The next second, I gasped like I had just realized what was happening, my face twisting in fear before bursting into loud sobs.
“Aren’t we getting caramel apples?”
Probably worried my crying would wake the neighbors, Jethro and Melinda crouched down, shushing me and trying to calm me down.
Mabel and Fabienne, two women standing nearby, chimed in.
“Shh, don’t cry, kiddo. If you marry this little girl when you grow up, you’ll get something even sweeter than caramel apples!”
I sniffled, pretending to believe them. “Really?”
They sighed in relief and nodded eagerly.
I pointed at little Gracie, who was drooling all over herself. “But I’m just a kid. How can I marry her?”
They chuckled. “That’s how it works. Boys grow up and get married. If you two are promised to each other now, you’ll grow up together and love each other more. Her whole family will take care of you!”
“Oh.”
I acted like I understood and nodded obediently.
They relaxed and turned back to Jethro and Melinda.
“The boy’s yours now. That truck we came in is too damn noticeable parked at the edge of town. How about you go ahead and settle the rest of that $30,000?”
Jethro nodded and told Melinda to grab the money.