Rising Above Shepherdsville by Ann Schoenbohm

Author:Ann Schoenbohm
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Beach Lane Books

18

a-f-f-i-n-i-t-y

affinity (n.)

similarity of structure; family resemblance; a natural liking or sympathy

On Saturday, Aunt Bernie planned a day of cobbler-making and Jell-O molding. The transistor radio in the kitchen, tuned to WGOD, played scratchy hymns. As I finished breakfast, Aunt Bernie pulled tins of flour and boxes of gelatin out of the cupboards, readying her weapons for an all-out assault on the taste buds of Shepherdsville.

A knock at the side door made us both jump, neither of us expecting company. Aunt Bernie dried her hands off on her apron. “Land sakes alive, who’s come all the way out here?” She peeked through the window curtain. A sigh escaped as she opened the door.

Faith stood on the steps, in cutoffs and a T-shirt, a man’s handkerchief tied around her head. “Dulcie here?”

Aunt Bernie sputtered, “Well, she is . . . but . . .”

Faith whooshed past her, budging her way through the door. “Preacher-man drove me over.”

Aunt Bernie eyed Faith as if she were a wasp that had gotten in. A wasp she meant to swat.

Faith winked at me. “We got big plans today.”

Aunt Bernie surveyed my face.

I didn’t know what Faith was talking about.

“Don’t worry, Aunt Bernie. It’s all on the up-and-up. We’re going to the Bolt and Spool to get sewing needles. Evangeline needs ’em.”

Faith scooted up onto the countertop and sat, grabbing a piece of bacon from the paper-towel-covered plate Aunt Bernie had left by the stove.

“Reverend Love took Mary to the doctor. She’s been having pains.”

A vein throbbed on Aunt Bernie’s forehead. Faith knew just how to get into Aunt Bernie’s good graces. A little gossip. She dangled information like a worm on a hook.

“Yep, she was feeling sick as a dog last night. Her ankles puffed up something awful.”

Aunt Bernie took the bait, the worm wiggling all the way down. “Poor thing. That baby is apt to come anytime now.”

Faith jumped down and grabbed my hand. “Come on. Let’s hit the road.” She glanced at the Grateful Dead T-shirt hanging down below my knees. “Get dressed. Shepherdsville ain’t ready for that git-up.”

Aunt Bernie agreed with Faith. “Yes, please. Go on upstairs and change . . .”—she paused and let out a poof of air—“into something respectable.”

Faith leaned against the counter. “So, she can come?” She arranged her face to pretend-seriousness. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t get into any trouble. I promise.”

Aunt Bernie shook her head, aiming to say no. “Well . . .”

Faith made doe eyes.

Aunt Bernie bent and folded in the gale force of Faith. “Oh, all right, then. Get on with you.”

Faith followed me to my room and flounced onto the bed. “I just made all that up. Last thing Evangeline needs is sewing stuff. I swiped five dollars off Preacher-man’s dresser.” She rolled onto her stomach, feet in the air. “Let’s go spend it.”

I tilted my head and bugged out my eyes, hoping she got my drift. Juvie hall is your next stop, if you don’t watch it.

Faith pooh-poohed me. “Don’t be such a worrywart.

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