Free Pearl by C.E. Weisman Page B

She smiled over the hot cup of coffee at her lips.  
    “Figured you needed this,” she said, handing Pearl the mug.
    Pearl took the cup cautiously, eyeing Cindy, looking for the trick. “Thanks.”
    “Feeling better?”
    Pearl nodded as she sipped the steaming brew.  
    “Ah, much better, dear,” Granny said, walking in from the chicken coop. She slipped off the plastic sacks that she used to keep her slippers clean. The hot pink socks needed a good wash. She kissed Pearl on the cheek.  
    Vernie stepped in beside her, a floral apron over her navy striped dress and a basket of eggs on her arm. “You had us in a tizzy, sweet Pearl. Thought you may have caught some of that salmonella or whatnot you hear about.”
    “Must have been some strange twenty-four-hour bug,” Cindy said with a sly smile. Pearl brought her drink to her lips and shifted her gaze away. “Heard anything going around, Granny?” Cindy asked.
    Granny cracked an egg in the bowl. “Always something stirring around. Now, make yourself useful and hand me a whisk.”
    The men settled in for breakfast. Roy gave her a once-over, asking how she was feeling before gulping down eggs, sausage, and hash browns. Pearl buttered a piece of toast, after the men finished, still wanting to go easy on her tummy.
    “It’s the strangest thing,” Cindy said nonchalantly as she scooped eggs with cheese on Lilly’s plate. “I heard a car pull up the other night. Sure I heard tires on the gravel.”
    Vernie shrugged. “Maybe someone wanted to turn around, Happens all the time, being on the end of the street.”
    “Maybe,” Cindy said. She turned her gaze on Pearl. “Especially when kids are out partying, it’s easy to get lost.”
    Vernie noticed Cindy’s hot stare on Pearl. “Cindy, dear, you are just looking as lovely as ever,” she said with a wide smile. “Why, I was eyeing that new dress you got on down at the Good willy willy the other day, but I’d say it goes with your complexion much better than mine.”
    Cindy’s cold eyes turned to Vernie. No one other than Pearl seemed to notice the tension. Cindy tightened her lips and then forced them into a fake smile. “Why, thank you, Vernie. I always admire your taste.”  
    “Anywho,” Vernie sang, “thought I’d borrow Pearl this afternoon, got some tomato canning I need to get done, all right with you, Granny?”
    “As long as she’s home to prep with supper it’s all right with me,” Granny said.
    “Vernie,” Cindy protested. “I was hoping you could watch the kids today. I have some business to take care of in town.”
    Vernie set her coffee mug down, giving Cindy a blank stare. “I always wonder how a homemaker could have so much business in town.”
    Cindy scowled at her.
    “Darren!” she shrieked at her husband, who was sitting right beside her.
    “Can’t you take the kids with you?” he asked.  
    “Those screaming beasts?” Cindy cried. Pearl cringed as the children slid lower in their seats. “Can’t even make it to town before driving me crazy!”
    “I’m sorry, Cindy. I’ve got the butcher coming at one today. I can’t help you.”  
    Cindy grunted, pushing herself away from the table. The door slammed behind her as she rushed out of the house and sped away in her car. Her children were still seated at the table.  
    “It’s all right, guys, I’ll take you home,” Darren said, walking the whimpering kids to the door. Pearl dashed up to meet him just as he was getting to the car.  
    “Hey, Darren, I can do that for you,” she said, reaching for his keys.
      Darren looked confused. “Thanks, Pearl, but it’s all right—I got a little time. I’ll see if I can calm Cindy down.”
    “Okay, if you’re sure. I know you have a lot going on, with the butcher and starting on the stable and everything.”
    He settled the kids into the car, shutting the door behind them. “The stable? Oh, we won’t get started on that for another couple weeks.”
    Pearl stepped