Free Another Saturday Night and I Ain't Got No Body (A Page Turners Novel) by Jennie Marts Page A

over the past several decades.
    “I’m coming over Saturday night,” Maggie said suddenly. “You told us all about this Hank the Tank, but I can’t really picture him. I want to see the next guy.” 
    “Oh, me too,” Cassie said. “But I can’t. One of the kids has a football game Saturday night. Dang it.”
    “I have Bingo Saturday night so I can’t be there either,” Edna said. “And this week, I’m going for the Double Diamond Board. They’re giving away a hundred dollar cash prize and a ham!”
    “Maggie, you will have to be our designated date eyewitness, and tell us what you think of Mabel’s ‘nice boy’ grandson,” Cassie instructed.
    “I would love it if you were there,” Sunny said. “It’s always awkward right when they show up.”
    “Okay, I’ll be there at five-thirty,” Maggie said, then glanced up at the clock on her kitchen wall. “I wonder when the kids will get back.”
     
    * * *
     
    The sun balanced over the mountains in gorgeous hues of pink and shades of blue, as Drew and Piper walked the few blocks to the neighborhood park. They walked in companionable silence, and at some point, Drew had reached over and intertwined his fingers with Piper’s . Their joined hands swung slightly as they walked through the park.
    Piper still could not believe that this cute boy was walking next to her and holding her hand. She felt like he must be able to hear how loud her heart was beating, and she worried that her palm would start sweating. As if he could read her mind, Drew squeezed her hand, and gave her an encouraging smile. She wondered if her thoughts were somehow written across her forehead because he always seemed to know what she was thinking.
    The smell of freshly mown grass hung in the air as they stepped onto the small playground complete with swings, monkey bars, and a couple of slides.
    Piper had always loved to swing, and she took a seat on the plastic u-shaped swing, and grasped the cool metal chains. Drew grabbed the edges of her seat and pulled back, only to release her into the air. He gave her several good pushes, her legs shot out, and her head fell back, her hair free, and a laugh escaped her lips.
    Her swing finally slowed and Drew approached and stood behind her, his hands on the chains above her shoulders. She leaned back into his muscled chest, and he rested his chin on top of her head.
    “I like to hear you laugh,” he said into her hair.
    She smiled and snuggled closer into his chest.
    “Piper, I have a confession to make.”
    Her smile froze at his words, and her body stiffened. “Okay.”
    “I don’t know how to tell you this, but I didn’t actually read the Catcher in the Rye .” 
    She relaxed, and pushed off the swing to turn and face him.
    “I only talked to you about it with stuff my mom told me from your book club.”  He grinned at her. “And the worst part is, I got an A on my essay paper on it.”  He laughed and took off running, a teasing glint in his eye as if daring her to chase him.
    “You cheater,” she cried playfully, and ran after him around the playground, until he finally pinned her against the monkey bars.
    Her laughter died as he drew nearer, and his expression became serious.
    “I have another confession to make,” he said as he looked into her eyes. “I only acted like I’d read it to impress you, so I would have a chance to talk to you.”  His finger stroked her cheek as he freed a loose strand of hair that had blown across her face. “I really like you, Piper.”
    She felt his warmth as he pressed his body closer to hers, contrasting with the cool metal of the monkey bars that seeped through the back of her thin cotton t-shirt.
    “I really like you, too,” she whispered. She raised her chin to meet his gaze.
    They had spent hours talking on the phone and getting to know each other. But, so far, Drew had only held her hand. This was the moment she had laid awake thinking about every night since Drew had spoken up