Read Online Pink Flamingoed by Steve Demaree - Free Book Online

you,
Jill?” her father asked, knowing that his children knew better than to bring
things to the table when they ate dinner.
    “Oh, dad! I’m sorry. These are his books.”
    “His who? You mean Brad Forrester?”
    “Who else, dad?”
    Scott smiled and shook his head.
    “Nancy,” he said, “one of our children is growing up.”
    Jill turned and smiled triumphantly at her brother.
     
    +++
     
    Brad walked Amy home from church, then stopped by his
house for a minute before heading to Frank and Cora’s. Living on Aylesford Place might offer a plus he never envisioned. Maybe he would never have to cook,
if someone would invite him over every day.
    Amy waited until Brad had gone into his house and then
tiptoed down her steps and over to Frank and Cora’s. A couple of minutes later,
the doorbell rang and Cora sent Frank to answer it.
    “Hi, Frank. I hope I’m not too late,” Brad said when
Frank opened the door.
    “Not at all. Do come in, Brad.”
    Brad stepped in and his mouth flew open as he spotted
Amy.
    “You!”
    Amy laughed and slapped both of her thighs with her
hands.
    “You didn’t tell me you were going to be here,” Brad
said.
    “Oh, and did you tell me that you were coming?” Amy
asked.
    “No, because I didn’t know that you were coming,” Brad
replied.
    “Well, I didn’t know that you were coming, either. The
last I heard you were going to give violin lessons to an elderly couple.”
    “Elderly! Did you call us elderly, Brad? After I
slaved over a hot stove fixing a scrumptious dinner for you?”
    The combatants could no longer hold back their
laughter. Frank looked at the three of them and shook his head.
    “Come on over and sit down. Dinner’s ready. But
because you called me old, Brad, you have to be the one to pray.”
    “Whatever you say, Cora, but when you say, pray, do
you mean e-y or a-y?”
    “Both.”
    Brad said grace, and Frank started passing the food.
As the foursome sat around the table enjoying their meal and talking, Cora
popped the question.
    “So, Brad, how did you enjoy our church?”
    “I loved it, but there were more people than I
expected. I assume that some of the people who attend do not live on Aylesford Place.”
    “You’re right. While most of the people are from the
neighborhood, several of them live on other streets.”
    “I noticed that there aren’t a lot of kids.”
    “No, Brad. The people on the other streets are pretty
much like we are. But things are looking up. Not too many years ago the only
ones on our street who were younger than we were were Jim and Kathy Mitchell.
With all you young people moving in, maybe someday we will have people getting
married and having children.”
    When Cora mentioned “married” and “children,” Brad
turned to Amy, who smiled and blushed.
    A half hour later all of them were stuffed. Cora
suggested that they retire to the living room and let their dinner settle so
they would have room for dessert.
    “So, do you have any plans for Christmas, Brad?” Cora
asked.
    “Sure do. I’ll be heading home to spend a few days
with my family.”
    “Well, be sure to tell your mother that I’m glad her
side is doing better.”
    “Oh, I will, Cora. You can bet I’ll tell my parents
and everyone else all about you and the rest of the people on this street.”
    “Does that include Cousin Amy?”
    Brad and Cora enjoyed a good laugh, while Frank and
Amy tried to figure out what was going on. Finally, Amy could stand it no
longer.
    “All right, you two. Why don’t you let Frank and me in
on your joke?”
    Brad and Cora tried their best to fill in the other
two on their conversation from Friday night.
    “I assume that the two of you will be staying home for
the holidays,” Brad said to Frank and Cora.
    “Yeah, this street is much like any other. The older
folks stay home for the holidays, while the younger ones leave.”
    “Does that mean you’ll be leaving, Amy?” Brad asked.
    “I’m afraid so. I’ll be going to