Page 41 of As a Last Resort
I forgot how that tone of voice crawled up my spine and stuck a needle in the back of my neck.
She bulldozed ahead.“Easier than staying here and letting me take care of you?”
Right, because that ever happened in the last ten years.
“Are you free tomorrow?”I asked, shoving the back talk down my throat.
“I’ll be back on the island tomorrow, yes.Make sure you steer clear of Mr.Crenshaw downtown.The old man’s been pulling out his privates and showing everyone lately.It’s really become quite a distraction on the street.”
“I’d imagine so.”Every call with her was a roulette wheel spin but I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Don’t touch it,” she continued.“There’s a rash or something on it.Apparently, he’s been fooling around with another patient at the assisted living—”
“Hey, Mom, I have to jump on a call real quick.I’ll stop by tomorrow,” and I hung up.Why in the world would I touch Mr.Crenshaw’s wiener?I really never knew what my conversations with her would be like.
I walked up the steps to my bungalow and plopped down in the wicker chair.I took a deep breath.The air felt just a little bit damp no matter what time of day it was.
My phone dinged.
LEXI:Hiiiiiiii, it’s Lexi
Any chance you’re free to hang tomorrow night?
ME:Mom said she’ll be here tomorrow.
I have to go say hi.
LEXI:Perfect timing.
You can say hi, then I’ll come rescue you.
ME:I prolly shouldn’t commit just in case.
You never know what could happen.
LEXI:I’ll be your scapegoat.
You could use a distraction after the fireworks.
Just for a few hours.
ME:Maybe?
LEXI:I won’t take no for an answer.
I have an idea.
I’ll pick you up at 6.
13
AUSTIN
You want me to go where?”I asked Lexi over the phone, positive I heard her wrong.
“Putt-Putt golfing.”She was exasperated, like I was severely putting her out by confirming her harebrained idea just one more time.
“I thought that got shut down by the city years ago.”
