Nickel-Bred by Patricia Gilkerson Read Free Book Online Page B

the hallway, pecan pie in hand, I had a big problem.
Should I say something now and let them know I’d been
eavesdropping, or keep my mouth shut and wonder what Mom was
supposed to tell me? I decided not to let them know I listened to
them. I might need to know something in the future and didn’t want
to have to promise not to listen.
    I went on up to my bedroom and sat on the
bed, eating delicious, sweet, and nutty pecan pie, but all I could
do was worry. Were they planning on getting married? They had only
gone out a couple of times that I knew of. Surely that wasn’t
grounds for deciding to spend the rest of their lives together. But
what else would my mother have to tell me that she couldn’t say
right away?
    I waited until I heard Sam leave, which was
pretty late. I went down to the kitchen, where I found my mom
putting dishes in the dishwasher. I tried to sneak my plate in, but
of course, she saw it.
    “Were you eating in your room? Why didn’t you
stay at the table? You didn’t have to run up and hide.”
    “The truth?”
    “Of course, Piper. Always, the truth.”
    “I was feeling funny about how lovey-dovey
you and Sam were getting. So I went upstairs, but then I wanted
pie.”
    “Oh, hon, I’m sorry you felt that way. I
would never want you to feel bad or weird about being around us. I
like him so much and I thought you liked him, too.”
    “I do like him. I felt weird about it right
then. I’m not used to you with a guy.”
    “I don’t know what to say,” said Mom. “Do you
want me not to have him come over? I would hate to do that.”
    “No, I don’t want that. And you’ve really
seemed happier lately.” I loaded glasses into the dishwasher and
put the liquid in to start it.
    “Good! I have been happier. And guess what?
I’m going to go to work in Sam’s office. He needs a new
receptionist. It’s not what I’m used to doing, but he says it’s
just answering the phone and filing some things for him. I can
start next week.”
    So that was what they had been talking about!
“That’s great, Mom, but what if you and Sam stop seeing each other?
What if you get mad at each other and have a bad breakup?”
    “We talked about that. We figure we’ll cross
that bridge when we come to it. We’re both sensible adults and we
should be able to work something out.” Mom wiped down the counter,
then folded her rag over the stove handle.
    “Has he ever seen you when you were mad?”
    “Piper Jones! Are you saying I’ve got a
temper?”
    “Well, Mom,..”
    “Okay, sometimes I do. But I’m sure I won’t
get that angry with Sam. He’s so easy-going and cheerful.”
    “Okay, Mom. Whatever.”
    “Really, Piper, you should trust me a little.
But I have to get to bed. I’m going to shop for some office clothes
tomorrow. Do you want to come?”
    “Me? Shop for clothes? Guess not. ‘Night,
Mom.”
    “’ Night, Piper.”
    I went to bed and thought about what it would
be like with Mom working for Sam. I hoped things would go smoothly
for them. Mostly, I didn’t want to live in the same house with Mom
if it didn’t.
    The next morning I woke up early, feeling
great. I decided to get some quality time in with Dotty and maybe
work off her jumpiness. It wasn’t her fault, she had had a bad
owner for a while who mistreated her.
    After grabbing a banana on my way out the
door, I walked quickly out to Miss Julie’s farm. It was a bright,
sunny morning, full of birdsong and flowers. I breathed deeply and
felt at peace with the whole world. Mom had a job, she was happier,
and our lives would calm down. I still had to figure out how to get
Nickel for Addie, but that was a matter of thinking it through.
    I arrived at the farm and said hi to Miss
Julie, who was out watering and dead-heading her flowers. Willie
Nelson played with old blooms that she dropped.
    “Hi, Miss Julie, how are you?”
    “I’m good, Piper, just watering while it’s
still early and not so hot.”
    “My mom is going to take that