The boys called her “Mag” or “Mags” and pretended to curtsy. They took peaches from her tree while she was inside washing jars. Many a time, rinds landed on her welcome mat like slurpy slaps. Magnolia set her jar down, and cleaned up the mat, seemingly undisturbed.
That she never yelled back was the strangest part of it. She simply watched with her quiet blue eyes, neither threatening nor shouting. She acted like nothing could ruffle her. Perhaps that silence infuriated or threatened them the most.