Page 10 of Worst in Show

“Mom, where are you?” I lean against the counter and cradle the phone to my ear. I haven’t seen my parents since Christmas. Twelve years on the road now, all fifty states visited, and they’re still all about that RV life. I don’t know how they stand it, but they’ve never been happier.

“Montana!” Mom hollers. “We decided to chase the fall foliage this year. It’s gorge.”

“Is that Coralynn?” Dad says in the background. “Tell her I said hi.”

“Hi, Dad,” I mumble.

“Hello?” Mom shouts. “I don’t think the reception is very good here.”

“But you guys are doing well?” I walk over to the window and look down at the streetlights below. From behind the door to my left, I can hear Jaz’s and Micki’s muted voices.

“Never better. We saw an enormous herd of bison today. Frontier adventures! How’s Dad doing?”

“Harvey is doing all ri—”

“Did I tell you your father is improving at his putting game? We stop at every golf course we pass. I go with him once in a while, but a drink on the green is my preference. You know how my back acts up. As luck would have it, we met this wonderful couple that…” And on and on she goes.

The windowpane is cool against my forehead while I listen, and my breath makes foggy circles on the glass until eventually Mom announces her phone is running out of battery and she needs to go. “I’ll call you again from Wyoming or Colorado. Hugs and kisses.” She hangs up.

I look at my phone and sigh. “I’m doing okay. Thanks for asking,” I say out loud. “Bills to pay, places to be. You know.”

“Talking to yourself again?” Micki asks from her doorway.

I turn and give her half a smile. “Something like that.” I toss my phone onto the table and sit down at my sewing machine. The tutus are bestsellers, so my plan is to make a few more of those tonight and then move on to my first literary costume. Mrs. Keller’s Scottish terrier would look fantastic as Sherlock Holmes.

“Hey, is it okay if Jaz crashes on the couch for a few days?” Micki heads toward the fridge.

“Another guy bites the dust?”

“Seems like it.”

“Sure, no problem.”

“Cool. Don’t stay up too late.”

I give her a noncommittal wave and dive back in.

Living History Illinois Flockify, Famous People Channel

AlCaponesGhost25 Friday 11:47 PM

I believe Sir Cumference was responsible for the round table.

SingerQueen Saturday 08:29 AM

Took you a while, but I’ll allow it. *winky face emoji*

AlCaponesGhost25 Saturday 10:17 AM

Believe it or not, I do have other responsibilities.

SingerQueen Saturday 11:40 AM

What could possibly be more important?

AlCaponesGhost25 Saturday 01:33 PM

Fair point. Henceforth, riddles it is. New career, here I come!

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