Page 109 of Tangled Emotions

“No.” Edie dropped her arm. “You didn’t. An actual cop or higher up in the Corp?”

“A higher up. He was drunk and being an ass in this bar we all were hanging out in. He was asked twice by the bouncer to calm down.” I took a drink. “Saw he was acting up again, so I went and told him he was being a bad example for the Corp. He told me ‘go back to being a pup. You don’t know me. I’m motha fuckin’. King Kong!’. Well, I don’t give up easy so I tried again, ‘Sir, you are about to get kicked out. You need to chill, please.’”

“That doesn’t sound bad yet.”

“His reply was to give me a dirty look, and well, I’d been drinkin’ too so that’s when I hit him.”

She covered her mouth to hide the smile and giggles, but I saw her shoulders bounce.

“Got us both kicked out. He reported me to my Command, which got me an office visit.”

“Sounds like Evelyn.” She snorted.

“I told my side, which was backed up by bar security. I got a reduction in rank and pay loss for 6 months. Officer got nothing.”

“What the hell?” Her jaw dropped. “That’s not right.”

Shrugging, I gave her a smug smile. “Next time I saw said officer, I hit him again. Nothing happened to me that time. Gotta love when your bud is an M.P.” I winked.

“Damn.”

“Your turn, sweetness.”

Edie rolled her eyes. “You really don’t want to know this.”

“Oh. I really do.” I propped my elbows on the table and put my head in my hands, batting my eyes.

“Mom and Dad left for a second honeymoon. They left Big E in charge of the diner and Gene ran off with some friends to Vegas.That left me with sixteen-year-old Evelyn and my four-year-old son.”

She took a drink. “Well, Cesare Cordova showed up with some buddies. Evie had her bestie there, and the boys brought over a shit-ton of beer with them. All was going well until someone got a brilliant idea to see who can throw the bottles the farthest.”

I watched the tense smile on her face, and her nostrils flared. “These shithead kids threw not only the empties but full bottles. Long story short, someone called the cops, the cops arrived and I’m about to piss myself because I am theonlyperson of age.”

My body bounced with laughter, and the new sneer on her face didn’t help.

“It was Officer Campbell. And my damn sister came out of the apartment with hands on hips sassing him. He told her,‘why don’t you go inside and get a broom, and dustpan and sack to hold for these boys to clean up their mess’.”

“So that mouth worked from the get go.”

“Oh yeah. She’s like a rabid Chihuahua.” She frowned. “My heart was calming down, I wasn’t panicking at this moment and I thought everything was going okay. Until Evie comes out the door with a dustpan, broom and held up both hands yelling at him, ‘paper or plastic, officer?’”

“Oh shit.” I busted up with laughter.

“That’s what I said too.” She pressed her lips together. “I was sure I was going to jail, but he just had her put one bag in the other and hold the bag for the boys to clean up.” She refilled her cup. “It was the only time in my life I was scared to lose my son.”

“Your parents wouldn’t let that happen.”

“No, they wouldn’t, but when you’re young, don’t party or get in trouble your mind goes to the worst.”

“Paper or plastic?”

“Oh god.” She laughed. “When I ask her if she’s serious about something that’s the answer I get.”

Our food arrived, and Matt showed up with Peter and Alex in tow. “Can they eat too?”

“There’s plenty.” I offered.

“Go wash your hands.” Edith made loops in the air, suggesting all their hands.

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