After the match races, I’m going to go through my mama’s things. I’ll be ready then.
Bonne nuit, mon ami,
Maizie Sunday Freedman
Chapter 24
The Barn Meeting
After Mary, Maizie, and Leon returned from running errands in Springfield, a deluge hit Glidewell Ranch. Maizie put her purchases on her bed and watched the rain pour and puddle on the lane outside her bedroom window. The pounding lasted for a full hour and soaked and muddied the ground. She listened and through the sound of the downpour was the peppering of impressive thunder. When the rain finally quit, Maizie ran to the backside for her riding lesson, being careful not to slip in the mud.
Around 4:45 p.m. Mary walked down to the big barn for the staff meeting. She found Maizie and James talking near the entrance. James patted Maizie on her back, offering what appeared to be congratulations; Maizie was smiling brightly. She didn’t smile that often, but when she did it was like sunshine and light. Mary felt her heart swell. She began to think about her only child, the one who would be the same age as Maizie. The scene she was observing this very moment could have been James and their child. But it wasn’t. Why in the world did she feel so much love for Maizie? Maybe James was right. Maybe she was getting too close. Her heart would break if anything bad happened to Maizie.
“Hello dear,” said James. “Maizie just finished her lesson. I watched nearly the whole thing and she did very well. Why, I was proud of both of them.” Maizie looked up at James enjoying his praise. Mary nodded but offered no words.
“It was fun to ride in the mud. I better run and change into clean clothes,” said Maizie.
James laughed out loud. “Every cowpoke at this meeting is going to look just like that or he hasn’t been working.”
“Hate to interrupt but, James, Maizie, let’s go take a seat.”
“Yes ma’am,” James said. “We better do what she says, Maizie.” Mary smiled knowing that James was teasing. She also knew that he wanted to make sure Mary knew that Capp had given Maizie a good lesson. All business, no nonsense, her husband had signaled. Capp was following the rules.
The Glidewells and Maizie sat in chairs next to the Wembleys at the east end of the barn. Those from the ranch-house staff were seated near one another while the backside staff sat, stood, leaned wherever they wanted. Those who worked the horses and track were clearly at home in the barn; the ranch-house staff sat stiffly in chairs. It all made for a sharp contrast.
James stood, turned to face the gathered crowd and thanked everyone for coming. He enjoyed giving speeches, having done so his whole professional life. He had talked formally to bankers, businessmen, lawyers, and investors. Now he was talking to a group of diverse folks who had lived lives much different from his own. He had learned to respect and admire most of them.
Looking out over the congregation, he felt a calling to instruct and inspire. James cleared his throat and remarked that this was a defining moment in the Glidewell Ranch organization. “We have a fine crew, good horses, and the potential for a glorious future,” he began. “We have ten broodmares who will foal in February and three that foaled a week or so ago. Our stock is sound, handsome, and spirited. If we all follow the “new rules” we’ve drafted, we can better ensure a great community of individuals working together for common goals. Glidewell Ranch can become what Mrs. Glidewell and I have always intended. It will be a great place, made greater still by all of you.
“Let’s see now, enough of that. Before you leave, make sure you sign our agreement form that says you understand and will comply with all the rules and understand the possible consequences. Your signature will constitute your vote. If you choose not to agree to the new rules, make an appointment to come and talk with Mrs. Glidewell or me. Thank you. Wil?”
Wil Wembley stood to address the crowd. Unaccustomed as he was to speech giving, he nevertheless struck a confident pose. All were quiet as Wil talked about the parade, the races, and what they hoped to gain by putting on a race weekend that summer. “We have fine horses right now for racing. If we show them off, if they win, word will get out that we have a good ranch. More people will buy our horses and bring their mares here for breeding with our stallions.” Wil took his seat to loud applause and cheers.
Then it was Mary’s turn. “I have made some changes to our staff. None of these changes were made without reason and forethought. We have hired another cook to work in the backside mess hall. His name is Corky Wright. He worked as a cook in the military at Fort Riley and has some good ideas to share with Thelma and Billy.”
Thelma’s back stiffened as she stared at Mary. Mary went on talking about the need for more workers, including house staff and domestics. “I have hired an entirely new backside housekeeping staff of four women. Housekeeping will now be managed separately from food services. Sugar Jackson will be managing the bunkhouses, small cabins, cottages, and will oversee the laundry. I have hired Ethyl Smithson to assist Sugar in the housekeeping details and Dena Burns and Estel Christian to be in charge of the laundry. These women will start next week. Any questions?”
Thelma raised her hand. “Billy and I don’t need no help. We aren’t needin’ anyone gettin’ in our way.”
“Thelma, I feel as though I haven’t observed the food operation
