Chapter 3

While the McCormick family gathered around the table for Sunday dinner, the morning’s rain moved east and the sun came out. Dixie managed to keep the boys in their seats long enough to finish eating, but the instant she gave the nod, she could have sworn their legs were spring loaded. They leaped from their chairs and flew out the back door. A moment later the basketball made a splat, splat, splat against the wet driveway.

Dixie let out a sigh. “I know I used to have that much energy sometime in my past, but I sure don’t remember it.”

“Old age settin’ in?” Pops asked, his tongue plainly in his cheek.

He knew just the right buttons to push. Her back straightened as if she’d taken a hit with a cattle prod. “Bite your tongue.”

Pops chuckled. “What you need, little girl, is a vacation.”

“Yeah, like that’s going to happen.” She pushed herself up from the table and moved to the counter. “Pie?”

“Did I cook it?” he asked. “Of course. It’s apple.”

“Then I’ll take a slice. You know, if you were