The Perfectly Good Lie by Rose Gonsoulin

Author:Rose Gonsoulin [Gonsoulin, Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Reed & Wright, LLC
Published: 2019-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

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“I don’t want to leave today.” Art was on the sofa, burrowed under a blanket. It was just after six o’clock. “I want to stay here.” Art tugged the blanket over his head.

“We can’t.”

“But I like it here.”

Buck’s bag was by the front door, his clubs all buttoned up and ready for the ride to Tucson.

“C’mon.” Buck nudged Art’s shoulder. “Carla is leaving at seven.”

Art ripped the blanket off and bolted upright. “She didn’t tell me that.”

Carla appeared from the hallway. She was in a Zinger golf shirt, slacks, and a sweater over her shoulders, her hair swept up off her neck.

“Good morning,” she said. “Did you both sleep well last night?

“I slept very well, thank you,” Art said.

Carla smiled at him but kept walking toward the kitchen.

Buck moved behind the sofa and took Art by the shoulder, pushing him to his feet. He steered Art towards the guest room. “Do whatever you need and be quick about it.”

Art lumbered away a few steps and then he wheeled around. “Carla, can I make pancakes for breakfast again?”

Carla returned to the living room.

“No Art. Go get dressed,” Buck said. “And all this electronic stuff needs to be unplugged and packed or you’re leaving it here.”

“Hey.” Art’s eyes lit up and he put his index finger in front of his lips for a moment. “Buck, you could practice golf on my Xbox. We don’t need to leave.”

“Knock it off, Art.” Buck gave an I-told-you-so look in Carla’s direction.

Art lifted his chin, his eyes fluttering and his neck and head trembling. “But I don’t want to leave here, ever.”

Carla mouthed, “I’m sorry” to Buck.

Art stomped to the sofa. “I’m not leaving.” He sat down and folded his arms across his chest. Buck knew the routine. Art wasn’t going to budge an inch until he got something, not necessarily what he wanted, but something.

Carla went to Art, and bent down on her knee at his side.

“Art, I have to leave now.” Her voice was soft and soothing. “See, I made a commitment to someone, so now I have a job to do, even if I maybe wanted to stay home.”

Art relaxed his arms. “You want to stay here with me today?”

Carla sat on the sofa, close to Art. “You know Buck depends on you. He said you’re a very good caddie.”

“He did?” Art squinted at Buck. “Then, how come he’s mean to me?”

Carla glanced up at Buck.

“I’m not mean,” Buck said.

“Yes you are.” Art pointed at the television. “You walk in front of the screen all the time.”

“I only do it when I have to.”

“You call me names, too. I don’t like that.” Art’s voice didn’t have the same stubborn conviction in it.

Carla took his hand. “I’m sure that Buck will try to be nicer now that he knows how you feel.”

“Can I live here, please? I have money.” Art looked down, and then gave a furtive glance toward Carla. “You could be my girlfriend.”

Buck clenched and unclenched his fists. “Cut it out, Art. You’re out of bounds.

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