Chapter 6
Repair completed, Parker took the boat out for a lake trial. Everything seemed to be in working order, so she drove it back to the marina. She picked up her toolbox and stowed it in her office. She printed up an invoice on the computer, and called the boat's owner to let them know that the repair was completed. She was grateful for the work because it kept her mind off of Kelly.
As she locked up her office, her phone rang. "Hey, Grandma," she greeted.
"Hello, Darlin'. You coming over to watch the game?"
"I'm on my way right now. Call and order a pizza and I'll pick it up."
"You know me too well, Park."
"Nothing better than pizza and a Cubs game with your Grandma."
"Ok, I'll call and order one. And I'll see you soon."
"You bet."
Parker ended the call and tucked her phone into her back pocket. She drove over to Bucktown and stopped in front of Molly's bar. Her plan was to grab a six pack and then go get the pizza. She started to exit the car, then realized that he might be inside. She also had a thought that if she went in, he might think she was chasing after him. She got back into the car and drove off to pick up the pizza. Pizza picked up and sitting on the passenger side floor, Parker arrived at her grandmother's apartment building. She parked in back in her grandmother's reserved parking space. She made her way up to the apartment, and knocked on the door.
Mary Alice opened the door. She reached out her hand and took the pizza from Parker. "Smells delicious," she greeted.
"Gee, thanks. I love you too," Parker retorted as she stepped inside.
"Oh, stop grumbling and go get plates before this gets cold."
"You're getting bossy in your old age, Mary Alice," Parker snarked as she made her way to the kitchen.
"And you watch your mouth Parker Stephanie."
Parker pulled two plates out of the cupboard. She opened a drawer and took two forks from it. She added a roll of paper towels and carried everything to the living room. She handed a plate. Fork, and paper towel over to Mary Alice. She helped herself to two slices of pizza, placing them on her plate. She used her fork to cut off the point of each slice. She popped a bite into her mouth, and as she did so, her phone rang. She glanced at it. She didn't recognize the number, so she ignored it.
"So, how's that stud of a boyfriend of yours?" Mary Alice asked casually.
"Boyfriend?"
"You know, Kelly."
"Oh, Kelly. That's over," she admitted. She didn't want to admit to her grandmother that it was over before anything even started.
"What happened?"
"We just didn't click," Parker admitted.
"Oh, Bullshit, Parker! I saw the looks he was giving you. He was interested."
"Well, obviously not anymore. He hasn't called for a week now."
"Maybe he's busy," Mary Alice offered.
"I don't think so. But that's neither here nor there. Let's just watch the game and not discuss Kelly anymore."
"Fair enough, but the boy likes you."
Parker rolled her eyes and cut off another slice of pizza. Kelly Severide be damned. She was going to watch the game and enjoy it.