Sandi bit her bottom lip. It was pointless to continue with this argument. Richard was undaunted in his defense of John Wilson. He couldn’t change his position and Sandi wouldn’t be moved from hers.
“Honey,” he said softly, moving closer to where she stood, “this whole thing will be over in a matter of weeks. Maybe less. Let’s make a plan to get away to San Antonio or Santa Fe. Or maybe down to the coast. How about St. Thomas? Wherever you want.”
Instantly, Sandi thought of her animals. If she were gone for an extended period, who would take care of them? “I’d love to go anywhere with you, Richard. You know that. But we can talk about it later. You’d better go on home so you can get back to work. The sooner you get that trial over, the better.”
Sandi let him pull her close. Richard planted a kiss on the top of her head. “You’re right about that. I’ll call you later.”
As he drove away, Sandi stood at the door watching, the same question she had dismissed so many times going through her mind. Could her relationship with Richard Townsend withstand John Wilson’s murder trial? And if it did, what about the next trial?
***
“It’s Raining Men” by the Pointer Sisters interrupted Sandi’s TV surfing. Grinning broadly, she keyed into the call on her cell phone. “Aunt Ed! What a great time for you to call.”
“It is? Why?”
“My boyfriend just left and I’m alone. I can’t think of anyone who can cheer me up more than you.”
“Well, thanks, hon. Listen, you still looking for a home for that parakeet, the one that talks?”
“You mean the African Grey. He’s a parrot, Aunt Ed. Not a parakeet.”
“Whatever,” Edwina said. “Birds are birds.”
“Well, not exactly,” Sandi replied, glancing in the direction of the Jake’s room and biting down on her lower lip. Dammit, she hadn’t intended to get attached to him.
Of course, she had that attitude in the beginning with every one of her foster pets, but after a few weeks or months, she hated to see them go. Ultimately, a good and loving home was what she wanted for all of them, including Jake. She was convinced being a foster parent to an animal—or fowl—and then letting them move on carried the same emotional upheaval that parting from a child would. Love was love, two legs or four. Or in Jake’s case, two large feet and a dirty mouth.
“I do have to find a home for him, but I’m particular about where he goes. You know me, Aunt Ed. I get attached and—”
“Now don’t get upset, hon. It won’t be going that far. You can come to see it any time. I can’t wait for Vic to see it. Is it still cussin’ with every other breath?”
“I’m afraid so. I’ve tried to break him, but I haven’t had a lot of luck. Sorry.”
“No problem. I think it’ll remind Vic of his days in the Navy.”
Sandi couldn’t imagine anyone better suited for the foul-mouthed fowl than a former sailor. The fact that she would still get to visit Jake was a plus.
“He’s picked up some new words, but he hasn’t forgotten the old ones. I hope that won’t —”
“Perfect.” Edwina said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Vic will think he’s talking to one of his old Navy buddies. Can I come get him tomorrow? The landlocked sailor is out of town and I want to surprise him when he comes back.”
Sandi’s heartbeat picked up, but she had been through this before and knew it would pass. She was born to be a mother and like all good mothers, seeing one of her children leave made her anxious.
“Sure, tomorrow is fine.”
“After lunch?”
“Perfect, see you — Wait, Aunt Ed. My helper is going to mind my store tomorrow so I can have a day off. I could ask her to also babysit Waffle and I could bring Jake down to Salt Lick. Maybe I could get my hair trimmed while I’m down there.”
“You sure could, hon. I just happen to know somebody who’s an expert at trimming pretty long red hair.”
Sandi hung up, went to Jake’s room and opened the door. “Looks like you’re getting a new home tomorrow, Jakey. But you don’t mind, do you?”
He gave no reaction. As far as Sandi could tell, he was devoid of emotion or affection. She walked into the room and extended her hand. “Come to mama. It’s almost time for me to open the store. Time for school. Time for your vocabulary lessons.”
“Awrrk! Hate school, hate school.”
Hmm. Maybe he wasn’t devoid of emotion.
Chapter 6
The next morning, Edwina was already at the Styling Station when Debbie Sue arrived. “Hey, Ed. Early appointment?”
“Nope. I got up early to watch my TV show on Netflix. It ended, so I just came to work. It’s lonesome in that trailer house without Vic.”
“I wish you’d stop calling your home a trailer house, Ed. It’s a beautiful double-wide. It’s bigger and prettier and more modern than the old house I live in.”
Just then, the cowbell on the front door clattered and Burma Johnson came in. She seated herself at Debbie Sue’s station and Debbie Sue covered her shoulders with a black plastic cape. “What are we doing today, Burma?
“Just the usual, honey.”
Debbie Sue walked her back to the shampoo room. They soon returned and Debbie Sue began to dry and style Burma’s hair.
Edwina plopped into her styling chair, crossed her long skinny legs and began swinging her foot.
“Ooh, your shoes,” cried Burma. “I love them. Wherever did you get them?”
Edwina stuck out her leg and flexed her foot, showing off the straw platform sandals with bunches of glittery butterflies adorning the toes.
“Online. Butterflies on my toes. Cute, huh?”
Debbie Sue stuck out a foot covered by a Tony Llama boot. “Mine might not be cute, but they’re comfortable. And I can walk, even run, when
