Beauty Queen (23 page)

sounded like a tinge of hysteria in her voice, Ill be done in a moment. Jo Lynn was going to do this, but she wanted to play a few games first

Jo Lynn?

Listen do you see those Q-tips out there? she whispered frantically. They cant hear and they cant see, and I have got to write the numbers on the board! Just give me a minute! One minute! Thats all Im asking!

Actually, when she asked so imploringly, he could imagine giving her as many minutes, hours, days, or nights as she wanted, and backed off. That, and the entire sea of sno-cones were staring at him. Okay, all right, he said, and backed away.

Well, lookie here, we got us a G-56. Gee-five-six, folks!

Go sit with Grayson, she ordered him, and stood up, walked back to the white board, and violently erased it. Okay, fine. Matt stepped away, shoved his hands into his pockets, and strode down the row of tables, spotting her kid for the first time since he had come in. He was sitting at the very end of the table, next to woman with bottles of colored liquid and several stuffed bears.

As Matt neared the boy, he noticed that every number on his sheet had been marked. The kid saw Matt looking at his card, and instantly threw his arms and head over it so Matt couldnt see it.

He grinned at the kid and kept walking, to the back, where Gunter and his photographer were taking pictures of the group, and there he remained until (at last!) the announcer said the next session would start in twenty-five minutes. In the meantime, help yourself to a delicious brisket dinner. Remember, its free! Just dont forget to stay away from the beans, folks be considerate of your neighbor! he reminded them as they made an instant and mad stampede for the smaller room, practically flattening Matt against the wall.

When the biggest group had passed, Matt spotted Rebecca at the table with her son and started toward her. When he reached her, Rebecca looked up, smiling a little deliriously. Hey! she said brightly.

When you said you had this thing lined up, I thought you meant you had it greased, he said. I thought you had a proper forum for Tom to speak. I dont believe the words crash a bingo hall ever passed your lips.

A cheery hello to you, too, she said. And we are not crashing a bingo hall. I set up the bingo, she continued matter-of-factly, pausing to flash a smile at a trio of leering old men in Sansabelt slacks floating by in the river of people headed for the free buffet. These people like bingo.

I noticed. Like it so much that we hardly have their undivided attention, do we? And Christ, I dont even want to imagine how much money

Yo. Dude. Hes here.

They both looked past Gunter, who had walked up behind Matt, to the door, where Tom, Pat, and Angie had managed to squeeze past the thundering herd (Gilbert had wisely bowed out of tonights activities with the excuse of a final). Gunter was already moving, quickly cornering Tom, making him pose for a couple of pictures before he took one more step, which, naturally, Tom was happy to do.

Parrish! What the hell are you doing here?

Crap.

Someone wants you, Rebecca said, and turned around to her kid and the two old ladies hed obviously been assigned to this evening.

Suppressing a sigh, Matt turned around to face the top of Judge Gambofinis head. Hed never seen Gambofini without his robesthe judge was wearing a red, horizontally striped polo shirt, only the stripes were much smaller on the top than those stretched across his enormous middle. Even more noticeable was that Gambofini was actually grinning for the first time Matt could remember. Judge, how are you?

Almost had bingo a couple of games back. Saw you up at the dais. Youre a little young to be hanging out with the Silver Panthers, arent you?

Actually, I What he was about to say was interrupted by a strong slap to his shoulder that almost knocked the wind out of him.

Parrish! There you are!

Senator, he said, rubbing his shoulder. You know Judge Gambofini, dont you?

Sure, sure, Tom said, and eagerly stuck out his hand, although Matt knew damn well he didnt have a clue who Gambofini was.

Ah, said Judge Gambofini, eyeing Tom as he shook his hand, then slanted a gaze at Matt, clasped his hands behind his back, and rocked back and forth on his tiny feet. So I guess the rumors about your political aspirations are true, eh, Parrish?

What rumors are those? Tom asked, planting his hands on his broad hips to better consider both men.

Nothing but a little courthouse gossip, Gambofini chuckled. If you boys will excuse me, Im going to get me some of that brisket before its all gone, he said, and flashed a smirk at Matt as he walked on.

Great. This would be all over the courthouse come Monday.

Hey, this is fantastic! Tom cried, looking around at the decorations. What a crowd! This is exactly the kind of thing we need to be doing!

Get real, Tom. The thing we need

Listen, well talk later, he said, turning away from Matt. Right now, I want to congratulate this girl! he exclaimed as Rebecca turned around. Youve outdone yourself again, Mrs. Reynolds!

Lear, she reminded him as he wrapped a big burly arm around her shoulders, squeezing so tightly that Rebecca winced at his strength. It was really very easy to do. She looked at Matt and said, People make these things out to be a lot harder than they actually are.

Aint that the truth? Tom laughed, and let her go. So wheres our hostess?

Shes in the dining area. Lets go find her, she suggested, and the two of them walked off without sparing so much as a glance at Matt.

Is this for real? This, from Pat, in the company of Angie, who had walked up to stand next to Matt and gape

at the place. I thought this was a meeting, she said, tugging at the jacket of her plain gray suit.

You and me both.

I think its totally cool, Angie said, her hair painted jet black for the occasion. Ive never played bingo before, she added as she wandered off to have a look around. Pat and Matt looked at each other; Pat shrugged, tugged on the jacket again. Oh well... I guess when in Rome, right? She winked, followed Angie.

When in Rome, my rosy red ass, Matt muttered, and turned around, noticed Rebeccas son again. The kid was arranging new cards that one of the old ladies had brought him, and was apparently getting a jump on the competition by marking some numbers before the game began. Hey, Matt said.

Hey, the kid responded without looking up.

Remember me?

He frowned a little. Sort of.

I sort of remember you, too, Matt said, and gave in, pulling up a chair. Remind me what your name is.

Grayson. Whats yours?

Matt.

Ex-cuse me? Hello? One of the old women was peering down at him through enormous pink-rimmed glasses. Im Lil Stanton. And who might you be?

Matt Parrish, he said, coming to his feet and extending his hand.

Lil Stanton looked at his hand, then at Grayson. Do you know my great-grandson?

Oh. Well, sort of. Right, buddy?

Grayson shrugged.

I work with his mom on Senator Masterss campaign.

Oooh, Lil Stanton trilled, brightening instantly. Thats so lovely. I so enjoy meeting Rebeccas friends! Im her grandma. You can call me Lil -and thats her grandpa up there on the stage, she said, her smile fading a little. Just loves the limelight. And this is Rebeccas good friend Jo Lynn.

Speaking of which, said the other woman, who was

wearing, Matt couldnt help but notice, a tie-dyed shirt, I best get up there. Im marking the board next session. She smiled as she walked by Matt. Nice meeting you.

Lil Stanton smiled at Matt, too, then made a show of arranging her next session sheets. Matt and Grayson sat in silence for several minutes, watching her align her stuffed bears, until Lil suddenly said, Oh my.. . She looked at Matt, blinking big blue eyes magnified through thick glasses. I think Elmer was right about those beans! Would you mind watching Gray for a moment?

Matt never got the chance to answer. Lil was off like a shot, one hand on her belly.

Grayson watched her disappear into the hall, then turned his attention back to his cards and methodically went down a row of TV numbers, marking them all.

So, you having any luck? Matt asked.

Grayson shrugged. I dont really like this game.

I dont like it, either, Matt confided. Too damn weird.

Grayson stopped marking his card and looked at Matt from the corner of his eye. Mom said there might be someone to play with, but theres not.

Someone to play with? Matt echoed incredulously, and twisted around, saw that Rebecca and Tom were back in the bingo hall, talking to a fat old lady on a scooter. He shoved his hand in his pocket, withdrew several peppermints he had picked up at lunch. Want one? he asked Grayson as he popped one into his mouth.

The child eyed the candy very closely. Im not supposed to eat it.

Oh, yeah? Why not?

Cuz theres something wrong with my teeth. Candy hurts them.

Ah, Matt said, and unwrapped one, holding it out. Live dangerously. This wont hurt you.

Grayson peered up at him, assessing him.

What, you dont believe me?

The kid responded by fixating on his tie.

Trust me, theres nothing wrong with your teeth. Your mom just says stuff like that because shes a mom, he

said. Moms can be a little strange, and I wont lie to you kid. Your mom may be a lot strange. He extended his hand a little farther. Come on, shell never know.

Grayson took the peppermint, put it in his mouth, and smiled. Matt fished in his pocket again, pulled out a few more, and opened his palm. Grayson took four, unwrapped them, and popped them into his mouth along with the first, which was not exactly what Matt had intended, but the kids cheeks puffed out like a chipmunks, and he couldnt help but laugh.

Grayson smiled, flashing a peppermint instead of teeth.

So what kind of games do you like? Matt asked, smiling.

Ooogeeah.

Ooogeeah?

Grayson laughed, his lips and tongue peppermint red. Yu-Gi-Oh! And Barbie, he added.

Matts testicles seized. Bar-bie? Whats the matter with you?

Grayson shrugged. I just like her, he said through the mouthful of peppermints.

Dear God. Look, pal, you have to ditch the Barbie. Shes for little girls. You dont want them calling you a girl at school, do you?

Grayson blinked as he considered it, then solemnly shook his head.

You do go to school, Matt added uncertainly. What, second or third grade?

Preschool.

Same deal. No one wants to be a wuss in any grade. He glanced over his shoulder again and started a little; it was as if she had been summoned by some spooky maternal radar Rebecca had turned around, was peering closely at them. And then she said something to Tom, started marching in their direction.

Uh-oh, muttered Grayson through his mouthful of peppermints, looking over his shoulder, too.

Uh-oh was right. Okay, stay cool, buddy, Matt muttered. I got your back.

Rebecca reached them as the announcer gave them the five-minute warning. She stood in front of them, her arms folded tightly, looked at Grayson first, then Matt. So whats going on?

Grayson looked helplessly at Matt. Hey! Matt said, plastering a smile on his face, Were just a couple of guys hanging out, thats all. So Vanna, dont they need you up on stage?

Grayson? she asked, ignoring Matt. The kid tried to be nonchalant about it, but his cheeks were bulging. Rebecca frowned at Matt, then leaned over her son, so that she was, literally, in his face, and held out her hand. Spit it out.

Ah, come on, let him have it, Matt whined as Grayson obediently spit out the five peppermints.

One would have been okay, Grayson. But five? She frowned at her son, but gave Matt a look that effectively put him on notice, and for a moment, he saw Tanya Kwitokowsky before him, arms folded, pinafore perfectly pressed. You re in trouble, Matthew Parrish!

Rebecca very primly put the peppermints in a napkin.

So this is family night for the Lears, huh? Matt asked, feeling a little on the reprimanded side.

Still frowning, Rebecca asked, You met Grandma?

Yes, I did. And she pointed out Grandpa, too.

Rebecca winced. The announcer didnt show, so Grandpa sort of stepped in.

Grandma likes bingo a whole lot, Grayson said with a roll of his eyes as he disappeared under the table.

So when is Tom up? Matt asked.

Rebecca didnt answer, just stepped over him and fell into Lil Stantons empty seat as her grandpa announced that the first game of the next session paid a double bonus for a bingo with an I-15, the response to which was a collective and appreciative gasp from the crowd that was beginning to filter back in, paper plates piled high with brisket, beans, and cole slaw. Wheres Grandma? she asked.

I dont know ... something about beans, he said. So

about that campaign speech, he continued, scooting over to Graysons seat, next to Rebecca, and ignoring the announcer and the gray hairs that were all atwitter over the I-15 twist. When is that, by the way? Before or after the ballroom dancing?

During this session, she said, and elbowed him in an apparent signal that he was to move over, which he refused to do. Until then, you could make yourself useful and help me do this, she said, perching on the end of her seat, taking one of the colored markers.

But

Rebecca pierced him with another arresting blue-eyed look. Matt. If youll just stop talking, I promise well see if we cant do your ballroom thing, she said impatiently. But Grandma will die if someone doesnt watch her cards.

Matt opened his mouth to speak and tell her it was a joke, that the last thing he would ever suggest was ballroom dancing, HELLO, and that they really just needed to get on with Toms speech. But then he realized her thigh was pressed against the full length of his, and he recalled that lovely thigh in all its firm fleshy splendor, and therefore, started looking for the B-21 Grandpa called to kick things off.