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Oh, yes, the hermit, Robert said, taking a step back, his nose scrunching up as if he smelled something putrid. Sam rolled his eyes. Will wouldn t just pack up and head home... No... He scratched at his chin. That little bastard wouldn t give up that easily. I mean, when he camped out on Mrs. Hastings s property, he... Robert yawned. That s it! Sam crowed. Thank you, Mr. Jones, you ve been very unhelpful. He slapped Robert on the shoulder. Robert pulled away and then discreetly sanitized the counter with a bottle of cleaner and a flick of his wrist. Everyone knew those writer types were chock full of germs and had no soul, and that sort of stuff was catching. Sam saluted Robert and exited the building, limping the entire way. *** For the last time, Mr. Kostas, Mrs. Hastings said bitterly, peering out the door of her farmhouse. Willy isn t here, he never was in the past few days, and he s not comin back! Now kindly remove yourself from my property! Private Property - 48 Sam stared ahead at the woman and heaved a great sigh. She crossed her arms, and Sam was pretty sure she wouldn t back down. She had the look of someone weathered not only with age, but with honest, hard work and clean living. Sam wanted to hate her, but her cheery garden and rosy cheeks made it impossible. Even his fear of the elderly couldn t stop him from warming up a little to the woman. There was something to be said for a person who would offer you milk and cookies, while at the same time shaking a cane at you and demanding you get off their property. Look, lady-- Mrs. Hastings huffed. Mrs. Hastings, Sam said. Well, where is he? I can t say I know, now can I? Sam made a face, slipping his hand into his pocket and touching the ring. I can pay you. Mrs. Hastings gasped. You will do no such thing! Please, just tell me where Will is, Sam begged. I ve got to give him a ring, I-- Mrs. Hastings s eyes widened. Oh, no, no, not like that! Sam groaned. See, I kicked him off my property after he made me breakfast in the morning, he made a mess of my bed and-- Mrs. Hastings was pale white. Sam sighed. I give up. You show me this ring, Mrs. Hastings said firmly. Or I ll whack you a good one. She lifted her cane menacingly. Sam felt ridiculous, but he pulled the ring out of his pocket and held it up for Mrs. Hastings to see. Well, heavens to Betsy! she cried. Now that s a horse of a different color, ain t it? Um. Sam tried to smile. It sure, um, is. Little Willy s back in Mystic, ought to be working right now. It s the Das Essen bakery on Lindbergh Street. Not avenue, street, she said. You got that? Sam s eyes lit up. Got it. Repeat it back to me, she said. Sam made a face. Lindbergh...? Street, not avenue, Sam said dumbly. Okay, Mrs. Hastings said, her voice taking on a fond tone. Now you go, and you find him. Private Property - 49 All right. Be good to him, you hear? she said sternly. Yeah, Sam said, nodding and walking backwards away from her. For an old person, she really wasn t that bad, he d decided. Though she did have quite the mouth on her. You got it. He turned on his heel and walked away, shaking his head. Willy s been through so much! Mrs. Hastings called after Sam. So much, you hear me? After his parents were in that accident and left him all alone, he had no one! Seventeen years old, all alone in that house! Sam slowed his walk, groaning. Are you kidding me? he muttered. Had to fend for himself! Mrs. Hastings bellowed. Not a scrap of family in the world! Sides me, of course, but I ain t flesh and blood! Sam turned around. I know, he said testily. I ll be nice to him, okay? She nodded sweetly. Pleasant trip. Sam, feeling miserable, walked across the field to his house and got into his car. He had to be quick if he was going to catch the next ferry. *** After wandering down the street for a good ten minutes in Mystic, Sam looked up with a great sigh and swore loudly. The street sign above him read Lindbergh Avenue . Sam, you idiot, he muttered under his breath. Street, not avenue. One should always listen to their elders. At the end of Lindbergh Street sat Das Essen, the darlingest-looking bakery that Sam had ever seen. Just the fact that Sam thought it was darling made him feel angry and confused and, if he dared to admit it, fluttery. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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