Just Beyond the Curve

by Larry Huddleston

  *****

  Judy was jerked out of her sleep by the insistent ringing of the phone. She reached for it, thinking John was calling to say he was going to be late.

  “‘lo?” she answered with a smile, then her smile dropped as she listened. Her eyes opened wide, she dropped the phone and began to cry and scream as gut retching agony filled her.

  “Momma!” she screamed fighting her way out of the bed and onto her feet. “Momma!” she screamed again, fighting her way into her night coat. Then lil Billy began to scream his protest at being awakened. “Momma!” Judy shrieked, racing for the door, not hearing lil Billy.

  In the hallway Misty appeared in her doorway as Judy slammed out of her bedroom, then Billy appeared in his in time to hear Misty asked, “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  “Danny Floyd shot John at the studio!” she yelled, her face crumbling, her whole body beginning to shake with terror. “He’s hurt real bad, Momma!”

  Misty seemed to collapse with the news. Billy began to cry. He ran to Judy and held her around the waist. He thought, absurdly, that she was losing weight, since having the baby. Then Misty was squeezing his head into Judy’s breasts and her own.

  “Why?” Misty demanded.

  “Is he dead?” Billy cried miserably.

  “I don’t know,” Judy replied to both questions. “We have to get to him!” she added, her panic beginning to overpower her reasoning.

  “Let’s just calm down,” Misty cautioned her. “If he’s gonna live, he’ll be alive when we get there. Now, let’s get dressed, get the baby and get to Austin without killing ourselves. Hurry now! Let’s get busy!”