No Ordinary Joe

“Then you’ll have dinner with us. With Joe’s schedule, and my Monday night poker, it’s the only day we get to eat together as a family.”

“I take it he works a lot.”

“The bar is closed Sunday and he takes Monday off, but the rest of the week he’s pretty much there open to close.”

If he spent so little time with his family, Joe might not be too keen on her infiltrating their Sunday supper. “I don’t want to intrude,” she told Sue.

“Well,” she said, planting her hands on her hips. “Since I’m doing the cooking, I get to choose the guests.”

She probably should have said no. She liked the idea of spending time with Sue and Lily Ann, and maybe even Joe, but what if she got attached? She wouldn’t be hanging around very long. Yet at the same time, the thought of spending the evening alone was a little depressing. She was naturally a social person. She liked to be around people. “If you’re sure it’s okay,” she told Sue.

“Of course I’m sure.”

“In that case, if there’s anything I can bring, let me know. I make a mean gelatin salad.”

Sue grinned. “Then definitely bring that. Gelatin is Lily Ann’s all-time favorite food. Although, due to an unfortunate incident with gelatin shooters in high school, Joe won’t touch the stuff. One of these days I’ll tell you the story.”

Reily smiled. “I’d like to hear it.”

They both got up and Sue stepped out the back door with her into the blazing heat. “Lily Ann!” she called.

After several seconds Lily Ann emerged from the backyard. “Do I gotta come in already?”

“Do me a favor and show Reily here where that extra bike is in the garage. She’s going to use it while she’s in town.”

“Okay, Aunt Sue.”

“If you need anything,” Sue said, “just knock on the door.”

“Thanks, Sue.”

Lily Ann darted for the garage and Reily followed her. Sue must have hit a remote inside the house because as they approached, the door rolled open.

“It’s in here,” Lily Ann said.

The interior was about a million degrees and smelled like fertilizer. On one side were all the normal things you would find in a garage. Bikes, lawn equipment and tools, all neatly arranged. A car sat on the opposite side, but it was covered so she couldn’t tell the make or model. Considering the size and contour she would guess something older with muscle.

She wandered over, thinking that she would take a quick peek underneath the vinyl cover. She was reaching toward it when behind her Lily Ann screeched, “Don’t touch that!”

Reily jerked her hand back and turned to Lily Ann. “I was just going to peek.”

“No one is allowed to touch Daddy’s car,” Lily Ann scolded, her expression so earnest, so serious.

“I just wanted to see what kind it was.”

She propped her hand on her skinny hip. “You have to ask