The
ride back to Emma's house was spent mostly in silence. Sarah had
made two separate attempts at coaxing conversation out of Shirley
Sue, but she produced only a couple of words at a time in response.
The
sound of gravel rumbled under the tires of Sarah's vehicle as it
pulled into Emma's driveway. The breaks squeaked as the car came to
a stop.
“Thanks
for the ride home,” Buck said.
Shirley
Sue and Roger echoed their appreciation.
“You're
welcome!” Sarah said. “Hey Roger, can I talk to you for a
minute?”
Sarah
watched as Shirley Sue and Buck exited the vehicle and headed toward
Emma's house. Shirley Sue walked briskly past Buck, turning her head
in the other direction as she moved by him.
“Maybe
you should come along with me for a bit and give them a little
space,” Sarah said. “I'm sure we could find something to do out
here in this town.”
“That
sounds like a good idea,” Roger said. “I'll go and tell them
that I'll be back in a bit.”
Sarah
nodded at Roger as he opened the car door. He disappeared through
the front entrance. Moments later, he exited the house. The porch
light illuminated his bright red cheeks as he walked back to the car.
“Everything
okay?” Sarah asked.
Roger
laughed. Behind it was a nervous twinge. “Ya, Buck was just
giving me a hard time. You know how he is.”
Sarah
put the SUV into reverse and pulled back onto the street.
The
pair sat in silence for a moment before Sarah glanced over at Roger.
His posture was stiff as he nervously picked at one of his cuticles.
“I reckon there's a bar with a pool table 'round here,” she said.
“You
know I'm no good at pool.”
“Who
knows, maybe you'll get lucky.” She winked at him.
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