Runabout by Pamela Morsi Page B

the magic of the moment.
    }"Tulsy! The ring!" he suddenly called out to her.
    }Glancing back she saw the shiny, brilliant brass ring dangling along the side of the merry-go-round. She knew capturing it would mean a prize.
    }Clinging precariously to the pole, she leaned as far as she could. Beyond the loud music of the calliope and the excited giggles and shouts of children, Tulsa May could hear Luther Briggs cheering her on.
    }It was closer now, daring her, luring her. It glimmered in the sunshine, bright and shiny, perfectly round, like a halo or a wedding ring.
    }Tulsa May grabbed. Nearly unseating herself in the effort, her hands clamped only around emptiness. She'd missed. Her eyes turned to Luther in disappointment only to find him cheering. She felt a tug on her arm and looked down in disbelief. The brass ring dangled loosely upon her wrist.
    }
    }The high-backed wooden wheelchair got stuck momentarily in the buggy ruts and Emma Dix had to put her back into it to get the contraption moving again.
    }"Willie! What a delight!"
    }Emma cringed slightly when she saw the man walking toward them. Keeping her eyes down, she nonetheless continued forward.
    }"Good day, Preacher." The wasted old man in the wheelchair spoke in greeting as he waved weakly in acknowledgment of his old friend.
    }Reverend Bruder clasped the pale, age-spotted hand in his own and smiled down in genuine affection.
    }"I'm so glad you were able to join us, Willie," he said. "There's to be singing this afternoon and it just wouldn't be the same without you."
    }The old man chuckled in modest gratitude before gesturing to Emma. "My little gal wouldn't have it no other way but for me to come," he said with more than a hint of pride. "Little Emma is the best daughter a man ever had, Preacher. And I thank the good Lord every day for returning her to me."
    }Reverend Bruder cleared his throat nervously and gave the barest nod of acknowledgment in Emma's direction.
    }For her part, Emma seemed as ill at ease as the preacher. When Dr. Foote joined the three it seemed nearly a godsend.
    }"Mr. Dix." Doc Odie hailed the frail man in the chair first. "It's good to see you outside for a change."
    }"The weather's perfect." The reverend looked up at the blue sky.
    }Doc Odie nodded in tacit agreement. "There's some thunderheads building up north," he said, gesturing to some dark clouds on the distant horizon. "But the wind's blowing them to the east, so they may miss us. As long as the sun shines, it'll be right good for your health to get a breath of fresh air."
    }The old man nodded. "My Emma, she brought me," he told the doctor in a quavering voice.
    }Doc Odie smiled easily at Emma before turning his attention once more to her father. "You are a lucky man indeed, Willie Dix," he said. "Not only do you have a devoted and bright daughter, but a competent nurse." He raised his eyebrows in a warm, friendly smile. "And a pretty one to boot," he whispered.
    }Willie laughed out loud. It was a pleasant, joyful sound that had been missing from community gatherings for the past few years.
    }"My Emma is the image of her dear mother," Dix told the doctor proudly. "But truth be told, I'm not too modest to say the girl got her good sense from me."
    }The gentlemen made the suitable replies. Emma, however, still stood somewhat to the side.
    }Finally, Odie Foote changed the subject.
    }"Preacher, I've just come from your house," he said. "I was thinking to escort Miss Tulsa May, as a friend of course, to show that there are no hard feelings. But I guess you and Mrs. Bruder already brought her."
    }Reverend Bruder puffed up slightly with what could only be the sin of pride. "No, I didn't bring her at all. Tulsa May seems to have cast her interest in another direction these days."
    }"Another direction?" Doc Odie was clearly puzzled.
    }"She has a new gentleman caller," the preacher stated baldly.
    }Doc Odie stared at Reverend Bruder as if the older man had lost his mind.
    }The reverend's smile