"Rich" Aunt Clara

Well, Mama didn't plan on going home that much was plain from the minute we started driving. I sat in stony silence in the backset between Tom and Sarah. Abby got to sit in the front because it was her turn.

Abby kept on chattering to Mama about the stupid things her doll was doing. I decided to ignore everyone. When Sarah dropped her pappy and started to cry, I just let her.

Mama turned around and said, "Where is Sarah's pappy?"

"She dropped it." Tom supplied.

"Will one of you please find it and give it back to her?" Mama asked.

"Jr is closer to her them me." Tom said.

"Jr, please find her pappy." Mama told me.

"I don't see it." I said even though it was a lie.

"That's why you need to look for it." Mama replied.

"Jr knows where it is," said Tom "He saw it fall down."

"Shut up Tom! Before I kick your ass." I threatened.

"Jr, don't use words like that. And give your sister back her pappy." Mama said.

"But I don't have it." I said.

"Well, get it and give it back."

"Why should I?" I challenged.

"Because if you don't, I'm going to stop this car right here and make you wish you had."

"I don't see why she needs the dumb thing anyway." I grumbled as I reached down and got Sarah's pappy. I cleaned it off and handed it back to her and she shut up.

"Thank you, Jr." Mama said.

"You're not welcome." I replied.

We all rode in silence for a few minutes until Tom said "Mama when're we gonna eat?"

"Pretty soon. We're almost there." said Mama.

"Where we going?" asked Abby.

"We're going to see Aunt Clara", said Mama.

"Why?" asked Abby.

"Because she'll help us", said Mama.

"When are we going home?" asked Tom.

Mama ignored this question as she pulled into a bright parking lot. Mama shut off the car and went around to get Sarah out of her car seat. Then she grabbed the bags from the back. Sarah started fussing because of the bright lights and Mama took a minute to cover her face with her hand.

As we all piled out of the car, we noticed that we were in front of a big pretty building. I noticed that it had a swimming pool on the side and lights everywhere. It looked like the hotels we stayed in when we went on vacation only much better.

"Where is this place, Mama?" asked Tom.

"This is where your Aunt Clara works." Mama told us.

"It's pretty," said Abby "It looks just like a castle."

"Yes, it is very pretty", said Mama.

"What does Aunt Clara do here?' I asked even though I meant not to talk to Mama at all.

"She cleans rooms", said Mama.

"You mean she's a servant?" I said.

"No. She's a maid. There is a difference." Mama replied.

"I don't see one." I muttered.

"Don't let me catch you saying that your aunt." Mama warned as we hurried inside the fancy hotel.