Read Online Behind the Pine Curtain by Gerri Hill - Free Book Online

would be glad to see her after all these years. But no. Her mother still wanted no part of her.

    “Fine. Just fine with me,” she murmured, turning the key in the ignition and driving away in one motion, the tires squealing on the pavement as she accelerated. She glanced in the mirror and smirked. “Very childish, Jackie.”

CHAPTER NINE
    Jacqueline turned onto the street that would take her to the First Baptist Church of Pine Springs. Through the trees, she saw it, perched on top of the hill, overlooking the town as always, watching the townspeople as they went about their daily lives. Brother Garner had the best view in town, sitting up here, judging people. Oh, she remembered his sermons on Sunday. She’d lived in fear of him. He seemed to know everything about everybody. And when her mother had hauled her up here, confessing to him that her daughter was a sinner, Jacqueline very nearly retracted the whole thing, just so that she wouldn’t have to sit and listen to him, face to face.
    But in the end, she didn’t. She couldn’t. In fact, she told him to go fuck himself. She was nearly certain it was Brother Garner who suggested the bus to Dallas.
    She parked away from most of the other cars, wanting to give herself some time to prepare. She should have made arrangements to meet Mary and John somewhere. The last thing she wanted was to walk into the church alone, imagining all eyes on her. But her trepidation lifted somewhat when she saw two familiar faces walking up the sidewalk.
    She quickly got out of her car, hurrying to catch up.
    “Hey guys.”
    “Holy shit!”
    Jacqueline smiled. “What?”

    “No offense, Jackie, but seeing you in a dress and makeup is kinda like seeing my daddy in women’s underwear,” Rose teased.
    Kay covered the smile on her face with her hand, but her shoulders shook.
    “Very funny. I’d forgotten about your warped sense of humor, Rose.”
    “But, you look cute. Doesn’t she, Kay?”
    “Adorable.” Then Kay touched her arm. “Where will you sit?”
    “With Mary and John, I guess. You guys want to join me?”
    “I wouldn’t miss it. Can you imagine the talk at the café come Monday morning?”
    “Rose!”
    “It’s okay. She’s probably right. Besides, I wouldn’t mind having some friendly faces around,” Jacqueline admitted.
    “Are you sure it’s safe to walk in with you?” Kay asked. “Lightning bolts and all.”
    “Ah, you’re both comedians today. But I think you’ll be safe.”
    The three of them walked up the long flight of stone steps to the front door of the First Baptist Church, and Jacqueline ignored the curious glances they were receiving.
    “Your reputation might be shot to hell, though,” she whispered to Kay.
    “Truth is, I don’t actually make it to church all that much, Jackie.”
    “No? Why?”

    Kay shrugged. “Long story.”
    “Well, it seems you have several long stories to tell me. Wonder when we’ll find the time?”
    “Speaking of that. How long are you staying?” Rose asked.
    “Into next week. I haven’t really decided. Of course, Mary may be tired of having a house guest by then. I think I may check out the new motel she was telling me about.”
    “You can always stay with me,” Kay offered, the words out before she knew it.
    “You’re just dying to become the town’s gossip, huh? Can you imagine? The Keys’s long lost lesbian daughter comes home for the funeral and stays with little Kay Garland, no doubt trying to convert her in the process,” Jacqueline said, eyebrows rising mockingly.
    “Oh, please. You got me into so much trouble when we were young, I doubt anyone would even notice now.”
    “Jacqueline. There you are.”
    Jacqueline looked up as Mary Lawrence walked over. Jacqueline took her hand, then pointed at her two companions. “You know Kay and Rose, right?”
    “Of course I do. How are you, ladies?”
    “Fine,” they said in unison.
    “I’ve asked them to sit with us. I hope you don’t mind,”