The Drip, a novel by Michael Gullo
-and a box of those fell all over the road-
-didja pick em up?-
-called and she’s not coming-
“Michael, when you parked at Brenda’s did you see any packages?”
“Expecting an Amazon?”
“The sink elbow. I had to order it.”
“I’ll go look again.”
“Hi, My Love. How was church?”
“Did you get the golf cart?”
-it’s so mild-
“First thing, and Tanner picked it up. Got it charging at the shed.”
-That’s Sydney and FD-
“Did you recruit any riders?”
“I’m comin’.”
“David’s in. Any others?”
-I had to go all the way back to Carl Owenby’s, get the switch cut though the bag-
“You replaced that switch already, Dwight?”
“Yep.”
“I told you to let me do it.”
“I ain’t let my niece do upkeep on my own cabin.”
“Fine, stubborn.”
“Did you figure the house seat yet?”
-they hung a TV and fixed a toilet-
“Are you talking about J&S?”
“J&S?”
-is that Camryn? Where’s Jared? -
“J&S Services at your service.”
-what?-
“Jen and the kids moved into Jean’s house, and these two been taking out toilets and installing outlets. Michael and the guys came up one day to put a pocket door in the bathroom.”
-the new one is grey-
“Don’t get any bright ideas, Scott. You’re no damsel in distress.”
“Angie is though.”
“And Angie has you.”
-I want a popsicle – me too – put your shoes on –
“Janice, did you make the spisstashio puddin’?”
“You know I did, David.”
-it was my car – in the shed – no, that was the other one -
“Ethan, did you get the cake off my counter before we left?”
“You know I did, Mamaw.”
“Tommy. Where’s the plates?”
“I got them with the cake, Mamaw.”
“Food’s ready, David. Give us the blessing.”
“Heavenly Father. We love you so very much and thank you every day for this family and the many gifts that you have bestowed upon us. We thank you for these flowers and this meal and this day and all the beautiful days before it. In Jesus’ name.”
“Amen.”
-Viola I said shoes – where’s the forks – and then he tried to tell me – Michael –
“Michael, what?”
“I was just telling Carly you’d fix Mamaw’s sink.”
“Oh yeah, the package.”
“Mama, can me and Viola go outside?”
“Sure, baby. Stay in front.”
“I’m going across to Brenda’s package. I’ll keep an eye.”
“You two listen to Michael.”
“Let’s go, Ladies.”
“Do we get to ride in the spaceship?”
“No, he’s not driving somewhere.”
“We can just go up and down the driveway, Dwight’s and back, Mama.”
“No.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Spaceship! Spaceship! Spaceship.”
“You better put your shoes on if you’re going to stomp your feet like that.”
“Let’s go.”
“Oh, Brendalynn, by the wrist and everything.”
“Come on, old man. You’re taking Viola and me on a spaceship ride.”
“Michael, did you buy an electric golf cart?”
“I did, Josh. Is Tatum coming with me and the girls?”
“I’m coming too. I never seen that thing.”
“Merrier it is.”
“Kendall?”
“No, I’ll stay here.”
“Move it, old man.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Pa, are we going on a real spaceship?”
“No, Tatum. It just sounds like one.”
“Looks like one too.”
“Viola’s got a point. It does look pretty spacey.”
“And it flies. Thousand horse power, none of it wasted. Zero to one hundred measured inside a quarter mile and twelve seconds.”
“You gotta be kidding me.”
“Nope. Ask Jason.”
“You’re not going that fast with those children, Michael.”
“No, Janice. Promise. This drive is spaceship shaped only.”
“You don’t even have child seats, Michael.”
“I know, My Love. We’re not even leaving the holler – Brenda’s to Dwight’s and back again to Mernie’s.”