The Minnesota Candidate by Nicholas Antinozzi Read Free Book Online

up to me. You know what I told you, Shari has had
the place locked up since her folks were killed.” Tom’s cellphone
began to chirp and he fished it out of his pocket and checked the
number. “Dang it, Ma, it’s Lumpy again. This is the tenth time he’s
called since you gave him my number. What am I supposed to say to
him?”
    “I have no idea, Tommy. He is your cousin.”
    “No, he isn’t. He’s your cousin, Ma. He’s also a
jerk.”
    “Oh, but look at that glorious house. I would be
just dying to get in there, if I was you. Just imagine what’s
inside there.”
    Tom dropped his cellphone back into his pocket
and looked up at the big house. His mother was right; he was dying
to get inside of that place. Still, he didn’t want her to know that
and he didn’t reply. Shari would allow him inside when she felt the
time was right. He would just have to bide his time and that was
all there was to it. He checked his rearview mirrors and watched
the trucks. He hoped Shari wouldn’t think they were all full to the
back. She had told him to let his mom buy what she thought she
needed. If she was mad, she would only have herself to blame. At
least, he hoped she would feel that way.
    “Look at me, Tommy We need to talk.”
    “We’ve been talking all day, Ma.”
    “You don’t understand. I don’t want to live
under the same roof as the two of you. I know how newlyweds are and
it hasn’t been that long that I’ve forgotten what newlyweds do. I
didn’t just fall off the back of a truck. You know that I’m a light
sleeper.”
    “Ma, I get your point. Can we just talk about
something else? This is creepin’ me out.”
    “Do I have to spell it out for you? My God,
Tommy, think about it. Do you want me in the next room when you and
Shari go to bed?”
    “Stop it, Ma,” said Tom. “No, you don’t have to
spell it out for me. I read you loud and clear. I’ll talk to Shari
about it, okay?”
    “I think the sooner the better. Maybe I should
wait out here while you go inside and talk to her. Newlyweds should
have their privacy. I’ve always said that and you know that I have.
And if push comes to shove, I mean if she doesn’t want to leave her
home, you can tell Shari that I would be fine in that big house,
all by myself. All I would need is a few rooms.”
    Tom sighed and parked the Mercedes in the
driveway. He then pressed the garage door opener and the big door
began to lift. “Come on, Ma,” he said. “We have to figure out what
to do with all of your stuff.”
    Doris stepped out of the SUV and she closed the
door. She met Tom at the back of the vehicle and they both began
gathering up shopping bags. Tom waved at the truck drivers and
helpers and pointed to the open garage. Doris glowered at them.
“Those men had better be careful with my things. I hope they know
how much it cost.”
    “I’m sure they do, Ma. You did buy it from the
places they work at.”
    Shari walked out to greet them and after
exchanging a quick kiss with Tom, one that drew a sour face from
Doris, Shari offered to help with the bags. “I didn’t know you were
going to finish your shopping in one day,” she said. “Good
job.”
    “Oh, but I’m not finished,” said Doris, staring
up at the twin turrets of the big house. “Ever since I was a little
girl, I’ve always wanted to live in a house with turrets.”
    “Ya know,” said Shari, conversationally, “I used
to have that same dream. I really did, but when it actually came
true it was no big deal.”
    “Maybe not to you, it wasn’t, but to me it would
be like the highpoint of my life.”
    Tom led the way and the three of them began
carrying Doris’ purchases into the house. He could feel his cheeks
growing red and he wished his mother would stop dropping hints. She
was about as subtle as an earthquake.
    “Well, it won’t happen in that house,” said
Shari. “Not while I’m still alive. Nope, that was my parent’s house
and it’ll always be my parent’s house.