the boy’s side. “Even the I-talians,” he said, chuckling.
“So why are we standing around?” Lily said, as if George had been addressing his comments to her all along. “Last one across the field is a rotten egg!” She sprinted ahead of them, hoping the blush of her cheeks would be mistaken for exertion, but slowed soon enough with a stitch in her side.
George pulled Janetta by the arm, and the two took the lead. Little Frankie hung back initially, but quickly caught up with Lily. “I’m not sure this is a good idea,” he said. “No telling what George has in mind.”
“Don’t worry,” was all she could think to say, as they made their way past the birches, into a forest of golden ash trees whose leaves had already changed.
Frankie walked ahead of Lily, lifting fallen branches, clearing a path. “Watch where you’re walking,” he said.
“Over here!” George’s voice thundered from up ahead.
Lily noticed a wooden structure about twenty feet in front of her, too small for the four of them to share. The roof rose to the height of a full-grown man, but the walls only reached the halfway point. George entered through what could be described as more of a gate than door, and handed items out to Janetta.
“Never knew there was a turkey blind out here till my brother mentioned it.” He grabbed a quilt and stepped back outside. “He found it hunting with a buddy of his. Makes a pretty good hiding place.” He snapped the cover across the ground and looked at Janetta. “It’s going to get chilly,” he said to her. “I have a couple more blankets in the car. Would you mind?” Before Janetta could object, he kissed her cheek. “I thought you wanted to spoon in the moonlight.”
“Don’t start without me,” she said, winking.
“Wouldn’t think of it.” George kissed her on the nose and squeezed her behind. “We’ll wait right here.” He motioned for Lily and Frankie to sit as Janetta walked away. “And grab a plate of those doughnuts if there’s any left.”
As soon as Janetta disappeared, George unwrapped newspaper from around three of the four quarts of homemade beer he’d stashed in the turkey blind. “Down the hatch,” he said, passing two of the bottles to his companions. George watched as Lily touched the beer to her lips without drinking. “Still yellow, I see.”
Lily looked at him straight on, took three large gulps, and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She closed her eyes to keep them from tearing as the beer burned its way down her throat. When she raised the bottle again, Frankie pried it from her fingers.
“Give the lady what she wants,” George said, offering his beer to Lily with one hand while removing a flask from inside his coat.
“She’s had enough.” Frankie grabbed Lily’s arm.
“Let go!” She pulled away and took a generous swig. “I’m not leaving till I talk to George.”
“You have to drink a little more first.” George tipped the bottle up to her lips and held it there.
Frankie stood. “You told me to bring her here so you could apologize. That was it.”
“I’ll apologize,” George said evenly.
Lily looked up, and pointed at Frankie with the bottle. “You brought me here for him?” She turned to George. “This wasn’t a . . .” she stopped to think of the word and giggled at her momentary lapse, “coincidence?”
“I’m taking you home,” Frankie said. When Lily didn’t budge, he added, “You don’t need him. He looked down at his shoes. “A girl like you could have her pick of guys.”
“Well, I’ll be.” George squinted up. “The Guinea’s in love.” He slapped his leg. “That deserves a drink.” He pushed Lily’s beer to her mouth again. They both laughed and the foam dribbled down her chin.
“Don’t be silly,” she said to Frankie. “George is trying to make up with me.”
George draped his arm around Lily and pulled her into his chest. “Get outta here,” he said to Frankie. “I like to say my sorrys in private.” He winked and tossed the flask to him. “Compliments of the house.” He leaned into Lily and nuzzled her neck. “Now go find Janetta before she comes back,” he said to the boy, “and keep her company for a while.” He winked again.
“You’re too good for him.” Frankie stretched his arm toward Lily once more. She put down her beer and waved him away as George pulled her in for a kiss.
Frankie stood for a moment longer, watching as George lowered Lily onto the blanket, their lips locked throughout the descent. “Son of a bitch,” Frankie mumbled. He unscrewed the flask, poured its contents down his throat, tossed the empty container aside, and walked away.
George stretched toward one of the bottles and placed it in Lily’s open hand.
Lily caught her breath and half sat up. “I need to say something.”
“Sure,” George replied, taking a swig from the beer she held. His fingers trailed the length of her neck, lingering at the top curve of her breast. He pushed her back down, rolled on top of her, and kissed her hard.
She shivered underneath his weight. “I’m scared,” she said weakly.
“That’s how love feels.”
“Tell me you love me.”
“I love you, baby.”
She pushed his head back a little so she could see into his eyes. “Who else do you love?”
“Nobody. Just you. Just my beautiful baby.”
“I’ll baby you.” Janetta stepped onto the blanket and threw a napkin filled with doughnuts at George’s head.
George jumped up, shaking powered sugar out of his hair.
“Send me on a wild goose chase!” She kicked over a half-empty bottle. “For Little Miss Goody Two Shoes over there?” Her foot landed in George’s shin and he buckled slightly. “Nothing but a dirty two-timer, that’s what you are.”
Lily sat up, pulled herself over to a tree, and leaned against it, a safe distance from the scuffle.
George took Janetta’s arm and leaned in close. “Let me explain.” He looked at Lily again. “Later.”
“Never you mind, George Sherman.” Janetta wriggled out of his grip. “You told me I was your girl.” She spit in Lily’s direction. “Just remember,” she leaned in close to George and lowered her voice, “she’ll never do for you like I done. We both know it.” Janetta kicked over the second bottle of beer and stormed away.
As soon as Janetta had disappeared into the trees, George turned back to Lily and sat down. “Now where were we?” His pressed his palm against her thigh and circled the flesh with his thumb.
“Everything’s ruined!” Lily burst into tears. “It’s not supposed to be this way.” She pushed his hand away and pulled her legs up to her chest.
George
