Chapter 35

 

The lazy warmth of July drifted into the humid heat of August. Larry Louama was charged with the murder of J. Everett Bailey, and Juanita Ybarra for Angelica’s murder. Although she kept accusing Larry and Pablo of the crime, she was the knife expert, and the autopsy had officially concluded that Angelica had most probably died from being stabbed, due to those knife marks on the ribs. Larry and Pablo were charged as accessories, and the drugs found at the old house led to still more charges.

DuWayne’s case had been handled speedily, and he was already in the State Prison where he would spend the next two years. He had promised Star he’d be on his best behavior and be out in time to see her graduate from high school.

“You’d better be!” she had said. I knew she really hoped he could be there for her.

The reward money was delivered, in the form of a cashier’s check, to Misses Star and Sunny Leonard. I saw the check myself, because Len asked me to go with them all to the bank to make the deposit. I had wondered which last name the girls used. Len explained that although they cared for their dad, when he and Becky had gained custody the girls chose to become Leonards.

After much discussion, Len and the girls had decided to put most of the money into savings for their college educations. A newer house was considered, but they all agreed that they didn’t mind the small trailer all that much, and they’d rather be certain of being able to go to college.

They spent a little bit on themselves. Sunny picked out a new bicycle, and Star signed up for a year of tennis lessons. They whispered and giggled, and enlisted my help to take Len to Emily City one afternoon. At the furniture outlet he tried out all the recliners until he found the most comfortable one, which they bought on the spot, with a matching love seat. They were obviously delighted to use the words that sounded so sophisticated, “We’ll have it delivered, please.”

After that, I was informed that the next stop was the mobile phone store, where they replaced my cell phone which Larry had broken the day he had been captured.

The town was a-buzz because of the solution of these old crimes. Adele was telling everyone of her small role, and making people believe (at least she thought so) that she had done much more than spearhead literacy training and the purchase of a refrigerator. “It will do for Len for years, long after the girls are grown,” Adele assured the committee members. Of course, the Family Friends voted to buy the Leonards the appliance, despite their new fortune. The money really belonged to the girls.

Len’s reading lessons finally began. The old couch with a recliner section was trucked to the library. It became the first piece of furniture in an area of relaxed seating where people could read. This also made it possible for Len to take his lessons in comfort. New methods of helping dyslexics were working well, and the tutor advised us that Len was making great progress. Since he loved books so much, he was already checking out the maximum number allowed each week, and didn’t seem to mind that they were books for children. “I just can’t get over how I can see the words now!” he had told me, wonder in his voice.

School would be starting in just a few weeks, so Star, Sunny and I spent more than a few days struggling with the less-dangerous mysteries of fabric, pins, and the sewing machine. Oh yes, and the seam ripper. But with plenty of time to spare, the salmon top and bright skirt and vest were finished. The girls were already planning their next fabric purchases.

Finally, the day came we’d all been dreading. My second cousin, Vic, was coming to pick up Paddy. Star and Sunny had asked to be at my house for the sad event, and I had agreed that they could come. Actually, I’d had a long phone conversation with Len about this very topic. Saying goodbye to Paddy would be very emotional for all of us. And yet, I knew I couldn’t keep him, even if he hadn’t been Vic’s dog. As much as I’d enjoyed his company, I didn’t really want to have the continual responsibility for another life. I was enjoying my new freedom too much.

The girls were playing with Paddy in the yard when, much to their dismay, Vic pulled into the driveway, slightly earlier than expected. I was sitting on the terrace.

Vic stepped out of his battered Subaru, and looked around. He had returned from Egypt tan and fit. Vic is about ten years younger than I am, and he looked great in jeans and a white polo shirt. However, Paddy showed no interest in going to him, and continued to chase the ball Sunny had just thrown.

“Hey Paddy! Come.” Vic called.

The dog glanced up and trotted over to Vic, but he looked at me for reassurance. Vic ruffled the long red ears.

“Come in and have some iced tea,” I said. I didn’t want to hurry the goodbye.

“Sure, I can do that,” he said.

“Do you want to come in too?” I asked the girls.

“No, we’ll play with Paddy,” Star answered.

Vic and I went inside and chatted for about thirty minutes about family issues over tall glasses of tea. I had hoped Vic would be able to spend some time with Chad this summer, but I knew from a phone conversation that the timing wasn’t going to work out this year. Vic’s mother, Rita, was well, but Vic reported that she still thought I was crazy to live in such a small town. Finally, it was time to say goodbye.

I broke down Paddy’s wire kennel and folded it. Vic carried the awkward package to the car and slid it through the hatchback. I piled on the blankets and bowls and toys.

“It’s time, girls,” I said solemnly.

“Don’t you have to take down the cable run?” Star asked. I thought I heard her voice catch.

“I’m going to leave that up in case Paddy or another dog visits me.”

“Oh, OK,” Star said. “But I thought Vic lived in Chicago. That’s a long way to visit very often.”

Sunny was hugging Paddy and not even pretending that she wasn’t crying.

“I do live in Chicago,” Vic said. “But, I’m leaving soon on another research trip, this time to Kenya. So I thought maybe Paddy would like to live in Hammer Bridge Town.”

It took a minute for the girls to process what Vic meant. They both looked at me.

“But Grandpa...” Sunny began.

“Your grandpa already said it’s a wonderful idea,” I told them with a grin. “The things are already loaded. Shall we take Paddy to his new home now?”

“Yes!” both girls said. Sunny suddenly started hiccupping, and Paddy nuzzled her in the ribs, which changed the hiccups to uncontrolled giggling.

“You and the girls lead, I’ll follow,” Vic said. Sunny, Star, Paddy and I climbed into the Jeep as fast as was possible given all the hugs that were being exchanged. Even Vic was not immune from the happy embraces.

The dog and both girls were in the back seat of the Jeep bouncing with joy. Vic came over to shut the back door and fondled the dog’s red head. He asked playfully, “Hey Paddy, weren’t you bored in this old dead swamp all summer? It looks like nothing much ever happens here.”