“Don’t tell me you’re going to go out and get yourself a hot rod.”
She giggled. “Don’t be silly. Women go out and bring home a pool boy. Not a hot rod.”
I threw my head back with laughter as my back fell to the couch.
“You’re absolutely insane, you know that?”
Her hand wrapped around mine. “You had to get it from somewhere.”
I smiled up at the ceiling. “So, any chance I can talk you into having lunch with me while we shop?”
“I take it you got paid?”
“And got a raise at work.”
She gasped. “Rae! That’s fantastic. When did that happen?”
“Not too long ago. I’m only, like, five days into my raise. But that five days gives me enough extra money for us to get lunch somewhere. Like that sub place you love so much.”
“Oh, they have the best roast beef sandwich.”
“I don’t know how you eat that stuff. It stinks.”
“Now you know how I feel when I watch you drink pickle juice.”
I hummed. “Mmm, pickles. I need to pick some up the next time I’m working.”
“You can keep your pickles and I’ll keep my roast beef. How’s that sound?”
“Fine by me. Just don’t burp in my face. I’m not liable for my actions if you do.”
She began tickling me and I started squealing my head off.
“Mom! No!”
“I don’t burp. Take it back.”
“Mom! I hate being tickled! Mommy!”
She giggled profusely. “Take it back.”
“You don’t burp! You don’t burp! Uncle! Uncle!”
She stopped tickling me and I gasped for air, rolling off the couch. I hated being tickled. It was the worst sensation. But, as I slowly stood to my feet, a grin crossed my face.
“You fart like an old man, though.”
She shot up. “You’ve got double tickles for that.”
And as I took off up the stairs, I laughed my ass off, hearing her hot on my heels as I darted into my room.
35
Clinton
A horn honking caught my ear as I walked out of the front of the school. Cecilia sat there in her bright red car, shining like the sun as she waved me down. She smiled brilliantly, and I couldn't recall ever seeing that kind of smile on her face. I jogged over and dropped do
wn into the car, discarding my backpack between my legs.