Rural Route 8 by E. Raye Turonek

Author:E. Raye Turonek [Turonek, E. Raye]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Urban Books
Published: 2022-05-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Clarity

Jackson turned the corner to pull up to Mrs. Teresa’s mailbox, seeing the truth of it all. Everything wasn’t bright and sunny in that innocent, fun-filled way. The heat was scorching hot, making the temperature in his mail truck suffocating. Of course, old Mrs. Teresa was sitting on her porch. The nice old lady who leered at everyone for the safety of her neighborhood. Only now the faithful carrier saw a different truth in the matter as she smiled, waving for him to come forward. The resentful old woman sat there day in and day out searching for prying eyes, paranoid that one day her secret would be found out. Someone had to have seen her that day, she feared. So, Mrs. Teresa sat on that porch every day, prisoner to her own guilty conscience as she searched for what fault she could find in others’ actions.

Regardless of that fact, she would be useful to Jackson. Mrs. Teresa saw everything. From now on, she would be his eyes when he wasn’t there to see. Jackson pulled into her driveway, curious as to what she had in store for him that day.

“Good morning, Mrs. Teresa. Just letters today.” Jackson handed over the handful of mail to the old lady cloaked in her flower-patterned housecoat.

“Top of the morning to you, soldier. It’s probably all nonprofit organizations. I gave money to one of those smaller organizations last year, and I think they sold my name to one of those lists. I’ve been getting requests for money every day since.”

“I’m glad you know better. I’ve seen too many of our seniors being taken advantage of by these so-called nonprofits.”

“Not me. I’ve still got my wits about me.” Mrs. Teresa pointed out into her front yard at Minkzy, who’d been grazing on her front lawn for hours. “Check it out. This one has been scowling at me all morning. Even hissed at me a couple of times. I think she wants to check the front door for an opening.”

Jackson huffed. He thought it was funny that the feline was feeling territorial. “I think you’d better stay on the porch, Mrs. Teresa.”

“She doesn’t intimidate me. I make a mean dragon, tiger, phoenix.”

“I’m afraid to ask what that is exactly, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

“It’s a Chinese dish commonly prepared in the Guangdong province.”

“I haven’t had breakfast this morning.” With a wink, Jackson hinted that he might find the idea appealing.

“Just a few more steps and it’ll be chow time.” The old woman tapped the mail against her knee as she swayed back and forth on the porch swing. The two of them chuckled at the notion. Though Jackson was kidding, Mrs. Teresa, not so much.

“So, I take it the door is serving its purpose?”

“It certainly is. I’m so thankful for you.”

“You’ve thanked me enough, Mrs. Teresa. Really, it’s no problem. Anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I do have one special request.”

“Well, spit it out.”

“I made an apple pie for the young girl down the street.

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