Tuesday Tales: Southern Justice

“You have nothing in your refrigerator,” Terri grumbled as she climbed out the car. “Nothing. Not even a pitcher of water.” She shoved the door then jumped when it slammed shut. Her reaction indicated she had not meant to take her frustration out on the vehicle.

Shane shrugged, slightly amused at her exasperation. “Never saw the purpose of cooking. Not when I have restaurants in town.” He came around the car, took her hand, and led her towards The Swig.

“You should at least know how to make eggs.”

“Never cared for them.”

“And toast bread.”

“Bagels are more filling.”

“And fry bacon.”

“I prefer sausage.” He opened the door to the restaurant.

“Will you stop being difficult?” She snatched her hand out of his and marched inside.

“It’d be easier to ask a chicken to lay a square egg,” Angie said as she placed a plate on the table in front of Hank. “Let me guess, you've seen the inside of his refrigerator.”

Terri shook her head woefully. “Yes,” she sighed.

“Don’t blame him.” His sister-in-law walked over and patted the Terri’s shoulder. “Hank was negligent in teaching him to cook.”

“Hey, I tried and he nearly burnt down the house,” his brother protested. “I never knew anyone to be as inept in the kitchen as him.”

“I don’t see what the big deal is,” Shane said. “Cooking’s not everything.”

Angie and Terri gasped as if he had cursed their grandmothers. He immediately realized his mistake. The women had been raised in the kitchen and took more pride in their cooking than he did with his car.

“Okay, that came out wrong.” Shane glanced at his brother for help.

His eldest sibling shook his head. “You’re on your own.”

 *****

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Tuesday's Tales - Southern Justice

A fist slammed against the front door, startling Terri out of her zone.

“What the—“

She glanced at the watch on her left wrist. An eyebrow shot up. Why would anyone knock on her door at eleven ten at night? She wasn’t the type of person who entertained visitors all hours of the night. Hell, except for her grandfather, cousin and Wayne, no one dropped by during the day.

“I’m coming,” Terri called over the pounding on the door. The person had a lot of nerve rushing her. In fact, she didn’t know what was more irritating – his impatience, the late hour, or the fact that he interrupted her work.

She slid off her stool and shuffled towards the door as fast as her stiff joints would let her. The visitor ceased the racket. The silence, however, did not pacify her.

“What?” Terri yelled as she snatched opened the door.

The worried line on Shane’s forward quickly faded. His eyes narrowed in exasperation and she immediately knew what he was going to say.

“We’re going to have to work on your safety skills.”

Terri sighed. “You don’t have to lecture me. I realize it was wrong to open the door without checking to see who was there first.”

“Yes, it was wrong, irresponsible and dangerous. That’s something I’d expect from a five year old, but not a grown woman.”

Terri’s face grew warm. Though she realized her mistake, she did not appreciate being chastised like a child. “Are you finished scolding me, Detective Reynolds?”

“Not by a long shot. But I’ll finish after you invite me in.”

She stepped aside and he strolled in, carrying a bag from The Swig, the bar and grill owned by his oldest brother.

“Lesson number one,” he said. “Lock your door.”

Rolling her eyes, Terri closed the door and secured the bolt.

“That’s an impressive lock.” He examined the deadbolt. “But it won’t do you any good if you don’t use it.”

“I can’t believe your life’s so boring you’ve nothing better to do than come over here and lecture me, Detective Reynolds?”

“Shane.”

“What?”

“In the twenty-four years I’ve known you’ve never called me by my name. It’s always been sir, Mr. Reynolds and Detective Reynolds, but never Shane.”

Terri’s mouth dropped open. Was he seriously lecturing her about what she calls him?

“It’s not that hard. It’s one syllable. The a is long, the e is silent and since I heard you call Vince a lying piece of shit, I know you don’t have a problem with the sh.”

“You heard that?”

Shane nodded and Terri’s cheeks grew warmer.

“Now, try repeating after me. Shane.”

She opened her mouth. As if he realized she was not going to following his direction, he held a finger.

“No, Shane,” he repeated slowly.

She shook her head. The man was impossible.

He cocked an eyebrow. His eyes danced as the corners of his mouth turned up into an impish grin.

Despite the stress from the past thirty-six hours, she slowly returned his smile.

“Well?”

“Fine,” she sighed. “Shane.”

 *****

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Tuesday's Tales - Southern Justice

“I’d like to see those tapes,” Shane said.

“And, I’d like to see a warrant,” Vince replied.

“And the pictures?”

“A warrant.”

“How about a piece of your hide?” Austin mumbled.

“I need you to repeat that a bit louder and slower. And, make sure you enunciate.” Vince pulled a tape recorder from underneath his desk. “I need to make sure I quote you correctly when I do my piece on Oakley County’s finest and whether they’re too heavy handed in carrying out their duties.”

“I’ll give you a quote you little piece of—”

“Austin, I think we’re done here,” Shane announced as he stood.

Austin mumbled an expletive before he rose and stalked out the room.

“I’ll be back with the warrants,” Shane said.

“Everything’ll be here.” Vince reached for the telephone. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a newspaper to run.”

Shane nodded before he walked out the room. “I’ll be back,” he mumbled to the receptionist as he strolled past of desk.

Outside, Austin leaned against the car, his arms crossed over his chest. His frown said he was ready to go back inside and finish the thought Shane had interrupted.

“Okay, let me have it,” Shane said.

“What?” Austin asked.

“I won’t have you walking around looking for someone breaking the law so you’ll have an excuse to take you bad mood out on him. So, why don’t you take a swing at me, I’ll punch back, and we’ll get it out of our system.”

“You know I’d never take my bad mood out on someone else. But, if I could only have a few minutes alone with Vince.”

“Trust me, you’re going to have to get in line.” Shane nodded towards the mammoth charging across the street towards the building.

If Shane was called to testify in a trial regarding the day’s events, he would swear under oath he saw steam shooting from Mark Butler’s nostrils. The man yanked the door so hard; Shane was surprised it had not come off the hinges.

“We better get in there,” Shane said.

“We?” Austin repeated. “As Vince said, I’m off duty. I’m more inclined to get a tuna sandwich.”

Shane glanced up at the window. Vince frantically waved down at them.

“Sure and I can see tomorrow’s headlines. Expect No Mercy from Oakley’s Finest.”

*****

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Cemeteries

Maple Grove Cemetery

In the moonlight, the bare branches looked like bony limbs reaching over the gate for a victim. Determined not to be their latest catch, I sped by the cemetery, vowing never to drive by it at night, again.

For years, I avoided the cemetery until a cousin raved about the beauty inside the gates. Curious, I decided to face my fear and venture into the cemetery.

I spent several hours admiring the scenario, enjoying the tranquility surrounding me and learning the history of the cemetery.

That day helped erase the fear I had of cemeteries. Now, I am able to appreciate the life that blooms around those who are have passed.

I did it!

Though there were some days I found it difficult to think of a topic to blog about, I completed the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

I entered the challenge hoping this would inspire me to blog on a regular basis, 'cause what's the point on having a blog if I'm going to update it once a year.

In the future, I know I'm not going to post everyday, but I do hope to stop by several times a week.

I was going to add the link for "We Are The Champions," but I prefer this video by Queen.