Page 30 of Baby, It's You
Hunter flushes slightly at my compliment and reaches out to shake Mr. Ray’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, sir,” he respectfully says, his voice deep and strong.
Mr. Ray hastily extends his own hand to meet Hunter’s. “It’s great to meet you, too.” Then he turns towards me. “So are the rumors true? Everyone has been talking about Tripp wanting to sell Whiskey Jane’s.”
“Yes, unfortunately it’s true,” I tell him, rolling up the sleeves of my cardigan. Why did I wear a sweater when it’s ninety-two degrees outside?
“Wow, word travels fast on this side of town,” Hunter exclaims.
I laugh. “Yeah, we have this kooky, old, top-hat-wearing man who spreads gossip like it’s air.”
He smiles. “Let me guess, is his name Johnny?”
“The man, myth, and legend.”
Our eyes linger on each other.
Mr. Ray looks back and forth between us before breaking the silence. “So, what are you going to film at the bar?”
Hunter and I explain everything to him. I finish the story off by saying, “And this is why we are here now. Hunter chose the bee drawing first.”
Mr. Ray has a huge smile. “What a strong start.” He looks at me. “Drive on over. I will call her and give her a head’s up that she will have visitors soon.”
“Thank you!” I clap my hands together. “I’m excited to see her.” I turn to Hunter. “Get out that camera out, my friend. We are hitting the road.”
Hunter lifts his bag. “I’m ready!” he replies enthusiastically.
We tell Mr. Ray a quick goodbye and he holds up his hand in a wave. When we are almost to the door, I hear him playfullymurmur to himself about how he didn't get to see who got the custody of the fish because we were all talking.
Hearing this, Hunter glances back towards him. “No one ended up getting custody. The Betta fish died during the episode, probably stress from being put on the stand.”
Mr. Ray and I both look at him, shocked.
Hunter shrugs. “I watch a lot of late-night reality TV reruns because I have pretty bad insomnia. I think I’ve seen every episode ofPet Paternity.”
I continue to stare at him in shock as Mr. Ray begins to laugh hysterically. His whole body shakes as the raspy laugh overtakes him.
I’m still looking at Hunter as he begins to open the door and motions for me to go first. I walk out and as I go, I hear Mr. Ray talk to himself once more. “Now, I like that kid,” he says. “I really like that kid.”
Chapter 22
Hunter
Iturn to Olive when we get outside the store and ask, “Okay, whose car are we taking?”
“Definitely not mine,” she quickly says. “Barney is not reliable.”
“Barney?” I laugh.
“Yeah. That’s my big purple car’s name. Every car has a name.” She says it as if it's a matter of fact.
“Mine doesn’t,” I tell her.
She looks at me as if I’m insane. “Are you kidding me? You haven't given your car a name? That should be reported as a crime. Your cardeservesa name.”
I grin down at her. “Okay, then you give it a name.”
“No way.” She shakes her head. “Only the owner can choose their car’s name. It wouldn’t be right; I don’t have that kind of relationship with your car.”
I tilt my head back and laugh at that as she continues speaking.
