forward to me stopping by for a sweat tea. Then he walked over and stopped the gas pump just as it was about to overspill. He pulled out the pump and returned it to its place. He put in the gas cap to the minivan and walked back around to me, tipped his tan dusty cowboy hat, wished me a safe drive on home and sauntered over to his brown dually Chevy truck and climbed in. I stood there like a deer caught in headlights. Then a sound of a camera cell phone caught my attention as that sound had me on guard. My sister looked at the picture she just took of me, and she was off and laughing again.
It wasn't until we were five minutes away that I got that phone out of her hand without causing a wreck and saw the picture she took. I looked horrid. Brunette hair all a mess. My face pale, my eyes still a bit red and puffy and my pink lace bra showing from my tank top that was all off kilter. Lovely. Just friggin lovely. I swore to myself that the next time Bubba Champ saw me; I would look LA hot and every man in Alabama was going to want me.
Who was I kidding? I was still the top news story at five o'clock. I needed a hiding out game plan. A disguise if you will. Then I felt my sister's hand upon my arm. "Don't worry. This will be exciting news for a bit, but everyone adores you. According to them, you made it big in LA. Not to mention you are going to be super big in nine months. I can't wait."
But I could. I was still sitting on the teeter-totter of decisions, and I knew that discussing my other option with my sister would be hell to pay, so I changed the subject quick.
"What kind of sedative did you give Snickerdoodles? I've never had her be this quiet in any car ride I've taken her in."
"Vet Johnson gave it to me. You remember Colton Johnson. He's a vet now. Mostly, barnyard animals but I told him that I was bringing you and that white fluff ball back home, and he gave me a little something in a kitty treat that will have her sleeping the whole plane ride home. He guar-an-gosh-darn-teed it."
That brought a laugh to my smile. I remembered Colton. He was a shy guy back in high school, but he always had a caring nature around animals. He was serious about his four H stuff, talked about it nonstop. I had no four H interest, just wanted a chance at stardom in Hollywood. Boy was I a star now and not in the way I wanted. However, I could easily work this to my advantage; being pregnant with Mr. Hollywood's baby was a start. Not that I wanted to keep the baby decision based on how it would help me get my start in Hollywood.
Then my sister did it again. "So Colton is single. He's quite the catch these days. Ladies are awaiting if you know what I mean. I mentioned picking you up, and he mentioned he was available for Sunday dinner. Looks like your return barbeque is going to be one fun time. I invited Bubba, but he mentioned he was busy. Colton, now he's interested. Doesn't care a gosh darn thing about your LA mess. In fact, he says he'd be happy to raise your munchkin as his."
That stung. Both ways. One that my sister was trying to find me a husband and keep me in Alabama, pregnant. And the other way, well it was the fact that Bubba said he was busy.
I had to speak up. Not the whole truth, but just enough to keep my sister from meddling in something I didn't want to start, maybe. "Listen sis, I just want to relax for a week or two until this passes over, and then I'm catching a flight back to LA."
"Uh huh." She didn't sound convinced.
"I don't think I will be doing much dating while I am here. I just want to hang out with my nieces and spoil them rotten and return home."
"Uh huh." Even less convinced.
"I just think I'll relax, make a game plan for my return to LA. I don't want no fancy return BBQ. Just a nice relaxing break from all the starlight of Hollywood and a glass of sweat tea with Mrs. Champ. You