Read Online Good Wood by L.G. Pace III - Free Book Online Page A

refused to follow in his footsteps. I’d always imagined him as a giant ogre of a man, finding it impossible that anyone could treat Joe so poorly.
    Just then, both of my nieces slammed into me, knocking me into him. His arm came around me to save me from falling for a second time. He never even spilled a drop of his beer. Thankfully, neither did I, but that was mostly because my cup was nearly empty already.
    “Aunt Molly! Look! I’m just like you !” The birthday girl exclaimed. She had a red bandana in her hair, lots of red lip gloss, and a left arm plastered with temporary ‘Hello Kitty’ tattoos.
    “Wow!” I gushed, trying hard to focus exclusively on her proud freckled face and not Joe’s arm which remained around my shoulder. I knelt down beside her, casually shrugging out of his grasp. “You look downright impressive! How long did it take you to get all those tattoos?”
    As I chatted with her, Mac came over and harassed Joe. They both poured another beer and he herded Joe over to the patio to greet my mother and grandmother. I felt a pang of pity for him, but it was impossible not to smile at the way my mother lit up when she saw him. He gave her a huge bear hug and made himself right at home at the table beside them. I retied my niece’s bandana so I could show the girls the proper Rock-a-billy technique and put a little blush on both of them. They ran off to show their friends and I saw Robin struggling at the door with more trays of food. I ran up to help her and got roped in to mixing a couple of cocktails for Mason and Charlie, the plumber. Thirty minutes later when Robin’s paramedic friends arrived, Joe was still kicked back on the patio having a laugh at something my evil Granny whispered in his ear.
    “This is Molly, my very single sister-in-law.” Robin presented me to her three male coworkers like she was a bikini model on The Price Is Right showing off a new car. One of them seemed much more interested in his hamburger, but the other two puffed up like they were about to arm wrestle over me. All the joy was instantly sucked out of my day, and I immediately plotted an exit strategy that involved using “the slut sisters” as human shields.
    I felt a hand grip my shoulder and turned to see Joe. I could tell by his purposeful eye contact that he was there to save me. “Hey! I was going to show you that thing on the truck…”
    “Right!” I gave an Academy Award-worthy apology and promised to return shortly.
    “Grab your swim suit on your way back. It’s hot tub time.” Robin called after me. I gave her a ‘thumbs up’, though I hadn’t brought a suit along. As we made for the house, Joe handed me a topped off beer.
    “Thanks.” I whispered. He turned the knob on the back door and shrugged as he held it open for me.
    “Those two drunk chicks were headed my way. I thought I’d even the odds a little. Sometimes people just don’t take the hint. You ready for something to eat?” I nodded and we hurried into the kitchen. I pointed to the island.
    “You get the burgers, I’ll get the cake.”
    We hurriedly snagged plates of food and Joe put a half a bottle of ketchup on his burger. I giggled and shook my head when he held it up to me, silently asking if I wanted some on mine.
    “I think you have enough for both of us.” I cut two large pieces of champagne cake and pilfered an entire bag of Doritos. Mason was coming in the front door as we were going out. He looked from me to Joe and his expression soured. Right then, he looked so much like our Dad it was scary.
    “Don’t let Robin see you out front with that beer. She’ll never let me get kegs again.” He called after me as I passed through the threshold.
    “You got it, man.” Joe assured him and nudged the door shut in his face. We stood on the stoop giving each other a conspiratorial look of congratulations on our successful escape.
    “Where’s your truck?” I turned and started down the stairs.
    “Huh?” I could