*****
In Wimberley Judy paced the floor with Billy Junior in her arms and cried with him. He screamed as if in unrelenting torment. As she paced, she looked up at the clock on the wall. It read 2:30 A.M. She mumbled, “Come on, John!” then continued her pacing and rocking, crying and bouncing the baby in her arms, mumbling steadily through her tears.
She thought maybe she was just aggravated because she was pregnant again and already showing. She believed she had gotten pregnant shortly after the ban was lifted after lil Billy was born. So, the next baby wouldn’t even be a year older than lil’ Billy!
As if on demand Big Billy slammed through the front door as if being chased by demons. He was instantly followed by John. They both stopped and stared at the emotionally shattered mother and the equally shattered six month old child in her arms.
Judy cried a squeaky scream of relief. The baby instantly went silent, as if struck mute, and reached for his daddy.
John took the baby and Judy both into his arms and kissed them. Billy laid his head angelically upon John’s chest and fell, almost instantly, asleep. “Long day?” John asked Judy.
“You wouldn’t believe it!” she replied. “I was beginning to wonder if history was going to repeat itself. Where’ve you been so late?”
“At the studio...”
“I’m starved!” Billy interrupted rudely. “They don’t believe in eatin’ when they’re recordin’!”
“You could’ve ordered a pizza or somethin’,” John replied in wonder.
“I didn’t have any money to pay for it!” Billy replied, once again starting for the kitchen.
“You could’ve told someone you were hungry, Billy,” John stated, as if inferring that if Billy was hungry it was his own fault.
“It’d be better if I had my own money. Then I wouldn’t have to beg!”
“That’s not begging!” John said. “It’s letting someone who cares know that you’re hungry.”
“Maybe he’s right, John,” Judy said, walking with them toward the kitchen. “Maybe he needs some money of his own.”
“Now we’re talkin’, Sis!” Billy said excitedly. “How much we talkin’ here? Keep in mind, I’m a growin’ boy! It takes a lot to keep me full! Plus, I have responsibilities now; a horse and a dog, a baby nephew...”
“Enough Billy,” John said with a smile. “We got the message. How about, fifty a week, to start?”
Judy smiled and kissed John on the lips. Billy squirmed his way in against them and hugged them tightly. “You’re the best brother-in-law ever, John!”
“Make you a deal,” John said, looking down at Big Billy, “You show me you have some sense and can handle your money and I’ll raise it to a hundred a week. Deal?”
“A hunnerd a week!” Billy yelled excitedly.
“If you prove you can be responsible.”
“I’ll make you proud, John!” Billy said seriously.
“You already do, Billy!” John responded.