War at Home: A Smokey Dalton Novel by Kris Nelscott Read Free Book Online Page B

apartment here and tell everybody we’ll be back.”
    “But what if we don’t come back?” Jimmy asked, raising his head.
    “Then we’ll call and explain why,” I said. “It won’t be like Memphis. We can stay in touch with everyone here.”
    “I don’t want to move, Smoke.”
    “Noted,” I said. “But what would looking at a few other towns hurt?”
    He shrugged, not meeting my gaze. “Can I be excused?”
    “Yes,” I said.
    He picked up his plate and his glass, carried them to the sink, and then walked, head down, to his bedroom. It was my turn to do the dishes, but I let them sit for a few minutes.
    I sighed. Sometimes this parenting thing seemed like the most complex job I had. I had no idea if I should have told him my plans or not. But I had promised not to lie — and sometimes I even doubted the wisdom of that.
    After a moment, I got up and went into the living room. I called Laura, and asked her to come over the following night, for one more difficult dinner.
     

 
    SEVEN
     
    I spent the next day tying up loose ends. I organized my finances, paying as many of July’s bills in advance as I could. I got traveler ’ s checks. I had traveled with a lot of cash before, and it made me nervous. I didn’t really want to do it again, even though I worried about cashing the traveler ’ s checks. I figured I’d be able to find a sympathetic bank somewhere.
    I also traded in my rusted Impala for a panel van. I cleaned out the back, bought three sleeping bags and a cooler, along with a tent. If we couldn’t afford a motel room, I figured we could sleep in the van or, if we found a place to camp, we would pitch a tent.
    I wrote reports, closing a few cases for the various insurance companies I worked for. I told the companies I would be available again toward the end of summer.
    Jimmy spent the time packing and repacking his clothes. The thing that surprised me and pleased me as well was that he wanted to take an armload of books “to read for Mrs. Kirkland.”
    Apparently Grace had given him a summer reading list. Jimmy viewed it as his work for the trip, and I didn’t try to talk him out of it. I made room in the back of the van for a box of books and reminded Jimmy that if we carried the weight, he would have to do the work.
    All too quickly, it was time for dinner.
    Jimmy and I planned the meal together and, considering it was so hot, finally decided to barbecue. We had custody of the Grimshaws’ old grill — they hadn’t wanted to move it — and we used it on nights like this. Althea had taught me to marinate the hamburger patties in beer and melted butter before I cooked them, and that gave them an extra flavor that made them seem irresistible. I added Kaiser rolls, potato chips, and a tossed salad. Jimmy declared it a perfect meal.
    Laura arrived around seven. The heat had wilted her blond hair, and she had washed off her makeup. She had also changed into a pair of shorts and a cotton shirt that accented her figure.
    I kissed her lightly, gave her a Coke, and offered to sit outside at the communal picnic table in the back if the apartment was too hot for her. She seemed tempted. Then she noticed that Jimmy had set the table, placing a bouquet of wildflowers in the middle.
    “I think here is just fine,” she said.
    Jimmy grinned. She had pleased him. I went down to cook the hamburgers while the two of them sat inside, conversing about whatever it was that they felt they had in common.
    When I got back, they were laughing. Jimmy glanced at me sideways, as if he were trying to give me a message. I got it. But I had other considerations besides our friends in Chicago. And as I had told him before, Laura could travel. We would see her again.
    I set the plate of steaming hamburgers on the table between the pickle relish and the sliced onions. Jimmy got the ketchup and mustard out of the refrigerator, setting them beside the plate of Kaiser rolls. I tossed the salad, and placed it in the very