Once Upon A Half-Time 2(119)

Just a normal afternoon.

“There’s gotta be a bar open somewhere,” Delta said. She winked at me. “Don’t worry about Johnny or the debts. You’re taking care of it.”

“I don’t worry about the money.” That was a lie. I sighed. “I worry more about Granddad. He’s not been the same since the fire. He really loved to be working and…useful.”

“Maybe one day?”

I doubted it. “That’s why Maddox was so good for him. They used to work well together. Granddad trained him, taught him everything he knew. Maddox could take over his business now, and Granddad could consult. I’m sure they’d make a lot of money doing it.”

“But Josie…no one’s going to let him in their house now.”

She was probably right. It just wasn’t fair.

“I know what you think of him,” I said. “I know what everyone thinks of him. But Maddox isn’t as bad as they say. He’s just different. Came from a rough family.”

Delta didn’t believe me. “He used to do drug deals for his family.”

“Because his dad would beat his mom and Chelsea if he didn’t.”

That quieted her. She shrugged. “I’m glad they went to jail.”

I wasn’t. The law stepped in too late, the first time it let him down. I wished Maddox had a better chance at life. His parents went to prison, he ran away from home, and Chelsea had to do things no one Saint Christie could imagine.

“The gang in Ironfield was the only family he ever had,” I said. “Chelsea wasn’t able to take care of herself, and he was alone. What do you think that does to a young kid?” I bit my lip. “What do you think it does to a grown man?”

Delta had her theories, but she didn’t share. She nodded, watching as two men walked the path, cutting between the park and the converted tennis courts to City Hall. They saw me.

And they both detoured to talk with me.

“Ever think I’m too noticeable in this town?” I asked.

Delta giggled. “You’re the chocolate swirl in a pint of vanilla, that’s for sure.”

Chief Craig and Councilman Grossi carried their usual tennis equipment. They both smiled as they approached, and I braced for another round of gossip. Delta gave her uncle a kiss, and the Councilman winked at me.

The police chief was an older man who blew past gray and turned silver on his fortieth birthday. Not that there was much crime in the town that would give him stress, but chasing geese from the pond and the junior high kids smoking behind the school kept him busy.

Chief Craig leaned on the stairs to the gazebo and pretended to make small talk.

“Hey, Josie. How’s Matt doing?”

I must have forgotten to post on Facebook, and Mrs. Greentree and Luann McMannis were slacking on their daily report on his health.

“He’s good.”

Chief Craig stuffed his hands in his pocket. “We’re missing him on the bowling league. Think you’re up to taking his spot?”

“I doubt I’d be much help.” I shrugged. “Not unless they let me use those bumpers over the gutters?”

He laughed. “My boys use them all the time. Taylor is starting to win on his own, but Aidan still kicks the ball down the lane.”

Councilman Grossi snorted. “Told you we needed a youth soccer team. You could even coach.”

“In all my spare time.”

“Make it a DARE initiative. Keep the kids off the drugs, we might get some free soccer gear. Think about it.”

Delta rolled her eyes. “Is everything politics to you, Uncle Mike?”

“Most things.” The Councilman looked like he could have used a soccer team himself. His suit clung a little too tight, and his tennis bag dropped for a Powerbar that looked suspiciously like a Milky Way. “Speaking of, Josie…”

“Uh-oh,” I said.

“Got some news from Bob Ragen.”

“That can’t be good.”

“He’s been calling the council, demanding we make a judgement on the lot line dispute.”

I groaned. “The shop isn’t even standing anymore. How can he have setback issues if there’s no building to encroach on his property line?”

“He’s saying the property was subdivided incorrectly and illegally back in the 60s,” he said.

Delta pretended to snore. I wished I could too, but Bob had been harassing Granddad and Nana for years. He only got in my face a few years ago. Coincidentally when I started dating Maddox, but a lot of the older generation had a problem with that.

I sighed. “Does the town have the original plans?”

Councilman Grassi laughed. So did the Chief.

“Your tax dollars at work,” the councilman winked.