“You got that right!" Wanda gave him a quick single nod, then came around and pulled at the chair beneath him. “You stand right this minute, young man and let my Jenny girl get some sleep!”
Jenny groaned but said nothing.
Oliver stood as requested and pushed his chair to the corner. “Wanda, why is it that every time I come in here, you ask me to leave?”
Wanda gave him a big smile.
“Because you don’t come during visiting hours like everybody else. You’re sweet on my Jenny and she needs somebody like you, so I go ahead and let you in for a couple minutes.” She finished hanging the new bag and tossed the old one into the disposal slot in the corner.
“Besides, you don’t want to know how I’d treat you if I didn’t like you.” Jenny laughed as Wanda shot him a slight wink before slipping out the door.
Oliver chuckled, “Glad I got the official seal of approval.”
“So am I,” she yawned again.
He leaned closer. “Especially since I intend to marry you someday.”
Her eyelids began to droop. “Someday?”
Oliver laughed. “We’ve a few spouses to let go of, remember?”
Slowly, her eyes became slits, then closed completely.
“I will, if you...will,” she said dreamily, her breath slowing before settling into the steady rhythm of sleep.
He watched her then, thinking of the last five days, his three month trial and of Linda, and their failed marriage. After a long while, he slowly leaned forward and gently kissed her sleeping lips.
“Done,” he whispered.
Oliver parked in front of his house on David Avenue, walked halfway to his door before remembering the mail. He did an about face toward the mailbox just inside his fence. It seemed ages since he’d had a chance to concern himself with such a mundane thing as mail and not surprisingly, found the box near to overflowing.
Inside the house, he sat at the kitchen table sorting through the pile of junk mail, credit card offers and the inevitable monthly bills. Near the bottom, he found a postcard of The Statue of Liberty and pushed aside the remaining pile.
Turning the card over, he immediately recognized Vincent Donetelli’s expansive scrawl and began to read:
Ollie,
What a trip out! Made it in less than six days, driving Betty crazy the whole way. We’ve met a few long lost relatives in the last couple of days, over in the Bronx. Not a surprise Donetellis do well on both coasts! Betty sends her love and says to take care of yourself. Hope all is well.
Vince
P.S. I know life’s probably been pretty boring your first week back. Hang on, a little excitement’s bound to cross your path, eventually!
Oliver chuckled as he read this, then laughed aloud thinking about the last week and all that took place. Without a doubt, he'd laugh at this postcard for a long, long time to come.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Bay of Deception Page 22