Chapter 27

Mary Margaret Morrison stood as the judge was making her decision known. She had listened with the legal aid lawyer at her side as the video from the front of the police station was shown in court. Even she had grimaced at the angry expression on her face as she had struggled to keep from being handcuffed. She had looked a bit on the wild side as she had literally been dragged inside the police station.

The judge looked down at her now standing up, her lawyer at her side.

"I have read the statement about the reason you were even in the station and the fact that you were reporting a missing person to the police personnel. I can well understand that you were feeling anxious that the wheels of police work take some time to investigate on a grown man, so for that I can excuse some of this behaviour.

So, in a rare for me case of extreme leniency, I am discharging the assaulting a police officer charge, the refusing the breathalyzer and the littering charge. What I will rule on is the undue care and attention on the vehicle collision."

Judge Mayer paused for a moment, shuffled her papers, and spoke.

"I'm convicting you on being at fault in the accident between your rental car and the police cruiser. I'm assessing a fine of $1,000. I'm leaning against ordering you to take an anger management course at this time."

She looked down at Mary Morrison standing there.

"I do hope that you learn to control your emotions, Mrs. Morrison. I hope not to see you in my courtroom again."

The judge banged her gavel.

Mary Margaret heaved a sigh of relief and muttered, 'thank God."

She looked at her lawyer who nodded that she follow her out the side door to the office where she had been before.

This time she was more contrite as she stood in front of the cashier.

Her name tag said Lily and Mary Margaret grimaced to herself.

What a prissy name for a woman. Lily – like waving in the wind, totally useless. She kept her thoughts to herself.

Lily looked at her.

"How would you like to pay, Mrs. Morrison?"

Mary lifted her purse from around her arm and tried to be polite as she opened the clasp.

"I have a VISA card. Would that suffice?"

Lily nodded and punched the amount into her computer then handed her the hand held unit.

Mary Margaret swiped the card down the side and pressed the buttons, accepting the amount.

She heaved a little sigh of relief as the note came back 'Approved' and she put the card back in her wallet then into her purse. Her Social Security cheque had come through and the minimum payment on the card had been successfully processed.

Lily gave her a copy of the receipt and the sheaves of paper.

Leaving the office, the lawyer looked at Mary.

"Has your son contacted you yet?"

Mary nodded.

"He's decided that he doesn't want to take advantage of my generosity of a place to stay and has moved all of his possessions out of the house. I have no idea where he has decided to move to and as far as I'm concerned, it can stay that way. He was becoming a financial burden to me in my old age anyway and unable to find a job, he was just taking up space in my house."

The lawyer looked at her and spoke softly.

"Well, maybe his situation stabilized to the point that he could leave your home and then you both can go back to your normal lives. Good luck, Mrs. Morrison."

She nodded her head and headed back down the hallway, leaving Mary Morrison to walk out the front door by herself.

Stacie Beckler heaved a sigh of relief. Cases for legal aid were usually interesting to say the least. Some of her clients were nice, and some, well…. She had a mental file with the name 'bitch' on it, and Mary Margaret Morrison's name was at the very top.

~~~o0o~~~

Mary Morrison stood on the steps outside of the courthouse and took a deep breath.

One down, one to go.

~~~o0o~~~

Larry stepped out of the Arrivals Area, looking for an information desk. He was looking for the bus stop.

He was just about to walk out the door when he heard 'Dad, Daddy!'

He looked astonished as his family were literally running to him.

He dropped his bag and held out his arms in welcome as they came together in a massive hug. Nancy was standing back and watching as tears flowed down her cheeks. She had asked her supervisor for the day off, explaining that her husband was coming home and she had been given both today and tomorrow off.

As the woman had explained, the company had a policy for returning military service personnel and she felt no remorse on adding Nancy's name to the list. A family was about to be reunited and it was a cause for celebration.

Larry also had tears as he hugged his boys, then moved forward, slowed by two boys literally hanging all over him to take his wife in his arms.

"Nancy."

No other words were spoken but they held each other tightly, not letting go.

Passersby smiled at the sight. Another happy reunion.

The boys let go and the youngest grabbed his dads' bag.

"We couldn't wait for you to come by bus. We both got the day off school and came to get you."

Eddie looked at his mom and dad still holding each other tightly and his face wrinkled. Were they going to kiss? In public? Ewwww!

Nancy leaned forward and gave her husband another kiss on the lips. As she stood close, she whispered. "Later, my darling, later."

Larry smiled and nodded back.

The newly reunited family walked out the door and Eddie put the bag in the trunk.

Nancy had the keys in her hands and spoke.

"Today I drive, but tomorrow, and all the tomorrows after that, you can drive. I know the fastest way home."

Larry nodded his head. He was too excited to drive anyway and he wanted to, no, needed to catch up on all the news. If he was driving and trying to take it all in, well, something would be missed that was important – like a stop sign, or a light, or a tidbit of information that someone was trying to tell him.

The boys updated him on their activities, their friends and their new home. He heard that both boys wanted the same bedroom but after literally a coin toss, the winner was declared.

He looked at Nancy and she smirked.

It had been a favorite game when they were just married. If they disagreed on what movie to go to, what restaurant to go to or what activity they wanted to do, they had tossed the coin. Nancy had always chosen heads and Larry, tails. For some reason, heads won so many more times.

It got quieter on the trip. Both boys were on their phones no doubt texting or playing some game.

Larry slid his left hand over and Nancy clasped it in her right, never taking her eyes off the road.

He squeezed it and she smiled.

He had so much news to tell her, but away from curious ears and ever watchful eyes.

They slowly drove down the street where they were staying and the boys had both put away their phones. They pointed out the house they were looking at buying.

"Here Dad, here it is."

Larry looked at the house. Having looked at the pictures over and over, he could already see some things he wanted to do. A fresh coat of paint here and there and the outside would literally pop.

He looked at Nancy, and spoke.

"You always had the best eye, sweetie. I'm excited to see inside."

Nancy blushed at the compliment. "I made an appointment with the owners for tomorrow. They know you're arriving today and understand that we need some family time tonight. They also understand that there is no sale until you see it and approve of the deal."

~~~o0o~~~

Ranger and Stephanie stepped off the plane in Miami.

A black SUV was waiting and they hopped in the back.

RangeMan Miami Manager, David, spoke.

"Morning Ranger, Stephanie."

He stopped there. Unnecessary words wasted time.

They drove to the RangeMan building and headed down into the garage, parking by the elevator. Stephanie looked at the vehicle sitting closest to the elevator door.

"Who's visiting, David?"

David looked in the rear-view mirror at Ranger.

Ranger spoke.

"You needed a vehicle while here, Babe. It's yours to use while I'm doing RangeMan business. I know you have some things you want to check out and I didn't want you to be left without wheels.

Stephanie looked at the garage full of vehicles.

"Ranger, I could have used a fleet vehicle. Look how many you have. Surely one could have been assigned to me."

Ranger squeezed her hand, then lifted it up and gave the back of her hand a soft kiss.

"Anything for you, Babe. I want you to be safe."

Stephanie really could have used one of the vehicles but then again, as she looked over at the mustang convertible, it might be fun to drive around in that. In fact, it looked like a creamsicle, a very pretty orange with a white racing stripe down the hood.

They excited the vehicle and David nodded to the two.

"Head on up. I know the men are anxious to see you two."

Ranger took Stephanie's hand in his and they stepped into the open elevator. The door closed and the 5 lit up.

Stephanie looked at her man.

"I love the car, but it looks like a creamsicle with a racing stripe. I'll certainly be seen on the streets, but I assume that's why you got it, to keep me safe?"

Ranger looked at his wife and nodded. He chose not to elaborate that he had ordered that color specifically for that very reason, to be seen. He had had his salesman hunt for that car and have it trailered to Miami in time to be re-outfitted by his man there.

He looked at her. "For the record, Babe, the color is Orange Fury and it's only for 2018. If you choose to call it a creamsicle, well, that's all on you."

They looked out as the door opened. There was a sea of men in black waiting. As they stepped out, a cheer went up and Ranger looked at them.

"I'm paying you to work."

Spoken from the back. "Gee Ranger, we wanted to see Stephanie, not your ugly mug."

The men roared with laughter and Stephanie looked quickly up to see Rangers' expression. His mouth had the smallest quirk and he responded.

"If you weren't my good for nothing cousin, I'd be calling you to the mats, but I'm in a generous mood today. Tomorrow, watch it!"

The men continued to grin as they stepped forward to shake Ranger's hand and give Stephanie a quick hug or a peck on the cheek. She had visited enough that they knew her and loved when she came to their branch.

David came out the stairway door and barked, "If Ranger hasn't threatened mats, I will. Get to work!"

The men scattered back to their work stations and Ranger and Stephanie followed David to his office.

Ranger used to have an office for his use in each of his buildings but he realized that with a space crunch the rooms were needed by the on-site staff and he had given up his.

David closed the door and walked around to his desk, sitting down. Ranger and Stephanie settled in the chairs in front, then Stephanie promptly jumped out of her chair and climbed onto Rangers' lap.

David shrugged. Newlyweds!

He pushed a file with a number of sheets of paper toward Ranger.

"I pulled the information you asked for. We need to hire some more personnel, and I think that we should begin to look at females who clear standards. We are finding that a number of our clients are somewhat leery of some of our larger personnel. Maybe a more feminine touch could help in some instances."

Ranger nodded his head and picked up the folder.

Stephanie stood up and so did both Ranger and David.

"We can schedule those appointments starting tomorrow and stay as long as you need us to, or until we begin to get underfoot."

David laughed. Ranger was his old commander on a number of Special Ops missions. He respected him way too much to wish him to leave. Besides that, there were a number of relatives in Miami and if one heard he was in town, well, everyone would want to see the couple before they left. He suspected that they might be in town for a few days.

Authors Note – Oh you want more Crazy Gramma as my checkers call her? Tomorrow.

Myrna