School of Charm by Lisa Ann Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

fancy, lit-up dolls, like they were watching too. Charlene frowned at the pale yellow material she held up to her chin. She grabbed a handful of it and gritted her teeth. “Mama, this color is not bright enough. It washes me out!”
    Mama had a few pins tucked into the corner of her mouth. “Darlin’, this is what you picked out. You loved it at the store. And you better watch it. You keep making that nasty face and it will freeze just like that for good. Happened to my friend Dolores Groves. You should have seen her senior class picture. ’Course no one asked her to prom. I don’t think she ever got married, either.”
    Charlene stomped her foot. “It won’t matter if it freezes like that. This is so ugly no one will be looking at my face! There must have been different lighting at the store. I never would have picked out something so horrid.”
    I dashed up the stairs and ran to my room. I threw open the closet door and let out my breath. The bowl was still there and so was Earl. I picked him up and set him in my hand. He looked at me and closed his eyes. Then I put him back, slid the bowl in the closet, and went downstairs. He needed food.
    Grandma was in the kitchen and Charlene was still whining. “I can’t wear this. I just can’t.” Her blue eyes popped open wide, ready to leap out of her head.
    Mama stepped back from Charlene and tapped her finger on her chin. “If you got yourself a nice tan, this dress would just glow on you. Yes, I’m sure it would.”
    Charlene ran her fingers over her hair and across her collarbone. Her heaving chest started slowing down. “You think?”
    â€œYes, I do. You’re a southern girl now. You have to have a tan. It’s practically a law. Now, here’s how to do it fast. Put a few drops of iodine in some baby oil. Slather that on real good, then cover one of your record albums in tinfoil and hold it in front of you. You’ll bounce those sun rays right onto yourself and be tan in no time.”
    Mama was so smart about that kind of stuff. “Hi there, Chip,” Mama said, glancing at me.
    I opened my mouth, but Mama turned back to the pins she was poking through the silky gold material.
    â€œMama?” I sat down on the couch. The plastic cover let out a loud squeak like it couldn’t believe I had the nerve to sit on it. “I have a question. A problem really.” I hoped she’d know what to do about my turtle. Mama didn’t have a lot of experience with animals like Daddy did.
    â€œOuch!” Mama shook her hand and sucked on the finger she’d stuck with a pin. “Oh, Chip. Can it wait?”
    Grandma walked into the room. “Off my couch with those dirty clothes, Brenda.” She swept one hand through the air like she was shooing me away. “Now, what’s this problem? Perhaps I can help.”
    Hopping off the couch, I looked into the hall at the eat-you-alive bear at the bottom of the stairs. Grandma didn’t know anything about keeping animals alive. She only knew about killing them. “Um, nothing,” I said, backing away from her. “Nothing important. I’ll be out back. Call me when supper’s ready.”
    I felt smaller inside Grandma’s house than I did out on the hot road walking back from Miss Vernie’s. Out there I felt like a big beautiful feather that could float anywhere. Inside with Grandma, I felt like dirty old gum stuck to the road.
    â€œMake sure you change before dinner. You’ll find a few new dresses hanging in your closet.” Grandma shook her head, her eyes sweeping across me from toes to nose. “Lordy, where have you been?”
    The tips of my ears felt hot and I stepped back. “Exploring.”
    This made Mama smile. “Would you take Ruthie outside with you? She’s been clinging to my legs all day.”
    I rolled my eyes.
    Ruthie twirled in place, her ruffled dress flying. She