Etta Mae's Worst Bad-Luck Day by Ann B. Ross

Author:Ann B. Ross [Ann B. Ross]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780670024377
Publisher: Viking Adult
Published: 2014-08-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Before we left the Register of Deeds office, the woman handed me a Newly-Wed Sample Pack, a plastic bag filled with some of the necessities for starting married life. As soon as Skip had pushed Mr. Howard out into the hall and we were on our way out of the courthouse, I tore into it. I hadn’t had any showers for the bride and we hadn’t sent out any wedding invitations, so this looked to be the only gift we were going to get.

“Look, Mr. Howard,” I said, pulling out a roll of paper towels. “Isn’t this nice? And here’s some deodorant and a bottle of Scope. And, look, a box of Bounce and a whole book of coupons that’ll come in real handy. That was nice of her, wasn’t it? And after being so put out with us for coming in late.”

“She was nice there at the end,” Skip said, as I held the door for him to push Mr. Howard’s chair out of the building. “Uh, Etta Mae, I couldn’t help but notice, but are you gettin’ married again?”

“Yes, I am.”

“To him?” Skip whispered as he pointed at the back of Mr. Howard’s head.

“That’s right. You wanta make something of it?”

“No-o-o,” Skip said, shaking his head and frowning as he thought about it. “I just kinda hoped I was still in the runnin’.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” I said, rolling my eyes.

We’d reached the car and I opened the door as Skip helped Mr. Howard out of the chair and into the passenger’s seat. He folded the wheelchair and put it in the trunk, while I made sure Mr. Howard was comfortable.

“I know it’s hot, honey,” I said to him, “but we’ll cool off as soon as I get the car started. Skip, crawl in the back, and let’s go.”

“Do I have to get on the floorboard again?”

“I guess not,” I said, straightening my seat after he slid behind it. “At least not till we get closer to Delmont. But don’t you mess up my clean clothes back there. Move them over so you’ll have some room.”

As we headed back toward Delmont, I kept an eye on the rearview mirror, watching for a blue-and-white van. I was beginning to think that the Pucketts had given up and gone back to Gastonia. Or maybe Skip had just imagined they were after him. So far, the only evidence I’d had that they were even in Delmont was my trashed trailer and Junior’s sore head. And there could’ve been another explanation for both, though I didn’t know what it could’ve been.

“You doin’ all right, honey?” I asked Mr. Howard.

He smiled and nodded, but he looked tired and a little peaked. The heat, I expect, was getting to him. And the excitement, too, of course.

“Just lean your head back,” I told him, wishing I had a newer car with body-conforming seats, “and rest awhile. We’re almost home, and I think we better put off the ceremony till tomorrow. You need your supper and you ought to get to bed early.

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