Pink Flamingoed Read Online Free Page A

his grandparents,” Amy
said.
    “And his wife and four kids will be joining him next
week,” Melanie chimed in, while everyone else did their best not to give away
Brad’s secret.
    As soon as Amy could get Allison aside, Amy let her
know that Brad’s fictitious wife and four kids were strictly to keep Melanie at
bay. Allison easily understood.
    Amy returned to Brad in order to do her proper job of
tour guide and fill him in about Barney.
    “Hey, why can’t I be the one to tell Brad about the
neighbors?” Melanie asked. “After all, I am the real estate agent. Who
should know more about this street than I do?”
    “I picked Amy, because she knows the women on the
street as well as the men, and she doesn’t have to rub noses or cheeks with
Brad when she talks,” Cora replied.
    Amy did her best to tune out Melanie, as she told Brad
about Barney.
    “Barney is a sweet old man, although I can’t say much
for his wardrobe. Barney always wears a hat and a loud shirt, which is usually
a short-sleeved flowery one in the summer, and, summer or winter, Barney always
wears red socks, which, I might add, match his candy apple red 1949 Buick
convertible quite nicely. Barney and Bertha are an item. Neither of them has 
ever  married,  and  those  of  us  on the street wish Barney would hurry  up  
and  pop  the  question.  It’s   really funny to watch Barney back that red
Buick out of his driveway and drive two doors to Bertha’s and pull into her
driveway.”
    “That gives me something to look forward to,” Brad
replied.
    The group rang Barney’s doorbell. A few seconds later,
Barney threw open the door.
    “Is Bertha with you?” Barney asked.
    “Here I am, Sweet Pea,” Bertha replied.
    “And here I am, my Lotus Blossom,” Barney returned.
    “That’s strange. She could hardly hear me when I was
hollering in her ear, but just let Barney pop on the scene and her hearing
improves dramatically,” Cora said to no one in particular.
    “Does anyone know if Doc Ramsey’s at home?” Barney
asked.
    “I don’t know. Let’s just go over there and ring the
doorbell,” Cora replied.
    Brad turned to Amy. She already knew the question
before he asked. “Doc Ramsey lives next door. He is past seventy and still
practices medicine. Not only does he practice medicine, but he goes to work six
days a week and even makes house calls.”
    “I’ll be sure to make friends with him. Never know
when I might slip on the ice and need a doctor.”
    “Or a nurse,” Melanie butted in.
    “I thought you were a real estate agent,” Brad
replied.
    “I am, but if you’re the patient, I can be a nurse,
too.”
    As Cora managed to pull Melanie’s claws away from
Brad, Doc Ramsey’s car turned down the street. He pulled into his driveway just
before the group reached his house.
    “Hi, everyone. Is this the Christmas caroling night?”
    “It sure is, Doc. Come and join us.”
    “Don’t mind if I do. Will there be something to eat? I
haven’t eaten yet.”
    “There sure is,” Harry replied, “and the best thing is
it’s free.”
    “Next year, we’ll have it at your house, Harry, and
you’ll have to pay for it,” Cora said.
    “We won’t be able to do it at my house. My kitchen’s
too small,” Harry replied.
    “Your kitchen is the same size as mine, Harry,” Cora
responded.
    “Yeah, but Ethel’s getting up in age and it’s hard for
her to fix for people anymore.”
    “Does that mean that you’re going to start taking
Ethel out to eat, Harry?”
    “No, she’s still okay fixing for two. It’s those
bigger numbers she can’t handle.”
    “That’s okay, Harry. I’ll be glad to have it at my
house next year. Just make sure you buy all the food and drop it off.”
    Brad enjoyed listening to Cora and Harry go back and
forth. He also noticed that Frank, Cora’s husband, was smart enough to keep his
mouth shut. Brad was beginning to wonder if Harry and Cora were friends or foes
when Harry said