March Stephenson

March Stephenson

Chapter 48

Maxieplus

"They have two weeks Nicky, we went through the menu and made up a more manageable one. We dropped forty items Nick they didn't say anything but I could see the relief in their faces. Faith and I will work in the kitchen until Brock and Ben know what they are doing. They have six casuals and three full-timers, so they don't need any more staff, really it's all about the organization. They will be doing less work and we will promote it more on the local page and surrounding areas." Mum was telling me.

"Are they happy?"

"Very Nicky, March has once again saved another family from bankruptcy." Faith smiled, I think she likes my husband a little.

"It won't be too taxing on you both?"

Mum looked at Faith and they both laughed.

"Not at all," Mum said.

We had been sitting outside the cafe in the sun. March will be here soon for lunch and the ladies had just finished their meeting with Brock and Ben.

"What do we do about Betty getting the house?"

"I will remind her about the photos and letters," I said.

"Will she see sense?"

"Probably not, but at least she will know I'm still watching her, and she will also know the photos may end up on the memories page."

They laughed again then March turned up.

"The roast is nice today March."

"Nicky I think I'm all roasted out."

"The salad rolls are good here also."

He looked at me and then said to mum.

"Two curries thank you." he grinned.

"Did they work it out?" He asked me.

"Yes March, a walk in the park for them, they have redone the menu and will work the restaurant for a month just to supervise. If it all goes belly up I will talk mum into buying it."

"No, she can't."

"Why not?"

"She's needed here."

"Fine, I won't then."

I have to get onto Pete to visit Betty, to remind her the house wasn't hers it belonged to the boy's father. I was hoping he would stay for a few days when he delivered March's order. I had looked at his list and made a new one under protest, but when I showed him the extras we had in the garage he relented and thanked me. He had doubled up on a few items and I don't need five toaster ovens.

Back at work, I did ring Pete, he laughed down the phone and after I gave him the relevant address and message he said he would see me soon. I then took a stack of photos from the suitcase and started making more copies. These were of the Stephenson farm, paddocks dams the old homestead, workers, the barn being built all of that. When I finished the three dozen copies I started slowly uploading them to the memories site. I didn't want to put them all on at once, just now and then. Plenty of people commented and plenty liked and loved them. March went through a stack at afternoon tea time, he didn't know the people in the snaps, but they were his family. Faith went through them all and found six to place on her hallway walls. I noticed one of them was the photo I found in March's tool kit of March-May and their parents outside the farmhouse. I was warmed that she included them in the farm's history. Around two he came in and asked if I wanted to go for a drive to see Brock and Ben, he wanted to see for himself if they were okay. I grabbed the 'kids' and took them over to May, and then we jumped in the truck and headed for the restaurant. It was dead and no diners except Brock and Ben sitting at one of the tables. They were pleased to see us and offered coffee. We declined the offer and March asked how they were coping.

"Really good March, Nicky, your mum is full of ideas, and Faith I know helps run that farm and veggie barn successfully she had good ideas also. We have decided to keep the opening days the same. At the moment we are working on a menu for Friday, we want to make it a local day, they have deserted us over the last few years."

"That sounds like an excellent idea, what have you got in mind?"

"Twenty dollar chicken Parmigiana. It's open to everyone but if they show their driver's license and prove they live in the area they get it for fifteen dollars, we want to interact with the community more, and in some way apologize for the damage Jayne has done."

"Well done. I am sure Brenda will put many announcements on the local page, it might be an idea to go and talk with her just to get her on side. It won't take much boys, but as you know she almost runs this town. How can Nicky and I help?" March said.

"You have both done enough March, and once again we apologize."

"I have an idea I am working on, it's about you both getting Jaynes home back from Betty, it may backfire but I am going to give it a try," I said.

"Just about impossible I think Nicky, the will won't be executed for another two months."

"Have you got a copy?"

"Somewhere, Ben you had it last."

"It's in the kitchen, I'll go get it." He walked off to find the paperwork.

"Thank you."

"Just to give you a heads up Ben is really upset, rumors were going around about him that weren't true and he thinks Jayne started them. They started just after they argued, something about him being gay, his wife is upset about it. I wanted to tell you not to take any notice of them."

"We won't, and if there is anything we can do to help apart from listing all Jayne's faults on the community page, just let us know."

"Hopefully people will see through them, he just wants a normal life like all of us do."

Ben came back and handed me the paperwork, I looked through it and smiled.

"If she refuses the bequeath it goes to you boys. I have some work to do." I smiled.

"Like what?" March said.

"Get Ben out of his funk and make Betty refuse the bequeath." I grinned.

"I don't know Nicky do you want to get that involved?" Ben asked.

"Your family, or to put it better you are both friends so we will try and help you. Ben don't stress about any rumors your sister started, I have an idea forming."

"Like what?" March asked.

"An announcement should fix that if you boys agree that is."

"Oh dear."

"It may involve me mentioning Jayne's name though."

"Do it," Ben said.

"I will be talking to Brenda tomorrow then."

We hugged them and March took me back to work. He pulled into a turnout and took my hand.

"Nicky please don't get too involved in their problems. Tell me have you got in mind?"

"An announcement on the local page written by Brenda, it will say something like. All the rumors you have heard about the Stephenson boys are false, we as a community have to pull together and give them our support. Due to unfortunate circumstances, they are doing it tough and that is because of one person and one person only, not the boys, they are truly honest family men. Something like that March."

"Good, and Betty?"

"Pete will hopefully fix that for me, if she accepts the bequeath it will tell us she is truly an evil bitch, then I will drop it but at least I have to try. But those photos will go on every community page from here to her area."

"Why?"

"Why what March?"

"Why are you going to all this trouble?"

"Because it's no trouble for me March, but it is trouble for you, and I don't like it when you get troubled."

"Thank you, Nicky can you lay your head on my lap for a minute?"

"I'm not tired."

"Yes, you are and thirsty."

I giggled as I welcomed March's attention once again.

How I am going to pull this off is anyone's guess, when Pete delivers March's stolen goods I will talk to him, he knows people, so he doesn't have to get involved.

We headed for the cafe, March was a little peckish and I wanted to see our son. He was happily playing with Sunny in May's family room. I collected some kisses and told May I would be out the front.

I grabbed a small cake and coffee then joined my husband. I stared at his large cake and then at him.

"Some for Mase and Sunny Nicky, don't be looking at me like that."

"He will be here in a few minutes." He ate faster.

I looked over at the garage and Ron had done a great job, Stephenson - Wilson family garage, Vintage cars, and farm machinery experts.

"It looks wonderful March, almost brand new."

"Yes, it's been a long time since it has had a good lick of paint."

"Is that all you are doing?"

"Yes Nicky, keep it simple." Out of nowhere, we heard.

"There is nothing simple about you March Stephenson and it's good you added dad's name." May has arrived.

March picked Mason up and started feeding him some cake, and he ignored May's comment. Sunny got some cake also and lapped it up eagerly under the table.

Dad came over and looked at it then March.

"Are you sure son?"

"Certain dad, so no scooting off to get a better job either."

"I won't be doing that son, and thank you."

"You are welcome." He grinned.

"That was a good thing you did for dad today March," I said to him when he met me in the shed.

"Well the way I look at it, if dad is working for me then you will think twice about running off with some gym jock."

"I wouldn't do that March."

"Maybe you would."

"Maybe I wouldn't."

"Anyway keep your mind on the job Nicky, I'm nearly there."

Sometimes I think March Stephenson has the best dry sense of humor I have ever witnessed, there is no way he would be serious about that comment. I have never been tempted to just run off with someone, why would I when I have him?

Mason had a nap and I did more photos, I put aside all March's baby ones and mooned over his cuteness and his beautiful bluebonnet. There was some of his mum holding both babies her smile was gorgeous, now where have I seen that smile before?

The next day I visited Brenda minus the bubs because he would want more stamps. She and I nutted out a plan after I told her about Ben's problem, and Betty's involvement in all of it, she was shocked and immediately got her laptop out and started writing.

"I will do the announcement, Nicky, I won't mention Jayne's name but I will mention the rumor. Leave it to me I will fix this for them, those poor boys they must have gone through hell."

I had told her just about everything that had occurred so she had a better understanding. I know she is trustworthy.

Five hours later the announcement was pinned to the page, and she did a wonderful job of it. Without saying anything about Ben's problem and Jayne's involvement she wrote a small story about brothers and sisters being mean to each other. She added that some families have suffered badly from unfounded gossip and rumors, anyone who reads this post, will see March's cousins without them being mentioned. She finished the piece by telling the readers about the Friday local specials that were on at the restaurant and everyone should get behind the family.

I was so proud of her and my comments were genuine, many locals thanked her and many more said they would take advantage of the special Friday night. Which reminded me to ask March if we were all going.

"No Nicky, I have rang Brock and told him we will come in soon, I don't want to all of a sudden take advantage of them when I haven't done so in the past. And from what I am hearing and reading the whole town will be there."

"But we will go at some stage."

"Yes maybe Sunday for one of those lovely roasts, I'm not big on parma." He grinned.

I was talking to mum and Faith again and they said that the bookings were nearly full, and they had limited seating left. I reminded her about the beer garden and serving food out there, she said it's full also.

I was happy for the boys and hoped it wasn't a one-off, like a sympathy day, and then forgotten. Faith has organized a rider to be placed in every veggie bag just some extra advertising. Tourists stop at the veggie barn constantly and the restaurant is only a few miles down the road from there.

"Bloody loser Jones, you should give up while you are ahead." I heard Cory yelling at some boys in the street.

"Give it to him good son bloody loser." Jack was behind him, I looked at them both they were giggling their heads off.

"Hi Nicky, good to see you."

"Hi, Cory and Jack, how is business?"

"Excellent, no time for the wicked I see I have a customer, be back son." He scooted off and Cory went inside to get a bowl of curry, probably for free.

He sat with me and I asked him what he had been doing lately.

"Tennis Nicky, I have settled on tennis."

"Good, have you won any matches?"

"Plenty, you should come and watch me play one weekend, I'm smashing it."

"Good, so do you have a coach?"

"Not yet, the loser that runs the club is hopeless, he even tried to tell me how to play properly, but I showed him."

"Good, do I need to find you a good one?"

"No Nicky I have written to a lot of clubs that have good coaches and I'm awaiting responses."

"They might not respond."

"They will." He grinned.

"What did you do?"

"I threatened them with a public shaming if they didn't respond." His curry arrived and he almost smothered it in salt, I hope March didn't see that.

"It will mean travel kiddo, are you prepared to do that?"

"I know busses and trains, I also can hitchhike if I have to. But, I am aiming at two towns over There is a retired coach I am hoping to train under, he was ace when he played and I think he was very good."

"I see, so you have someone in mind then."

"Of course I do, he trained Layton Hewitt when he was younger, although I reckon I'm a better player, wheres bubs?" He looked around.

"Out the back with May."

"She's a good aunty, I can't wait to see her new bubs."

"Me too." I smiled.

After he scoffed his food he started to go back to the shop, I said I would see him on the weekend, he had a tournament on. I had seen the ad on the local page and was going anyway.

March arrived with dad in tow, the garage looked great. He had mentioned it looked a bit more professional, and it did, it also looked vintage which was his main aim. He should have kept one of the old petrol pumps to place in his window.

"I think I might have a pie Nicky, it's been a long time since I had one."

"You had one for morning tea yesterday."

"Did I?"

"I will get you one, sauce?"

"Yes please." He grinned.

"Dad, do you want a pie too?"

"Yes thank you, son." He also grinned.

I got three, one for me and the sauce bottle. May appeared with Mase, he wanted me to cuddle him today and March broke off a piece of pastry from my pie for Sunny.

"You can stop that immediately March Stephenson." I stared at him, and he blushed.

"So you have been having fun with my son May, when are you doing the tea?"

"Sunday Nicky, and yes I always have fun with Mason he likes me."

"Well when the baby arrives make time for him, he won't understand."

"I will always have time for him Nicky, in fact there isn't enough time spent with him already."

"That will change, the baby will see to that."

"Maybe, but I do understand Mase will never be ignored, He is my nephew after all."

"So you keep telling us sis, it will be good to get him back I have a lot to teach him," March said.

"Yes he was telling me he's up to the tires now, he knows all about spark plugs and oil and is excited to get to the starter motors. For God's sake March he's still a baby."

"And when little March arrives I will be teaching her or him too, so don't get too conformable teaching her about tea and pies."

"I doubt that March, Jason will have something to say about it."

"Wellness, anyone can do wellness May, not everyone can do cars."

"Have it your way then." She grinned, and he sat back and rubbed his tummy.

"Where are you up to with the photos Nicky I see you have placed some of the old farm on the site?"

"I have just done March's baby ones and am about to tackle yours, there are more of you than him."

"So there should be." She smirked at him.

"There might be more of me I will check them." He said.

"I can see this is getting out of hand, what time do you want me on Sunday, May?"

"Around nine if you could, Rose is helping and Wendy will be here it won't take too long. I am getting the supplier to mix it so all we have to do is add the magic ingredient then bag it."

"Good idea, I have to go watch Cory play on Saturday, and we have to fit the restaurant in sometime on the weekend."

"Saturday or Sunday night, early so we can take Mason." He grinned at our boy.

"And me." She said.

"And you," I answered back.

My son has been a bit restless today so I took him across the road and sat playing a game on the laptop. He perked up a bit then he dropped off to sleep, I felt his head and yes he was hot so another night watching his temperature for me.

I will do my usual thing and give him a baby aspirin and plenty of juices, hopefully, it will be a twenty-four-hour thing, I hate it when he is sickly.

I sent a message to March who immediately came in to check him out, there is nothing we can do at the moment except watch him.

I put a load of washing on then went back to my game and bubs. Sunny knows when he's sick he stays right next to him, he also settles down a bit and occasionally gives Mase a reassuring lick.

I told mum he wasn't well and she and dad came over to our place just after we got home, he grizzled and mum commiserated with him. She gave him some juice and I crushed up an aspirin. He wanted to play in his cubby but in the end, he settled for cuddles. March watched him and I ordered some pizzas. After that I went and put fresh bed clothes on his bed and ruffled the cushions on the easy chair I will be sleeping in tonight. We have done this several times, I can't stop him getting bugs so all I can do is make him comfortable and pray it doesn't linger. I had spoken to Julie the first time it happened her advice was not to panic, and to take his temperature a lot. I know this from my nursing but I didn't specialize in babies just general. Mum had a damp cloth and was wiping him down he wanted to tub it, his routine had been mucked up but we thought it better for us not to put him in it.

"You should think about having it cleaned Nicky, he could have picked up the bug from it," Dad said.

"You could be right dad, come on no time like the present," March said.

"March do you know how to do it?" I asked.

He grabbed the laptop and replied.

"No, but I soon will." I let him go and thought that would occupy him for an hour or two. dad took Mase and they sat on the couch to watch the news, the front doorbell went and our dinner had arrived. We ate and Mase had a small bit but I could see he wasn't interested.

"I will sleep with him tonight Nicky," March said.

"No, you get some sleep I can do it."

"But he will need me."

"How about we put him in our bed and we both can watch him."

"Okay, we can do that."

"Have you any more plans for the boys mum?"

"Some Nicky, but nothing other than refreshing the place with a good coat of paint, we have Ron onto it."

"Yes it needs brightening up a bit, it's too dark the way it is."

"When they have the money they can put in bigger windows and skylights but that's a fair way away yet."

"Will it survive?"

"Of course, if they stick to the plan."

We sat on the back porch and watched March and dad empty the tub, I had my baby and was talking to him then he screamed.

"Oil daddy."

"Yes son, you pick it out tomorrow."

"K"

"Maybe not a twenty-four-hour thing Nicky maybe a twelve-hour bug." Mum smiled.

I broke off some pizza pastry and gave it to him, it went straight into his mouth, and then we all heard it. He destroyed his nappy in one go.

"Maybe a tummy bug Nicky, sounded like he just ousted it." Mum giggled, the smell was outrageous.

I changed him then wiped him down, the little scamp then wanted to help his dad and granddad with the tub. I could hear him giggling and Sunny yapping again, so I deemed him okay.

"He will still sleep with us tonight March, just in case."

"Of course Nicky."

They had hand-cleaned the tub and disinfected it thoroughly, mum had gone home by the time they finished and dad looked like he could sleep for a week before he left.

"Nicky, where do I get a quick fill from?"

"The people I bought it from March, all we have to do is ring them."

"Good, I can do that in the morning."

There is no way he is going to miss out on having a tub two nights in a row.

Our night was sort of undisturbed and Mason slept soundly, at two Sunny licked my face, he wanted a wee, so I let him out to do his business and then we both jumped back into bed.

"Is everything all right Nick?"

"Yes March, just Sunny wanting a wee that's all, Mason's forehead isn't so hot now, go back to sleep." I waited for a few minutes and he got out of bed, he came around to my side and slid in then he planted his dick between my legs and went back to sleep.

"Nicky, can you get me that phone number?"

"I'll send it to your phone March, hang on a minute."

I did that job and then fed Mason who was bright and loud today, he is making up time by having a good talk to anyone who will listen. I heard him say 'water?'

"Yes, bubs water is coming today," March said.

"Yeah, daddy."

"We can tub tonight again."

"Good?"

Our routine didn't take too long to come back, I ran to work with Mason and March drove around the block a couple of times, he still doesn't trust I will get to work unscathed.

Friday came fast and I had asked March if he wanted to go to the restaurant several times, he said no. I sort of wanted to go to judge the crowd, I did know May and Jason were going. Rose mentioned she would be there with a beau, and mum of course would be there with Faith.

Around two when Nudge and Joel came into the gym March changed his mind. They reminded him that most of the town would be there and his absence will be noted. After all that has happened, he is still trying to hide himself away.

"Piss poor Stephenson," Nudge said.

"Yeah, what he said March." Joel and Nudge walked over to the weights and March in his panicked way said.

"Is it too late to book Nicky?"

"Already done March, we are on May's table." I smiled.

"Do I have to wear a tie?"

"No, wear anything you want its a casual restaurant, as you already know, now coffee?" I offered.

"Yes thank you Nicky, but I would much rather drink from your tap."

"Well why are you sitting there, come on big boy." I took his hand and we went to the shed.

I told May we would be a show tonight, and March smiled through afternoon tea. He got a message to say the tub was full and they had reset the timer, so it was good to go. He wanted to go home to try it but alas he had some new tires to fit. Bubs and Sunny played singing in the playpen and my boys pumped away, throwing in a grunt or two in the process.

It was time to go home and March was eager to get into that tub, Mason screamed because the water was back again and I slid in with them.

He was swishing Mase around and Sunny was barking because my baby was laughing.

"This is good Nicky, my routines are back." He grinned.

"Bloody hell March it was only one night."

"Yes I know but I missed it." We splashed around and then sat together while Mason continued his playing with his many water ducks.

"I had better go and get our clothes ready, jeans and a t-shirt okay with you?"

"Yes Nicky, there's no rush."

"There is if we want to be there at six thirty."

"What's the time now?"

"Ten to."

"Oh." He kissed my neck.

"Oh no you don't, we can do all that dirty stuff later on."

"Aww." I got out and made sure he dried and wiped Mason down while I organized clothes.

"It wasn't long enough Nicky." He said as he drove us to the restaurant.

"It will get better, we had stuff to do tonight that's all."

"Okay, tomorrow we will spend the afternoon in it."

"I have to go watch Cory play tennis."

"Am I coming?"

"Of course you are, but you will have to shut up shop early."

"Is he any good?"

"We are about to find out."

He parked in the big car park and we got Mason out and then he carried him inside.

A pleasant girl was at the reception and she welcomed us, the dining room was half full, and people waved to us. March spoke to some people as he walked past and Rose and Pete were sitting with May, dad, and Jason at the table having their first drinks. I hugged Pete and he kissed me on the cheek and whispered in my ear.

"All Done." Then he hugged March and bubs.

"When did you appear?" I asked him.

"Today, I'm staying with Rose tonight, and March I have your order." March blushed and said a thank you.

I settled Mason into the high chair and he looked a lot better than the other night.

The menu was small compared to the old one, and more manageable to navigate. Just the three roasts, steaks mixed grill sort of stuff. There were veggies chips and noodles for the kids, and fish for the anglers. There were no waiters just two ladies behind the bar and two at the counter where you order your meals. I think two more to clear the tables, it seemed to be running very smoothly. I decided on steak and veggies, March will have the same so will May, Jason, and dad. I got our table number and went to order the food.

"Can I get the baby's dinner early, I want to get him out of the way.

"Sure Nicky, can you wait here a minute?"

"Of course." She didn't take long and Faith poked her head out from the kitchen and waved.

"Extra for March Nicky?"

"You bet my friend and you had better throw an extra spud in for May." I laughed.

The girl came back with Mason's noodles and chips, I thanked her and then went back to the table to feed him.

"That was easy March, it's very efficient here, no more table service."

"That would be mum and Faith Nicky, but the boys will get the point after a couple of weeks."

"Let's hope so."

Twenty minutes later our food was ready so we went to the serving counter and picked them up. May grabbed March's plate and I slapped her hand.

"If you want more you order it, but mine is too big, maybe if you are nice I will give you some." We had just sat down and mum came out with a tray of extra food.

"Leftovers Nicky." She winked and left it on the table, May made a dive for it and dad did the same. I looked at Jason and he winked, as I said before he is like me he doesn't overeat.

"How is your steak March?" I asked

"Perfect Nicky, seasoned just right and so tender."

"Good, things are improving."

"So Pete how long are you here for?"

"A few days Nicky, Tom and Hank are coming over tonight and I want to drop a few things off to Ethan tomorrow, and March." He grinned.

"Come to the garage Pete I have more room there." March blushed again.

Ben rushed out of the kitchen his smile was not unlike March's big and goofy. He took March's hand and shook it.

"Thank you for everything March, it doesn't seem enough but thank you."

Then he looked at me and said the same. I saluted him then he went back to the kitchen.

"For a long time Nicky, there was only May and me, now I have to put up with more relatives, will it ever stop?" He whispered to me.

"I hope so, otherwise they might have you working here with them."

Our night was awesome, March and I talked to many of the locals we knew and the vibe was excellent, they will come back. By eight-thirty the place was almost packed and we had nearly finished, so we thought we would free our table up and go on home, I was tired anyway and bub needed to get to bed. I poked my head into the kitchen and thanked the guys and ladies, Brock came over and hugged me.

"Thank you for what you did for Ben, he's a lot less stressed now."

"You need to thank Brenda, it was her doing."

"She said it was yours."

"A joint effort Brock." I smiled.

Mum winked and she looked as cool as a cucumber as she threw more steaks on the grill. I didn't have to say anything more to Pete, I know he would have done a good job with that woman.

Back at home we undressed and put our shorts on, Mase was reunited with Sunny and I changed and dressed him for bed. They talked to his animals for a while then there was dead silence. When I looked in they were both asleep.

I took care of my husband on the couch while he watched the late news, and then we hit the mattress.

In the morning I could hear Mase playing in his room, so I got up and looked in. He was talking to the birds and was making chirping noises, somehow he had pulled the cover off the cage, I checked his nappy and he was okay to go then I let Sunny out for a pee. The kettle boiled and March came out, after a few kisses and hugs he grabbed his coffee and then turned the TV on, for background noise.

"Why are you getting Pete to deliver to the garage?"

"I got too much stuff in our garage, Nicky. I thought I would hide it in the back of the old truck."

I giggled to myself, he's such a dork.

"It's got a cover on the back so I can just hide it in there."

"Do you know what you bought?'

"Some of it Nicky, but after you dropped some items I added some more." He grinned.

"Well, I'm sure it will come in handy one day. Don't forget we are going to watch the tennis today."

"I won't Nicky, what time does he start his game?"

"Around twelve, so we leave work at eleven thirty."

"I will be ready, is it a tournament or just a local game?"

"I don't know March, maybe just a local game, I only saw the ad on the local page it didn't mention any big games."

"Lunch?"

"They will have food there March don't stress."

"Come on baby your eggs are ready." I fed my son then my husband, then we went off to work.

Pete was early and he was telling me they had a great night, Hank is a nice guy when he relaxes and lets his hair down, he had Rose, and him in stitches with his stories. He drove into the garage and March took the cover off the old truck then started stashing stolen goods into the back of it, he reminded me of a naughty kid. Dad also stashed a lot of items into his car, I guess more presents for mum.

Jack drove his van across the road then backed into the driveway he grabbed a big TV.

"For Cory's room."

"Jack is today's game like a tournament or just games?" March asked.

"Just games Stephenson, but I believe my son has a special guest arriving to watch him play."

"The coach?"

"Yes, the one that is retired and lives not far away. I believe it was Cory's last comment that got him off his bum to go see him play."

"What was the comment, Jack?" I asked.

"He told him he wanted to be a winner." He laughed and where have I heard that before?

"Okay, now the rest of it is Ethans and Hanks I believe," Pete said.

I looked in the back of his van and it was still half full.

"See you at the tennis, I'll bring a date." Jack waved. I figured Rose would be there, they are neighbors and I think she has a soft spot for Cory.

Pete did follow me into the gym for a minute.

"Was she pissed off?"

"I think so, I sent Bull around to talk to her." A six-foot-tall mountain of a man dressed in his biker leathers at her door would scare anyone.

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