Making Waves by Cassandra King

turned back to her. “Actually, I adore sherry,” I said. “Happens to be my favorite.”
    Ellis poured me a tiny, gold-rimmed glassful and I forced myself to kill it. Sonny laughed like hell.
    â€œSugar, how about pouring me some burgundy instead?” he said with a snort. “I don’t have Cousin Taylor’s refined tastes, evidently.”
    I ignored him and turned back to Ellis. In spite of her friendly greeting, now that we were actually face to face, I saw that she was uncomfortable. Unless she had gone senile, she’d have to remember our last encounter, and remember it with shame. She didn’t look my way but fiddled with the tray of drinks instead.
    â€œSo, Ellis. You are now one of the family,” I said. “How did you and Sonny come to marry? I didn’t even know you were going together.”
    At this, Sonny moved in protectively to his new bride and put a big flabby arm around her. “A good friend fixed us up. Luckiest day of my life.”
    He grinned his lopsided Elvis grin at her and I stared in astonishment. I’ll be damned. I believed old Sonny might be in love after all!
    However, I couldn’t resist goading him. Old habits die hard. “I hear that you are not only blissfully married, Sonny, but also that you’re actually working now. With Uncle Cleve, driving the hearse.”
    Sonny preened at this and ducked his shiny, sleek head, looking at Ellis shyly. “That’s right. Gotta provide for the little woman here.”
    They continued to moon into each other’s eyes and I continued to marvel. Sonny didn’t like it that I was watching them, for he turned suddenly and jumped my ass.
    â€œNow listen, Taylor. After that last stunt you pulled, things are just beginning to settle down here. I don’t know what kind of crap Aunt Della is telling you, but we’re all fine. Perfectly fine. We don’t need you coming in here and stirring everything up again.”
    â€œThat’s the last thing I want, Sonny.”
    â€œDaddy Clark’s health ain’t so good either, though he never lets on. He sure don’t need you messing everybody’s life up again.”
    â€œSince when did you get so solicitous of Daddy Clark, Sonny?”
    â€œHe’s getting on in years, and as I said, his health—”
    I laughed at that. “Oh, come on. The old fart will outlive both of us and you know it. I just want him to lay off Aunt Della. That’s the only thing I’m concerned about. She wants to stay where she is, not have him stick her in some smelly nursing home.”
    To my surprise, Ellis turned sharply and glared at me, her nostrils actually flaring like a feisty mare. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Taylor! I figured Miss Della was telling people that. Nobody’s trying to force her to do anything. You just don’t know how she’s gotten lately.”
    I was about to tell Ellis to mind her own prissy business when Sonny laughed rudely.
    â€œHow could he know? He’s not been here to see about her; we have. He’s so worried about her, when he’s the one who almost put her in an early grave. She was doing fine until two years ago, when he almost killed Tim Sullivan—”
    Ellis grabbed Sonny’s arm as I took a step toward him. As usual, Sonny took a step back. “Shut up, Sonny,” I snarled at him. “You shitass—just shut up about that.” Damn. And I was determined not to blow my cool.
    Saved by the bell. At that very moment, the front door banged open and my Aunt Frances Martha came out onto the porch. Without hesitation, she squealed my name and held out her arms to me. “Taylor—oh, precious baby Taylor!” She’d always called me “Tay-were,” which folks around town thought cute as hell.
    I rushed into her fat open arms, safe and sheltered again by a dear old aunt who’d been another mother figure