Chapter 13

"So what's this about your folks tying the knot again?" Bryan asked Audrey during the rummage sale.

"Wow, good news travels fast around this neighborhood, doesn't it? I guess we can thank Francesca for that. But yeah, they're renewing their vows on their wedding anniversary. Things were great until a couple days ago when Heath came in from school with a long face. He's been a downer since."

"What's wrong with my little buddy?" Bryan wondered. "Did he lose his best friend or something?"

"Daddy's his best friend," Audrey pointed out. "No, it isn't that. He had this big crush on some girl named Justine at school and the one time he finally gets up the nerve to ask her to the spring dance, she said no!"

"Oh shit. Is that chick blind or something? Heath's a great guy."

Audrey shook her head. "Probably more like she's one of those shallow bitches that goes for tall jock types or some shit. Poor Heath. Even as much as he can get on my nerves sometimes, I can't help but feel bad for him. He's nice to girls, just like Daddy always was nice to them. Why would someone turn down a boy just because of his height or something really stupid?"

"The girl's damn loss," Bryan shook his head, and then lit up. "Hey, I just thought of something!"

"Well, do share. I'd listen to anything right now if it meant getting this dark cloud off the top of my little brother's head."

"Here's the deal. My cousin happens to be coming to town that week; she's Heath's age and won't really know any kids around here. Kellie's kind of shy, but I honestly think she'll get a kick out of Heath."

Audrey smiled widely. "Bryan, are you by any chance trying to play matchmaker for my baby brother?"

"Wouldn't hurt to try," he shrugged. "She'll know someone here and it might get him out of his funk about being turned down by some girl for the dance."

She liked the idea immediately. "Imagine Heath showing up with a cute little blonde girl. Yeah, I think we should do this!"

"Good. I'll come over with Kellie when they arrive at the end of the week. I don't think our mopey young man will be disappointed much longer."

Meanwhile:

A few tables away, Steffi had tapped Heath. "Honey, there's someone waiting to pay for something. Can you focus for a few minutes and take care of that?"

Heath came out of his fog. "Huh? Oh sure, Mom, I can do it."

As he went over to take care of the customer, Steffi sighed. Heath had been so depressed the last week or so since a girl at school had refused to go to the dance with him. Even all the pep talks she and Brian had given Heath didn't seem to sink in.

What would it take? Steffi wondered.

Heath came back, pasted on smile gone, and once again slumped in the lawn chair.

"Honey, really, it's been over a week. As you can see, the world hasn't ended."

"Yeah, just everyone's going to the dance except me. I'm such a loser. Why did I have to be so short? Girls would like me if I were bigger, I bet."

Steffi sighed. "Heath, your dad and I went through this with you. I seriously doubt it had anything to do with you or your height. Maybe someone asked her already and she's going with them. Plus I'm sure there's other nice girls you could go with. I bet one is just waiting for you to ask her."

"Yeah, right," Heath snorted before they saw Audrey heading over, smiling brightly.

"What's with her?" he asked. "Did she get to second base with Bryan or something?"

"Oh, for heaven's sake," Steffi shook her head before directing her attention to Audrey. "Hey there. How's it going at your table?"

"Pretty brisk," Audrey nodded. "I think we're about sold out of everything. Considering most of it belonged to Daddy, we shouldn't be shocked, though."

"It's all for a good cause. The shelter will love the proceeds of the sale," Steffi agreed.

"Yeah. Anyway, could I talk to you alone for a second?"

"Sure," Steffi replied, as the two of them went away from Heath's earshot. "What's happening?"

"Bryan may have come up with an idea to get Heath out of his mood," Audrey said.

Steffi was very interested. "Do tell."

"Have you seen his cousin Kellie? The tiny girl with blonde hair? She and Heath are the same age and Bryan thinks she would be good to go with Heath to his dance."

"I don't know, sweetheart; I doubt your brother would appreciate his sister and friend trying to fix him up."

"Oh, come on, Mom. Uncle Dallas fixed up you and Daddy. Besides, Heath and Kellie would look so cute together."

"Audrey, Kellie doesn't even go to his school."

"So? People from other places go to different school functions all the time. Please, Mom? Would you rather see him fixed up with Kellie or sitting around feeling sorry for himself for another month?"

Steffi thought a moment. "Come to think of it, the lesser of two evils doesn't sound too bad. When is this little girl due to visit?"

"Bryan says the end of the week."

"Perfect," Steffi smiled. "Just enough time for her and Heath to get to know each other and your dad will be home too."

"Guys!" Heath yelled from a distance, holding up a box. "How much for all these DVD's?"

"Price is on the bottom, Heath," Audrey replied before turning her attention back to Steffi. "We better get to work quickly on little brother before he decides to become a hermit."

"I totally agree," Steffi nodded before going back to the table. "Right now, I better make sure he isn't under selling something."