Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons
Page 15

“Both of those cranky butts will get over it. Word has it Judge McClary was about to pass out himself.”
Marjorie Grace told everyone to report at nine o’clock the next morning but held me behind. “Are you sure you’re okay? Was it just the heat?”
I knew what she was asking, and if I hadn’t gotten squeamish looking at the photo of the dead man, I might have been insulted. Still, I couldn’t tell her I’d seen a vision in the men’s restroom, confirming my suspicion Bruce Wayne Decker was an innocent man after all. What would Mr. Yates think of that? But more importantly, who was the man outside my bathroom stall and how was it that Mr. Decker had been arrested instead?
I shook my head. “I’m fine, Marjorie Grace. I think it was a combination of the heat and the toxic cat food fumes comin’ from Mrs. Baker.”
Marjorie Grace laughed. “That’d do it right there.”
I grabbed my purse and stood. “I’m gonna go home to my air conditioned house and take a long cold shower and a nap.”
“Take it easy tonight.”
I wasn’t looking forward to the walk to my car, but it wasn’t much hotter outside than in.
When I pulled onto my street, I saw a U-Haul parked in front of Joe’s old house. I gasped. No matter how much I’d prepared myself, I still wasn’t ready for the final evidence that Joe was really gone.
Don’t be silly. He sleeps in your house, which is better than sleeping next door any day.
Yet I couldn’t swallow the lump in my throat as I pulled into the driveway. Three little boys played in the front yard, running around two men who were carrying a dresser from the truck.
“Heidi Joy!” one of the men shouted. “Come get these kids!”
A young woman appeared in the doorway with a baby on her hip and a toddler clinging to her leg. “Andy, I’m trying to unpack the house!”
“We’re gonna be short a kid or two if we drop this damned dresser on ’em.”
“Boys! Go in the backyard. Now!” the woman shouted.
The boys continued to run in circles, ignoring her.
Heidi Joy stepped on the porch. “Don’t be makin’ me get the wooden spoon!” She turned my direction and her eyes flew open in horror.
I waved, then pointed to my house with my thumb. “Hi, I’m Rose and I live next door.”
She hobbled down the steps, the toddler still clinging to her leg. “Benny, you’re gonna have to let go.” The little boy dropped his grip and wailed.
Heidi Joy sighed in exasperation and grabbed his hand, tugging him to the yard. “Hi,” she said when she reached me. “I’m Heidi Joy Blankenship, and that’s my husband Andy.”
One of men nodded.
“And these are my boys.” The kids crowded around her, curious. The baby on her hip grabbed a handful of Heidi Joy’s long black hair and stuffed it in his mouth. Heidi Joy didn’t seem to notice.
“Hi,” I waved again.
A wide-eyed boy who looked like he was four or five peeked between Heidi Joy’s legs. “Do you have any kids?”
“What? No. No kids.”
The boys groaned in disappointment.
“But I have a dog, Muffy, who desperately needs to come out. Hold on just a second.” I unlocked my door and opened the bathroom door. Muffy made a beeline for the ajar kitchen door and squatted next to a bush at the corner of the house.
“Eww!” the boys shrieked. One of them wandered over and peered down at the pile, grinning. He petted the top of Muffy’s head. “What’s his name?”
“He’s a she and her name is Muffy.”
“She’s ugly,” the boy peeking through Heidi Joy’s legs said.
His mother reached behind her and swatted the top of his head. “Keith! Don’t be sayin’ things like that! Tell the nice lady you’re sorry.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
Muffy was kind of ugly, but that didn’t mean other people could say so. “I’ll have you know that Muffy is an intelligent dog and understands more than most people give her credit for. You might have hurt her feelings.”
The little boy bit his lip, remorse in his eyes.
“I’m so sorry!” Heidi Joy gushed. “They’re completely out of control today. Although it doesn’t seem like it, they’re good boys. They won’t be causin’ you any trouble.”
“That’s okay.” I smiled. “I have a niece and a nephew so I know all about kids.”
“Are you married?”
“Me? No.” Why did that question always catch me off guard now? “I have a boyfriend. In fact, he used to live in your house until he moved back to Little Rock.”
“If he’s your boyfriend, how come he moved away from you?” the oldest boy asked, scrunching up his nose.
“Andy Junior!” Heidi Joy grabbed his arm and jerked him toward her.
“Well, his job here was temporary and when it was done, he had to go back. He comes down on the weekends.”
Heidi Joy covered her chest with her hand. “So you met him while he was living here? That’s so romantic.” The baby stared at me, a handful of hair still in his mouth. Drool dripped off his chin.
“What’s his job?” Andy Jr. asked.
“He works for the state police.”
“He’s a cop?”
“Yeah.” The chaos of the little boys was getting to me, not to mention the heat. And talking about Joe reminded me how desperately I needed to get his advice on how to handle the Bruce Wayne Decker situation. I couldn’t sit around and let an innocent man go to prison, but I also couldn’t see Mr. Deveraux dropping all the charges. Somehow I didn’t think he’d appreciate the significance of my vision in the men’s restroom. “I should probably take Muffy inside now. It’s awfully hot today. I can’t even imagine moving in this heat. Can I get you anything? Some tea?”