Page 34 of Stealth Mission
The sun is warm. The birds are chirping. The tile is still cool from the night air.
I perch on a decorative stone my grandfather placed at the edge of the lawn. The curve of the stone is the perfect shape to be a bench. Mother nature’s invitation to sit and enjoy the view, or call your best friend.
This situation calls for emotional support.
Mellie Hawkberry answers on the first ring—singing loudly. “Sunshine, you are my sunshine!”
I chuckle as I wrap my arms around my knees. It’s so good to hear her voice. “Someone’s in a good mood.”
“I’m always in a good mood when you call.”
“You’re too kind. I think you’re just singing so you can disturb the neighborhood before eight in the morning.”
“Maybe some of that, too. What’s up, sister?”
I drop my face to my knees, pressing my brow against my jeans. “You won’t believe it if I told you. Do you have a minute?”
She’s walking. I wish I was there with her, like when we were in school.
Her small feet are plinking on the pavement—her morning routine. “Try me, I love a good story.”
“Well… I was in a bank robbery yesterday.”
“Shut the front door!”
Her feet must halt too, because there’s no walking sounds now.
Squeezing the phone, I don’t know if I want to scowl or grin. “That was only the beginning…”
“There’smore?”
“A lot more, but I just want to get to the really confusing part. After the explosion?—”
She cuts me off, her volume threatening to burst my eardrum. “Explosion!?!”
“That’s really not the interesting part.”
The walking sound returns, but much faster now. “This is going to be great.”
Chapter Fourteen
A cluster of men in overalls is leaving the hardware store. They part around me as I walk inside, never dropping their animated conversation. The hum of machinery, air conditioning and muted voices fills the air inside the low-slung metal building.
Familiarity settles in. This place is like any other hardware store in any other small town—the perfect place for my morning mission.Two missions.
A feeling of hope buzzes under my skin. This is a hub for the community. A great place for asking questions.
It’s early, but the place is humming with activity. Most people—men and women—are dressed for construction work or look like they’re local farmers. I’m pretty much the sore thumb in my wrinkled dress shirt rolled up on my forearms and suittrousers. But I only draw a cursory glance, even from the men gathered by the entrance, engaging in social hour.
After a quick look around, I spot what I need—the lighting aisle.
“Can I help you?” A man approaches me. His yellow vest has the hardware store name embroidered on the chest along and a tag with the name, Paulo.
I’m impressed with the amount of people that speak English in Vandemora. My Spanish is good, but English is just more natural for me.
“I need solar lighting for a sidewalk and some motion activated solar flood lights.”
“This way.”