Read Online Mad Girls In Love by Michael Lee West - Free Book Online Page B

Man.” Her voice rose up into the car, a child’s voice, light and sweet. I drove cautiously, passing right by the exit for McDonald’s. The singing abruptly stopped.
    â€œAin’t we stopping to eat?” Alice Ann cried, turning to stare out the rear window.
    â€œI’ll stop later.” I looked down at the speedometer. It hovered just below 55.
    â€œAt Hazlehurst, Mommy?” She began laughing, then she fell over sideways, slapping the seat. “Was I good, or was I good ?”
    â€œTerrific,” I said. “Better than Shirley Temple.”
    â€œI saved you back there, so you better keep me.”
    â€œI’d rather keep a rattlesnake.”
    â€œI memorized Officer Nugent’s badge number.” She leaned forward again, hanging on to the back of the seat. “You get rid of me now, I’ll tell him all about you.”
    â€œYou don’t know doodly about me.”
    â€œOh yes, I do. Lillian Beatrice. ” She held up my blue vinyl wallet. I reached back for it, but Alice Ann scooted away. She perched on the seat, drawing her legs up to her pointed chin and popped open the wallet. “Relax, Lillian. Is it Wentworth or McDougal? You’ve got ID for both names. Isn’t that illegal? Are you some kind of con man?”
    â€œDo I look like a man?”
    â€œDo I look like a child? Eunice always says that appearances can be deceiving. So, tell me. Why did y’all leave Crystal Falls?”
    â€œHand over my wallet this instant.” I snapped my fingers.
    â€œWon’t do you any good. I already memorized your address. 214 Dixie Avenue. And the zip code is 38501. I’ll bet somebody would pay me cash money to know your whereabouts.”
    â€œNobody’s interested in me,” I said, hoping I wasn’t showing my fear. This kid was smart, but deadly. “But I’m sure Eunice is frantic over you.”
    â€œNo, she’s not.” Alice Ann began tossing the wallet in the air. “You’re hiding something.”
    â€œMaybe I am. Maybe I’m a dangerous criminal.”
    â€œSure, and I’m Art Linkletter.”
    â€œI might just stop the car and let you out.”
    â€œIt’s been done before, honey child,” she drawled, “but I always come back.”
    â€œWhen we get to Hazlehurst, I’m calling Eunice. Aren’t you worried about her at all?”
    â€œNope. Reach me that map so I can plot out our trip to Point Minette.”
    â€œPoint Minette?” I blinked. “Where’s that?”
    â€œYour next stop.” Alice Ann opened her shirt and dropped in my wallet, where it made a square bulge. “But it’s getting dark. You better check us into a motel.”
    â€œWhat’s in Point Minette?” I asked.
    â€œLike I’d ever tell you. ”
    â€œWell, you’d better. Because I’m going in the other direction.”
    â€œYou were. But you’re not now. See, my mama is in Point Minette and she’s waiting for me.”
    â€œBut…” I rubbed my forehead, trying to think of a delicate way to phrase this. “Your grandmother told a different story. She said—”
    â€œYes, yes, yes. I know what she told you, that my mama drowned in the river.” She held up both hands, as if pushing them against an imaginary obstacle. “But they never found her body. I bet Eunice didn’t tell you that.”
    â€œEr, no, but—”
    â€œThey always find a body, those river draggers. But they didn’t find my mama’s. And she wouldn’t have crossed that bridge in the first place, because she was going in the other direction.” The child lowered her voice, making it raspy. “‘Honey, I’m heading down to Point Minette, Mississippi. I’m getting me a job as a stripper.’ That’s just what she said. It’ll be real easy to find her.”
    â€œBut…” I sighed, wishing I