The drive home is short and my two charges drive behind me. The house is a rambling Victorian with a wide porch with squat planters dusted with snow that are too heavy to move in for the season. I lead them inside through a crowded foyer and into a brightly lit kitchen to make the introductions to Mrs. Mason, my landlady. She is as surprised to see ( Read more... )

Shots fired ( Read more... )

It’s after dark when I return to the shop with the feeling of eyes on my back. I shrug it off, let myself into the shop through the office, and switch on every light I can. I’m too old to think that the things that go bump in the night are afraid of a few light bulbs, but the light makes me feel more secure anyway. I lock the doors, check and ( Read more... )

The man, his daughter and I hover just inside the door of the diner for a moment. I can only imagine what the three of us look like together, but a waitress grabs three menus and shows us to a table with nary a blink. He orders a coke for himself, milk for his girl, and the waitress looks expectantly at me. I order a cup of tea before I can stop ( Read more... )

February 2, 2006 ( Read more... )