by Jeanette Cheezum

Created on: September 29, 2009   Last Updated: October 26, 2009

A Sunday in March

Seven years old Annie Mae Higgins got off the church bus-ran up the dirt driveway and prayed out loud. "Oh, God help me now."

"Rusty," she looked under the porch and he scooted out to give her a lick then scratched his fleas.

Annie Mae gave him a pat on the head and flung open the screen door and kicked off her Sunday shoes. She loved the feel of the cool hardwood floors under her feet as she ran through the house.

"Slow down," her daddy said. "Where's the fire, young'un?"

"I gotta talk to Momma-where is she?"

"In the kitchen, she's making ham, sweet taters, buttermilk biscuits, and gravy. Can't ya smell it?

"Momma," she shouted. "The preachers gonna drown me. I don't wanna drown. I'm too little." She shoved her bangs out of her eyes and tried to catch her breath.

"Whatever do you mean, child?" Momma stirred the gravy, steady and slow.

"I was thirsty. I went in that room where the preacher works. I snuck some grape juice. Just as I finished-he grabbed me by my collar and said next Saturday I was getting baptized, right along with Jimmy Lee."

"Is that what all this commotion is about?" She grabbed Aunt Birdie's red and white checkered dishtowel and covered the biscuits on top of the stove.

"Yes'um. You always tell me not to go into the lake cause-I can't swim. He's gonna hold me under the water and say a prayer over my head. You know how long he talks. I'll be dead! I can't hold my breath too long. I need to practice."

"Have you been a good girl? No lying, talking back, and minding your manners?"

"No ma'am," her eyes widened with fear. Had the preacher told on her? Would
mama be mad?

"Then I reckon you get baptized. So he can save your soul."

"Can't you stop him? I'll do better, I promise."

There was a loud knock on the screen door.

Annie Mae looked worried.

"Get the door," Momma said "that's probably the preacher. I invited him for lunch when he called. You might want to get on his good side."

Annie Mae looked at Momma crossed her fingers and then skipped to the door with her best voice so the preacher could hear "Jesus loves me, this I know for the bible tells me so."

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