Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea (9781101559833) by Rogers Morgan Callan

Author:Rogers, Morgan Callan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin USA
Published: 2011-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

27

All through that school year, and as winter turned the corner from 1966 into 1967, I found myself itching for freedom in a whole new way. I pictured myself behind Petunia’s steering wheel, heading out for that far horizon. My determination to keep my lips sealed and not bug Daddy lasted until early spring. And when I couldn’t take it any longer, I broke down and asked Daddy if I could get my license when I turned sixteen. Bud already had his license and was close to buying the car he’d been saving for since he was thirteen years old. Glen had failed on his first attempt because he went through a stop sign to beep at a friend on the opposite side of the intersection. Dottie had permission to get her license. I had my permit, but Daddy and I hadn’t practiced much because he was so busy. Still, I wanted my license. But Daddy said that I should wait until I was seventeen to go for it.

“Why?” I asked him as we walked up the hill from the harbor.

“I just think it would be a good idea to wait,” Daddy said.

“Why would it be a good idea? What’s good about it?”

“I don’t see the reason for it, really. I can get you where you want to go. The truth is, I would feel better if you was a little older.”

“You think I’m going to take Petunia and drive off into the sunset? Never come back?”

He looked at me and nodded as he stopped to catch his breath at the crossroads. “Maybe that’s it,” he said and sighed. “Maybe that’s it.”

“Daddy, I didn’t mean that,” I said. “I’m not going anywhere, but it would be nice to be able to go places. Take Grand places. I’m too old for the bus. I feel stupid.”

“Another year isn’t that far off,” Daddy said. “Grand gets where she wants to go.”

“I’m already a freak. Now I’ll be a freak without a license.”

“Can’t be helped,” Daddy said. “That’s the way I feel, Florine. You think of something else you might want for your birthday and we’ll see what we can do.”

We parted ways and I went into Grand’s house. She sat at the table surrounded by some of her ruby glass. I frowned. It wasn’t time for ruby glass cleaning.

“How come you have the glass out?” I asked.

“Don’t know,” Grand said. “I went by the cabinet and I just got a bug to take it out and shine it up. I like looking at the color, I guess.”

“You’re weird, Grand,” I said.

“You live with me,” she said. “What does that say about you?”

She had a point. I picked up a teacup made of red glass and ran my finger along its cold inside. “I’m sorry I threw your heart away,” I said.

“Well,” she said, “you was awful upset that day.” She heaved herself out of the kitchen chair, carrying a vase toward the cabinet. I saw how she hitched herself at the hips with each step she took.

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