by D. M. Webb
She bounded across the floor. “Great! I’ll do it. And if you even try to remove the box from the trash, I’ll set the dumpster on fire!”
“You’re such a fire bug.” He shook his head as his sister picked up the box and left the apartment. Leave it to his nosy and bossy big sister to take matters into her own hands.
He took his empty plate into the kitchen. Placed the casserole in the refrigerator and started to reach for another beer. His hand paused. Darlene would question him drinking another bottle. Better not chance drinking brew number four.
She slipped back inside. “So? You got a broom?”
He shut the refrigerator door. “You can’t be serious about cleaning my apartment, can you?” He opened his small pantry and pulled out a skinny, cheap broom.
“Yup. But, you aren’t to do anything. Sit back. Watch your movie and let me clean.” She took the broom from him and started sweeping his kitchenette.
“I can’t do that while you’re here. Let me help.”
“You worked five, twenty-four-hour shifts with no day off until now. And even if you did manage to get some sleep at the station, those bunks can‘t be that comfortable.” She shoved him away and towards his chair. “Sit. I’ll clean this up once. Unpack a few things for you. Oh, and I got Marty bringing you a small table and shelf. It used to be in my study, but I bought new ones a few months ago. Might as well make use of it. They were only collecting dust in my garage.”
David sank into his chair. Still feeling like a bum, he watched as she quickly worked the floor. “You don’t have to do this. And it feels weird watching a movie and watching you clean.”
“Then don’t watch. Tell me about your days. How’s the new job going for you?”
He sighed and lowered the chair back. With a flick of his thumb across his game controller, he turned off the Xbox console. “Not bad. A little bit of a change from St. Louis, but a welcome change. Oh, did I tell you the other day about the new grant application?”
“No.” She moved into his living area and started unpacking a box of dishes. “You think y’all going to get it?”
“Hope so. We could use new sets of turnouts and new medical equipment.” He crossed his ankles. With a full belly, drowsiness descended upon him. His words slurred. His eyes became heavy. Maybe it was a full belly and the three beers. Bumps and thuds echoed from Darlene’s direction. “Anyway, I got Thomas looking over what I wrote.”
“You know how to write grant applications?”
“Took the course two years ago. Chief at the St. Louis station requested it.” He yawned. Darlene had to be bored with him talking about work. “I don’t need to bore you.”
“Oh, it’s not a bore. But you can tell me about Maggie.”
He opened an eye and glared at her. She cast him an overly bright smile as she lined up his CDs, stacking them on the floor. His small stereo sat against the wall on top of a small box, the subwoofers and speakers stretched out around it. Must have been the bump he heard.
“There’s nothing to tell. Tried to have dinner but got called out. Nothing to tell.”
An REO Speedwagon CD started playing. “Would you tell me if there was?”
He smiled and let the music surround him. Maybe some day there would be something to tell. “Probably not. Probably not, big sister.”
“Yeah, I kinda figured that.” Another thump and metal scraping sounded from her corner. That had to be his small shelving unit. “Besides, I can get more info from Maggie herself. Learn nice little tidbits about you.”
“Yeah, right. Can’t goad me today, Darl-ling.” She snorted at the nickname. He resisted the urge to snort back.
Darlene would be out of luck. Maggie would never kiss-and-tell, and neither would he. Man, what a kiss that was.
The song switched over to a softer ballad. His head grew heavy. Darlene’s voice buzzed on and on. Something about Jeremy and the river, but it was all mush. The music drifted with him until he floated away. Somewhere in that hazy fog, his name echoed.
: : : : :
Jeremy waited for Darlene to answer the phone. He pulled his truck up to the station and hopped out.
He slung his duffel bag over his shoulder as she picked up on the fifth ring.
“Hey! I couldn’t find my phone for a second.”
He rolled his eyes. Darlene and her phone. “You should get a flashing neon one. Then you wouldn’t misplace it.”
“Hmm. I don’t think they make sparkly, neon green ones.” A small crash came through the line. “Oops. Sorry about that. This shelving unit isn’t quite easy to put together.”
“You need more shelves? Your house is practically a book shelf in itself.” He slipped into the cool interior of the station. No one occupied the locker room as he entered.
“Oh, I’m at David’s. Brought him a casserole. And decided to unpack his stuff for him.”
Jeremy shook his head as he pulled his tactical vest out of his locker. “Hold on while I put you on speaker. I gotta get dressed for work.” He set the phone on the nearby table.
“I thought you had the night off.” Her voice echoed in the small room.
“No. That’s next weekend. But never fear, I do have tomorrow off.” He smiled at her sigh of relief. “So, why are you unpacking dear little brother’s things? And where is our troublemaker?”
“He’s asleep in his chair. I was talking to him and the next minute–boom! Out like the proverbial light.” Another bump. “I found something interesting while unpacking.”
Jeremy snapped his uniform shirt. “Let me guess. The porn.”
“You knew!”
He laughed as he buckled his belt, shifting his paraphernalia in place. Stupid baton kept smacking him where it had no business smacking him. “Yeah. Saw it last Saturday. What did he do when you found it?”
“Oh, jumped around like a monkey. Said, ‘I bought them last year,’ ‘the articles are good,’ and ‘I was planning on throwing them away.’”
Jeremy chuckled at Darlene’s fine rendition of David’s voice and scooped up the phone. He perched on the bench near the lockers. “Did he throw them away?”
“Oh, no. I did. Anyway, why would any man look at those? I mean, the models have fake assets, for crying out loud!”
Jeremy choked. The things that came out of his sister’s mouth. “Most single men look at them. I did when I was younger.”
“Too much info!”
“Hey, that was a long time ago. Before airbrushing. Before marriage. Before common sense. Before God.”
“Still. What would you say if you found Dennis with the magazine or worse yet, Sophie with one?”
Jeremy pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t even want to harbor that idea.”
“Or worse, like I told dear little brother, what if he bought one and there was Sophie on the centerfold?”
Jeremy fumbled with the phone, catching it before it hit the floor. No way would his little girl ever be that stupid. “Not cool, Darlene.”
“Yup, that’s what he said. Anyway, I threw them out. He didn’t seem to mind.”
“He was probably just too lazy to make the effort to do it himself. Who knows what he was up to while in the big city.”
“Drinking and partying? Chasing women? Who knows.” She grunted a couple of times. “Whew! I don’t know what he has in this foot locker, but it’s heavy. Been trying to push it to his bed.”
“You are actually cleaning his place?” He scowled. His confounded brother got all the special treatment.
“Only this once. He’s worked five days straight, Jer. It’ll make him feel better. Although I thought he would keep me company instead of falling asleep like he did. Made it. Footlocker is now at the foot of the bed.”
Jeremy rose from the bench, nodded a greeting to Baers, and slipped outside. He needed a cigarette before the shift started. “He must have been tired.”
“Either that or the three beers. I found the empty bottles as I was cleaning.”
/> “Hey, can’t fault a man for wanting a beer. I drink them too. Especially after a hard day.” His Zippo scratched and sent a small flame upwards. The tip of his Marlboro glowed as he inhaled.
“Yuck. Don’t know how y’all stand the stuff. Anyway, I’m almost through. Gonna make his bed. Are you and Sarah still bringing the floats? I know the water will still be cold, but it’s gonna be a hot day tomorrow. I think they forecasted the lower nineties or somewhere along that line. I think the weather forgot what month this was.”
He inhaled another drag. “Yeah. Still bringing them. I’ll see you tomorrow. And stop pampering David so much.”
“Jealous.” She giggled. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Love ya, big brother.”
“Love you, Darl-ling.” He closed his phone and leaned against the brick wall. So Darlene found the pornography magazines. Hope it embarrassed the fool out of David. Served him right.
He flicked the butt to the ground and stepped inside. Another long night waited for him. He didn’t have the luxury of thinking about his bullheaded brother. Let alone think about his secrets.
Baers handed him a stack of paperwork. “You look deep in thought.”
Jeremy shook his head. “Nah. Not really. Just wondering what it would take to get my sister to clean up my house too.”
Baers arched his brow.
Jeremy ignored him and handed him the last sheet. “Here. Give this one to Markston. Let him take that route tonight. I’ll take the inner streets.” Like he said, he had no time to think about his brother. Not tonight.
Chapter 10
“MISS MAGGIE, ARE YOU sure I can’t take my seahorse? Grandmamma bought it last year. I think the duck tape is still on it. I–”
“No. There will be floats there. Come on, hop up into the truck.” Maggie ushered Poppy’s still chatting form into the cab. She shook her head at the child as she closed the passenger door and rounded the front. Poppy’s voice greeted her as she opened the driver’s door. She smiled. The kid never hushed.
“–and I told Sophie yesterday that I was happy to be able to go. It’ll be so much fun. Will Mr. David be there, Miss Maggie? He’s so nice. Sophie said he was, and Sophie is always right, you know. She knows a lot.”
Maggie put the truck in reverse and backed out of the parsonage’s driveway. Within moments, interspersed with a few of Poppy’s praises for Sophie, she arrived at the riverside picnic site. Cars and trucks littered the edges of the road. She peered through her lashes as she got out of the truck and pulled her covered dish from the seat. No sign of the red motorcycle. Not yet. She held back her sigh.
“Miss Maggie, can I go on down to the pier? I see Sophie there.”
Maggie ruffled Poppy’s hair. “Go ahead, sweetie. And stay out of the water. You can’t swim, and I don’t feel like getting wet today.” But she was talking to thin air as Poppy’s skinny body hurled itself in reckless abandon down to the water’s edge. Maggie shook her head and kicked the door closed. Three days of constant badgering about the picnic from the excited child. Amazing that Poppy restrained herself this long.
Maggie navigated the worn dirt path that led to the wooden pier. At the base of the path, the women of the church had tables erected and covered with food and drinks.
Maggie slid through a throng of teenagers.
“Hey, Miss Maggie!”
“Is that your cinnamon bites?”
“Love your sandals!”
“Miss Maggie, glad you made it.”
The chorus of their voices worked a smile out of her.
Two of the boys followed her as she set her largest casserole dish on the table by the pies and cakes.
“Hey, not now.” She slapped their hands as they snagged the small cinnamon and sugar coated biscuit bites.
They laughed and took off, each with a handful of the treats. She rolled her eyes. Doubtful there would be any left by the time they sat down to eat.
“Maggie, I was afraid you wouldn’t make it.” Sarah rounded the corner of the table and wrapped her into a hug.
Maggie returned the embrace. “I had a tough time convincing Poppy that she didn’t need her seahorse float. She seems to think the duct tape would keep it afloat.”
“Poor child. Where is she now?”
Maggie pointed to the pier where Poppy stood next to the raven-haired Sophie and her friend Amy Myers. “She has determined that Sophie is her new best friend.”
Sarah laughed and squeezed the dishes closer together as another woman set her items on the table. “Sophie adores her. She told me last night that she is going to make sure Poppy is happy. She even went through her closet to choose some shirts for her.”
Maggie closed her eyes to hold back the tears that threatened to pour forth. She pressed her fingertips against her trembling lips. Never had she thought another person could care for Poppy like she herself could.
“Oh, Maggie, sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Sarah pulled at her arm, leading her away from the table and over to an empty area near the water’s edge.
The tall blades of grass swayed in the gentle wind. Children squealed and laughed. Poppy and Sophie threatened the older boys who splashed water at them. People milled around the pier or the tables laden with food, or they lounged on the chairs and chaises dotting the small bank. These were her church family. Poppy’s church family.
Sarah rubbed her hand up and down Maggie’s upper arm. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Maggie brushed at her eyes, swiping the tears away. “It just hit me suddenly that I don’t have to do this alone. For the last year or so, I kept believing that I was alone in taking care of Poppy. Until now.” She motioned at the people. “Poppy has a family. And look at her. She’s so happy with Sophie. But it won’t last. Josephine comes home, and then Poppy will be back in that miserable house.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Her cousin pulled her into a tight embrace. “Even though she’ll be back there, we’ll always be here for Poppy and for you.” Sarah held her at arm’s length and peered at her. “Jeremy told me the other day that he’ll make sure he drives by Poppy’s home on his route to make sure she’s okay.”
Maggie sank down to the ground and wrapped her arms around her knees. “But why? Strike that. I know why, but I don’t understand the reasoning. Poppy isn’t yours or anyone’s responsibility.”
Sarah’s shoulder brushed against her as she sat beside her, her flip-flops sliding slightly in the mud. “You love Poppy. And through that, we have come to love her. Look at them. Even the boys care about her.”
Maggie watched as Dennis held Poppy’s hand as she negotiated the slippery bank to the water’s edge. Marty Jr. stood ankle deep in the water, his hand held out as Poppy was transferred to him. With an easy lunge, she hopped up onto Marty’s back as he gave her a piggy back ride into waist-deep water. Her high-pitched laughter echoed over to Maggie.
Maggie sniffled. “I never thought I would be so blessed to know such a sweet child. And she talks incessantly about David.”
Sarah laughed. “He has that charm over ladies, that’s for sure.”
Maggie plucked at a grass blade. Embarrassment stole over her. “Can I ask you something?”
“Hmm. Let me guess. About that darling, troublemaker brother-in-law of mine?”
Maggie giggled and immediately clamped her hand over her mouth. Good gracious, she sounded like a schoolgirl. “Yeah. I talked to him the night when I picked up Poppy.”
“And?” Sarah leaned back on her hands and watched the children’s horseplay.
“And. . .we talked. And. . .” She plucked another blade of grass and twisted it around her finger. “And we kissed.”
Sarah gasped and turned so fast that her ponytail slapped her across the chin. “No! You waited until now to tell me?” She sat up, practically bouncing. “Do tell. How was it? What happened?”
Heat spread across Maggie’s face. Oh, boy. She should have kept her mouth shut, but she had to tell someone. A shadow fell across her.
She looked up as Darlene plopped down beside her.
“Hey. What’s up? What’s the gossip?”
Sarah leaned forward, motioning Darlene closer. “Maggie was just about to tell me about her kiss with David.”
Darlene covered her mouth with her hands. Her muffled voice held a hint of glee. “No!” She dropped her hands and gripped Maggie’s. “Do tell, do tell. I knew something was up when I was at his apartment yesterday.”
Maggie squinted at Darlene. “What do you mean?”
Darlene waved a hand. “Oh, I asked about you, and he had this little smile. But he wouldn’t tell me. So . . .”
Another blush worked its way across her cheeks. The heat flowed down her neck, or maybe that was the sun. “Well, we were talking about Poppy. Sitting on my tailgate.”
“Oh, I like the tailgate talks.”
“Hush, Sarah. Let her speak.”
Maggie smiled at Darlene. Another blade of grass fell victim to her fingers. “It wasn’t planned or anything, but he leaned in and kissed me. But . . .”
“But?” Sarah frowned. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“Well, that’s what I wanted to speak to you about. And you, Darlene. He . . .” She bit at her lip. How should she word this?
“Did he try to coerce you? Or get you to do something you didn’t want to?” Darlene’s eyes narrowed.
“No.” Maggie patted at Darlene’s hand. “No. Nothing like that. I mean, it got a little carried away. Oh, boy, what a kiss.” Heat flamed through her again. “But I broke away. It scared me. You know how my last relationship ended. I was afraid I was about to go down that road again.”
Darlene put her arm around Maggie’s shoulders. “Smart girl. As much as I love my brother, I know how he is.”
Maggie shrugged. “What if he isn’t ready for a serious relationship? I mean, I heard the rumors about him and his conquests. Is that true?”
Sarah laughed. “No. Not at all. Of course, his attitude back then didn’t help dispel any of those rumors.”
