Page 83 of Recipe for Rivals
“Okay.” Her smile slipped past me to where Jill stood in the doorway now. “Thank you guys for helping.”
“No problem,” Jill said before walking past us down the steps.
After we got the place aired out and squared everything away, the ride back to the firehouse was quiet. Jill and Randy chatted, but I was too distracted to pay attention. By the time we got back, I knew exactly what I needed to do.
I waiteduntil after I got off work the following morning, went home, and showered before letting myself into the attic to search the boxes for my old toys. Dust particles flew around the air, disturbed by my motion and dancing in the orange glow of sunlight streaming through the dirty window. The box was a treasure trove. Old figurines of Han Solo, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and Obi Wan Kenobi were littered among Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Jurassic Park dinosaurs. We’d gotten most of my toys secondhand at the Goodwill, so they were usually a season behind and already well-loved, but I had never cared.
I took care of my things, which meant they were still in excellent condition.
My Chewbacca was smaller and probably not as cool as whatever newfangled thing Ben had, but maybe it would take some of the sting of loss away.
I sat on a plastic tote full of Christmas lights and sent Nova a text.
Dusty
Can I stop by tonight? I have something for Ben.
I took a picture of the toy and sent it to her so she could decide if it was a good idea or not.
Nova
Are you lending him this like you’re lending the table? Because I can’t ask you to part with that. I’m guessing it’s vintage
Dusty
Sure. Let’s go with lending. He can take care of it for me
Nova
Then come by anytime.
My phone started ringing, so I picked up Chewbacca and headed for the ladder. “Hello?”
“This is Maurice with Pleasant Gardens. Can I speak to Dusty Hayes?”
“Speaking.”
“Hello, Mr. Hayes. I wanted to inform you of an incident we had this morning with your grandfather.”
My steps stilled on the ladder. “Is everything okay?”
“His health is in good order,” Maurice said. “It’s of a different nature. Do you have a minute?”
“I do.”
“Great. Well, when Mr. Hayes was walking to breakfast this morning, his…uh, pants fell down.”
I took the last step so both my feet were on the hallway carpet and blinked. “His pants fell down?”
“Yes. We quickly helped him correct the situation, but it would seem he has a reputation now. Some of the women who witnessed the incident have taken to calling him Pants.”
I leaned down to lift the ladder back into the ceiling. “Pants,” I repeated. It wasn’t very original, but I couldn’t help laughing. Given the serious way Maurice was explaining the situation, I tried my best to stifle it.
“Indeed. Mr. Hayes seems unperturbed, but we thought it best to inform you. If he mentions discomfort from the nickname, would you please keep me informed? And perhaps you could bring him a belt.”
“I will do that straight away. Thanks for letting me know.”
“Of course.”