Read Online Queenie Baby: Pass the Eggnog by Christina A. Burke - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Christina A. Burke
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him getting any "under the eaves" ideas.
Granddad had a long, hacking coughing spell which drew concerned looks from everyone. "We'd all been playmates for years, but the first time I saw Babs in a fancy dress at a high school dance it was all over for me. She was like a bad little angel. All blond and pretty, with an ornery streak a mile wide. 'Member that time she brought a jug of your daddy's moonshine to the church social, Pearl?"
For the first time, Pearl's lips turned up in a smile. "We were sick for a week after that." She shook her head at the memory. "Babs was something else. Always gettin' me in trouble."
"Yep, fifty years, and not a day goes by that I don't miss her," he said sadly and turned to me. "I'm so glad you found me."
"Me, too," my mom said from the doorway.
Aunt Pearl got to her feet and held out her arms. My mom went to her and laid her head on her shoulder. "You always said family's family even if they're a bunch of knot-heads."
Aunt Pearl sighed and released my mom. "Guess I did. Just never figured I'd have to see that knot-head again." She hooked a finger at Granddad. "But he seems like he mighta got some sense in his old age," she acknowledged grudgingly.
They both looked at Granddad. He opened his arms, and my mom went to him, tears flowing. For about five minutes there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Then Granddaddy Hacker said, "Stop all this caterwaullin'! Aren't we supposed to be practicing for the play tomorrow?"
My sister jumped into action, dimming the lights and cuing the movie. I blew my nose on a tissue Kyle handed me and took another gulp of eggnog.
"Boy, there's never a dull moment with your family, is there?"
I shook my head. "Never."
"Okay, everyone. Attention please," Ashley commanded.
"Oh, brother," I mumbled under my breath.
"So just to recap, we are putting on a play tomorrow night showcasing several of the big musical numbers from White Christmas . Diana and I will be performing the 'Sisters' routine. Dan and Kyle will follow us immediately with the drag-version of the same song. Then Dan and I will perform the dance between Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen entitled 'The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing.' Next up will be The Grands performing 'Gee, I Wish I Was Back in the Army.'" She took a breath. "We'll end with a sing-a-long to 'White Christmas,' mimicking the closing scene of the movie. You will need to practice the dance numbers on your own this afternoon." She gave us all a stern look. "Because dress rehearsal's at seven tonight so we have time to make changes if needed. Any questions?"
The General had spoken. We all knew to keep our mouths shut and just go along with her plans. Resistance was futile. A yawn escaped my mouth, and I leaned back in the sofa.
"You really don't have to stay if you don't want to," I whispered to Kyle.
He smiled. "Can't think of anywhere I'd rather be right now."
I ignored his comment and focused my attention on the screen. I needed to tread very carefully with Kyle. I glanced around the room. My granddad was holding my mom's hand. Victoria and Jake were snuggled in a recliner meant for one. The fire crackled merrily in the grate. I felt a rush of Christmas spirit like I hadn't felt since I was a child. I turned my attention back to the screen and made a vow to put as much effort into this production as I did into a professional gig. I owed Ashley that much.
Mammaw suddenly stood up and shuffled over to the staircase. I watched her warily out of the corner of my eye. What now?
"Mother," my stepfather called, "come back and watch the movie."
"Looks like the haints are talkin' to her again," Granddaddy Hacker observed.
Ashley raised her eyes heavenward and put the film on pause.
We were able to hear Mammaw say clearly, "Oh, my! Tomorrow. We'll be ready. Oh, yes, that's a fine idea. Three, really? How nice!"
She shuffled back into the living room and took her seat like nothing had happened.
She stared at the TV as though she'd
Granddad had a long, hacking coughing spell which drew concerned looks from everyone. "We'd all been playmates for years, but the first time I saw Babs in a fancy dress at a high school dance it was all over for me. She was like a bad little angel. All blond and pretty, with an ornery streak a mile wide. 'Member that time she brought a jug of your daddy's moonshine to the church social, Pearl?"
For the first time, Pearl's lips turned up in a smile. "We were sick for a week after that." She shook her head at the memory. "Babs was something else. Always gettin' me in trouble."
"Yep, fifty years, and not a day goes by that I don't miss her," he said sadly and turned to me. "I'm so glad you found me."
"Me, too," my mom said from the doorway.
Aunt Pearl got to her feet and held out her arms. My mom went to her and laid her head on her shoulder. "You always said family's family even if they're a bunch of knot-heads."
Aunt Pearl sighed and released my mom. "Guess I did. Just never figured I'd have to see that knot-head again." She hooked a finger at Granddad. "But he seems like he mighta got some sense in his old age," she acknowledged grudgingly.
They both looked at Granddad. He opened his arms, and my mom went to him, tears flowing. For about five minutes there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Then Granddaddy Hacker said, "Stop all this caterwaullin'! Aren't we supposed to be practicing for the play tomorrow?"
My sister jumped into action, dimming the lights and cuing the movie. I blew my nose on a tissue Kyle handed me and took another gulp of eggnog.
"Boy, there's never a dull moment with your family, is there?"
I shook my head. "Never."
"Okay, everyone. Attention please," Ashley commanded.
"Oh, brother," I mumbled under my breath.
"So just to recap, we are putting on a play tomorrow night showcasing several of the big musical numbers from White Christmas . Diana and I will be performing the 'Sisters' routine. Dan and Kyle will follow us immediately with the drag-version of the same song. Then Dan and I will perform the dance between Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen entitled 'The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing.' Next up will be The Grands performing 'Gee, I Wish I Was Back in the Army.'" She took a breath. "We'll end with a sing-a-long to 'White Christmas,' mimicking the closing scene of the movie. You will need to practice the dance numbers on your own this afternoon." She gave us all a stern look. "Because dress rehearsal's at seven tonight so we have time to make changes if needed. Any questions?"
The General had spoken. We all knew to keep our mouths shut and just go along with her plans. Resistance was futile. A yawn escaped my mouth, and I leaned back in the sofa.
"You really don't have to stay if you don't want to," I whispered to Kyle.
He smiled. "Can't think of anywhere I'd rather be right now."
I ignored his comment and focused my attention on the screen. I needed to tread very carefully with Kyle. I glanced around the room. My granddad was holding my mom's hand. Victoria and Jake were snuggled in a recliner meant for one. The fire crackled merrily in the grate. I felt a rush of Christmas spirit like I hadn't felt since I was a child. I turned my attention back to the screen and made a vow to put as much effort into this production as I did into a professional gig. I owed Ashley that much.
Mammaw suddenly stood up and shuffled over to the staircase. I watched her warily out of the corner of my eye. What now?
"Mother," my stepfather called, "come back and watch the movie."
"Looks like the haints are talkin' to her again," Granddaddy Hacker observed.
Ashley raised her eyes heavenward and put the film on pause.
We were able to hear Mammaw say clearly, "Oh, my! Tomorrow. We'll be ready. Oh, yes, that's a fine idea. Three, really? How nice!"
She shuffled back into the living room and took her seat like nothing had happened.
She stared at the TV as though she'd
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