Page 132

Alison squinted when she looked at me and scrunched her nose up so that little wrinkles rippled along the top of it. She had hair almost as black as mine, but snipped short and brushed up in front exposing far too much forehead. Rounder faced with just a little pouch under her chin, she looked indulgent, spoiled, fifteen or so pounds overweight with most of it on her waist and hips so that her light blue dress clung too tightly there. She looked very uncomfortable in it, and I imagined it was something she didn't really want to wear. Her shoes didn't match the dress. They were more like military boots with thick heels. Both of her ears had tiny jeweled crosses filling the pierced lobes, and she wore all sorts of silver rings on every finger. A stack of silver bracelets adorned her right wrist and a shiny steel-banded watch was on her left. When she opened her lips a little more, I had a good view of a treasure chest of orthodontia work.

After she drew closer, I saw we had the same color eyes, only mine weren't as round, and hopefully, not as dull.

"This is my daughter Alison," my mother said. "Alison, I'd like you to meet Rain."

"Rain?" She pulled the corners of her mouth in so tightly, it made the crests of her cheeks balloon. "Is that really your name?"

"Yes, it is," I said. "Is Alison really yours?" I countered quickly.

She smirked.

"You're so funny, I'm hysterical," she said.

I looked past her as Brody came up the steps with a beautiful flower arrangement in his arms. He was tall, six feet two or more and his shoulders were so wide, they could almost fill the doorway. He wore his maroon and gold varsity jacket and a pair of black slacks with soft looking black leather loafers. His hair was also ebony and his eyes were more green than brown, although I saw hazel specks in them. He had a mouth like mine but a very firm, tight jawbone. His complexion was vibrant, athletic, with a rosy tint in his cheeks and full, dark crimson lips. There was something very assured about him, only a step or two away from pure arrogance.

"Hi, I'm Brody Randolph," he said extending his hand while he held the flowers in his arms. I quickly shook his hand and was the first to let go. His grip surprised me and for a moment we just

gazed into each other's eyes.

"We're not going to stand out here all day, are we? Where's my grandmother?" Alison demanded impatiently.

"She's in the living room."

She nudged by me. My mother smiled and followed but Brody waited for me to turn and go in first.

"How do you like Dogwood?" he asked. "I hear the girls can be very snobby."

"Let's just say I've seen more nostrils than a nose and throat specialist," I replied and he laughed so hard, Alison turned before entering the living room. She wore a look of surprise and annoyance.

"Hi Granny," she sang as she entered.

"How are you, Mother?" my mother asked following on her heels.

Brody and I came up behind them.

"We hope you're feeling better, Grandma," Brody said handing Grandmother Hudson the flowers. She held them out stiff-armed as if she were preventing an allergic reaction from starting and then looked to me.

"Rain, please find a vase for these."

"Yes, ma'am," I said and hurriedly did so.

Alison gazed at me with delight.

"Is that what Rain is, your new maid, Granny?"

"Temporarily, she is my new maid and a new cook, yes," Grandmother Hudson said. "And you know how I dislike being called Granny, Alison. I'm not some backwoods, pipe-smoking old hag in a rocking chair."

"Sorry, Grandmother," Alison said, dropping the corners of her mouth and then plopping herself onto the sofa.

"Megan, haven't you ever shown this girl how to sit properly? What good was all that charm school?" Grandmother Hudson asked.

"I hated it," Alison said.

"It shows," Grandmother Hudson said.

Alison turned away in a sulk. I looked at Brody and noticed how hard he was looking at me. He smiled and I smiled back.

"Victoria called me," my mother said. "She said she would be here today, too. She said there were important matters to discuss."