Narrator
1: It was the
custom of Jolene’s family to go to a picture show with Abe’s family
on Friday nights, but something seemed strange one Friday. Her
momma changed into her yellow Sunday church dress!
Narrator
2: Now, her
momma wore that dress to church and to Wednesday night prayer meetings,
but she NEVER wore it to the picture show on Friday nights!
Jolene:
Aren’t we going
to the picture show, Momma?
Momma:
Grandpa will go
with you tonight.
Jolene:
Why aren’t you
coming? Do you have a special church meeting tonight?
Momma:
No, Jolene.
Tonight, Mr. Leroy Redfield is taking me dancing.
Jolene:
But you don’t dance.
Momma:
I used to dance
all the time, didn’t I, Daddy?
Grandpa:
She sure did, Jolene.
Your momma kicked up her heels and shimmied with the best of them.
Momma:
In fact, it was
your grandpa who taught me to shimmy.
Jolene:
Show me how to
shimmy, Momma! Teach me to dance!
Momma:
Here let me turn
on the radio. (40’s music comes on) Now, hold my hand
and twirl with me!
(Jolene
and Momma laugh and giggle as music plays. Then, there is
a knock on the door. Music fades.)
Leroy:
Well, Ruby-Gal,
you look as pretty as moonlight! Are you ready?
Momma:
Wait a minute,
Leroy. I need to get my purse. Jolene, where’s your
manners? Aren’t you going to greet Mr. Redfield?
Leroy:
Just call me Leroy,
Jolene. That’ll suit me just fine.
Jolene:
Hello, Mister.
Narrator
1: Jolene’s
momma didn’t hear her call him Mister, but Grandpa did. He
frowned, lowering his thick gray eyebrows.
Narrator
2: Jolene
was afraid Grandpa was about to order her to apologize, but Leroy
just laughed.
Leroy:
Ah--hahh-hahh!
(laughing loudly)
Jolene:
Why do you have
to go dancing with him?
Momma:
Because, honey,
I want to go dancing with Leroy.
Jolene:
But, I can dance
now. Take me dancing!
Momma:
One day, you’ll
grow up and a young man will take you dancing. I’m afraid
that day will be here before you know it.
Jolene:
NEVER! I’ll
never go dancing with anyone but you and Grandpa!
Momma:
We’ll see. Are my seams straight?
Jolene:
Yes, ma’am. What time will you be home?
Grandpa:
Ah-hum... (clearing his throat loudly)
Leroy:
Oh, I think I can get this young lady back home by, say...ten o’clock.
Is that okay with you? Good-night, Foster, and good-night
to you, too, Jolene.
Momma:
(kiss) Have
fun at the picture show.
Narrator
1: Jolene
knelt on the couch, watching from the window as they left.
Grandpa tapped Jolene on the shoulder.
Grandpa:
Enough, Jolene. Go and get your coat on before Abe gets here.
Jolene:
I don’t feel so good. (groaning)
Grandpa:
Well, I guess there’s
only one thing to do. Cod-liver oil, then off to bed!
Narrator
2: Jolene
watched the clock on her dresser until fifteen minutes after ten
when she heard Leroy’s old truck rattle to a stop. She tiptoed
to the window and peeped through the flour-sack curtains.
Then, she dashed out of her bedroom and reached the front room just
as Momma turned the knob and pulled open the door. Momma was
startled!
Momma:
Jolene! What are you doing up?
Jolene:
Mister, you are
late!
-----Now,
read the rest of the book! It gets better and better!-----
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Mister and Me along
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