Page 16 of Justice for Daesha

Look who pulled in right behind me.

He attached the picture to it and sent it. He got one back almost immediately.

Please tell him I said hi.

“She says hi,” Amos said, texting.

Just did. Sorry I didn’t text you. Jack distracted me.

He laughed when the next one came in.

Tell him I said to cut it out.

“She says cut it out,” Amos read from the screen.

“I think that’s my cue to go. But listen.” Jack turned to his big brother and smiled. “Good luck. I’m rooting for you. You deserve to be happy, Amos, you really do. As long as you’re not being a dick, and it sounds like you’re not being a dick.”

Amos held up his hand in the scout gesture again. “I swear, I’m not being a dick.”

“Good. If you’re a dick to that girl and I find out, I’m going to kick your ass. Just sayin’,” Jack said as he walked out and pulled the door closed. “Bye, Amos,” he called through the wood, and the older Fletcher brother could hear the car pull away.

Instead of texting again, he hit the contact and waited while it rang. “You didn’t have to call me,” she said when she answered.

“I know, but I felt bad because he pulled in right behind me and I forgot.”

“Did he follow you or something?” Daesha asked and giggled.

“No. He was bringing me back something that Aleta borrowed from me. A bundt pan.”

“You have a bundt pan?”

“I know, right? I’m not sure how that happened. I told him she should’ve kept it because I’m not planning to use it?ever.”

Daesha laughed. “Yeah. You and a bundt pan. Sorry?I don’t see that.”

“Me neither. Oh, well, yeah. I’m home safe and sound. And you get some rest. I’ve got to get to bed too. Morning comes early.”

“It does. I have to be there at seven.”

“Ouch!” Amos said with a laugh. “That’s early!”

“Physical therapy. Get ‘em while they’re fresh,” she said and laughed with him.

“Yeah, I guess so! Goodnight, beautiful.”

“Goodnight, Amos. See you tomorrow night.”

“You can bet on it.” He waited until the phone went silent before he sighed. What was he doing?

He was tired of being alone. And this woman? She looked like she might be just the person who could help him end that lonely streak.

Chapter 3

It occurredto him on his way to work the next morning that he had no groceries in the house and he had no idea what he was going to cook for dinner. Maybe he’d get a brilliant idea during the day. Otherwise, he was screwed.

When he toted the box in, he looked around. Only two other guys were in the office that morning. A quick look into the supervisor’s office told him Mack Wexler wasn’t there yet either. He backed through the conference room door and set the box on the table. Then he went back out front and sat down at his desk.

In thirty minutes, the place was hopping. Everyone had reported for work, and Mack had given them his customary ten-minute warning for the morning meeting. Five minutes before time, Amos grabbed a legal pad and a pen and headed for the conference room. As soon as Mack walked in, Amos saw him give the box an odd look, but the supervisor just went on with his business. When he was finished, he asked, “Does anybody else have anything?”

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