Hit the Road, Manny: A Manny Files Novel

by Christian Burch

  Lulu stepped forward and opened up her copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. She cleared her throat, “Ahem,” like she wanted everybody in the botanical garden and in the lobby to give her their attention. She spoke clearly and loudly, just like she had been taught in debate class.

  “‘I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win…’” Then Lulu paused before she looked up from her book and at Uncle Max and the manny and finished, “‘But you sometimes do.’”

  Lulu put her book down at her side, and the Elton John look-alike nodded at Uncle Max and the manny.

  Uncle Max and the manny kissed. A few ladies who were walking by clapped. Lulu bowed and said, “Thank you very much,” like they were clapping for her and not for Uncle Max and the manny. Then she joined in on Uncle Max and the manny’s hug. She didn’t even squeal because they were kissing.

  I joined in too.

  The tiny woman with the CD player pushed play. It was the same song that the manny had been singing along to at the concert. The one where butterflies are free to fly.

  “‘Someone saved my life tonight sugar bear.’”

  Sugar Bear.

  Dear Sarah,

  We just ate dinner at a place called Circo to celebrate Uncle Max and the manny’s wedding ceremony. It was so good and we felt like movie stars because the waiter came up at the end of the meal and told us that the meal had already been paid for and then he read a note that said, “Matty and Max, we’re sorry we couldn’t be there. We’re so happy for you. Love, Mom and Dad and Captain Fantastic.”

  I can’t wait to see you again,

  Keats

  P. S. Most people are really nice when you finally see them.