Cherry Skies

Chapter 7 - Surprise, Sis!

While staying with her little sister, Elizabeth washes what clothes she and Katie packed in a hurry the day they left. Elizabeth sits around in the living room, relaxing when she comes across a photo album. Curious, she picks it up and begins to rummage through the memory associated with each photo.

"Wow, this feels so unreal." She says to herself with a prolonged breath.

Elizabeth flips through all her old dance team photos and comes across her portrait from senior year.

"Meredith, Kayla, Betty, and Quinn, I missed all of you after we graduated."

"Quinn never left town. She actually manages the Captain D's over on Collier Lane." Lucinda calls out, surprising her sister.

"Holy mother of God! Don't sneak up on me like that!" Elizabeth shrieks.

Lucinda gets a good laugh once her sister turns as white as paper and stands in the doorway waving Elizabeth over.

"C'mon, Katie is out with Kevin helping with the horses and doing some light chores. She's beginning to feel comfortable with us, I think. Come with me to pick up lunch, my treat."

Against her judgment, Elizabeth tries to get out of going.

"I can't; I have laundry to do and stuff."

"Horseshit, now get up off your lazy ass, and let's go! I know you have stuff in the dryer. So, take a load off your shoulders, and let's go enjoy lunch, please."

With a quick thump of the photo album, Elizabeth gets to her feet and joins her sister out in her truck. Lucinda can't help but smile as they make their way into town.

They pull into the parking lot, and the aroma of freshly fried food begins to turn Elizabeth's stomach.

"Ugh, it's probably been since I was pregnant with Katie that I ate actual fast food and not take out from upscale places," Elizabeth mentions with the smell of fish frying in the air.

"Well, sorry to burst your bubble, little lady, but we here in the far country enjoy us some fast food when we ain't cookin' at home." Lucinda reminds her sister of the more traditional things about their small hometown.

A nod and holding the door open, the two sisters poke and playfully push the other until they reach the counter.

"Hi, welcome to Captain D's. How may I help you?" The young man working the register greets them.

"Just need the family chicken platter and a deep-fried catfish combo, please. Also, two large sweet teas as well." Lucinda orders without looking over the menu.

"Very good choices, anything else, ma'am?"

"Yes, when this is finished, go find Quinn, your manager, for me, please and tell her that momma hen is here."

With a smirk and the push of a few buttons, the young man finishes up his job and slides the credit card forward. Once the sale is complete, he makes his way back to the office, relaying the message to the manager. A couple of minutes go by, and the girls stand and wait. It isn't long when Quinn walks out from the back with a surprise for Elizabeth.

"Wow! I did not expect you to be extremely pregnant!" Elizabeth lets slip before she slaps her hand over her mouth.

"Still the same ole Ellie, always pop off at the mouth then instantly regret it. I've missed you so much, Ellie, but this little one ain't mine." Quinn explains, leaving Elizabeth in wonder.

"Wait...what?"

"I'm being a surrogate for a couple in Boulder. They can't have kids. The lady has endometriosis and suffered four miscarriages. So, they cover all the medical bills, and well, I'm receiving like twenty-eight grand for it to boot. I can fix up my house with that money." Quinn explains with her hands placed on her belly.