Page 184 of Rags's Awakening
In one fluid movement, he picked her up and walked to the front porch.
“Casey,” Clara said, jumping up from the couch as they entered. “The centerpiece you made is beautiful. My mother’s been raving about it ever since Rags brought it yesterday. I can’t wait to try your ice cream cake.”
Before Casey could answer, Rags’s mother walked in wiping her hands on an apron dotted with whole and sliced lemons around her waist. She padded over to Rags and gave him a solid hug, then took in Casey.
“Mom, this is Casey.”
“I’m so happy to finally meet you.” She wrapped her arms around Casey in a tight, protective maternal embrace. “Clara talks about you all the time. Welcome to our home.”
“It’s nice meeting you, Mrs. Kendricks,” Casey said, stepping back.
“Call me Janet,” she said, linking her arm through Casey’s. “Come on, let me introduce you to Chase’s dad. By the way, the centerpiece is gorgeous. And your ice cream cake will be devoured before the night is over. You didn’t have to do all that.”
“I know, but I wanted to,” Casey said.
“I appreciate it. Thank you.” His mother looked over her shoulder at him. “Go get the potato salad in the refrigerator and bring it to the patio.”
Megan laughed. “Mom’s taken over Casey, so you might as well chill and have a beer.”
Rags grunted as he headed to the kitchen. “Where’s Keith?”
“Out back with Dad and the kids.” Megan clucked her tongue. “She’s pretty. And the way you look at her, I can tell this is the real thing.”
“She’s cool,” Rags said, popping the top of a can of Coors.
His sister rolled her eyes. “A man of a thousand words.”
“Where’s the damn thing Mom wanted me to bring outside?” He asked looking inside the fridge.
“The thing is potato salad and you’re staring right at it. It’s in the yellow bowl.”
He pulled it out and set it on the counter. “Does Mom need anything else?”
“I don’t know. She’ll let you know if she does.” Megan leaned against the counter and grinned. “You’re in love. I’m so happy for you.”
Rags gave her a hard stare.
“Really, I am.” She poured ice tea from a pitcher into her glass. “Paying off Julie’s debt was very generous of you. I almost died when she told me.”
His head jerked back. “What the fuck, Megan. Are you the town’s gossip columnist?”
“What? I didn’t tell anyone, not even Mom or Dad.” She took a sip of her tea. “Okay.” I told Keith, but”—she lifted a hand up in front of his face—“he’s my husband. Anyway, he won’t tell anyone.”
“Why the hell are you still talking to Julie?”
“I’m not,” Meagan said, crossing her arms against her. “I went over to see her mom and she was there.”
“How’s Glenda doing?”
“Not good.”
Silence fell between them, then Rags tossed his empty can into the recycle bin.
“She’s left.”
“Who?” he asked.
“Julie. She got back together with…” Megan’s voice trailed off.
