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Show 25 sister's ear, Insisting on knowing what was happening. "Lillian says he's been terrible sick," Aunt Grace explained impatiently, moving a chair closer to the sofa. She motioned for Miss Mary to stand baek so she could see Oscar. "Is It the flu?" He spread his hands helplessly, indicating it might be anything. "It's not contagious, ladies," Gram explained, moving up straight-backed chairs for Miss Mary and herself* "He doesn't have a fever anymore." Dyna bit down on her bottom lip. Gram should get the Academy Award! She herself could hardly keep a straight face. She shoved her clenched fists deep in her pockets to keep from laughing, only to discover Oscar's wallet there where she'd forgotten it. Instantly she was flooded with guilt. What would he think? She wouldn't rip off anything of his. Quickly she pulled out the tooled leather wallet and handed it to him. "Hey, look, I almost forgot. This is your6." Miss Mary signed something to Aunt Grace with her hands that Dyna didn't catch. "I didn't want you to lose it," Dyna mumbled as Oscar shakily opened the wallet. Dyna hoped against hope that nothing was missing, but he didn't, appear to be counting money. He was looking for something else. Finally, Oscar pulled out a much-folded sheet of paper and smoothed it on his knee. "Got this notice the other day," he said* He handed the creased letter to Aunt Grace. "What is it?" Gram asked. Aunt Grace made an alarming sound and covered her mouth with her hand. Everyone waited* "They're gonna sell my place for back taxes," Oscar said. His chin shook. "By god, I don't know what I'm goin1 to do." Dyna didn't write in her journal at all that night and the cards never came out of the cupboard. Nor did Oscar go home at ten to sleep in the oversized house where he lived in the Marmalade District. Instead, the card players huddled together around the sofa, talking until midnight, trying to figure a way. |
