Welcome to Episode 20 of Dancing at The Orange Peel, a 1960-70s serialized historical novel. Just getting started? Episode 1 | Full Episode Guide | Extra fun content in THE MAILBAG
Previously: Episode 19, Drawing Lines. As Nate’s and Grant's paths finally cross at the Chamber of Commerce, Gwen attempts to maintain appearances while Libby, hurt and confused by her mother's deceptions, acts out. Grant's conversation with Mr. Bolden and his parting comments reveal the depth of challenges Gwen and Nate have before them in Kent Creek.
Episode 20: ROADS APART
Right at five o’clock, Uncle Dennis’s Camaro turns into the parking lot. The driver’s side window is rolled down and his arm is hanging out even though it’s sprinkling rain. I run to the car, but Mama takes her time. Usually, I sit in the front seat between them. Instead I open the back door, fling my book bag in the floorboard, and climb in. When Mama slides in the front seat, wet spots have dotted the shoulders of her outfit. Drops sparkle in her hair like glitter, pretty, if I wasn’t so mad at her.
Uncle Dennis smiles at me over his shoulder. “Hey, Little Nin.”
I don’t answer. I don’t like that nickname anymore.
Right off, he knows something’s wrong and narrows his eyes at me. I turn away to look out the window.
Mama slams her door. “Please tell me you’ve changed your mind,” she says to Uncle Dennis. He doesn’t answer. Turning toward him, she presses again, “Have you?”
Staring out the front windshield, he shakes his head slowly. When he finally speaks, I don’t like the mean way he sounds. “The more we talk about this, Nin, the more I wonder if you and I still think the same about what’s right.” He whips the steering wheel around, turning the car out of the Chamber parking lot. He’s never like this with Mama and it’s making my heart hurt.
The half of Mama’s face I can see from the back seat is tight and worried-looking. “Without Dr. King,”—her voice wobbles like she isn’t sure—“the march probably won’t even happen now.” She turns her whole body in the seat toward him. “But if it does, Denny, make posters,” she urges. “Use your talent to help them make signs and posters to take.”
I throw my elbows over the seat between them. “I can help!” We’d have fun doing an art project together. “I can draw good.” Neither act like they hear me.
Mama reaches to rest her hand on his forearm stretched to the steering wheel. “Use your art to help the cause. But please.” She squeezes gently, then lets her hand drop. “Go back to school. Don’t give up your future.”
Mama is always telling me Uncle Dennis has the best chance of all of her brothers and sisters for turning out good. “Yeah, Uncle Dennis.” I stretch over the seat farther to see his face. “Don’t give up your future.” He ignores me again, not acting at all like hisself. I flop backwards in my seat and cross my arms against my hurt feelings. Why won’t they listen to me?
Uncle Dennis glances sideways at Mama. “Abernathy’s going ahead with it.”
Abernathy? Who’s that? And ahead with what? Is Uncle Dennis gonna do something that will mess up his future? I glare at Mama. She’s not even sitting right in her seat even though she always reminds me: “Face forward! Face forward!” She isn’t even following her own dang rules.
Over the click of the right-turn blinker, he asks, “What kind of future can I have when some people don’t even have enough food to eat?”
Mama huffs. “Don’t be so melodramatic. If you pass up this scholarship to graduate school, I guarantee you’ll be poor . . . and stuck in this town forever.” She talks a lot about how she wants to leave Kent Creek someday. She’s never liked it, she says. But our family is here. “Family above all else” is what Granddaddy says. Besides, all my friends are here and this is where Daddy lived. I never want to go anyplace else. I wish Mama didn’t either.
Uncle Dennis’s knuckles turn white when he squeezes the steering wheel. “It’s not all about me, Gwen.” He pauses. “I thought you understood that better than anybody.”
For the longest time, she stares at him, not blinking an eyelash. Whatever Uncle Dennis has a mind to do surely does not sit right with Mama.
They generally agree on things, but not today, and I can’t remember a time when they’ve ever been sore at each other. How much more different can today get? First, I’m mistaked for a thief. Then Mama lies. Now, she and Uncle Dennis are mad as two hornets at each other. Gee whittakers.
As we pass the sign pointing toward the city pool, Mama turns in her seat to face front—the right way. Not one word is said the rest of the way home.
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