Dotty’s Suitcase by Constance C. Greene Read Free Book Online

“Why me?” The Canadian Government had taken over the babies as wards of the state, it said in the magazine, which meant they’d pay all the bills: food, clothing, shoes, the works.
    If there’d been five of me, Dotty thought, Daddy wouldn’t have a thing to worry about. The idea of five Dotty Ficketts was astounding, even awe-inspiring. She wondered why she hadn’t thought of it before.
    â€œHere’s your groceries,” Mr. Evans said. “You want one of those?” he asked, poking a red thumb at the magazines.
    â€œI want one but I don’t have the money.”
    â€œWell, then, I guess that does it. That’ll be twenty-seven cents.” Dotty handed him the quarter and the dime and he gave her back seven cents. A nickel and two pennies. She counted it twice to be sure.
    â€œI gave you thirty-five cents,” she said. Mr. Evans wiped his hands down the front of his apron, leaving tracks, as if a dog had walked there.
    â€œSo. I gave you your change.”
    â€œYou’re short a penny. Twenty-seven from thirty-five leaves eight. You gave me seven. See?”
    Mr. Evans’ mouth fell open in amazement. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. Some smart girl you are. Head of your class, I’ll bet.” He slapped another penny into her outstretched hand. “You tell your aunt that’s the leanest hamburger she’ll ever see. Tell her I killed the cow special for her.” His laughter bounced off the ceiling.
    Jud leaned against the penny-candy counter. “I’d sure like a licorice stick,” he said.
    â€œTwo for a penny,” Mr. Evans said, his red face redder than before.
    â€œDon’t got a penny,” Jud said, studying his shoe.
    â€œMe either. Let’s go.”
    â€œShut the door after you!” Mr. Evans shouted.
    â€œYou had a penny,” Jud said accusingly as they went out into the cold.
    â€œMove, slowpoke. It’s not mine, it’s Aunt Martha’s.” Dotty pulled up her collar and pulled down her hat so only a thin slice of her face showed.
    â€œMy hands are cold,” Jud said.
    â€œPut your mittens on.”
    He foraged in his pockets, his face gloomy.
    â€œGot ’em?” Dotty watched as he put on the mittens. Then they climbed the incline leading to the highway, which went north. This route took them way out of their way. They took it only on Fridays, when the weekend and hours of free time loomed ahead of them. Dotty enjoyed watching the speeding cars going to Lord knew where, sometimes traveling as fast as forty, forty-five miles an hour. It was the only paved highway in these parts. The other roads were single-lane, bumpy dirt roads, which anyone who was in a hurry to get anywhere avoided like the plague.
    As they reached the top, where they could get a good view of the traffic, a big black car zoomed by, going lickety-split. Up ahead, about fifty feet, loomed a sharp curve where there’d been several recent accidents.
    â€œThey better slow down or they’re going to crash,” Jud said. The car kept going, the driver hunched over the wheel. As Jud and Dotty watched, an arm appeared at the window on the passenger side and threw something out. In a minute the car had disappeared.
    The wind swooped down on them and tried unsuccessfully to carry them away. Dotty’s knees knocked together and Jud’s teeth chattered.
    â€œWhwhwhatt was thththattt?” he asked.
    â€œWhat was what?”
    Jud’s fists were like hard little rocks pounding on her. “You saw!” he shouted. “You saw somebody throw something out of that car and you know it!”
    â€œYou’re seeing things,” Dotty said in a bored voice. “Go on home. I’m going to take my time. You go on home before you freeze.”
    But even as she walked toward the spot where whatever it was they’d thrown had landed, she was certain she’d find something