She Only Speaks to Butterflies by Sandy Appleyard Page B

left without waiting for her friends and entered the lunchroom. She smiled at Lee as she bent at the waist to speak to Denise. “Looks like you’ve made a new friend or two today.”
    “She behaved herself well, ma’am.” Lee reported. Sherry noticed a twinkle in his eye as she smiled thanks.
    “It’s time to go, sweetie,” she said to Denise.
    “You can take the colorin’ book home, ma’am,” Lee offered Denise.
    Sherry took Denise’s hand. “Thank you.”
    “Pleasure.” Lee dipped his head, holding the lunchroom door open for them.
    Jenny Martin walked into the lunch room to take Kevin home. “Take care, Sherry.”
    “You too, Jenny.”
    Sarah and Martha met Sherry at the door. “Best stay away from Jenny’s pickin’s,” Martha said snidely. “I walked over to talk to Vern, to ask how Mitchell was likin’ summer school, and she wouldn’t shut up about Lee. She was all ‘Oh, he’s so nice’ and ‘Oh, he’s so handsome’,” Martha mimed vomiting. “I bet he’s already messed with her.”
    “You don’t know that,” Sherry said diplomatically. “How do you know their kids ain’t just friends or somethin’?”
    “I love ya, Sherry, but yer too trustin’,” Martha admitted.
    “I don’t see any mind in him,” Sarah commented. “He seems to play well with the kids. Denise likes him and that’s sayin’ a lot.”
    Sherry smiled at her.
    …
     
    Ned approached Alan. “I spoke to my guys at the farm, and Tim said all he heard was a car hittin’ the gas pretty hard. He didn’t see the vehicle, but he heard it tearing away just before seein’ the fire start.”
    “So it definitely ain’t kids startin’ ‘em up then.” Alan scratched his chin. “That’s what I suspected. I was hopin’ some youngin’ was stealin’ gas or lighter fluid from his daddy and someone would speak up, but looks like that ain’t the case.”
    Alan patted Ned on the shoulder. “Thanks, man.”
    Ned patted him back, walking away.
    Jenny Martin approached Alan with Kevin in tow. “I just wanted you to know, sir, that my Kevin here…” she looked at Kevin, whose head came to her shoulders. The young man stared at the floor in embarrassment. “He was home in his bed when the fire happened. I can vouch for that.”
    Alan gave Jenny an apologetic look. “I appreciate that, ma’am, and I can assure you that Kevin never came to mind. It’s an adult settin’ these fires.” He put his hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “And I apologize for the insinuation earlier. I hope there’s no hard feelin’s.”
    Jenny smiled. “None at all, sir.”
    Alan playfully punched Kevin in the chin, forcing him to look up at him. “Alright?” he asked, searching Kevin’s face. Kevin nodded, looking down at the floor again.
    “We best be goin’,” Jenny said. “Kevin’s helpin’ out at the farm today.”
    “Is he now?” Alan was impressed.
    “Ned offered him a part-time job for the summer.”
    “Ain’t that lovely? Well you enjoy yerself, son,” Alan said, walking away.
     
    …
     
    “Look at ya,” Gertrude embraced Sarah, patting her swelling belly and kissing her on the cheek. “How ya doin’, sugar?”
    “I’m doin’ great.” Sarah grinned, rubbing her belly. “He’s gonna be a twelve pounder, I tell ya.”
    “I can see that,” Gertrude giggled. “But ya know it’s a boy? Did ya have one of ‘em fancy tests done?”
    Sarah waved. “Naw, I just know is all.”
    Sarah took the proffered seat on the front porch while Sherry leaned on the railing. Kenny and Denise headed inside the house.
    Gertrude pulled her knitting out of the bag beside her. “So, how did the meetin’ go?”
    Sarah answered. “It went fine.” She glanced at Sherry. “Do ya believe the nerve of that Lina?” She rocked back and forth faster on the chair. “Swine,” she seethed.
    “What she up to now?” Gertrude looked at Sherry over her bifocals. “She still not a fan a yers, dear?”
    “I swear that girl hates me