Read Online Sweet Jiminy by Kristin Gore - Free Book Online

woman.
    â€œCongratulations!” Jiminy cried. “You look great!”
    â€œThank you, what a nice thing to hear,” Suze responded. “Some people say I shouldn’t be wearing a two-piece, but I say they should GET THEIR OWN LIFE,” she continued in a near shout, directing the accusatory part of her sentence toward a slender woman suntanning a few chairs over. The woman rolled her eyes and whispered something to her friend. Both of them giggled. Suze fumed.
    â€œSo, when are you due?” Jiminy asked, attempting to avert a rumble.
    She was taken aback by Suze’s sudden fury. Jiminy remembered her being a mild-mannered girl—someone she’d played with a handful of times during her childhood visits.
    â€œTomorrow,” Suze answered. “But my first three were all a week late, so I’m not holding my breath.”
    â€œThis is your fourth kid?” Jiminy asked.
    Suze was nodding.
    â€œBryce! Savanna! Come meet Jiminy,” she called to a blond-haired boy and girl who’d been playing on the waterslide. “Melody’s with her grandma,” she explained to Jiminy as her kids started swimming for the pool ladder.
    â€œOh, don’t bother them, it’s okay . . . ,” Jiminy attempted.
    But the kids were already hurrying to obey their mom. Jiminy was surprised at how quickly they were in front of her, gazing upward.
    â€œJiminy and I used to play when we were around your age,” Suze told her son. “Are you here for a while?” she asked Jiminy.
    Jiminy wasn’t sure how to answer.
    â€œI think so. Probably another few weeks, at least.”
    â€œWe gotta get together then!” Suze cried.
    Jiminy nodded.
    â€œSure, that’d be great, definitely. I mean, you’ll probably be pretty busy with your baby and your other kids, but if you get some free time . . . Are you married?”
    Suze looked offended.
    â€œWell, I should hope so! What kind of girl do you think I am?”
    â€œI’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—I just didn’t want to assume—of course you’re married.”
    â€œBrad’s on a tour of duty overseas now, but he should be home by Christmas. SAVANNAH, DON’T YOU DARE PUT THAT IN YOUR MOUTH!”
    Jiminy jumped. Behind her, Savannah released a small frog she’d caught in the grass by the side of the pool. She obeyed her mother, but she wasn’t happy about it.
    The shouting had caught the lifeguard’s attention. He stood up quickly, gave a disapproving glance, then resumed his vigil. For an old man, he seemed remarkably spry and alert.
    â€œI need to go,” Jiminy said to Suze. “It’s good to see you again, and meet your kids. I’ll see you around.”
    Suze smiled and nodded, but she was already preoccupied with helping her son wrestle a pair of flippers onto his feet.
    â€œDon’t forget to come see me,” she replied distractedly.
    Jiminy weaved past Savannah and made her way to the lifeguard chair, aware of how pale her skin was compared to the tanned bodies around her. Looking down at her arms and legs, she saw that her skin was even whiter than usual, thanks to the SPF50 she’d failed to completely rub in.
    The lifeguard stared down at her. He was the ruler of this domain and prided himself on knowing everyone. This small, pale woman standing below him was a stranger, though she resembled people he knew. She’d have to explain herself.
    â€œMay I help you?” he asked.
    â€œAre you Walton Trawler?” Jiminy asked.
    â€œIndeed, I am,” he answered.
    Walton was old, certainly, but he emanated a youthfulness that matched the energy of the kids surrounding him. He’d been the town doctor for fifty years and now filled his retirement with volunteer work and various other projects. His face was tanned and wrinkled, and he wore a weathered fishing hat to protect his bald head. His swimming trunks were decorated with