Gator Bowl Read Online Free PDF Page B

was memorable.”
    Bonnie chuckled at that. “Something tells me your food is gonna be memorable, too. My stomach is saying it right now. I hope it’s time to eat.”
    We took the food into the house and were preparing to eat when a large group of Uncle Saul’s friends arrived. There wasn’t enough room for everyone inside, so we migrated to the large picnic table in the yard.
    At that point, I started worrying about whether there was enough food. Another six mouths to feed made a big difference. I didn’t say anything to Uncle Saul—it was good for him to commiserate with his friends over what had happened with Norman. I made a quick batch of spicy cornbread and stuck it in the oven. Just as the fish and corn disappeared, the cornbread was ready. It was snatched up as quickly as I put it on the table.
    I went back in for the banana pudding, glad that it was a large dishpan full of the creamy dessert. Uncle Saul was getting more beer at the same time.
    â€œThe food was great. You’re gonna turn those people’s heads in Mobile when you get started.”
    â€œThanks. I get it all from you. If it wasn’t for your love of food, I’d only have ink in my veins.”
    â€œThat’s a good one. I guess that’s true considering your daddy is a banker and your mama is a lawyer. It would be ink or money. You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, Zoe girl. You could do anything. I love that you want to feed people and make them happy.”
    He hugged me, then took the beer outside. I followed with the heavy pan of banana pudding. There were plenty of plastic cups to serve it in. People could just use their forks to eat it.
    I noticed that Ollie was still missing and filled a cup with banana pudding to take to him.
    He was in the shed working on the Airstream again. His head and most of his chest were under the hood, and I saw a big tattoo of a dragon on his bare back. He made a few grunting sounds as he worked. I cleared my throat and asked if he’d like some dessert.
    Apparently my voice startled him. He hit his head on the hood above him and swore. “Sorry, Zoe. It slipped out.”
    I sat down on a stump near where he was working. “I’ve heard much worse from my mother.”
    â€œYeah, I know what you mean. My mother could make a sailor blush.” He came out from under the hood, took the banana pudding I’d offered, and sat on the ground beside me.
    â€œYou know, I didn’t mean you had to work on the motorhome all the time,” I told him. “I think you’ve earned a rest for the day.”
    â€œGood pudding.” He grinned. “I think I’ve almost got her started. I’d like to hear the engine before I bunk down for the night.”
    â€œYou know all about me now, Ollie. What about you? Where do you live? What do you do?”
    â€œI’ve got no life to speak of.” He shoveled banana pudding into his mouth. “I was in the Marines once. That was a long time ago. I don’t really have a story to tell anymore.”
    It made me want to cry the way he said it. I could see this was a man who’d been hurt. I wished I could help him, but I knew it was a remote possibility that I would ever see him again once we left Farmville. He seemed too closed and scarred to lightly tell me what had happened to him. I would probably never know.
    â€œYou said you were looking for the best food to use in your food truck,” Ollie stated. “You could sure make this banana pudding. It’s the best I’ve ever had. I could see you having a big banana on top of the motorhome. You could call it the Banana Boat.”
    My smile was a little sad. “It
is
the best banana pudding, but I didn’t make it. Uncle Saul perfected it while he was running his restaurant.”
    â€œOh. Sorry, Zoe. I didn’t get any of the fish, but the cornbread was good.”
    I decided I was taking this quest too