Chapter 19 #2
“Any word on what they were doing in the field?” I asked.
“Apparently they were worried you’d buried some bodies, so they called in a contractor to start digging,” Matalie explained. “They went pretty deep in a large area and didn’t find anything at all.”
I started laughing, and Matalie twisted around in her seat. “What’s so funny?”
“That’s exactly what Ma hoped they would do.”
“Dig up your field?”
“The soil in that area has too much clay, so we’ve always had drainage issues and haven’t been able to plant much. Since it is basically useless for our needs, we planned to till it up, build some berms, and make a runoff pond for irrigation.”
“Your mom sent them on a wild goose chase so they’d pay to get the work done in her field?”
“She did.”
“Ma is a genius!” Captain roared with laughter. “Holy shit, that’s awesome!”
“Did they pull up the trees?” When Matalie nodded, I grinned. “Did they put them back when they were finished looking?” She nodded again. “How pissed off were the investigators?”
“Since all the information they had came from Fabiella, I’d hate to be her right now.”
“So would I, since that pond will take over the property she lives on.”
Matalie giggled wickedly. “She’s gonna find out that karma is an even bigger bitch than she is.”
We pulled up in front of the house, and I was surprised no one came outside to greet us. I was even more surprised when I heard loud music and laughter coming from inside.
“What the hell are they doing in there?” Duke asked.
“Did you expect a parade after returning home from such a long incarceration?” Captain asked sarcastically.
I opened the door and walked inside just as Starla threw her hands in the air and yelled, “Take that, fuckers!”
A pile of cash sat in the middle of the table, and half-filled glasses were in front of Ma, Starla, and two women I didn’t recognize. Tom and my sons didn’t look nearly as relaxed or cheerful as the ladies around the table, and they were the first to notice us.
Tom stood and pulled me into a rough embrace. “Thought we lost you again.”
“Not this time.”
“There better not be a next time,” Tom warned with an angry look. Then he smiled. “Me and the boys pushed dirt out there for about six hours today. If the rain comes in like they predicted, someone’s gonna have to wade through deep water while she thinks about the worry she put our family through.”
“Already started, huh?”
“Most of the work was finished, so there’s no time like the present,” Grant said.
“Are you okay with that, son?” I asked Grant, but I also looked over at Garrison and Gabe.
“She’s not part of this family, so she doesn’t belong on this land,” Garrison said firmly. “Especially since she’s actively trying to sabotage everything you’ve worked for since you were released.”
“She’ll always be your mother.”
“As if any of us could forget,” Gabe muttered. He stood and threw his arm around my shoulder. “But now that you’re home, you get to deal with her after she’s been sloughing through mud.”
Ma had already jumped up and was busy making drinks for our guests, and I watched Starla’s slow smile transform her face as I walked around the table to greet her.
I pulled her out of her chair and into my arms. “Are you okay, pretty Star?”
“I’m fine. It sucked being in the back of a cop car again, but knowing I hadn’t done anything to put myself there made it a lot easier. I knew I’d be home soon.”
“Did they keep you long?”
“Just a few hours and then I walked out. Lurk picked me up on your bike and brought me home. I still don’t know how he figured out I’d be walking at that exact time, but I’ve realized there’s a lot of mystery surrounding that man, and some of it isn’t pleasant.”
“What happened?”
“He threw me out of the fucking window!” Frog yelled from the living room.
I turned around at the same time Duke, Captain, and Matalie did, and they looked just as shocked as I was to see Frog lying on the couch with his casted leg propped up on a mound of pillows.
Before we could say anything, Starla sighed. “He’s being dramatic.”
“You were a little dramatic when you found me,” Frog said, shooting Starla a glare. “I’m just angry they pumped so much shit into my IV that I didn’t even realize what you told them to do!”
Starla wrapped her arms around my waist and smiled. “I got to choose his cast colors.”
Frog angrily yanked the blanket off his leg, and the whole room cracked up. My friend now proudly wore a pink and gray striped cast–and would for at least the next six weeks.
When Starla and Ma giggled, I realized they’d been into the rum. I knew for sure when I kissed Starla again and tasted it on her lips. “Did you and Ma get into her private stash?”
“We did, and then my friends showed up and we had quite a reunion.”
I turned to the two unfamiliar ladies and smiled before sticking out my hand to introduce myself.
“Sarge, I’d like you to meet Moe and Taylor, two of my very good friends.”
“It’s a pleasure, ladies,” I said as I shook their hands.
“I hope you don’t mind that we invaded your home without notice,” Taylor said as I pulled out the chair next to hers and sat, pulling Starla onto my lap once I settled.
“When we called to talk to Starla and Ma answered her phone, we jumped in the car and drove up to check on her. We were bound to find our way here eventually, but today’s events sped up the timeline. ”
“And by the time we got here, she and Ma both needed a keeper,” Moe announced. “We helped finish dinner and got everyone fed, although it’s probably not up to your usual standards.”
“I’m starving!” Duke announced as he walked into the kitchen.
“It might not be as good as what Ma would serve, but it beats jail food,” Taylor assured him.
“Honey, if it’s anything more than a bologna sandwich, I might propose.”
While the rest of the room debated the best foods and worst foods they’d ever eaten, I rested my forehead against Starla’s. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m better now that you’re home.”
“I was worried about you, pretty Star.”
“I’m stronger than you think,” Starla assured me.
“I hope you never have to prove it again.”
“What’s going to happen now, Sarge?”
“We’re going to spend the rest of our lives laughing about this shitshow of a day. Every time we drive past that new pond, we’ll laugh even harder.”
“I can’t wait.”