Benny dug a tissue from his cargo pocket and blew his nose. There was only one tissue left in the plastic wrapper. If he didn't stop crying like a baby, he'd have to buy more at the next store. He wouldn't have to use any of the bag money either. He still had some of his allowance. Mama taught him how to save and buy only things he really needed.
He finished wiping his nose and pulled the tissue away. "Gah!" The awfulest smell he ever smelled sucked up his nose and into his mouth. It grabbed the back of his throat and he gagged. For a scary second, he thought he would start throwing up again. He slapped his hands over his face, but the smell leaked through. Smells like somebody bombed the outhouse, as Daddy liked to say after a fart.
Benny shot an accusing look at the back of his dad's head. "You're sick!" he said, his words muffled because he didn't want to uncover his mouth and nose. "Go to the hospital!"
"Mercy." Grace yanked her hat off and fanned her face.
Daddy looked at both of them, his eyes scrunched like he was trying hard not to crack up. "I didn't do it."
Benny looked at Grace.
"That stink ain't me!" she squeaked.
Daddy's eyes watered. "Damn! Must be a pig farm around here somewheres."
A scene from Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome popped into Benny's head. Where Bartertown gets its energy. From pig shit cometh... "Methane," he said out loud.
"Boy, I'll say!" Daddy made a choked sound and put his arm across his mouth and nose and steered the car with one hand.
Grace fanned her hat harder. "Smells like enough methane to run the whole blessed country." Benny thought her hat might fly apart any second. "Forget what I said about slowin' down. Get us outta here!"
Daddy put his other hand back on the steering wheel. "Yes, ma'am!"
Benny felt his body press deep into the seat and a hot gust of stinky air pushed at his cowboy hat as Daddy made the car fly like the wind.
Grace jammed her hat down far on her head and held tight to the bag of money still on her lap. "I'll say one thing. You boys sure know how to show a lady a good time."
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