Escaping the Past

Lou scrambled as long as was necessary, then poured the egg and salsa mixture onto a serving platter. She then topped it with the cheese. She opened a container of sour cream and poured it into a bowl. She grabbed several packages of tortillas from the pantry and carried the food to the dining hall. Once the table was set, she rang the bell to call the hands in for breakfast. Then she turned and went upstairs.

Moments later, she returned with a bubbling Sarah who was once again streaking toward Sadie. This time, she held a brush and two ponytail holders in her hand. Sadie took the objects and Sarah sat down on her lap. Sadie created two perfect pigtails and kissed Sarah good morning.

Sarah surveyed the breakfast fare and snickered. “Did Mommy burn the eggs again?”

Jeb and Sadie couldn’t hide their grins.

Lou scowled at Sarah. “Do you have to tell everything you know?” She swatted her gently on the behind.

“So you’re not perfect, huh?” Brody asked with a grin, his comments directed toward Lou.

“Far from it, in fact. I just like to pretend every now and then.”

John walked into the kitchen and removed his hat from his head. He hung it on the back of a chair and moved to fill his plate. He gave one to Sarah as well. He tugged her ponytails and said, “Morning, Squirt.”

“Morning, John,” she said as she let him fill a plate for her.

Lou picked up Sarah’s backpack and a note fell to the floor. It was crumpled like the remains of yesterday’s lunch. Lou unwrinkled the paper and read it. Of course, Sarah had discarded the note.

“Something the matter, Lou?” John asked quietly, coming to stand beside her. She passed the note to him. He read it slowly, looked up with a grin, and winked at Lou. He took a deep breath and addressed Sarah. “Hey, Squirt. I heard a rumor the other day that there is a Father-Daughter dance coming up in a few weeks at school.”

Sarah’s eyebrows drew together and her face flushed. “Yes, sir,” she said quietly.

“Well, I’ve never had an opportunity to go to one of those dances, so I was wondering if you might let me be your date. I would hate to miss out just because I don’t have a daughter. You think you might let me go with you, so I can see what it’s like? I heard there might be cake and ice cream and dancing…” Begging puppies had nothing on John Wester.

Sarah’s eyes grew big as saucers. “Really? You want to go to the Father-Daughter dance with me?” She came out of her chair and caught John around the waist.

“Yep. I would love to go with you. If you don’t mind, that is,” he added slyly.

“I don’t mind. I’ll let you go just this once.”

Lou’s eyes filled with unshed tears. She coughed to clear the emotion from her throat. “You had better finish your breakfast or you’re going to be late for school.”

Sarah quickly said grace and everyone sat down to breakfast.

After breakfast, Lou cleared the dishes and Sadie loaded the dishwasher. John took Sarah to the bus stop and, when Lou and Sadie were done, Lou looked at her watch to check the time. “Be back in a little while,” she said absently as she headed for the backdoor.

Lou walked to the fence surrounding the corral and started to stretch, preparing for her run. She bent at the waist and stretched her back. When she braced herself to stand up straight, she was startled to find Brody standing in her path. He was wearing purple athletic shorts, running shoes, and a printed T-shirt that read “You’re no bunny ‘til some bunny loves you.” Lou’s left eyebrow rose as her eyes met his.

“What?” Brody replied innocently. “This was my bonus for volunteering at the animal shelter during Adopt-A-Bunny week. You got a problem with it?” He added a mock Mafia tone to his speech.

“You volunteered at an animal shelter?” Lou asked incredulously.

Brody repli

ed sheepishly, “Well, not exactly volunteered. In college, I had to write a paper for psychology. I chose prostitution as my topic and I had this great idea I could get some information by interviewing a hooker.”

“Wait.” Lou cut him off, “Interviewing?”

“Yes. Interviewing.” Brody paused to stretch and continued talking. “You know, asking questions and getting answers. I approached this hooker on Fifth Street and, next thing I knew, I was in handcuffs. I got booked and had to go before the judge. He wasn’t sure whether or not he believed my story so he decided to give me community service. I had to work at the shelter so I would get the idea of “screwing like a rabbit” out of my head.”

Lou could hide neither her smirk nor her laugh. She covered her smile with her hand.

“Quit laughing at me and let’s run. You don’t mind if I join you, do you?”

“Not at all. Think you can keep up?” she asked teasingly.

“No doubt about it,” he replied. “Lead on.”