Page 17 of Last Date
“Thanks.” I smiled and then made my way through the long folding tables and chairs, glancing toward the stage area. There were two women with white hair and stern expressions setting up a red wire bingo cage on a table. They whispered back and forth as if they were on a secret mission to save the world, not arranging a charity bingo night.
“Kip, it’s been too long.” June smiled and gave me a tight hug when I reached them. With her silver bob and rosy cheeks, June exuded motherly warmth. “Why do you never come and visit me anymore?”
“I’ll do better.”
June patted my cheek. “I hope so. I’ve missed you.”
My mother stood and kissed me. “I feel like I never see Kip either.”
“I literally saw you yesterday, Mother.”
“Still,” Mom said, winking at June.
I rolled my eyes. “I could see you every day and you’d still say it isn’t enough.”
June laughed. “Kip, you sound like Merrick. Why is it parents miss their children desperately the minute they leave, but it doesn’t go both ways?”
“You two are laying the guilt on thick tonight,” I protested.
My mother said, “It’s a thankless job, being a parent.”
I frowned. “You two do realize theonlyreason I’m suffering through bingo night is because of you, right? You can’t seriously think I’d be here for any other reason.”
Mom sighed and sat down. “It’s for charity, orwewouldn’t be here either.”
June grinned. “That’s the truth.”
I smiled and sat, eyeing the three scorecards at my spot. There were also three piles of blue, green, and red chips. “I haven’t played bingo in years,” I murmured, running my fingers through the plastic chips. “I hope I remember how.”
“It’s easy as pie.” Mom laughed. “If you get stuck, we’ll help you.”
The chair next to me scraped across the linoleum floor, and someone sat down. “How could anyone need help? Bingo is the easiest game in the world,” Merrick said. Giving me a smirk, he added, “Evening, ladies.”
Taken aback he’d appeared out of nowhere, I didn’t respond to his snarky comment. I caught a whiff of his citrusy cologne, and his leg brushed mine under the table. Scowling, I asked, “What are you doing here?”
“Saving the world one bingo chip at a time.” He shuffled the scorecards in front of him. “As police chief, charity events like these are mandatory.”
“Hmmm. I don’t recall seeing you here before.”
Merrick shrugged. “I’ve been here every year.”
Mom laughed. “You skipped out the last few years, Kip. That’s probably why you don’t remember. Merrick is always here. He even won a few games over the years.”
“What do you expect?” Merrick puffed out his chest. “I’m good at everything I do.”
“Oh, boy,” I griped. “Here we go. The Ego has landed.”
Ignoring my snide remark, Merrick said, “There’s a good turnout tonight. I thought it might be less crowded because it’s supposed to rain.”
Mom glanced at the women on the stage. “Mrs. McGillivray and Mrs. Stanley would have a coronary if there wasn’t a good turnout.”
“They live for this event,” muttered June. “But I have to admit, since they’ve taken over the event the last few years, it’s grown. They’re very good at getting the word out.”
“I agree.” Mom nodded.
Merrick said, “It’s a packed house. They’ll make good money for St. Anthony’s tonight.”
I glanced around. “Where’s Peter?”
