Page 29 of Property of The Grump

“He texted me this afternoon, but it was super simple, and I know he doesn’t mean it.”

“What did he say?”

“He just agreed with me.”

“So, what’s the problem then? Sounds like everything is going the way you want it to.”

“Maybe.” I shrug and twist my finger through my hair as I lean against the picnic table and stare out into the street, watching a man walk his golden retriever, or rather, the golden retriever walking the man. “I don’t trust it, though. He just said‘okay then, enjoy your life.’Don’t you think that’s weird?”

“No, I think it means‘it’s over and you should enjoy your life.’Have you contacted a lawyer?”

“I sent an email to a guy back home that’s a family friend. He said he’d have the paperwork over to Zane by the end of the day.”

“Damn, he moves fast. Why do people complain so much about divorces taking so long?”

“I’m not asking for anything. I want a clean out.”

“But some of that money is owed to you. You’re going to need it to start over.”

“I know,” I sigh, the scent of cinnamon in the air, though I can’t gauge where it’s coming from, “but I know Zane, and the easier I make this, the more likely he is to sign and be done.”

I know Tilly wants to lecture me, but I hear her bite back the advice, which I appreciate. “You know you have me if you need anything. A place to stay, a meal, whatever. I’ve got you.”

“I know you do. Thank you, babe.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I’ve currently got my rental ripped apart. There’s no running water, and the electricity is shotty.”

“What the hell?”

“I guess a root grew into the water line or something, so my brother has been out in the yard since he got off his shift. He’s trying to help me out while the landlord is out of state. We’ll see if it works. Don’t forget, he’s got your back too. The sheriff has loads of pull. If Zane gives you trouble, I’ll put him on it.”

I know she means well, though I know a small-town cop like her brother wouldn’t scare Zane. Not when he has congressional leaders for buddies.

“Thank you. Right now, I’m ignoring the whole thing and doing some work with the church. It’s been therapeutic for me.”

“I’m sure it has.” She shifts her tone upward as she says, “Did Father Andersons sit in on this meeting?”

“No.” I shake my head. “He was busy today. That’s why he asked me to do the job. It’s helping alleviate all the stress he’s under. I had no idea how much work a priest actually does. He’sdoing a nursing home visit right now. I don’t know how he keeps everything straight.”

“I’m jotting that down too. I think it’ll make the fanfiction sound more lived-in.”

“Are you Lotus Flower?”

“Please! Don’t insult me. If I were Lotus Flower, these stories would have way more heart. Whoever’s writing this went pure smut mode. Every addition is some weird thing this priest is into.”

“Is there a single love interest?”

“Yeah. It’s this girl… umm… blonde hair, big tits, wears all these colorful dresses, drives a convertible.”

“Oh my God.”

“What?”

“I know who Lotus Flower is.”

“Who is it?”

I shake my head and stare up at the sky, the cool fall air filtering through my lungs. “I can’t say.”