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- 01/19/2022
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Timothy - 79. Chapter 79
The following day I called Judge Howard’s office, and he agreed to meet me for lunch at the Southern Bell Hotel near the Court House. That night Donnie visited.” Tim, Judge Howard is on your side. Tom must move back home, and his parents would like him home. His dad is prepared to protect him.”
I woke up. “Stephen, we must contact Tom. He needs to move back home.”
“Donnie?”
“Yes,” then I fell asleep again.
In the morning, sitting at the breakfast table, Dad announced he was thinking of retiring. “Dad, are you old enough to retire?”
“I’m not old enough, but I have more than 25 years with the company. My retirement money will be less than I would earn if I retired at 65. I was thinking of selling the house and moving closer to you and Stephen.”
I heard a dish break, “Mom, are you okay?”
“Yes, the dish slipped out of my hand.”
I knew that wasn’t true. It was dropped when she heard what Dad said about retiring and moving.
“Dad, it would be easier if the family was together, but what about Eva and John. I don’t think Mom wants to leave this area as long as they live here. Give it some thought and make sure Mom agrees before you make any decisions.”
“I need to get to work. I’ll think about it. Marie, we can discuss it tonight. When I come home.”
“Stephen, let’s run out to the farm, and then we have a luncheon meeting with Judge Howard. I also want to be here for the DA’s press conference.”
“Are we going to talk to Rich?”
‘Yes, after we met with the Judge.”
We stayed long enough at the farm for Stephen to do some work on Randy’s computers, and I had another cup of coffee. Driving back to town, we were too early for our lunch engagement. “Stephen, let’s walk around Main Street. Keep your eyes open and your ears tuned in to any interesting conversations. Try to judge the temperament of the town.”
We walked past the coffee shop, they were pretty busy, and it was too early for lunch and too late for breakfast. “Stephen, let’s have a cup of coffee.” Stephen just smiled as he opened the door for me.
Walking into the coffee shop, the noise level dropped. The quiet became apparent, and the looks weren’t friendly. We went to the counter, sat down, and ordered our coffees. I knew our waiter, and his father was a senior when I was in junior high. “Your Robert’s son, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why did everyone stop talking when we entered?”
“I don’t know, sir.”
We started to drink our coffee slowly. A man came and sat beside me, “Why don’t you take your gay boyfriend and get the hell out of town. Haven’t you caused enough trouble here?”
“Are you jealous? I’m sure one of these men would like to be your boyfriend.”
“Tim, you’re going to start a riot. Let’s finish our coffee and leave.”
“No, Donnie and I took a lot of crap here, but no more.”
“Be smart and listen to your boyfriend.”
I took out one of my cards, “What is your name?”
“Why?”
“I’m having lunch with Judge Howard, and I want to pass your name on to him.”
“Why?”
“He wants to know who the trouble makers are. And you qualify.”
He left, returning to his table murmuring, fucking fags, they are everywhere. Stephen and I finished our coffee and walked to the river. It was like when Donnie and I were in high school. “When Donnie and I were in high school. There were times like today, and we found peace here at the river. The silence was soothing, and the quiet noise of the flowing river seemed to take our anger away.”
“It’s okay, Tim, but it’s evident that the town is on pins and needles.”
“Let’s go to the Hotel, it will be a little early, but that will be okay.”
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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