Generations

Generations Part 1, Chapter 7

Emit knocked hard on the plastic door to the trailer. Audree had the "Lux Modular Home" model with the particleboard door and full kitchen. He was certain at least some of Phyllis' cruelty could be explained as sour jealousy cultivated during "neighborly" coffees in Phyllis' kitchenette.

Phyllis answered the door in a full-length sweat suit that did little to hide her bony arms and hips. A menthol cigarette clung to the woman's lipstick and Emit noticed how close the wispy strands of bleach blonde hair hung to the cherry. He hoped for a slight breeze. "Hey Phyllis. You remember me? I'm Audree's brother. We've met loads of times."

"Right, it's Emit. Something wrong with Audree? Because you can tell her right now, her kid is not staying here one minute after eight thirty. And she owes me for this one."

"One of us could pay you if that's the problem. We don't have much, but I get the worker's comp check from my last job on Thursday."

She waved her cigarette back and forth to dismiss his words, making her look like an oddly colored praying mantis. "No, no, no," she said. "We're neighbors. Besides, I don't need her money."

"Anyway, she's fine. Just had a change of plans. She was able to get a half-day from her boss, so she's going to meet me and Nathan at the lake. That should free up your day."

"Oh? Did I miss her call? You know that damn phone isn't worth shit, going in and out all the time." Emit could hear the boys in the back room. One was crying, and he was pretty sure which.

"Yeah, yeah. She said she tried to reach you. So I got all his stuff from the house here with me. If I could just get him we'll be out of your hair."

"Nathaaaaaan!" She yelled into the open back bedroom, about ten feet from the front foyer.

Nate came running to the door, his face splotched with red. Emit noticed tear marks on his cheeks, but thought better than to mention it.

"Uncle Emit?" he said. "Where's Mom?"

"I talked to her and it looks like we can make it to the lake after all. I explained it all to your neighbor here."

Nathan looked to Phyllis, who was using the lit butt of her cigarette to light another. "Well, aren't you going, kid?" she said.

"We can really go?" he asked, now looking to his uncle. "I don't have to stay here any more?"

"Race you to the truck, Chief."