Just Claire by Jean Ann Williams Page A

and ducked under the table. Lolly giggled and ClaireLee said, “Shush.”
    â€œBut, Sissy Pie,” she whispered aloud, “I like this game.”
    â€œI said, shhh.” Curled in a ball against her sister, she stretched her neck and peeked around the room at floor level. Wendy Lavender wore the same smug expression and wiggled her fingers at ClaireLee, and she ignored her. When she apologizes for calling me a grade flunker, maybe I’ll be nice to her.
    Mrs. Reed said, “Stay quiet until I say otherwise. If Russians were to shoot missiles, you would be under your desks for much longer.”
    Again, Lolly laughed. ClaireLee pressed a palm over her sister’s mouth, and her fingers touched the smudge of gravy crust left over from breakfast. I’m not afraid of a war. I’m more afraid of being alone another night with the kids. What would happen to them if Mama didn’t come back from the hospital? What would happen to me?
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    T he following day in the lunchroom, ClaireLee reflected on her conversation with Big Red from last night. I still can’t believe Mama and Daddy weren’t with him.
    Belinda parked her chin on ClaireLee’s shoulder, startling her and making her jump. “You scared the life out of me.” She poked out her elbows to make more room between Lolly and Belinda, and then adjusted Lolly’s lopsided bib napkin.
    â€œYou’re too quiet.” Belinda responded by scooting half a seat away. “And ya didn’t answer me.”
    â€œI didn’t hear you.” ClaireLee lifted the top bread of her sandwich and sprinkled raisins on her peanut butter.
    â€œI asked if you were mulling over stuff.”
    â€œIf it means thinking about things,” ClaireLee cupped her hand around her sandwich— “then yes, I’m mulling over stuff.”
    â€œWell?” Belinda inched closer. “What about?”
    Concentrating on an even pressure, ClaireLee smashed her bread thinner between her palms. “Big Red came over last night and gave me a message from Daddy.”
    â€œYeah, he drove our school bus, again.” Belinda arched her unscarred brow. “Tell me what he said.”
    Although she was ready to take a bite, she set the sandwich on her napkin. “Mama needs more rest in the hospital, and Daddy’s not leaving.”
    â€œAh, shucks, you’re still alone. I’ll ask Grandma if we could stay with ya until your folks get back.”
    About to roll her eyes, ClaireLee blinked instead. What if I didn’t like her grandma? I’d be stuck. “Thanks, but we’ll be fine. Big Red said if I need anything to give a holler. And, he told Daddy he would check on us often.”
    â€œDid your daddy just start on the tunnel?”
    Needing to finish her food, ClaireLee chewed another mouthful before answering. “Daddy’s been here for months, and we had to come, so he could deliver the new baby. When do you think the tunnel job will be done? I want to go back home to Oregon.”
    â€œNot for a long time.” Belinda drank from her milk carton, gulping down the contents. “How do I look? Do I have a mustache?”
    ClaireLee brushed away imaginary hairs, unwilling to comment. Silly? Goofy? A clown? “Nice.”
    Even more like a clown, Belinda’s eyes danced and her milk mouth wobbled. “Guess what?”
    She swept bread crumbs from the table and into her hand. “I give up.”
    To ClaireLee’s relief, Belinda swiped her mouth clean with a napkin. “Besides us having the same birthday month, I was born at home like you.”
    There she goes again, deciding she knows all about me. “No, I was born in a hospital. Daddy delivered all the kids after me.”
    Reaching behind her head, Belinda pushed her ponytail tighter. “I had an exciting birth, but I don’t remember it.” Her laugh ended with a snort. “My ma almost birthed me in