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With Nero back, I switched up my questioning. I hinted at things that might be off-limits and danced around things that were probably too sensitive. But when I asked her what she had wanted to be when she grew up, I seemed to hit an unexpected nerve.
Tears filled her eyes as she explained.
“I wanted to be a ballerina.”
“You wanted to be a dancer, Mama? I didn’t know that about you.”
“Yep. I took classes and was very good. That’s why you can dance around the field like you do. You got that from me.”
“Not from his dad?” I asked casually.
She didn’t respond. I was thinking she would ignore it completely, until she said, “He got his athletics from his dad. He got his dancing from me.”
I didn’t react because I was trying to keep her comfortable. But Nero couldn’t help himself. He stared at her with his mouth hanging open.
“I got it from my dad?”
“That’s what I said. Now, how about we try some of those moonshine muffins over there. Do you think they have alcohol in them?”
“Maybe. But what I really want to know is…”
I subtly put my hand on his forearm to silence him. He took my suggestion. Now that she unlocked the door, I knew I could get her to open it. But it was going to be a delicate operation. I was glad that Nero trusted me to execute it.
Purchasing a few of the muffins, we ate them as we caught up with Cage and Quin. Quin was walking around in his mascot costume posing for pictures with people while Cage attentively kept watch.
“It’s quite the turnout,” Cage said scanning the area. “Dr. Sonya should be pleased.”
“Titus should be, too. He’s all about these types of things,” Nero said.
I turned to Quin. “You alright in there?”
“We didn’t make armholes, or a hole to breathe through!”
“Oh yeah,” I realized with a laugh. “Sorry, it was my first moonshine jug costume.”
“I’m dying in here!”
“You can take it off whenever you want, ya know? I think you’ve done your duty,” Cage told him.
“No, I can do it. I just need some water.”
“Quin, why didn’t you tell me that. Okay, I’m gonna get this one some water. What do you think? Pop the cork and pour it in?” Cage said with a smirk.
“It’s not funny!” Quin exclaimed.
We all silently laughed. We had made eye holes but we had covered it with a fabric that made it hard to see through. I didn’t think he would catch us.
“You know I can see you laughing, right? It’s not funny!”
“That’s right everyone,” Cage said pretending he wasn’t laughing too. “It’s not funny. Quin is doing something very nice for the town. We should all thank him for it.”
“Quin, you’re doing a great job,” Miss Roman said.
“Bang-up job,” Nero told him.
“You are wearing that moonshine jug!” I said enthusiastically.
“Whatever. Cage, lead me away from here.”
