Page 69 of Forever Endeavor

Sonny

Overnight, the world discovered Janus Lake. The news scavengers staked out the house and clogged Main Street in front of Sonny’s Auto Service and Small Engine Repair, waiting to get the scoop on Cal. The sheriff had even sent a couple of deputies down to monitor the mob and ensure no one got out of hand.

“Look at it this way, maybe it’ll be good for business, boss man.” Gurdeep patted Sonny on the shoulder as they both stood watch at the garage door.

“Not if the whole town blames us for this invasion of the privacy snatchers,” Sonny said.

“In another couple days, this hoopla will blow over and leave us all with one heck of a story. I mean, not as great as Cal’s story, but you know…at least it gives people something to talk about other than how the fish are biting.”

Sonny checked his phone again. “Hopefully, this has been worth it. I haven’t heard from Billie since they arrived in Madison.”

“I hope so too. Wouldn’t it be something if Cal ended up living happily ever after with this lady? It’s what everyone is rooting for.” Gurdeep tapped a screwdriver against his palm. “Until things die down, you’re welcome to stay with us.”

“I appreciate that, man, thanks. Not sure if things can get much worse, but I can’t imagine they’ll improve until they sniff out Cal’s whereabouts.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Sonny spotted a kerfuffle on the sidewalk. “Move it, jerk! Pregnant woman coming through! Outta my way!” Melissa pushed through the throng of media types and charged toward the garage with Chad following behind on his short leash.Never ask if things can get any worse, they inevitably will.

“Sonny, what the hell is going on?” she demanded. “This whole town is crawling with reporters. They’re even staked out at the house.”

He shrugged. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

“I heard about Cal, is that what this is all about? Because if it is, I certainly don’t appreciate being involved in this mess.”

“You’re not involved in any of it. Despite what you might believe, Melissa, the rest of the world does not revolve around you.”

“This is a small town, and like it or not, we still share the same last name. It’s only a matter of time before they start hounding me too.”

He chuckled. “Ah, so that’s why you’re making such a fuss. So, they won’t notice you.”

“No, I’m here because we need to settle this house matter once and for all. We saw the storage unit in the front yard when we drove by. Does that mean you’re taking me up on my offer to settle?”

“Not at all. In fact, I spoke to my lawyer just this morning.” It was a lie, but she didn’t need to know he was bluffing.

“What?” she spat.

He turned away and walked across the floor to the service counter. “My lawyer says because it was our marital home, I have an equal stake in its equity, so he suggested we do one of three things. One, we go to court and see what a judge decides. Two, we sell the house and then go to court to split the proceeds. Or three, we go to court and you can try to buy me out.”

“Buy you out? Your name isn’t even on the title.”

“Neither is yours, but you had no problem cashing the rent checks like it is.”

“C’mon Sonny, don’t make this more difficult than it has to be,” Chad pleaded. “Just take the money and move out.”

Sonny glared. It was still hard to fathom that he once considered Chad a brother from another mother. But to look at him now, all Sonny saw was a pathetic little man who shat all over the bro code. “Fuck off, Chad.”

“For God’s sake, Sonny.” Melissa rested her purse on top of her enormous belly. “As you can plainly see, I’m in no position to negotiate and we can’t afford to drag this out any longer. I need the house back and I need it now.” She reached into the bag and pulled out several wads of Ben Franklins and slammed them down on the counter. “This is my final offer.”

Sonny picked up one of the bankrolls and thumbed through its impressive heft.

“Go on. Count it if you want,” she said.

“Believe me, I will. Not like I’m gonna trust you two not to screw me over. If this is sufficient to cover my inconvenience, I’ll be out of the house by the week’s end.”

Melissa’s eyes widened. “You mean, that’s it? No catch? No hidden agenda?”

“Money talks, bullshit walks,” Sonny said, waving his fingers at her. “Toodles.”

She sniffed. “Fine, end of the week. Come, Chad, we have nursery wallpaper to buy.”

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