Page 43 of Fake-Off with Fate
“We have.”
“And?”
“It doesn’t look like it will hit us directly. They’re only expecting heavy showers. Having spent our whole lives in Washington, I think we can handle that.”
“How’s Dad doing?”
“Your father is surprisingly present. We’re having a good time.”
“Have you heard any local news about Maple Falls?” I ask.
“Only the fourteen messages from various people regarding the letter from your dad in this morning’s paper. I’m telling everyone the mayor knows what he’s doing and that all will be well.”
“And by the mayor, you mean me?”
“Exactly.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing, Mom,” I tell her, all the while wondering why she has such confidence in me. “And Phillip is driving me crazy trying to get to Dad.”
“He’s an annoying man,” she confirms.
“I don’t think he’s going to lighten up. He’s very concerned that he hasn’t spoken to the mayor directly. Is there any way you can record Dad saying a couple things for me so I can use them to appease Phillip?”
“I could try …” She doesn’t sound convincing.
“Please, Mom. I really need this.”
“What would you like me to get your father to say?”
I think for a moment before giving her a list.
“That’s a lot.”
“I may not need them all, but I’ve got to get this guy to settle down. Please do your best.” I add, “You know, like I’m doing my best to help you and Dad?”
“Yes, dear. I know you’re very supportive. I’ll try to be the same. In the meantime, tell Phillip you’re going to start bringing your pet snake into work. He hates snakes.”
“So do I,” I assure her.
“Yes, but Phillip will cry if he sees a snake.”
“And you know this how?”
My mom giggles. “His mother told me. She said that when Phillip was fifteen, he saw a garter snake in their yard, and he cried like a baby. She had to get him therapy.”
I share Phillip’s phobia, so I’m a little torn here. Even so, I put this piece of information in my back pocket in case of emergency. “Okay, Mom. I’m heading into the office now. Pray for me. I expect it’s going to be an awful day.”
Seemingly unconcerned with what lies ahead for me, she announces, “I had a mimosa with brunch. It was delightful, but I think I might need to take a nap to sleep it off.”
“Please get Dad to record those things first.”
“Bye, dear!” My mom hangs up so abruptly I start to wonder if she didn’t have quite a few mimosas with brunch.
As I leave the house, I make a last-minute decision to take my dad’s car to work in hopes it will convince Phillip that the mayor is in the building somewhere doing his best to save Maple Falls. I just have to park it without him seeing that it’s me behind the wheel.
A block away from Town Hall, I pull over and text my dad’s assistant from his phone.
Mayor Thompkins
