Deception Creek by Terry Persun Read Free Book Online

prison?”
    â€œRumors, murmurings, but it’s not my style to spread what I don’t know.” Scott’s face lighted up, “What about your grandfather? He’s known your mom since she was a kid.”
    Billy rubbed his hands together, then put one on each knee. He shook his head. “I don’t know who to ask. Grandpa hates Mom. I don’t know if I’ll get the truth from him either.”
    â€œSounds pretty bad.”
    â€œIt’s worse every year I come home.”
    â€œLike a bad marriage. As soon as the kids move out, all hell breaks loose.”
    Billy looked out the window. “The whole thing sucks.”
    Scott slapped Billy’s shoulder. “If you want facts, you can go to the library. Facts don’t lie.”
    Billy nodded his head in an affirmative. “Thanks.” He pulled on the door handle.
    â€œHey,” Scott said. “I am available for morale support.”
    â€œSure,” Billy said.
    Stepping from Scott’s car, Billy began to notice the details of the morning, like the warmth of the air, the breeze that scattered dust along the sidewalk, even the noise that rose slowly as construction began all over the city. Standing outside Scott’s truck, the sensations of morning that Billy he had missed while they were talking, rushed back to him. He let in the full strength of the day.
    Since it was still early for work, Billy walked down the street to a bakery for a second cup of coffee. Inside were three other customers. While he waited for his coffee, he heard, “Hey, Billy,” from behind him. He turned and Jack stood next in line.
    â€œHey,” Billy said, but nothing else came to mind.
    The woman behind the counter noticed Jack and began to make a fuss. “Jack! Oh, good morning. How are you feeling today? You’re looking well.”
    â€œThank you,” Jack said, smiling at her.
    Without his ordering, the woman made him a large coffee and set it on the counter at the same time she set Billy’s down in front of him. “One dollar,” the woman told Billy. But first she yelled back to her husband. “Honey, Jack’s here!”
    A stocky, dark-haired man stepped out from the back, wiping his hands on his apron. He came around the counter. “Martha!” he yelled. The woman seemed to know his code language because she grabbed a huge double helping of coffeecake and slipped it inside a white bakery bag. The man held out his hand to shake Jack’s. “It’s good to see you. You should stop by more often. Maybe some evening after we close,” he suggested.
    â€œI will, Todd. You’ve just got to stop embarrassing me with all the fuss.”
    â€œI promise, buddy. Look, we really should get together.” The baker stood up straight and slapped Jack’s shoulder. “It’s been a long time. A hard time for you, I’m sure. But you still look great.”
    â€œThank you,” Jack said.
    Todd took the bag from Martha as she passed it over the counter.
    Billy paid for his coffee then politely waited for Jack.
    â€œWell, look,” Todd handed the bag to Jack, “I’ve got to get back. You come by after work, all right? Promise me?”
    â€œSure,” Jack told him. “Really, though, you don’t have to do this.” Jack looked over at Martha and nodded.
    She waved her hand as though to say it was nothing. Todd walked towards the back. “We’ll be upstairs,” Todd said.
    â€œI’ll visit this weekend.” Jack now held two bags in his left hand. Billy recognized the worn one that, no doubt, held a peanut butter sandwich and the jar of water.
    Pushing past Billy, Jack grabbed the coffee and held it up in a toast toward Martha. Then he turned and pushed the door open. Billy followed.
    â€œFriends of yours?” Billy said.
    â€œHow’d you guess?” Jack smiled.
    â€œGee, I don’t know,” Billy joked. He had