Chapter 53

“’Night, Mopp.”

“Hmm? Oh, g’night, Miss Becca.” He squinted as he watched her leave the room. She was so pretty, in a dress of blue velvet that matched her eyes. Not as pretty as his Jan, of course, but—

“C’mon, Billy Bob. Let’s go to bed.”

He smiled up at his girlfriend, who was standing before him, her hand extended. He blinked. “Why’re you swaying back and forth?” He wished she’d stop. It was starting to make him seasick.

“Are you drunk?”

“Nope. ’m never drunk.”

“Well, you’re sure givin’ a good impression of it. I’mgoin’ to bed. You can come or not, that’s up to you.” She must have had a bit too much to drink as well. She was losing her g’s, something she was always careful about.

“But….” He stared after her as she flounced out of the room. “What’d I do?” he asked plaintively.

“You didn’t do anything, Mopp.”

He looked up to see Mr. Cooper standing there, gazing into the cup of punch he held.

“I must’ve done something.”