Aunt Katie’s Place

by Eleanor Jones

Near the Great Pee Dee River along a winding dirt road that seemed to extend into eternity lived my Aunt Katie Little. Mini Mimi and I gazed from the backseat as Mama chauffeured us past the spooky Carolina pine trees and spiraling vines. It always seemed to rain on the days we visited Aunt Katie; but, once we moseyed up to the white bungalow with the screened porch, we found bright flowers and sunshine. Happiness shone on people there — Katie in her signature floral muumuu, Uncle Lee snoring on his porch rocker, plus whoever darn well wanted to drop by for a free meal.