Free Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker Page B

door slammed behind him.
    “Hey, Cliff, how’s that sign coming?”
    Cliff held up the sign.
Peach Pies for Sale. Two dollars each
.
    “Perfect.” Stepping back, I looked over the table.
Once again, perfect
. “Okay, now all we have to do is wait.”
    The sun was hazy and warm overhead, making my head swarm.The Georgia heat was intoxicating. I was grateful for the umbrella Frank had set up over the stand.
    Cliff lay on his back in the grass and closed his eyes with a wide smile on his face. I itched to join him.
No, I’d better stay right here. A customer might come any minute
.
    I looked down the dirt road. We were stationed at the end of the driveway, where it met the neighborhood road. Usually this road was pretty busy with folks going to church, the grocery store—anywhere, really. But today? Nothing. No cars, no bikes … Zip.
    My eyes wandered back to the soft grass. Yes, soft. And warm and green and …
    Okay, stop it. You never know when someone will show up
. I wrapped a strand of hair around my finger.
Although … if a car came I would be able to hear it, wouldn’t I?
And then I could jump up and be in my seat before they even got out.
    “Knock, knock,” Cliff said.
    I sighed.
Really?
“Who’s there?”
    “Anita.”
    “Anita who?”
    “Anita eat one of those pies. They smell real good, Scarlett.”
    I raised an eyebrow, pleased. “Well, I’m glad you like them, but we can’t have any until we sell at least a few of them, okay?”
    He frowned but didn’t push the subject any further. We sat in silence for what felt like forever.
    Finally, I inched out of the seat and onto the grass to sprawl out next to Cliff. I watched the bloated white clouds drift by.
Isn’t it wild to think that this whole world is spinning—me along with it? It’s sort of like flying
. The thought sent shivers of exhilaration all through me.
    The sound of wheels on gravel jolted me out of my daydream. I sat up and saw Frank bicycling toward us with purpose. He skidded to a stop in front of the stand. “No customers?”
    “Nope.” I squinted up at him. His hair looked dazzlingly goldenin the sunlight, although just yesterday I had thought it looked plain brown.
Funny
.
    “Well, my mother sent me over with a request for three peach pies. We’re having company tomorrow night.”
    I smiled but rolled my eyes. “Will they really need three whole pies?”
    Frank shrugged. “Who knows? Hey, kid.” He nudged Cliff with his foot, chuckling.
    Cliff peeked at Frank with one eye. “Hey, I’m enjoying my
siesta
.”
    We were interrupted by the arrival of a car in the driveway. I jumped, feeling goose bumps pop up all over my arms. “A customer,” I hissed, nudging Cliff with my own foot.
    He sat up abruptly, and his entire body appeared to be on alert. “Who is it?”
    “I don’t know.” I strained my eyes, trying to see into the window.
    The baby blue car pulled to a stop, and the door popped open. Pastor Greene stuck his head out. “Good morning!”
    His wife climbed out of the passenger side, her hair piled high upon her head. She waved. “How’s business?”
    I licked my lips nervously. “Well … you know.”
Slow
.
    Frank straightened and shook Pastor Greene’s hand. “Good morning, sir.”
    Pastor Greene squinted and looked over the pies. “Some nice confections you’ve got here. My wife tells me you’re a great cook. Did you have any trouble building the stand?”
    Pastor Greene was wearing slacks and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. A straw hat was in his hand, politely held by his side. It felt so strange to see him without a suit and tie. I blinked, realizing I hadn’t answered his question.
    “Um, no, sir. None at all,” Frank jumped in. “Cliff and I did most of the construction together.”
    Pastor Greene nodded, pressing his lips together. He looked impressed. “You’ve obviously got a gift for carpentry.”
    I glanced at the stand. I hadn’t realized it, but it really was nice,