Page 13 of Fake-Off with Fate
Ushering me into his office, my dad shuts the door behind us before announcing, “Phillip doesn’t like you.”
“No kidding,” I snort. “What crawled up his butt and died?”
“That’s a gross expression, Ashlyn.”
“In my defense, Dad, I don’t like him, either.”
“He’s the only other person here who knows how things run, so don’t annoy him.” Sitting down at his desk, he pulls out a pad. “I’ve made a list of all my passwords. Call your mother if something doesn’t work. I don’t want Phillip to think you’re trying to take over.”
“Why not? I mean, that is why I’m here, isn’t it?”
“He wants to run for mayor when my term ends. There’s no telling what he’ll do if he feels threatened.”
“He can have the job,” I assure him.
My dad smiles slyly. “I predict you’re going to love pretending to be mayor so much that you’ll be begging me to helpyoubecome the next leader of our fair town.” He couldn’t be more wrong, but this is not the time to set him straight.
My dad spends the next hour and a half laying out the details of his daily life, which as far as I can tell consists of nothing more than schmoozing people. So much so that he goes into every business in town twice a month and asks the store’s owners how things are going. He tells me, “Even though this is my week to stay in touch, you can skip that part. You’re going to have to focus all your attention on Maple Fest.”
“Maple Fest is a month away. What could need to be done that isn’t already in the works?”
“You’ll have to contact all the vendors and confirm they’re ready to roll. Then you need to make sure the generators will be delivered two days before they’re needed.” He keeps ticking off items until I start to think my dad does everything himself without relying on an entire committee that oversees the event.
Looking at my phone, I announce, “It’s four thirty-five. Time for you to go.”
“I don’t have to be home until five.”
“Wrong. You need to be there early to prove to Mom that you’re taking this trip seriously.”
My dad inhales deeply before begging, “Can’t I please take my phone with me? I promise to only use it in case of emergency, and I’ll never use it in front of your mother.”
“You may not,” I tell him plainly. “Nothing is going to happen to Maple Falls that I can’t easily take care of. You, on the other hand, are going to have your hands full trying to win Mom back.” I walk toward the door while making a scooting motion for him to leave. “Go. Your wife is waiting.”
“Aren’t you coming home with me?” he asks, like he’s afraid to be alone with my mom.
I had planned to join him, but I now realize the best thing is for my mom to see my dad show up on time, all by himself. Shaking my head, I tell him, “I’m going to start familiarizing myself with your job. Get going. If you’re late, you won’t need me to cover for you.” I glare at him meaningfully.
My dad stands up and looks at me with a hangdog expression. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck, Dad. Just remember how serious this trip is and no matter what, you are not to call me or anyone in Maple Falls. Focus all your attention on Mom. Got it?”
He inhales deeply before expelling the air like he’s trying to blow out birthday candles on a cake located in the next county. “Got it.”
As soon as he leaves, I sit down at his desk and look around the room. There’s nothing warm or charming about this office. The furniture looks like it’s standard issue from decades ago. The walls are a dirty hue of beige, and the floor is linoleum, of all things.
My first order of business will have to be sprucing the place up. Maybe I’ll bring in some plants and family photos. A rug at the very least.
Before I can finish mentally redecorating, the phone rings. When it’s not picked up after three rings, I reach over and do the job myself. “Mayor Thompkins’ office. How may I help you?”
The voice on the other end of the line announces, “My name is Jeremy Hunt. I’m a lawyer, and I’d like to speak with Mayor Thompkins.”
“May I inquire as to what this is about?”
“It’s about the land Victor MacDonald left his heir when he died.”
The name Victor MacDonald is legend in our town and every school-aged child hears it repeatedly during their elementary years. That’s when Maple Falls history is taught. Yet, I still feel the need to confirm. “By Victor MacDonald, you mean that man who left Maple Falls all the land?”
“Mr. MacDonald did not leave Maple Fallsanyland.”
