Page 38 of Lorna's Savior
“Why? I don’t understand.”
Andy settled back in the couch and turned to face her. Taking both her legs and bringing them over one of his, he began to massage her feet.
“Okay, the one major issue I have is that they can only accept cash when they sell that stuff. It is illegal for people to use credit or even debit cards to buy medical marijuana. And because it’s still illegal at the federal level, neither Ren nor Mac can take that money to the bank. Banks will be heavily fined if the government finds out they accepted cash from a cannabis dispensary. Or, there is so much paperwork that it’s too much of a hassle to jump through all the legal paperwork. So, that means all that cash sits there. Oh, they pay quarterly taxes with the IRS, and that’s all legal and up to date, but we’re talking that they take in almost fifty thousand a month in sales. And get this, because of the money they make, the government pays them a salary for selling it. That money they can deposit, but the money from the actual sales is sitting in a vault they had to install in the basement of their homes. What’s going to happen when some pothead realizes all that cash is just sitting there? Will they get it in their stoned-out brain that they can rob my brothers? I saw the pictures, there’s a lot of cash sitting there.” Andy shook his head and stared off into space, thinking of the terrible things that could happen to his brothers.
“And the bitch of it is, they do not believe in guns. So, if someone breaks in and tries to rob them, they would be sitting ducks.”
Lorna stared at him and shook her head at his concern for his family. Scooting closer, she wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. They sat like that for a long time before Andy sat up, kissed her gently, then whispered, “Thank you.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Now,” he grinned at her. “Tell me about your family.” He grinned when Lorna’s nose wrinkled in a cute scowl.
“Do I have to?”
“We had a deal.”
“Fine, but know I’m saying this under duress.”
“If it bothers you that much, I understand. We can table the discussion for now.”
“No, a deal is a deal.” Lorna sighed and moved to be in a more comfortable position. With her legs beneath her. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “First, I don’t know if I can ‘monk’ my way through this conversation.”
“I understand,” Andy smirked.
“Okay, and this is my honest self, saying these things.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“My mother is the most conniving, selfish, evil, money-hungry, lying, deceitful, two-faced, back-stabbing bitch that ever walked the face of the Earth.”
Andy reared back and stared at her in shock. “Tell me how you really feel.”
“You asked. But, believe it or not, I don’t hate her. I guess you could say that I only tolerate her. Have for years.”
“Before we continue, would you like some more wine? And may I get another beer?”
“Yes, I actually bought it for you.”
Andy grinned as he leaned in and kissed her, then jumped to his feet go retrieve their drinks. With his head in the refrigerator, he quickly began recording on his phone. Back in the living room, he set his phone face down on the table, handed her the glass of wine, and settled into the corner with his beer.
“What about your father?”
“Don’t have one.”
Shocked, Andy looked at her like she’d grown two heads. “Really? What happened?”
“Mother told me that my father shipped out two months before I was born and was killed in action. The only thing I know about him was that his name was Arthur Magnus Wilson. Mom wasn’t married to him at all. That’s why I have her maiden name of Hepplewaite.”
“Wow. Did your mother ever marry?”
“Christ where do I start with that shit?” She sipped her wine and stared off into space. “Yes, the bitch married. As we speak, I guaran-dam-tee you that she has at least five men on the hook. She’s currently on a three-month cruise. It’s for singles only. And she’ll probably have my new “daddy” in tow with her when she returns.” Lorna started giggling, and it quickly turned into a full belly laugh. “I’m going to be in so much trouble when she does return.”
“Why?”
“Because, the day after she left, I told the staff to quit. Mother left me money to pay them, I divided it up into thirds, and gave it to them. There was a butler, a housekeeper, and a chef. Then, I asked them to help me move in here. Mother knows nothing about this place. My phone will be blowing up when Murphy isn’t there to meet her at the airport when she arrives home.” Lorna continued to giggle for several minutes. She finally shook her head, and sobered enough. “Sorry, but to get back to your question. Yes, she married seven times. As I said, or as she told me, Mother wasn’t married to my biological father.”
“Before we go any further, what’s your mother’s entire name?”
