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Authors: Kathleen Irene Paterka
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through the open window as they backed down the driveway. “Forget about the lawn and go on home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See ya, Cecil.”
“He seems like a nice kid,” Mike said as he pulled out of the driveway.
“He and his family live a couple of blocks down the street.” Rose gave a backward glance at her mother’s house. Tommy Gilbert had resumed his position behind the lawn mower, pushing it with sweaty determination toward the dark blue pickup with Joey Gilbert’s Landscaping Service advertised on the side panel.
Mike handled the truck with an expert hand as they rounded the corner and headed for downtown. “He must keep to himself, or maybe he’s not around town much. He’s hard to forget.” His face instantly reddened. “Sorry, that came out wrong. I didn’t mean to insult your friend or imply…”
“It’s all right. You don’t have to explain.” She’d been around Tommy all her life. He was who he was and she was used to it. It always surprised her when other people saw the young man through different eyes than her own. His pockmarks and scars, short stature, and slight scuffle held no mystery for her.
“Tommy’s had a hard time of it. Bad enough he’s the baby of his family. And adolescence wasn’t kind to him. That much is obvious when you see his face.
“You say he works for his brother?”
Rose nodded. “Tommy graduated from high school last year. He wanted to join the Air Force, and he’s been waiting for them to call him up. He only found out recently they weren’t going to take him, so he’s back home now and working for his brother. They take care of lawns, do snowplowing in the winter, that sort of thing. I guess Tommy’s using the summer to figure out what it is he wants to do with his life.”
Just like she was herself, came the sudden thought. Both she and Tommy were spending their summer in the small town where they’d grown up. Both of them were trying to figure out exactly who they were and what they wanted out of life.
But life decisions shouldn’t have to be so hard, especially when it was so hot.
Within a few minutes they were smack dab in the middle of the business district. Mike slowed the truck as they searched for a nonexistent place to park. Tourists were everywhere, wandering the few blocks of the downtown area. Strollers filled the sidewalks, pushed by absentminded fathers, directed by harried mothers.
“I’d forgotten how crowded town can get this time of year,” Rose said as they circled the block one more time. She blew out a frustrated sigh at the backed-up traffic. Such was the price you paid to summer—or live—in James Bay. “Maybe we should swing around the corner and park up by the bank. It’s not a far walk, just a few blocks.“
“Won’t be necessary,” Mike said with a quick grin as he pointed to a loaded minivan pulling out of a coveted parking space a few feet ahead. The cherry-red pickup was next in line—they won the rally.
“You timed that just right.” Rose rewarded him with her best smile.
He shut off the engine and unbuckled his seat belt. “Made up your mind on where we’re eating?” He opened the passenger door.
Rose hesitated as she slid from her seat and joined him on the sidewalk. City life had spoiled her. She’d grown accustomed to having a variety of available restaurants and nightspots to choose from, but her hometown offered limited selection. James Bay’s few restaurants were sharply divided between cheap and pricey, with Chuck’s Tavern and Grill squarely in the middle. But she’d been to Chuck’s only a few nights earlier with the Judge.
“Are you hungry for something in particular?” Negotiating on behalf of clients had taught her you had better luck if all parties were involved in the decision-making process.
“Why don’t we walk around a bit? I think better when I’m moving.”
Was he crazy? It was much too hot out for a casual stroll, but she kept silent. She was the one
“See ya, Cecil.”
“He seems like a nice kid,” Mike said as he pulled out of the driveway.
“He and his family live a couple of blocks down the street.” Rose gave a backward glance at her mother’s house. Tommy Gilbert had resumed his position behind the lawn mower, pushing it with sweaty determination toward the dark blue pickup with Joey Gilbert’s Landscaping Service advertised on the side panel.
Mike handled the truck with an expert hand as they rounded the corner and headed for downtown. “He must keep to himself, or maybe he’s not around town much. He’s hard to forget.” His face instantly reddened. “Sorry, that came out wrong. I didn’t mean to insult your friend or imply…”
“It’s all right. You don’t have to explain.” She’d been around Tommy all her life. He was who he was and she was used to it. It always surprised her when other people saw the young man through different eyes than her own. His pockmarks and scars, short stature, and slight scuffle held no mystery for her.
“Tommy’s had a hard time of it. Bad enough he’s the baby of his family. And adolescence wasn’t kind to him. That much is obvious when you see his face.
“You say he works for his brother?”
Rose nodded. “Tommy graduated from high school last year. He wanted to join the Air Force, and he’s been waiting for them to call him up. He only found out recently they weren’t going to take him, so he’s back home now and working for his brother. They take care of lawns, do snowplowing in the winter, that sort of thing. I guess Tommy’s using the summer to figure out what it is he wants to do with his life.”
Just like she was herself, came the sudden thought. Both she and Tommy were spending their summer in the small town where they’d grown up. Both of them were trying to figure out exactly who they were and what they wanted out of life.
But life decisions shouldn’t have to be so hard, especially when it was so hot.
Within a few minutes they were smack dab in the middle of the business district. Mike slowed the truck as they searched for a nonexistent place to park. Tourists were everywhere, wandering the few blocks of the downtown area. Strollers filled the sidewalks, pushed by absentminded fathers, directed by harried mothers.
“I’d forgotten how crowded town can get this time of year,” Rose said as they circled the block one more time. She blew out a frustrated sigh at the backed-up traffic. Such was the price you paid to summer—or live—in James Bay. “Maybe we should swing around the corner and park up by the bank. It’s not a far walk, just a few blocks.“
“Won’t be necessary,” Mike said with a quick grin as he pointed to a loaded minivan pulling out of a coveted parking space a few feet ahead. The cherry-red pickup was next in line—they won the rally.
“You timed that just right.” Rose rewarded him with her best smile.
He shut off the engine and unbuckled his seat belt. “Made up your mind on where we’re eating?” He opened the passenger door.
Rose hesitated as she slid from her seat and joined him on the sidewalk. City life had spoiled her. She’d grown accustomed to having a variety of available restaurants and nightspots to choose from, but her hometown offered limited selection. James Bay’s few restaurants were sharply divided between cheap and pricey, with Chuck’s Tavern and Grill squarely in the middle. But she’d been to Chuck’s only a few nights earlier with the Judge.
“Are you hungry for something in particular?” Negotiating on behalf of clients had taught her you had better luck if all parties were involved in the decision-making process.
“Why don’t we walk around a bit? I think better when I’m moving.”
Was he crazy? It was much too hot out for a casual stroll, but she kept silent. She was the one