Last of the Summer Tomatoes by Sherrie Henry Read Free Book Online

Walt is.”
    Glenda nodded. “No problem. And you’ll probably want to take a couple before you go to bed. I’m afraid tomorrow you’re going to learn you had muscles in places you never dreamed had muscles.” She went to the cabinet and handed a bottle to Kyle. “Just keep the bottle, use as you need. I’ve got another one in the cabinet.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Now eat. After lunch we’ll head to town. Walt said you needed a few things.”
    “I… I didn’t know I would need stuff, otherwise I would have said something yesterday. You said you don’t usually go to town very often, and I don’t want to—”
    “Hush right there. Yes, it’s true we try to only make a visit a week, but if things happen, we go. It’s not like an extra trip or two to town a week will break us. We just try to be conscientious of gas prices and whatnot. Don’t you worry. I can always find something I need in town when we go. Eat.” Glenda patted his hand, then grabbed a pen and paper. “You have any food allergies I need to be aware of?”
    Kyle took a bite of his sandwich, expecting the meat to be the sliced deli stuff his mother got. He was pleasantly surprised to see actual hunks of turkey that melted in his mouth. He chewed and swallowed before answering. “No. Not that I know of.”
    “No nuts, fruits, heaven forbid, chocolate?”
    Kyle smiled. “Nope. Actually my favorite candy bar is a Snickers, so I hope I never become allergic to nuts or chocolate.”
    “Ah, okay. Get some Snickers bars for snacks. Can do.”
    “Oh, I didn’t mean to imply….”
    “Kyle, remember the talk this morning? I want you to feel comfortable here, and if you want a Snickers candy bar, then we’ll get some.”
    “But I don’t have to have one. We don’t usually keep candy at home….” Kyle stopped talking as the memory of wanting to steal a candy bar at Mr. Powell’s grocery store came to mind. The whole reason he was here.
    “Sam loves candy, so I usually do keep some fun-sized ones around. He is coming home tomorrow, so it’s best I stock up. And he likes Snickers as well. So, there’s no problem. That is, unless you plan on eating the whole bag at one sitting?”
    Kyle looked up from his plate. “No, ma’am! No, I’d never—” He stopped talking when Glenda winked at him.
    “You’re gonna have to get used to my teasing, Kyle.”
    He grinned. “I’ll try.”
    “Because if you think I tease you, wait until Sam gets home. He’s always wanted a brother to boss around.”
    “Boss around?”
    Glenda reached over and tossed his hair. “Teasing. Get used to it.”
    Kyle went back to his sandwich, finishing it off and not hesitating to take a second one. He swallowed it all down with what Glenda called apple juice, but it was a hell of a lot more strong than the bottled, piss-looking stuff he’d had back in the city. This new lifestyle was so vastly different it was like he was on another world.
    Glenda got up for a moment, dumping some things in her purse, pulling some things out. “You ready to go?”
    “Yep.”
    “Here, add to this anything you can think of.” Glenda plopped the notebook and pen down in front of him. He noticed the list contained a pair of boots, jeans, shirts, socks, and a question mark next to underwear.
    “Um, I don’t think I need underwear.”
    “If you were only able to bring a couple pairs of jeans, I can only imagine what else you weren’t able to bring. I only do laundry once a week, so you’d better have seven pairs, heck eight in case of rain.”
    Kyle lifted an eyebrow. “Rain?”
    “Honey, we do everything rain or shine. You will certainly want to change clothes at least once on those days.”
    “But this is a lot of things to buy for me.”
    “And your point is?” Glenda stood with her hands on her hips.
    “I’m not… I’m not worth it.” He dropped his eyes, his voice quiet. He wasn’t used to being really cared for. Yes, his mother and Hank gave him a roof over his