Ma stepped back and opened the door. "Sure. Come in and set a spell. I need a break from chores anyhow. I just got the clothes on the line."
Del held the door for Aslin and she walked in, looking around. It was plain to see that she wasn't dazzled by the house. It was clean and clear of clutter, though - except for Mary Jo and Billy Ray's rooms. It didn't look as bad on the inside as it did on the outside. It was hard to keep the plank floor clean without taking a brush to it. That wasn't easy for her with the bad leg, but she managed it once a month.
Aslin sat down on the edge of the couch, as if she thought she might get bed bugs or something. She sure wasn't like her son. He just plopped down and made his self to home - bedbugs and all. Aslin clutched her purse in her lap. Maybe she had some money to mind. That was the good thing about having no money. There was no need to offend people when you visited them.
Del just stood there looking like he didn't know what to do with himself.
Aslin looked at Ma. "Mrs. Spencer, I wanted to talk to you about my son."
If she was there to gripe about him getting involved with Mary Jo, she might as well save her breath. She'd already said all she was planning on saying to Mary Jo. Both were adults.
"Everyone calls me Ma." She sat down in her rocking chair and waited for the yammering to commence.
"Well…Ma. Tomorrow is Barrett's birthday. I thought, since your daughter was close to him, she…all of you might like to help us celebrate."
"Pa will be home tomorrow. He'll decide for us, but I reckon Mary Jo would like to help. What do you need us…her to do?"
Aslin looked surprised. "Oh…you don't need to do anything, but I hoped you would attend. I've reserved seating at a restaurant. I needed to know how many people…" She waved a hand in dismissal. I'll tell them to reserve a place for you and if you can't make it, no problem."
"Ain't none of us got nothin' decent to wear to no fancy eatin' place."
Aslin looked confused. "Fancy? I didn't know there was…" She blushed. "There is no need to dress formal. It's a family restaurant." Her gaze roved critically over Ma's old house dress. "What you're wearing is fine."