Page 37 of Beaches

“I was here on business and just wanted to check-in. I haven’t seen near the debris I was once seeing, so I wondered if you caught the people who were doing it.”

“We’re still working on it, ma’am.”

“Lily, oh, sorry I interrupted,” said Vic.

“No, no, it’s alright, Vic. This is Ms. Goldwick, Debbie Goldwick. Debbie found the dog tags on her beach in northern California.”

“Is that right,” smiled Vic. “Well, I’m grateful for that.” She cocked her head, staring at him.

“Sorry. I’m Vic,” he said calmly, extending his hand. She smiled at him and shook his hand. Lily watched the whole thing and then cleared her throat.

“Vic? Why don’t you take Debbie to the café and have some of our famous pie and coffee?”

“Ma’am?” he smiled.

“Oh, just Deb. I mean, I guess that sounds good. I like coffee and I love pie. Maybe a little too much,” she smiled.

“No offense, ma’am, but you look as though you could use a few slices.”

“You are obviously not a man who lives in California,” she smiled. “I think I’d love some pie and coffee.”

“Wonderful,” said Vic. “I have a story to tell you.”

When the two left the Gray Wolf offices, Erin and Lauren stood with Lily at the front desk.

“You know, the boys have Gray Wolf. Maybe we need to start a matchmaking service,” said Lauren.

“Doesn’t Mama Irene own that one?” laughed Lily.

“Probably. I like her. I think she’s flown out here several times because she’s lonely. Vic doesn’t have anyone. Maybe this is his chance for some happiness.”

“Lord, these men deserve it,” said Erin. “I can’t think of any man who deserves happiness more than the three of them.”

“April, too,” said Lily. “She’s latched onto Calvin, Damon, and Vic like they’re her fathers or uncles. I’m not sure what she’ll do when they finally leave.”

“She’ll come with us,” said Calvin, walking up behind them.

“Calvin! You scared me,” said Lily.

“Sorry, Miss Lily. Damon and me, we’ve talked about it. Vic too. If we leave, April is gonna come with us. We’ll protect her and find a school for her. Help her to ease back into life. We won’t go far from y’all, but we have to be on our own sooner or later.”

“You don’t have to be, Calvin. We love having you here, and there’s plenty of space for everyone.” He nodded.

“We know that, and we’re eternally grateful. I think we all just need to find ourselves again. Mr. Matthew rented us a house about ten miles from here. Whenever we’re ready. Mama Irene, she’s fixing it up for us right now. Four bedrooms, four bathrooms, brand new build. Can you imagine that?”

“No,” smiled Erin, smirking at her friends. It wasn’t a rental house. Matthew had probably started building it weeks ago, somehow knowing that it would be needed. “I can’t imagine that. Having a brand new house for all of you, well, It sounds wonderful. I hope you’ll let us come and visit.”

“As often as you want. We’re not leaving just yet. We’ll wait until this mess is done and then head out. Until then, we’re still catching up on all the news of the last three decades. We’ve been reading books, learning to use the internet, all of it. That’s something else. That boy Ace, he gave us telephones that fit in our hands and have information on them from all over the world. In exact time!”

“That’s a lot of news,” laughed Lauren.

“Yeah, which is why I came in here. Can anyone explain to all of us who in the hell the Kardashians are and why they have a television show and why do all these cities have dysfunctional housewives willing to put their business on the air?”

The women laughed, shaking their heads.

“Oh, man,” said Erin. “This might take a while. Come on, let’s get some pie and coffee of our own.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

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