OCR Text |
Show -120- Peppermint Monday-he always did. He got worked up over the littlest things. He would blow his top over money removed from my "college ticket". It was a good thing I wouldn't have to worry about buying a dress. "I'm not cut out for this prom nonsense. I'm trained in anthropology, not crepe paper." Pa stirred his chicken bites around his plate. He didn't have seconds either. Jason and I hated the sauce, but there was enough left over we'd see it again. Probably tomorrow. "Who cares about a dumb old prom anyway?" Jason mumbled. Pa glared at him, but didn't say anything. Ma didn't either, but she gave me an understanding smile. Ma understood about dances and pretty prom dresses. I bet she had even had a date. Matt drove by our house the next afternoon. I was outside washing windows, a job I absolutely hated. It was a wonderful spring day, so being outside was nice, but rubbing windows back and forth wasn't my idea of appreciating warm weather. Jason was supposed to be cleaning up the yard. Instead, he was playing some kind of fetch with Cheddar. Russ was slumped on a lounge chair. He looked like a skelton in blue jeans. He acted cheery enough, though. He talked to me while I struggled with some big streaks. He talked about toys, movies, and Cheddar. He even mentioned Jake a few times. He sounded as healthy as anyone. All I had to do was glance at his huddled body between rubs to be reminded of how sick he was. "That's twice." Jason shouted from the yard. His wheelbarrow was on the other end of the yard, evidence of how hard he was working. Even the eagle had grown tired of his games and had perched on the chair with Russ. "Matt's been by twice again today." |