Chapter 2- Anderson County Recipe
"You're welcome, Momma." I yelled back as I was heading down the porch steps. She had just made an emergency batch of the recipe for Mayor Mulligan. He was our biggest and most important customer. He was also conducting interviews for a new town doctor today. I have no idea why he needs the recipe for that.
Good thing I have no need for doctors. All us boys are healthy as horses. But I'm the healthiest. And did I mention the biggest? The McCarty's are renowned for being healthy. Great-grampa Milton just died last year of old age at ninety five. I don't think I ever saw him sick once.
Yes sir, I can't wait till I'm about ninety, sitting on my porch with my old lady next to me. Hmm, maybe not. I can't seem to find a girl that I can stand that long. Maybe Flora Higgins. Maybe I'll ask to walk her home from church tomorrow. Or maybe Claire Fazenbaker…or Dorothy Martin…or Penny…
"Emmett- WAIT FOR MEEEEEE" George yelled. I sighed to myself. He was always stuck seventeen feet up my ass.
"Georgie, go back inside." No eight year old brother of mine was running recipe. Hell, he ain't even tasted it yet!
"Please, Emmett! Let me come with you. I wanna try and sneak a peek at the new doctors." He replied.
So there it is. Georgie dreamed of becoming a doctor. He's been obsessed with the idea ever since he had the measles last spring.
This pretty boy doctor appeared from New York or New Hampshire or hell, I don't know. One of the New states. Anyways, he was apparently traveling through the area and was kind enough to treat Wolf Valley for the measles that were going around. I can't even remember his damn name now. I started with a "C", I think. Or maybe a "Q."
"Please? Pretty, pretty please?" he wailed. "You are my most favorite brother in the whole state of Tennessee!"
Holy mother of God could that kid whine! Daddy says he could whine the good Lord himself into sipping the recipe.
"Fine, come on." I replied. "But you cannot make a peep when we get to Mulligan's house. Do you hear me?" I looked over at Georgie. He looked like a little pup. If he had a tail, it would've been wagging to beat the ban.
"Yes, sir. You won't even know I'm there. And don't worry, I won't embarrass you in front of Miss Ruby, neither." He looked at me with that famous McCarty grin and dimple combo as we were pulling out of the yard where our car was parked.
I may have forgotten to mention that tomato seed ear Ruby's last name is Mulligan. Yes, the town merry go round is the mayor's daughter. That little shit head brother of mine thought he was being funny. I spun into a doughnut right in the middle of the road.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Georgie screamed. They probably heard that bellow in Richmond. I gave him my serious big brother look.
"I'm turning this car around and you are going to go back in there with Momma." I knew that would get him.
"I'm sorry Em." He looked like he was gonna bawl. "I'm really sorry. I won't mention Tomato Head again."
With that I belly laughed, turned the car around and headed into town.