Celwriter: I know that I did not update on Friday, but I am a little short on time. I have entered two short stories in contests, one will be announced at the end of this month, the other at the end of May.
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Chapter 24

"I...uh...Is your father in?" asked Tom, trying to stall.

"I'm sorry, but he's in the middle of a nap. Is there anything that I can do?"

"Well, I am here to look around for...um...reality reasons. A nearby vacation home is getting ready to go up for sale. Do you happen to know how much this property went for?" he asked. Nice try, pal, thought Cel, but you aren't fooling anybody. She put on a sweet face.

"No, I'm sorry."

"Do you mind if I walk around awhile?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't own the property and I know that my father sometimes likes to take strolls after a nap. He's busy with a story and if he did not know you were here and he ran into you, he might lose his train of thought. It does take him a long time to get back on track when he loses his place," Cel said, innocently and acting extremely concerned. Nice try, pal, thought Tom, but you ain't fooling anybody.

"Well, can you tell your father that I stopped by?"

"Sure," Not!! "Have a nice day!" Cel made sure that Tom was completely off the property before checking on Mort. He was still fast asleep, but he would wake up soon. She would not trouble him with the sheriff's visit, he had already had enough shock for the day.

Cel went into the kitchen and prepared some corn on the cob. It might wake Mort up, but if it did not she could always keep it warm for him. She was mid-bite when she heard a
CRASH!!!