Read Online The Big Cat Nap by Rita Mae Brown - Free Book Online Page B

brimstone.” She brightened. “Other than that, I do love my church. I feel I have a direct relationship to God, and I don’t feel that in what I think of as the high churches.”
    He considered this. “Yes. I know what you mean, Miranda. I really do, but I believe in the liturgy, as well. You know how I feel and I know how you feel. We both do the best we can with what we have.”
    “Some days are better than others. Some days I’m bitter about how my sister suffered.”
    He nodded. “But she’s gone home.”
    “She has. I like to think that Mama and Daddy, and Yippy, her little Pomeranian, were there to welcome her. Well, here I am getting misty.”
    “Miranda, one of the reasons I cherish you is that you’re not afraid to show your feelings. And while we’re on the subject of feeling, you know Harry has her checkup this afternoon.”
    “Yes.” Miranda pushed off harder with her left foot. “She’ll be fine. After this checkup, she doesn’t need to go back for a year.”
    “Our girl has trouble with feelings. Tries to cut them off.” Herb got up and poured himself another glass of tea. Normally this would be rude, but they’d known each other for more than forty years.
    “Now, I could have done that. I’m being a poor hostess.”
    He sat back down. “I dropped by unexpectedly. I’m lucky to be received.” He winked at her. “Plus, you’re really rocking there, girl. I wouldn’t want you to have an accident.”
    They both laughed. She slowed down her rocking-chair rhythm.
    “One accident was enough, and that happened so fast.”
    “Always does. Hey, you heard about Franny?”
    “I’m afraid so. It’s been one thing after another around here. I do have some good news, however.”
    “I’m ready.”
    “Little Mim is going to have a baby.”
    He clapped his hands. “You don’t say.”
    “Big Mim called me today. She and Jim are over the moon. AuntTally is already taking charge—God help Little Mim when her great-aunt gets into it—and I heard that Blair bought every cigar at the shop in Barracks Road as well as the one up by Giant.”
    “Those are expensive cigars.”
    “Wonder if he’ll give me one?” Miranda put her finger to her lips. “Ask him.”
    “I think we should all descend upon them—calling, of course—bring little gifts, and then smoke a cigar. Well, I can’t smoke one, but I can suck in a celebratory puff. I’ll ask for a cheap cigar. No point in wasting one.”
    “When a man is about to become a father, the cost of cigars are part of the thrill.” Herb clapped again. “What good news. ’Course, he’ll have to buy more once the baby arrives.”
    “He did jump the gun, didn’t he? Still, it’s good news.”

A re you in there?” Susan stood outside the clinic’s narrow changing booth, its brightly colored cotton curtains shutting off the occupant from the other women at the mammogram center.
    “What are you doing here?” A note of surprise crept into Harry’s voice.
    “I longed to see you in hospital chic.”
    “Susan, I told you I could do this myself. It’s just a checkup.”
    “You told me, but that doesn’t mean I listened. Now, are you going to invite me in or not?”
    Harry pulled open the curtain. “All right.”
    Susan stopped, looked her best friend up and down, head to toe. “Oh, honey, brown paisley becomes you.”
    “Shut up.” Harry laughed as she plopped down on the bench, Susan dropping beside her.
    “At least your boob’s not hanging out.”
    “Did that.” Harry glanced down at the top of her breasts, visible in the thin shift. “Ever consider what a royal pain these things are?”
    “July. That’s the worst. For me, anyway. You can’t stop sweating. You can lift up your blouse to wipe yourself dry. You go into air-conditioning and the wet feels cold. Walk outside into the furnace again and more sweat. Ugh. Even now, May, I’m starting tosweat a little.” Susan paused. “How long ago was your mammogram