Page 73 of The Pocket Pair

Neighborly Mod

The First Amendment refers specifically to the scope of government over free speech. Because this app is privately owned, this does not apply. Users will only be suspended when the terms and conditions have been violated. That said, any users speaking ill of Mari will not only be suspended but banned. Please remember to be kind and above all, Neighborly!

1BigBass

Winnie told you, DDD!

SweatPea23

I remember once I had a really bad day at work and stopped in the diner because nothing else was open. Mari fed me and listened to me vent about my work situation. I’ll never forget that. Or her cheese grits.

Vanz

Isn’t all the food really Big Mo’s food? Since he’s the chef…

WayneNGarthBrooks

I thought Big Mo used Mari’s recipes and that she taught him to cook

BagelBytes

I’m sad even just thinking about Mari not being in Sheet Cake. I’ll continue to support the diner and Big Mo, but Mari will be sorely missed. We love you, Mari!

BobToo

Thank you, Mari. For giving us all a place to go. And for being the only business that stayed open in downtown until Tank Graham started working his magic! You were the last woman standing and you should be proud. Please come back and visit!

The_Real_Shell_E

I’m going to miss Mari’s laugh. And the way she really seemed to care about every person who walked through her doors.

LindyLouWho

Mari was like a second mother to me. Selfishly, I want her to stay. But I can only imagine how happy her other family will be to have her home. Love you, Mari!

DeltaDeltaDelta

This is ridiculous. She’s just an old lady running a greasy diner. Get over it.

Neighborly Mod

User DeltaDeltaDelta has been suspended and, upon further review, may be banned permanently from the app. Please remember to be kind and above all, Neighborly!

CHAPTER 21

Chevy

I’m sitting in my cruiser, radar pointed out the window watching for the speed demons who sometimes blow through the school zone. Passing out tickets is one of my least favorite tasks on the job. But I never mind ticketing people who can’t pay attention or don’t care about little kids. I’ll happily pass out tickets like tossing candy from a parade float.

It’s also a great distraction from thinking about certain people who have become a little too distracting. A huge yawn overtakes me, and I take a sip of the large coffee in my cup holder.

Last night, I definitely didn’t get enough sleep. Not even close.

First, it’s really hard to stop watching a movie when you get hooked, and despite avoiding all things hobbit and Middle Earth my whole life until now, I am totally invested. Once Val fell asleep on me, I watched until the end of the first movie. I might have even gasped at the end.

Where is my closure? What’s going to happen to those little hobbits as they travel to Mordor? I will not admit to getting choked up over Boromir. And because Val was asleep in my arms at the time, no one can prove anything.

And sure—holding Val in my arms played a part in me staying up too late. It wasn’t just the movie. The soft weight of her against my chest, the tiny sounds she made while sleeping, the tickle of her long hair against my arms. Even thinking about it now makes my insides feel all gooey and warm.

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