CHAPTER TWO
The Pie Shop
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
8:00 AM
Mike and Ed walked out of the Pie Shop and headed down the street. Ed was in a suit and tie while Mike was in his usual work clothes – a pair of dark colored Dockers, a comfortable oxford shirt, and a subdued tie. Ed had a medium sized coffee cup while Mike had one of the Pie Shop's new 'Super Grande' sized coffee cups.
Ed glanced over at Mike's coffee and said, "You realize that coffee cup is more of a bucket than a cup, right?"
"Well," Mike responded, "until they starting selling coffee by the barrel this will have to do."
Ed snorted in amusement.
"Got a court appearance today?" Mike asked, waving his free hand at Ed, indicating Ed's outfit.
"No," Ed replied, "I've got a meeting with Mayor Kendricks this morning."
"Yeah," Mike said curiously. "About what?"
"Don't know," Ed said. "Mayor Kendricks' secretary called late yesterday and asked me to come by at ten o'clock this morning. Said it was a legal matter but didn't give me any details."
"Maybe you'll get another nude painting out of it," Mike said.
"Dear God!" Ed said. "I hope not!"
After a small pause, Ed continued, "So, have you given Nancy's question about a new partner any thought?"
"Yeah, actually I have," Mike replied. "I've started to line up some interviews already."
"Really," Ed asked.
"Well," Mike said, "I'll deny this in court, but Nancy was right. I can't keep this up. I mean I enjoy being a doctor, but I enjoy spending time with Nancy and Sarah – and everyone else – more. So, I wouldn't mind a little more free time."
"Smart man," Ed said with conviction. "What's your criteria."
"Good school, good references..." Mike continued to list a series of criteria he was looking for in a partner. He noted that Ed was nodding absently as he rattled off his list and wondered if Ed was really paying attention.
"...and I'd really like them to have antennae and a great body," Mike finished.
"Sounds good...wait," Ed stopped in surprise, "what was that last part?"
Mike snorted and said, "Ed, were you paying any attention to me?"
"Sorry," Ed said, "just got something on my mind that distracted me a little."
Mike looked over at Ed surreptitiously and knew exactly what – or rather who – was distracting Ed. 'Man!' Mike thought. 'Ed and Carol are a couple now and he *still* can't stop obsessing about her!' Mike gave a mental shrug.
"So," Mike said, then paused to stifle a yawn, "when are you going to pop the question?"
"I was hoping to do it later tonight, after dinner," Ed replied, a trace of excitement in his voice.
"Are you sure Carol's going to say yes," Mike asked.
Ed stopped walking, turned to look at Mike, then said, "Are you kidding? Of course she'll say yes. Why wouldn't she say yes? I can be quite charming and persuasive when I want to be. Carol doesn't stand a chance."
"Ed," Mike said.
"Yeah, Mike," Ed replied.
"You're asking Carol to marry you," Mike said, "not trying to win a court case."
"Right," Ed said after moment. The duo resumed walking.
***
Stuckeyville High School
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
12:00 PM
Carol knocked on the doorframe of Molly's office as she walked in.
"Hey, Molls," Carol said.
"Well," Molly said with a smile, "if it isn't my favorite female, blond, English teacher!"
"Um," Carol said slowly, "I'm pretty sure I'm the only female, blond English teacher at Stuckeyville High School."
"Exactly!" Molly exclaimed. "By being so specific I can tell all of my teachers that they are my favorite."
"Very smart," Carol said with a grin.
"I be wicked smart," Molly said with an answering grin.
"Except," Carol said, "what are you going to do about the Callaghan twins who both teach Algebra?"
"Sure," Molly said with a wave of her hand, "ruin my perfectly good plan!"
After a moment of shared laughter Molly continued, "So what's for lunch?"
"Pie Shop?" Carol asked.
"Okay," Molly said, grabbing a light coat, "you talked me into it. Let's go."
As they walked out of Molly's office, her secretary said, "Molly, I just confirmed your meeting with the school board on Friday morning at ten o'clock."
"Oh, okay. Thanks, Lori," Molly said.
Molly and Carol walked through the hallways of Stuckeyville High and out to the street.
As they walked down the street, Carol asked, "So what's up with the school board meeting?"
"I don't know," Molly said. "I got a call from the superintendent asking me if I could meet with the school board this week, but he didn't give me any indication as to why."
"Hmm," Carol said.
Within a few minutes they are at the Pie Shop ordering lunch.
"So," Molly began with a brilliant smile, "nice to see that you made it into work every day so far this week."
Carol blushed and said, "Molly..."
"Oh, come on, Carol," Molly said with a lopsided grin, "let me have something I can have fun with."
"Well, okay," Carol said, "but only if I get to have fun with your relationship with Shawn."
Carol had made the comment in jest, but Molly's wince indicated something was wrong.
"Molls," Carol said with concern, "what's wrong?"
"Ryan," Molly said.
"Is he still being a little pill?" Carol asked.
"No," Molly said, "he's way beyond 'little' pill and is approaching 'humungous' pill rapidly."
"Why?" Carol asked. "What did he do now?"
"Oh," Molly said with a wave of her hand, "nothing new. Its just the same old cold shoulder, angry glares, and snide comments as before. But they're like bat guano – it just keeps building up and building up until suddenly your hip deep in bat crap!"
"Have either you or Shawn tried talking to him?" Carol asked.
"Well," Molly said, "Shawn has ... but it doesn't seem to do any good. I mean, Ryan is treating Shawn pretty much the same way. I know that it goes beyond the 'I'm a teenager and I hate my parents' thing some kids go through."
Molly and Carol paused as the waitress brought their lunches. Molly was having tuna salad on rye with a side of fries while Carol was having a grilled chicken salad.
Carol opened her mouth to ask Molly a question, but Molly spoke first.
"You know," Molly said with a wave at Carol's salad, "you could get away with a bacon cheese burger and some cheese fries every now and then. But I always see you eat like a little bird."
Carol was a little taken aback by Molly's comment and said defensively, "It just so happens that I had a bacon cheeseburger for dinner last night! Besides, I like salads!"
Carol paused, glared at Molly, and said, "And don't try changing the topic!"
"Why not," Molly asked a little penitently.
"Because this is important. Wasn't it you who wouldn't let me give up when I decided I wanted to go after Ed? I may not be able to kill you with my bare hands (Molly smiles) but I can certainly think of ways to make your life as Principal Hudson miserable. So give! You said Shawn has spoken to Ryan, why haven't you talked to him?"
"I don't know really," Molly replied. "I guess I'm not sure its my place and I don't know what to say to him."
"Since when," Carol said with a chuckle, "do you not know what to say to someone?"
"I think its because I'm conflicted," Molly said. "I'm not sure if I want to straighten him out because he a hurting kid or because it would make my relationship with Shawn so much easier. I feel like anything I would say to him would only be to serve my own purposes. Makes me blank out."
"Hmm," Carol said in thought, "I see what you mean. I don't know what to tell you ... yet. But, here's one thing I know for sure."
"Yeah," Molly said curiously, "what's that."
"There is no such word as 'humungous' in the English language!" Carol said with a grin.
Molly laughed and said, "God save me from English teachers!"
The two finished the rest of their lunches and got up to leave. As they were walking out of the Pie Shop, Carol saw a woman seated at a table by the door, a half-eaten sandwich on the table as she leaned back in her seat engrossed in her book. Carol winced when she saw that it was "Small Town People."
Molly caught the whole thing – Carol's glance, noting the book title, and the wince. When they on the street and heading back to the high school, she asked, "Carol, what's up?"
"What?" Carol replied nonchalantly.
"Okay," Molly said, "now you're the one trying to avoid the topic. You know what I mean."
"Oh," Carol said in frustration, "its just that knowing that Nick has a wildly popular new book and is married with two kids is just bothering me. I don't know why – it just is."
"Don't let it bug you," Molly said. "Nick Stanton is part of your past. He's long gone."
***
The Duck Pond
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
9:00 PM
Ed and Carol were taking a walk after having a quiet dinner together. Not that they had originally planned on having dinner alone. Mike and Nancy cancelled because Mike was just about dead on his feet from another rough day at the practice (seemed that flu season came very early to Stuckeyville and Mike had twice his normal patient load – plus people signing up early for flu vaccinations). Molly and Shawn had cancelled as well – they decided to have dinner with Ryan in an effort to break through to him.
During dinner, Ed had told Carol about his meeting with Mayor Kendricks and the work that would take him out of town a bit over the next couple of months. Mayor Kendricks had told Ed that the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration were pursuing a new rail line – a rail line that would start in Cleveland and end ... somewhere close to Stuckeyville. The final alignment of the rail line wasn't set, but Stuckeyville and surrounding communities like Jaspertown wanted that rail line to come their way for the economic development benefits.
So, Stuckeyville, Jaspertown, and three other municipalities in the area were forming a regional planning commission to help push that agenda and Ed was tapped to handle the legal matters associated with establishing that organization. It was going to require some time in Columbus to research and file the relevant paperwork.
Ed also told Carol, very quietly, about the other task Mayor Kendricks had given Ed. It seemed Mayor Kendricks had more knowledge of the probable alignment than was common knowledge. There was a proposed station close to – but not in – Stuckeyville. Well, not in Stuckeyville, yet, as Mayor Kendricks had pointed out. Ohio law allowed for annexation of land parcels by cities and towns from neighboring townships. Mayor Kendricks wanted Ed to handle the annexation – despite the toughened annexation laws passed in 2002 – of those parcels through which the rail line was intended. Again, for economic development potential.
Which meant probably even more time in Columbus researching and filing papers.
Carol was excited for Ed that Mayor Kendricks trusted him with such sensitive and important matters, but Ed could tell she was also slightly disappointed that he would have to travel overnight to Columbus several times. 'But I think I can take care of her disappointment,' Ed thought as he played with the ring in his pocket.
So, that's how they had come to be walking by the Duck Pond. The same Duck Pond where they had found themselves after their very first date. The same Duck Pond where they had finally admitted that they loved one another after three years of will they/won't they.
The same Duck Pond where one Edward Jeremy Stevens intended to ask one Carol Phyllis Vessey to marry him.
They strolled along in one of their favorite walking positions – Carol's arms wrapped around one of Ed's arms, her head leaning against his shoulder – for a short while talking and laughing as only two people in love can.
They paused by "their" bench and just looked at one another quietly for a few moments. Ed took a deep breath – inconspicuously, he hoped – and reached into his right pants pocket. He grabbed the ring and was about to say "Carol" and drop to one knee when his cell phone rang.
Ed gave a mental curse and said, "Sorry."
Carol smiled, unaware of why Ed was apologizing, as Ed answered his phone.
"Hello," Ed said.
"StuckeyBoss!" Eli said.
"Hey, Eli," Ed replied, "what's up!"
"Sorry to bother you, Ed," Eli said, "but Stubbs screwed us royally here!"
Ed heard Phil yell in the background, "Excuse me, but *I* did not screw anything up here. I believe that I confirmed the appropriate days of the week with you, Mr. I'm-Gods-gift-to-bowling-alleys!"
Ed sighed and said, "What's the problem, Eli?"
"Well," Eli said, "Phil 'I-can't-read-a-calendar-to-save-my-scrawny-white- ass' Stubbs scheduled two separate leagues for the same night!"
"Oh, for the love of Pete!" Ed exclaimed. Carol raised her eyebrows. Ed held a finger up to Carol, indicating that he was only going to be another minute or so.
"Eli," Ed said, "Figure out which league can switch nights and have that league come back tomorrow night."
"Already tried that StuckeyBoss," Eli said. "Both leagues say they can only make it on Wednesday nights. Things are looking like they might get a little ugly here. Can I let them have Phil to beat up on?"
"Sure," Ed said, "with my compliments."
"Good," Eli said, "because a few of them look like they want to shove Phil through one of the ball return slots."
"Can't say as I haven't thought of that myself a time or two," Ed said with a grim smile. "Oh well, lets keep the carnage to a minimum. Tell them if they shove him through the ball-return I'll charge them for cleaning. Picking body parts out of delicate machinery is a pain!"
Ed looked over at Carol and she waved to him, indicating that he should do whatever he needed to. Ed sighed.
"Look, Eli," Ed said, "I'll be there in a few minutes, okay. Just have to drop Carol off at home. Keep everyone from killing each other till I get there. Well, with the exception of Phil..."
"Got it, StuckeyBoss!" Eli said. Ed heard Eli yelling, "Stubbs, get your scrawny ass over here..." as he hung up.
Ed sighed and looked at Carol, who said, "Trouble at StuckeyBowl?"
"When isn't there trouble when I'm not there and Phil is?" Ed asked. "One of these days..."
Carol stepped in and kissed Ed, then said, "Come on, take me home and then go play the 'stern boss'!"
Ed sighed again and said, "Okay, come on."
As they walked back to the Explorer, Carol said, "You know, you're kind of sexy when you get into your 'stern boss' mode."
"Really?" Ed said in surprise.
"Really!" Carol said with conviction.
"Carol?" Ed said.
"Yes, Ed," Carol replied.
Ed grinned and said, "Would you like to work for me?"
Carol laughed and punched him lightly in the arm.
The Pie Shop
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
8:00 AM
Mike and Ed walked out of the Pie Shop and headed down the street. Ed was in a suit and tie while Mike was in his usual work clothes – a pair of dark colored Dockers, a comfortable oxford shirt, and a subdued tie. Ed had a medium sized coffee cup while Mike had one of the Pie Shop's new 'Super Grande' sized coffee cups.
Ed glanced over at Mike's coffee and said, "You realize that coffee cup is more of a bucket than a cup, right?"
"Well," Mike responded, "until they starting selling coffee by the barrel this will have to do."
Ed snorted in amusement.
"Got a court appearance today?" Mike asked, waving his free hand at Ed, indicating Ed's outfit.
"No," Ed replied, "I've got a meeting with Mayor Kendricks this morning."
"Yeah," Mike said curiously. "About what?"
"Don't know," Ed said. "Mayor Kendricks' secretary called late yesterday and asked me to come by at ten o'clock this morning. Said it was a legal matter but didn't give me any details."
"Maybe you'll get another nude painting out of it," Mike said.
"Dear God!" Ed said. "I hope not!"
After a small pause, Ed continued, "So, have you given Nancy's question about a new partner any thought?"
"Yeah, actually I have," Mike replied. "I've started to line up some interviews already."
"Really," Ed asked.
"Well," Mike said, "I'll deny this in court, but Nancy was right. I can't keep this up. I mean I enjoy being a doctor, but I enjoy spending time with Nancy and Sarah – and everyone else – more. So, I wouldn't mind a little more free time."
"Smart man," Ed said with conviction. "What's your criteria."
"Good school, good references..." Mike continued to list a series of criteria he was looking for in a partner. He noted that Ed was nodding absently as he rattled off his list and wondered if Ed was really paying attention.
"...and I'd really like them to have antennae and a great body," Mike finished.
"Sounds good...wait," Ed stopped in surprise, "what was that last part?"
Mike snorted and said, "Ed, were you paying any attention to me?"
"Sorry," Ed said, "just got something on my mind that distracted me a little."
Mike looked over at Ed surreptitiously and knew exactly what – or rather who – was distracting Ed. 'Man!' Mike thought. 'Ed and Carol are a couple now and he *still* can't stop obsessing about her!' Mike gave a mental shrug.
"So," Mike said, then paused to stifle a yawn, "when are you going to pop the question?"
"I was hoping to do it later tonight, after dinner," Ed replied, a trace of excitement in his voice.
"Are you sure Carol's going to say yes," Mike asked.
Ed stopped walking, turned to look at Mike, then said, "Are you kidding? Of course she'll say yes. Why wouldn't she say yes? I can be quite charming and persuasive when I want to be. Carol doesn't stand a chance."
"Ed," Mike said.
"Yeah, Mike," Ed replied.
"You're asking Carol to marry you," Mike said, "not trying to win a court case."
"Right," Ed said after moment. The duo resumed walking.
***
Stuckeyville High School
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
12:00 PM
Carol knocked on the doorframe of Molly's office as she walked in.
"Hey, Molls," Carol said.
"Well," Molly said with a smile, "if it isn't my favorite female, blond, English teacher!"
"Um," Carol said slowly, "I'm pretty sure I'm the only female, blond English teacher at Stuckeyville High School."
"Exactly!" Molly exclaimed. "By being so specific I can tell all of my teachers that they are my favorite."
"Very smart," Carol said with a grin.
"I be wicked smart," Molly said with an answering grin.
"Except," Carol said, "what are you going to do about the Callaghan twins who both teach Algebra?"
"Sure," Molly said with a wave of her hand, "ruin my perfectly good plan!"
After a moment of shared laughter Molly continued, "So what's for lunch?"
"Pie Shop?" Carol asked.
"Okay," Molly said, grabbing a light coat, "you talked me into it. Let's go."
As they walked out of Molly's office, her secretary said, "Molly, I just confirmed your meeting with the school board on Friday morning at ten o'clock."
"Oh, okay. Thanks, Lori," Molly said.
Molly and Carol walked through the hallways of Stuckeyville High and out to the street.
As they walked down the street, Carol asked, "So what's up with the school board meeting?"
"I don't know," Molly said. "I got a call from the superintendent asking me if I could meet with the school board this week, but he didn't give me any indication as to why."
"Hmm," Carol said.
Within a few minutes they are at the Pie Shop ordering lunch.
"So," Molly began with a brilliant smile, "nice to see that you made it into work every day so far this week."
Carol blushed and said, "Molly..."
"Oh, come on, Carol," Molly said with a lopsided grin, "let me have something I can have fun with."
"Well, okay," Carol said, "but only if I get to have fun with your relationship with Shawn."
Carol had made the comment in jest, but Molly's wince indicated something was wrong.
"Molls," Carol said with concern, "what's wrong?"
"Ryan," Molly said.
"Is he still being a little pill?" Carol asked.
"No," Molly said, "he's way beyond 'little' pill and is approaching 'humungous' pill rapidly."
"Why?" Carol asked. "What did he do now?"
"Oh," Molly said with a wave of her hand, "nothing new. Its just the same old cold shoulder, angry glares, and snide comments as before. But they're like bat guano – it just keeps building up and building up until suddenly your hip deep in bat crap!"
"Have either you or Shawn tried talking to him?" Carol asked.
"Well," Molly said, "Shawn has ... but it doesn't seem to do any good. I mean, Ryan is treating Shawn pretty much the same way. I know that it goes beyond the 'I'm a teenager and I hate my parents' thing some kids go through."
Molly and Carol paused as the waitress brought their lunches. Molly was having tuna salad on rye with a side of fries while Carol was having a grilled chicken salad.
Carol opened her mouth to ask Molly a question, but Molly spoke first.
"You know," Molly said with a wave at Carol's salad, "you could get away with a bacon cheese burger and some cheese fries every now and then. But I always see you eat like a little bird."
Carol was a little taken aback by Molly's comment and said defensively, "It just so happens that I had a bacon cheeseburger for dinner last night! Besides, I like salads!"
Carol paused, glared at Molly, and said, "And don't try changing the topic!"
"Why not," Molly asked a little penitently.
"Because this is important. Wasn't it you who wouldn't let me give up when I decided I wanted to go after Ed? I may not be able to kill you with my bare hands (Molly smiles) but I can certainly think of ways to make your life as Principal Hudson miserable. So give! You said Shawn has spoken to Ryan, why haven't you talked to him?"
"I don't know really," Molly replied. "I guess I'm not sure its my place and I don't know what to say to him."
"Since when," Carol said with a chuckle, "do you not know what to say to someone?"
"I think its because I'm conflicted," Molly said. "I'm not sure if I want to straighten him out because he a hurting kid or because it would make my relationship with Shawn so much easier. I feel like anything I would say to him would only be to serve my own purposes. Makes me blank out."
"Hmm," Carol said in thought, "I see what you mean. I don't know what to tell you ... yet. But, here's one thing I know for sure."
"Yeah," Molly said curiously, "what's that."
"There is no such word as 'humungous' in the English language!" Carol said with a grin.
Molly laughed and said, "God save me from English teachers!"
The two finished the rest of their lunches and got up to leave. As they were walking out of the Pie Shop, Carol saw a woman seated at a table by the door, a half-eaten sandwich on the table as she leaned back in her seat engrossed in her book. Carol winced when she saw that it was "Small Town People."
Molly caught the whole thing – Carol's glance, noting the book title, and the wince. When they on the street and heading back to the high school, she asked, "Carol, what's up?"
"What?" Carol replied nonchalantly.
"Okay," Molly said, "now you're the one trying to avoid the topic. You know what I mean."
"Oh," Carol said in frustration, "its just that knowing that Nick has a wildly popular new book and is married with two kids is just bothering me. I don't know why – it just is."
"Don't let it bug you," Molly said. "Nick Stanton is part of your past. He's long gone."
***
The Duck Pond
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
9:00 PM
Ed and Carol were taking a walk after having a quiet dinner together. Not that they had originally planned on having dinner alone. Mike and Nancy cancelled because Mike was just about dead on his feet from another rough day at the practice (seemed that flu season came very early to Stuckeyville and Mike had twice his normal patient load – plus people signing up early for flu vaccinations). Molly and Shawn had cancelled as well – they decided to have dinner with Ryan in an effort to break through to him.
During dinner, Ed had told Carol about his meeting with Mayor Kendricks and the work that would take him out of town a bit over the next couple of months. Mayor Kendricks had told Ed that the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration were pursuing a new rail line – a rail line that would start in Cleveland and end ... somewhere close to Stuckeyville. The final alignment of the rail line wasn't set, but Stuckeyville and surrounding communities like Jaspertown wanted that rail line to come their way for the economic development benefits.
So, Stuckeyville, Jaspertown, and three other municipalities in the area were forming a regional planning commission to help push that agenda and Ed was tapped to handle the legal matters associated with establishing that organization. It was going to require some time in Columbus to research and file the relevant paperwork.
Ed also told Carol, very quietly, about the other task Mayor Kendricks had given Ed. It seemed Mayor Kendricks had more knowledge of the probable alignment than was common knowledge. There was a proposed station close to – but not in – Stuckeyville. Well, not in Stuckeyville, yet, as Mayor Kendricks had pointed out. Ohio law allowed for annexation of land parcels by cities and towns from neighboring townships. Mayor Kendricks wanted Ed to handle the annexation – despite the toughened annexation laws passed in 2002 – of those parcels through which the rail line was intended. Again, for economic development potential.
Which meant probably even more time in Columbus researching and filing papers.
Carol was excited for Ed that Mayor Kendricks trusted him with such sensitive and important matters, but Ed could tell she was also slightly disappointed that he would have to travel overnight to Columbus several times. 'But I think I can take care of her disappointment,' Ed thought as he played with the ring in his pocket.
So, that's how they had come to be walking by the Duck Pond. The same Duck Pond where they had found themselves after their very first date. The same Duck Pond where they had finally admitted that they loved one another after three years of will they/won't they.
The same Duck Pond where one Edward Jeremy Stevens intended to ask one Carol Phyllis Vessey to marry him.
They strolled along in one of their favorite walking positions – Carol's arms wrapped around one of Ed's arms, her head leaning against his shoulder – for a short while talking and laughing as only two people in love can.
They paused by "their" bench and just looked at one another quietly for a few moments. Ed took a deep breath – inconspicuously, he hoped – and reached into his right pants pocket. He grabbed the ring and was about to say "Carol" and drop to one knee when his cell phone rang.
Ed gave a mental curse and said, "Sorry."
Carol smiled, unaware of why Ed was apologizing, as Ed answered his phone.
"Hello," Ed said.
"StuckeyBoss!" Eli said.
"Hey, Eli," Ed replied, "what's up!"
"Sorry to bother you, Ed," Eli said, "but Stubbs screwed us royally here!"
Ed heard Phil yell in the background, "Excuse me, but *I* did not screw anything up here. I believe that I confirmed the appropriate days of the week with you, Mr. I'm-Gods-gift-to-bowling-alleys!"
Ed sighed and said, "What's the problem, Eli?"
"Well," Eli said, "Phil 'I-can't-read-a-calendar-to-save-my-scrawny-white- ass' Stubbs scheduled two separate leagues for the same night!"
"Oh, for the love of Pete!" Ed exclaimed. Carol raised her eyebrows. Ed held a finger up to Carol, indicating that he was only going to be another minute or so.
"Eli," Ed said, "Figure out which league can switch nights and have that league come back tomorrow night."
"Already tried that StuckeyBoss," Eli said. "Both leagues say they can only make it on Wednesday nights. Things are looking like they might get a little ugly here. Can I let them have Phil to beat up on?"
"Sure," Ed said, "with my compliments."
"Good," Eli said, "because a few of them look like they want to shove Phil through one of the ball return slots."
"Can't say as I haven't thought of that myself a time or two," Ed said with a grim smile. "Oh well, lets keep the carnage to a minimum. Tell them if they shove him through the ball-return I'll charge them for cleaning. Picking body parts out of delicate machinery is a pain!"
Ed looked over at Carol and she waved to him, indicating that he should do whatever he needed to. Ed sighed.
"Look, Eli," Ed said, "I'll be there in a few minutes, okay. Just have to drop Carol off at home. Keep everyone from killing each other till I get there. Well, with the exception of Phil..."
"Got it, StuckeyBoss!" Eli said. Ed heard Eli yelling, "Stubbs, get your scrawny ass over here..." as he hung up.
Ed sighed and looked at Carol, who said, "Trouble at StuckeyBowl?"
"When isn't there trouble when I'm not there and Phil is?" Ed asked. "One of these days..."
Carol stepped in and kissed Ed, then said, "Come on, take me home and then go play the 'stern boss'!"
Ed sighed again and said, "Okay, come on."
As they walked back to the Explorer, Carol said, "You know, you're kind of sexy when you get into your 'stern boss' mode."
"Really?" Ed said in surprise.
"Really!" Carol said with conviction.
"Carol?" Ed said.
"Yes, Ed," Carol replied.
Ed grinned and said, "Would you like to work for me?"
Carol laughed and punched him lightly in the arm.