Page 4 of A Second Chance

“You gotta lot of ass kissing to do when you get here.”

“I don’t doubt it, brother.”

“Good luck on the last leg your journey, brother. See you soon.”

Jason walked back into the VFW hall, slid into a seat, and handed the phone back to Bobby. Pies were sitting out on the table – they looked delicious. “Thanks man. Now turn it off and don’t listen to any voicemails my sister leaves.”

“It might be fun to hear her chew your ass. Who did you talk to?”

“My best friend… now brother-in-law.”

“Your best friend married your sister? That’s a bit cliché.”

“Yeah, but at least they’re happy.”

“You’re headed back home after this?”

“I’m gonna go get my stuff from storage and head back to White Oak. You?”

“Guess I’ll go back to Paducah with my parents. And from there, who knows. You think you’ll stay in White Oak?”

“There’s a chance that my mom and sister will chain me to something… so, yeah.” They laughed. “If you find yourself without something to do, you’re welcome to come and visit.”

“One day, if I’m bored, I’ll take you up on that,” he said. A group of people from the town came over and shook their hands, thanking them for their service.

Jason stood and accepted their thanks while in the back of his mind, the dread of returning home loomed.

Three

The smell of coffee wafted through the air as Gwen stepped from her bedroom. Whenever Nick spent the night with Avery, he always made a pot of coffee in the morning. And because that was happening with greater frequency, she considered asking if he now lived there but didn’t want to know the answer.

Down the stairs of the three-bedroom bungalow, she crossed the living area of the open floor plan into the kitchen. Her mom had the downstairs suite while she and Avery had the second floor. Not that Natalie couldn’t climb the steps – she was active and mobile in her sixties, but Gwen had settled them here for the long-term.

Gwen sat at the table with her mug of coffee when Avery dragged herself down the stairs. “You’re up early.”

Avery headed straight to the coffee pot. “Inventory,” she growled, pouring a mug and dumping in enough sugar to make syrup. She worked at the only metaphysical store in town, The Enchanted Path. And met Nick after a robbery two years ago, he was the detective working the case.

“Even a good night with Nick cannot make you a morning person.” Gwen smiled.

“Nothing ever will,” she mumbled. Avery dropped a bagel into the toaster.

“I might start dating again,” she said. “But no prospects.”

The knife clanged on the floor, but Avery ignored the dropped utensil, crossing the room. “That’s great… it’s about time. Let me think… How about Eli?”

Gwen shook her head; Eli was a police officer and friend of Nick’s. “Not him.”

“Why? He’s nice, attractive, has a job.”

“Yes, and all good qualities, but I’ve talked to him a few times and there’s no spark. And besides, I’m not searching. Just gonna be open if I meet someone.”

“You could practice-date Eli.”

“I don’t need to practice-date.”

“Are you sure?” Avery returned to the toaster and retrieved the bagel.

“That’s not a real thing. And why would I need to practice?”

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