Chapter Four
Cold Water, Warm Touch
Song: I Feel the EarthMove—Carole King
June 15th, 1975
A waft of freshly cooked sausage filled my nostrils.I yawned, rising from the comfort of the bed.
My mom was hovering over the stove, cooking biscuits and gravy.
I patted her on her shoulder.“Thank God, I am starving.”
My stepdad and momma were discussing what they planned to do for the day.They were fighting because James wanted to go fishing, and my mom wanted to pick peaches.
I pulled out a chair at the rickety kitchen table and said, “Stop arguing.You have the rest of the summer to do both.”
James winked at me.“Exactly why we should go fishing today!”
I rolled my eyes at him.“Where’s Grandma?Isn’t she typically up by now painting her ceramics?”
My mom sat down at the table with me.“Sweetie, your grandma is packing some stuff because she has to leave.”
I fixed my posture by sitting up.“What do you mean?Why would she leave?She stays here every summer.”
My mom laid her coffee cup down on the table.“Grandma’s sister, Barb, has broken her leg from tripping over your grandma’s stuff.Apparently, she was trying to bring Grandma some pie and wandered around her house back in Butterfield.”
It was about time my grandmother’s addiction to collecting finally caused a problem, but why did it have to happen at the beginning of the summer vacation?
My mom got up and put a plate of biscuits with a fork in front of me.
I said, “Thanks,” and started eating.“So why is Grandma leaving because Barb was a clutz?”
My momma glared at me.“Penny, don’t talk with your mouth full.Your grandma feels responsible for Barb getting hurt and is going to take care of her.”
“What does that mean?We can’t go home.We just arrived yesterday!”
“Don’t worry, Honey.Your grandma is letting us stay for the rest of the summer as long as we leave the cabin exactly as it is.”
I leaned in and murmured, “Fine by me.I will stay out all day in the sun until I burn to a crisp to avoid touching her junk.”
My grandma joined us in the living room, causing me to think more carefully about what I was going to say.I pursed my lips together.
