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Bernie was standing crying beside the truck, his fries in one hand and the action figures and his half-eaten burger clutched together in the other. Angel reached up and opened the door for him. “You want to sit by Mama or you want the window?” she asked quietly.

“Window.” He mouthed the word.

FOUR

The Other Side of the Mountain

Verna juggled the coffee, changed gears, and steered, all at the same time. Couldn’t she see how dangerous that was? Besides, she hadn’t fastened her seat belt.

“Want me to hold your coffee?”

“Huh? No. I can manage.”

Angel opened her mouth to object, but closed it again without saying anything. She took a bite of her burger and chewed. Something the size of a golf ball was blocking her throat, and it was hard to swallow. “Eat, Bernie,” she commanded out of the side of her mouth.

“She promised me a double bacon cheeseburger and a chocolate milk shake,” he muttered.

“She was just pretending, Bernie.”

“Well, I wudn’t pretending.”

“Better just eat what you got.”

“Where’s my soda?”

“You spilled it, remember?”

“You said I could have yours.”

“I couldn’t carry it, Bernie. I had my hands full.”

“I need something to drink.” His voice was louder now. Verna was sure to hear him whining.

“Shh, Bernie, please. I can’t help it. Just eat what you got. Mama’ll get you a drink next time we stop.”

“And when is that going to be? Never. Never. Never. Never.”

“Shut up whining, Bernie. I’m trying to drive,” Verna said.

“See, Bernie, you’re bothering Mama.”

“I don’t care. I want a milk shake and I want it now. Right this minute.”

Verna jerked the pickup over and slammed on the brakes. “I’ve had enough of your whining, Bernie Elvis. Now you shut up or get out of this truck and walk.”

“Mama!” Angel cried. “She doesn’t mean it, Bernie.”

“The hell I don’t. Now, are you going to shut up and eat your food or what?”

“Shuddup and eat my food,” said Bernie, his voice tiny and trembly. Verna shouldn’t scare him like that. He was only a little kid.

“That’s better.” Verna pulled out into the road again. “I don’t mean to be ugly to you kids, but I got my limits. Understand?”

“Yes.” Both children whispered the word. Bernie looked like he was going to cry, so Angel handed him the rest of her hamburger.

***

They were leaving the town now and heading out into real country. The road was two narrow lanes with lots of hills and curves with pastures and woods on either side. There wouldn’t be any place to buy a milk shake. Angel felt pretty sure about that. Cows looked up as they passed, chewing idly and staring after the car like nosy neighbors. Angel leaned across Bernie and stuck her tongue out at one of them. The cow tossed her head and walked away.


Tags: Katherine Paterson Young Adult