Moonshine(35)

“Listen man, I’m gonna go and talk to Mrs. Vail and see if I can get any help. If I have to show this grade to Momma, I got to at least have a backup plan. You know?”

“All right, but don’t you have to work at your papaw’s tonight?”

“Naw, I told him I couldn’t help tonight. I have a letter to deliver and some homework to catch up on.”

“If you want me too, I will ride with you to take the letter. Then when we get back I will come home with you and eat some of your momma’s cookin. You know she loves me. Maybe I can help soften the blow of that big fat F you have to show her tonight.”

I was walking backwards down the hall shaking my head. “You know that just might work. Do you have practice?”

“Nope.”

“Sweet okay, meet me at my car in ten minutes.”

“Yep,” He nodded.

It took exactly three and half minutes for me to convince Mrs. Vail that my father’s death was the reason behind my horrible grade. She felt such pity for me that she nearly cried. I felt guilty for about two seconds or until I realized that I might possibly fail. Then anything resembling a conscious flew right out the window. Mrs. Vail hugged me and sent me home with loads of extra credit. He shoots… And he scores.



***



Josh and I loaded in the Mustang and set out for Cedar County. I had a letter to deliver. When I told Mrs. Gerry that I would write her every day, I meant it. It will be my own personal therapy.

I took my time driving this time since I had company, and I knew what to expect when I got there. Josh didn’t waste time on grilling me about the future. I swear sometimes he is too damn responsible for his own good. He thinks just because he has a plan, that we all should.

“I know that you don’t know what you want to do when you graduate, but you gotta figure something out. You need some kind of plan.” Josh had a point.

“I know, and I’ll come up with something. I don’t have the grades to get in to some big university. I probably don’t even have the grades to get into Community College, but I will figure something out. I have been saving my money that I have earned from working on the farm, and I had planned on moving out after graduation. Papaw said that I could work for him as long as I wanted or needed. His back has really had him down lately and he could always use the help. So my plan for now is to continue what I’m doing, until a new and exciting plan takes its place.”

“That’s fucking brilliant, man. You tell your momma what you told me and she will be sold.”

“It’s not some genius plan bro.”

“I know it ain’t. You are expecting me to bust your balls because you’re not going to college, but I don’t give a shit about that. I just wanted you to have a plan. For months you have been dragging your ass around looking like a lost puppy. I was about ready to beat some sense into you, but lately you been different. Something in that head of yours has gotten your mind thinking solid. Whatever it is, I’m glad.” He patted my shoulder.

He had no idea what it was, but I did. She is my life support and without her I can’t breathe. She is the only person that has ever given me hope, and with these letters I feel like luck was finally on my side





20



Shine

Much to my surprise it was Bradley on the other side of my door, and he had supper.

“Am I in trouble?” I asked

“You are gonna be if you don’t let me in the door. This shit is heavy.”

I scooted way over and let him by, and he came right in carrying a tray that was loaded down with food. I wasn’t planning on eating, let alone a gorilla size amount. He brought enough to feed a horse.

“Don’t you worry; half of this is mine, Sunshine.”

“Sunshine?” I gave him a questioning look.

“Yeah about that, I figured that you needed a nickname. I like Shine but that’s what everybody calls you, and I’m not everybody. So I decided that since Sunshine is bright and warm and lights the way, that it seemed fitting.”

“I promise you that I’m not those things, but since we are giving nicknames what will I call you?”

“You have to think of something. My so-called friends at home all called me, Brad.” He continued separating the food on my bed, one pile for me and one for him.

“Then I won’t be calling you that.” He stopped what he was doing and looked up at me. There was the cutest grin on his face, and those dimples just sucked me in. “ I could call you dimples, cause I can’t seem to get enough of yours.” He smiled. “What is your full name?” I asked.

“Bradley Jonathan James.”