There’s Hope For You Yet!

From the diary of Penelope Halwind:

Easter
Every day is a new chance to get everything right.

I looked up when someone knocked on my office door. It was Joker.

“Good evening, Joker.”

“I need to borrow some goons.”

“What can I expect in return?”

“10% over your usual fee.”

“Make it 15 and I’ll see what I can do.”

Nightshade listened as Pigeon and Joker discussed the crime he was planning. A couple of hours later he was there as Joker and crew broke into a private residence. Joker came out first, running and dialing a cell phone. He had a statue of some kind of bird. ‘So that was his plan, framing Pigeon.’ He cut Joker off before he could get to his car and when the police Joker called showed up Joker himself was hanging upside down outside the house.

The day after my boys told me what happened to Joker Stanley dropped by the cafe. As we were talking a young couple came in.

“Hi! Can I talk to the owner?”

“I’m the owner, miss. How can I help you?”

“I belong to a community theatre group and would like to know if I could put a couple of flyers up in the cafe windows.”

I agreed as Stanley shook the young man’s hand. “What’s up? You’re off today?”

“Yeah.” He looked to make sure the girl was not in earshot. “I owe you big for introducing me to Jen.”

“Jen? You’re on a pet name basis already?”

He smiled. “Just remember, I owe you.”

As his friend walked away I noticed Stanley looking at the girl. He noticed and put his hands in his pockets, as if to say ‘what can I say?’ and walked over to me.

“You’re eyes are turning green again.”

“Heaven forbid!” I stammered, busted. “Looking is not the problem.” I took a deep breath. “It’s the insecurity of the other party.” I thought about how he might feel if I flirted with some customers. Would he be jealous, too? Probably not, he had nothing to worry about. If he felt like leaving me he would find someone else in a heartbeat.

“Listen,” he said as he put his hands on my shoulders, “if I want out I’ll tell you to your face, ok?”

I was relieved, and surprised. Had he read my mind? I was on the verge of a… frilly moment. Time to crack wise. “So you’re not going to tell me I can’t watch Johnny Depp movies, or pro-wrestling, or that cute guy on Numb3rs?”

“Well, that one wrestler who calls himself a ‘chick magnet’ IS a little much…”

Wow. I hadn’t even known he watched pro-wrestling. I thought it might be too ‘redneck’ for him. Of course there were girls on there too. You learn something new every day.