Read Online Of Sea and Cloud by Jon Keller - Free Book Online

this night we got us a casserole made of a casserole.
    A casserole casserole?
    She nodded and smiled and wiggled. Her cheeks were red and her eyes dark and her hair curled down over her neck. Bill smiled as he looked at her and he put his hand on the back of her neck. She frowned and her chin grew a neat cluster of wrinkles.
    Don’t you like what I done with the house? Ain’t it a home now, Bill?
    Erma Lee, he started but didn’t know what to say.
    And I got more to do, but that’s enough for today.
    More? No more pictures I’m hoping.
    That’s my family, Bill, and you and them are going to be like you and Jonah are.
    I don’t know about that.
    You will because we got a infant coming and my family’s that infant’s family. And speaking of family, I got a question for you that’s been nagging, Bill.
    I would imagine you do.
    It’s not funny, she said and her voice was serious and her face concerned. It’s how come Jonah’s called the Highliner when you say he don’t catch nothing?
    Bill laughed. He took his glasses off and wiped his eyes and shook his head from side to side. Jesus Christ, Erma Lee, he said.
    What’s funny about that?
    He catches some. He does all right.
    But why’s he called the Highliner?
    It’s just a joke. Like calling a fat guy Slim or something. Jonah’s just kind of lazy. He don’t hang down.
    Well don’t laugh at me. I didn’t know, she said and she paused and looked at him with her head tilted to the side. What? Ain’t you happy I got moved in quick?
    He put his glasses on and ran his hands up her sides. It’s just that I didn’t know you was moving in. I thought you were staying here for a bit. Like a trial.
    A trial.
    Yeah. Ain’t that what we discussed? A trial.
    Me getting knocked up weren’t a trial, Bill. And this is a trial? I can’t have a trial without feeling like I’m home or ain’t nothing’ll work.
    Christ. So long as we’re clear.
    We’re clear all right, Captain. But I got more news for you. Ain’t you happy?
    What is it? You done found that sports car you’re buying with your mystery money?
    No. I want for you to guess. She slid off his lap and dropped down to her knees in front of him and set her chin on his knee.
    I ain’t guessing about nothing. I guess all day on the boat and now I’ll be guessing down to the pound and what I want is to come home and be damned sure about every damned thing in my house. If I ain’t damned sure about my home then I ain’t coming home.
    Aren’t you tough? She hissed like a cat and ran her pink nails across his cheek. You good and well better be sure about things, Bill.
    Not with this guessing horseshit I ain’t.
    Well then I won’t have you guess no more. That smell coming from the oven is a tuna casserole and a fresh chicken flavor mixed in for tonight.
    Christ, Erma Lee, I didn’t know I was guessing as to your casserole.
    Erma Lee laughed to herself. There’s other news too, she said and smiled at him. I made friends with Celeste and Charlotte today. Celeste was awful pleased with us living together.
    All I said is we could have us a fucking trial, not that we were living together.
    When you done this, she said and leaned back and jutted her pelvis out, when you done this you said a lot and if you ain’t ready for it then tough because you got no choice now.
    That? Hell. Bill ran his hands through his hair and breathed in and out to settle himself. Well I need some help feeding down to the pound.
    Now?
    Yeah now. Them lobsters’ll eat each other before dawn.
    I got a casserole in.
    You always got a casserole doing something. Just put the fucker on warm, Erma Lee. I need help.
    Fine, she said. I’m only here to help you, my liege.
    What?
    Nothing. Is Osmond going to be there? It’s spooky you being partners with him, Bill.
    Why’s it spooky?
    Bill pictured Jonah