A Literal Mess by J.C. Kenney

Author:J.C. Kenney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-10-26T16:01:07+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The library was on the northern end of a three-block stretch nicknamed Government Row. This was where the wheels of Rushing Creek government turned. As we headed south, we passed Union Park, basically a grassy area the size of a city block crisscrossed with gravel walking paths. Concrete and wood benches were stationed here and there along the paths. A few of the benches were occupied by people on their lunch breaks, munching on sandwiches with their eyes on their phones.

In a far corner of the park, a girl had spread out a blanket and was reading a paperback. She was a wonderful reminder that, despite the ubiquity of electronic gadgets in the world, plenty of people still loved the paper and ink of a physical book.

The Rushing Creek Municipal Building was next. Built when I was in middle school, the red brick structure was divided into three sections. The northern section housed the fire department, the southern was home to the police department, and the middle was comprised of the rest of local government, including offices for the mayor, building inspector and clerk-treasurer.

The southernmost occupant of Government Row was Creekview Hospital. By hospital standards, it was small, with an emergency room, surgery center, birthing center and forty or so beds. It served Rushing Creek and the surrounding area with compassion and effectiveness, though. I liked to think it was an example that, like me, what mattered was substance not necessarily size.

It also housed the county morgue. I shivered at the thought and focused my attention on the other side of the street.

“You okay?” Brent asked as we waited for a truck to go through an intersection so we could cross the street.

“I’m fine. I brought Sloane to the hospital so she could identify her dad. I guess I’ve been so busy, I haven’t thought about the fact he’s still there, in the morgue.” I shook my head to chase away the melancholy and pointed at a little storefront with a sign above the door that read Big Al’s in block red letters. “Is that where we’re going?”

“It’s not a problem, is it?”

“A problem?” I quickened my pace to one that would make an Olympic race walker proud. “It’s only my favorite place to eat in the world.”

As we entered the sandwich shop, my senses were tingling in anticipation of a thick double burger and a side of the best waffle fries in the Midwest, and maybe even a chocolate shake.

Once fully inside, the aroma of seared beef and grilled onions mingled with the explosive bubbles of deep fryers in action to leave me weak in the knees.

“Allie Cobb, as I live and breathe.” Big Al Hammond, the man himself, was at the cash register, ringing out a customer. As soon as he finished, he took me in his muscular arms and I practically disappeared into his hug.

“I’m so sorry about your dad. Walter was the best.” He led us to a booth in the back, where it was quieter, perhaps noticing I was with a man.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.