. We would talk for hours and I have never known a sweeter person. Since I hurt my back though, I don't see her as often as I should. She often called my brother to come change a light bulb or take out the trash, which he was happy to do. She always offered to pay him a little something but he never accepted unless she had a big job for him to do.

A few years ago she rented out the little house in back of her, to a really great guy named Eddie. He is related to her somehow, but I never can remember how. My brother and Eddie soon became best friends and a year later I started dating him.  He pretty much took over the care of Betty Jo. In fact she calls him at least 10-15 times a day.

When Eddie's at work my brother takes care of her. He has been telling us recently that Betty Jo has been  treating him badly. He said she is very rude to him now, although he still treats her with love and respect. I have to admit that I didn't quite believe him. I mean, she is the sweetest person I know. Eddie told me that she is always nice to him too.

A few days ago my brother sent me this voice mail he got from her. I laugh my butt off every time I hear it. Hopefully you will get a chuckle from it too.

I realize that when someone is in pain  they get irritable. That's only natural, but for some reason she is only taking it out on my brother, which I find incredibly amusing.

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