Gone Fishing
In the depths of the backwater, a line with a flashy spoon and a chunk of chicken bounced along the bottom. When the sunlight glinted off the spoon just right, two eyes from the shadows of the stream reflected the enticing treat. Out from under a sunken log, a massive catfish pounced on its prey, swallowing the bait whole. Temporarily satisfied, the fish suddenly felt a strong jerk and the pain of a barb sinking deep into its lip.
"Got one!" Nick said as he struggled to pull the large fish up to the surface. Keeping the line tight, he suddenly got the chance to reel his prize in closer as the three-foot fish surfaced and jumped up from the water before landing back in the murky river. However, Nick wasn't finished. After a minute of fighting with the catfish, he finally succeeded in dragging it up onto the riverbank. Casy then leapt into action, dispatching the fish with a homemade club about a foot long.
"And that's dinner!" Nick said excitedly.
"Ew, you're going to eat that thing?" Riley said as she watched from a safe distance, readying the camera.
"Why not? It's meat, ain't it?" Nick said as he picked up and measured his fish.
"It came out of a swamp, though." She added.
"Hey, we can't let food go to waste." Casy said, rolling up his sleeves. "But we won't gut it in front of you if it makes you feel better."
"No, I'll just go back to the old tree house and wait." Riley said.
"Not yet, picture please!" Nick said, holding up the front half of the fish. Riley rolled her eyes before focusing the camera. "Fine, just hold still and make a big smile."
The camera clicked and the shutter actuated. Satisfied, Riley put the camera in her shoulder bag and walked off, her hips swaying a bit with each step. Something that Casy couldn't help but notice, and Nick couldn't help but notice his friend's fixation.
"Hey, help me get this thing over to the log." Nick said, getting Casy's attention. Casy snapped out of his trance and helped his friend move the catfish over to a log they had dedicated specifically to gutting fish caught out of their little honey hole.
Once out of earshot, Casy muttered his displeasure. "We really shouldn't be doing this kind of stuff in front of her."
"Oh? Don't want to give your girlfriend the creeps?" Nick teased as he unsheathed his knife and got to work.
"She's not my girlfriend, Nick. Hasn't been since we were fifteen. We've just been friends since then."
"Well that's what everyone else thinks." Nick added, rolling his eyes. "So are you going after her or what?"
"Can you manage?"
"Casy, I've been doing this every week since we were kids." Nick said. "I'll make sure to drop off half the meat with your mom."
"Thanks!" Casy said, dropping the tail and rinsing his hands in the river.
"Fool's in love…" Nick said with a smile before returning his attention to the dead fish. "Sorry, big guy. At least you're going to a good cause."
"Riley?" Casy called before a rope ladder dropped down from the treehouse. Casy smiled as he climbed up. It had been replaced a couple of times with stronger rope as Nick, Casy, Riley, and everyone else grew up around them. The inside dimensions stayed the same, which made for a tight fit for three, but comfortable enough for two. The floor had long since been reinforced with stronger timber to support the increased weight of grown children.
Riley smiled as she looked out the window of the tree house. Soon she'd get to go to Kansas City for a few days. It would be the first time she had left the St. Louis area since moving there with Ethan. Two hands felt around for grip before hoisting Casy up into the treehouse. "Whew, that climb is still kinda scary." He said, looking down at the twenty feet to the forest floor.
"I'm glad you guys never took this down, it's great up here." Riley said before making room for her friend. She caught a hint of catfish on Casy's skin.
"Ugh, I'll never get use to the smell." She said with a smile.
"And here I thought you were country girl, Miss Kelly." Casy said, looking out the window. "It is great though, that's for sure."
"So Nick is…?"
"Making a mess of the catfish? Probably, but that's easily enough meat for his family and mine."
"How is your mother and your siblings?" Riley asked.
"Doing well. Haven't heard much from Dad lately, but the checks haven't stopped showing up so I assume he's doing fine too."
"You know, I'm surprised you still care after all he's done to you."
"It's… complicated. But at least I can fight back now. I wish I could tell your brother how grateful I am."
"Trust me, he knows. He says our Dad wasn't any better. Dodged bullet and all that…" Riley said, resting her chin on her knees, her mind searching back to her childhood in Butte. "Wish I could have known him though."
"Hey, if Ethan says your dad was as bad as mine, believe me when I say you aren't missing anything. Still have a couple of scars to prove it."
"Really?"
"Yeah, see this…" Casy parted some of the fur on his right cheek, revealing an old wound that was hidden just fine under the hair but quite visible when exposed. "He gave me that when I dropped a basket of eggs. And this…" Casy then opened up his shirt, lifting his left arm up to expose another scar over the ribs just under his armpit. Riley blushed slightly seeing the young man's developing muscles. He was already filled out a lot more than a couple of years ago. Casy didn't seem to notice though, instead focusing on finding the right spot. "Dad hit me with a two-by-four right there when I talked back once."
"Oh God…" Riley said in disbelief. All this time she hadn't thought about what Ethan was protecting her and their brothers from. Casy buttoned up his shirt and straightened it out. His eighteen-year-old body was already collecting small nicks and scars from doing odd jobs around different farms.
"I suppose you're right." Riley finally said. "Still, that's a hole I wish was filled."
"I think I can understand that too." Casy said. "Anyway, what did you want to tell me when you rang this morning?"
Riley suddenly brightened up, remembering the great news she had to share with her friend. "That's right! Casy, Ethan is coming home!" He said, shifting herself around quickly with excitement. As Riley sat up, she hit her head on the cross beam supporting the low roof of the structure. Holding her head, she landed on Casy who immediately caught her.
"Oof, are you okay Riley?" Casy asked, holding her.
"Yeah… just more embarrassed than anything." She said, looking up into his face. Casy noted that she was blushing, but he wasn't sure if it was because of him or from hitting her head.
"Good, I hope that's not going to leave a mark." He said while helping her up off his lap.
"I'll be fine. Anyway, is that great news?!" Riley said with excitement in her voice.
"It is indeed!" Casy said. "And obviously you're excited."
"Yeah, I'm going with Bella and the McMurrays to Kansas City in a couple of days to meet him. Which reminds me, Bella wanted me to ask you for a favor."
"Of course, anything."
"Would you be able to keep an eye on the farm while we're out of town. It wouldn't be too much trouble I hope."
"For you… I mean, for your family, its no trouble at all. Just watering the garden and stuff, right?"
"Yeah, and a couple of other things, probably about an hour of work per day."
"That's great! Thank you, Casy. That's a big help." Riley said, hugging Casy. He returned the gesture and for a brief second felt at ease. Yeah, he still had feelings for her, he couldn't deny it to himself. But this also wasn't the right time to bring that up so he instead decided to bid his time.
"Hey, you should be getting back home before Rocky comes looking."
"Oh, he's busy packing. Apparently, Ivy's father found them a new race car so he and Joseph are taking off this afternoon to meet us across the state."
"Well shoot, I should go say goodbye then. Come on, I'll walk back with you." Casy said, propping open the floor hatch. Once on the ground, Casy caught Riley on the last step, helping her to safely land on her own two feet. The path felt a lot longer when they were kids, but in reality, they were about ten minutes away from the edge of the farm. Riley might not like fishing all that much, but in the time, she had lived out on the farm she had grown quite fond of walking through the woods. The last morning she saw Ethan they had done just that. She wondered how her big brother was going to react to seeing her all grown up now. "He'll probably cry a bit." She thought to herself. It was kinda hard to find a man to be Ethan's equal, though Casy came close. He was kind, polite, and apparently now he was strong too because he was able to hold the top two wires of the perimeter fence open enough for her to slip her dress through without catching on the barbs.
Making it as far as the barn, the two teens didn't expect to be caught by Rocky who popped his head out through the open door.
"You know you're playing a dangerous game, Casy." He said with a smile.
"Huh?"
"Don't tell me you're messing with the crown jewel of this farm just as her brother is coming back to town." He teased, being a bit more direct. "I applaud the courage though."
The two immediately blushed and looked away from each other, not realizing that their tails had intertwined while walking.
"Rocky!" Riley said, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"I'm just messing with you two!" Rocky said, putting an arm around each of their shoulders. "You know Ethan loves this little rascal." He added, holding in Casy tight against him. "I'm glad you came by, Casy. Joseph and I are heading out soon."
"Oh yeah, Riley mentioned that." Casy said, slipping out from under Rocky's arm. Rocky turned to Riley and winked at her while she glared at him… before smiling. She couldn't stay mad at the guy who had watched over her so much when Ethan was busy.
"Bella could use you in the house, Riley. Sounds like Emily is having trouble taking a nap." The grey tabby said as he pointed his thumb at the house."
"Oh… does my little niece need her aunt Riley?" She said in a maternal tone. "Well, I can't keep the girl waiting."
As Riley walked off, Casy followed Rocky back into the barn. The old farm truck sat parked in front of them while Joseph loaded camping equipment in the back. Rocky called out to the boy. "Hey son, you've got a visitor."
Joseph popped his head around from the back of the truck and a big grin grew across his face. "Casy! How was fishing?"
"Nick caught a big one. I'd offer you a piece but I think you and your old man will be gone before we can get it cooked up."
"I wish I was there to see it."
"Hey, you'll be back in a few days, right?"
"Yeah, we're picking up a race car of some kind." Joseph said as he loaded the last bag. "Dad, do we really need to bring a tarp? It's barely rained."
"Ah, but it'll be just our luck if it does start raining, and sleeping in the cab is a little tight since your last growth spurt." Rocky said, using his hand to measure up Joseph who now came up to his chin. "Growing like a weed, which means we need cash for new clothes." He said before pivoting back to the older boy. "Speaking of money, how's the job search going, kid?" Rocky asked.
Casy shook his head. "I can do all kinds of farmwork for things like eggs, but nobody wants to hire for cash."
"I hear ya. Freckle is having trouble too. Bella could be teaching at the school, but the district doesn't have enough money to pay her a salary. Can you believe it?"
"I guess if no one is paying taxes… Mom said something to that effect." Casy said.
"Well, that brings me to a certain idea I had the other day."
"Oh?"
"How'd you like to be on the support crew for the Rickaby-Kelly-McMurray racing franchise?!"
Joseph shook his head. "Dad, we don't even have a sponsor."
"Now now, Cal, that kind of thinking won't get us anywhere."
Joseph rolled his eyes as Rocky patted his head. "Really, Dad, I'm fourteen! Anyway, Casy, what my dad means is that you'll be working for free unless we start winning races."
Casy thought about it for a minute. "You know, it might be kind of fun. But I don't think I can commit to a whole season, and mom needs me close by for farm work so I can't go traveling across the state."
"See, that's more like it!" Rocky said as he patted Casy on the back. "Gotta follow your friend's lead more, son."
"Dad…"
"Right, right, no smothering. Well, I guess if we're packed, we should go say goodbye to the women."
"Oh yeah, did Riley tell you about watching the farm?" Joseph asked as he walked between Casy and Rocky.
"Yeah, I can watch the farm. Bella will leave instructions, right?"
"I think she's already got them written down." Rocky said as they got to the door.
Aunt Riley
"Bella, Rocky said you needed me." Riley announced as she came inside the house. Bella was packing a bag in the living room and stood up. "Yeah, could you help Emily go down for a nap? She's excited about Kansas City and I have a lot to take care of."
"She's up in her room?"
"Yeah."
"Then I know where Auntie is needed!" Riley said, excited. While Bella was often too preoccupied with other things to tend to a wild five-year-old, Riley had the energy and time to keep up with the girl. Sure, Emily wasn't her flesh and blood, but Ethan loved the girl as his own and so Riley did as well.
Climbing the stairs, Riley got to the door of Emily's room and opened it up. The crib had long since been put back into the barn loft and in its place was a single-sized mattress elevated about a foot of the floor so the girl could easily climb in and out. Under a light cover a little lump tossed and turned. It was a bit hot for a nap.
"Emily…" Riley whispered. Instantly the covers were thrown aside, revealing a little girl who very much did not want to be taking a nap. Instead, she was excited to see her aunt.
"Aunt Riley!" She said, jumping into Emily's arms. "You weren't here."
"I know, sweetie. I'm sorry, but I had to go see Casy." She said, sitting down with the girl in her lap. "Your mom said you need to go take a nap."
"I can't." Emily said. "Mom said Dad is coming back."
"He is, I got the news too." Emily said, smiling as she held the girl in her arms. But Emily was fretting about something. "What's wrong?"
"What if he doesn't make it?" She asked, worried that he'd miss another day, week, month, or even year of being home with her.
"Oh honey, he's coming back. I know he is, and your Dad will be so happy to see you again!" Riley said. "He's always loved his girls."
"Huh?"
"Here, I'll tell you a story. It's a short one." Riley said, laying down in the bed and putting the girl next to her with Emily's head on her arm. "You know where your Dad and I come from?"
"Butt!" She said, giggling.
"Butte. It's got an 'e' at the end, Emily." Riley corrected, laughing with her. "When I was your age he was working in a mine. You know what he did every night when he came home?"
"What?"
"He's scoop me up, hold me in his lap, and tell me stories, just like I'm doing with you now. That's why I like to read so much, all his stories made me want to know more."
"What story today?" Emily asked, settling in.
"Well, your Daddy was in a war. The whole world was in this war."
"Woah… the world…"
"Yeah, America, Britain, France, Germany, Hungary—"
"Hehe, there's a country called 'hungry'?"
"No, Hungary. There's an 'a' in it. Anyway, he got drafted, which meant he had to go fight for our country."
"What did he do?"
"Well, he fought. There was one time he had to fight really hard to stay alive. People started calling him a ghost because no one could catch him. He fought for a week straight, not resting for a moment. When the battle was over, he was a hero! A great warrior from Montana!"
"Can I ask him about the war?" Emily asked.
"I think he'll tell you in time. Anyway, do you know why he fought so hard?"
Emily shook her head. Her mind could barely comprehend the idea of men fighting with guns, let alone her dad.
"Well, your Dad fought very hard because he wanted to come back to your grandmother, your uncle Sean and Liam I showed you pictures of, and me."
"Did he come back?" Emily asked. Riley realized that this story might not be sinking in quite the way she wished.
"…yes, he came back. He loved us all so much that he survived a war just to see us again. So do you know what that means about your Dad?"
Emily shook her head again.
"It means that he fights for the people he loves, and he loves you very much. So don't think for a moment your Dad won't make it back. Nothing will stop him."
That finally did the trick and Emily settled in, resting against her young aunt's side. Riley had a moment of déjà vu as she realized that after so many years of Ethan doing the same for her, she was now on the other side of snuggling in bed. She wasn't in a hurry to have a child, at least not until this depression finally lifted and she could find a suitable partner, but this new feeling was intoxicating to her. At that moment, this innocent little kitten had her complete trust and Riley prayed that nothing would happen now. Ethan was going to make it home and there wouldn't be any surprises along the way.
Satisfied that the girl was asleep now for the next hour or two, Riley slipped out of the bed and softly closed the door before going back downstairs.
"And that should just about do it." Bella said as she handed the list to Casy. "We really appreciate it and I'll be happy to pay you a little cash as soon as we figure out what we have to spare."
"I'm happy to help, Mrs. Kelly." Casy said. "Although, why are you and Riley going to Kansas City?"
Bella shrugged her shoulders. "I don't want to burden my own parents and if Rocky and Joseph are gone then I'm not all that comfortable with just us ladies being here by ourselves."
"Oh… yeah, that makes sense. A lot of desperate people around."
"I'm very glad you figured that out since that little adventure with Ethan." She said. "Speaking of which, I'm sure your mother would like to know where you went before she starts to get worried."
"I'll be on my way. Bye, Riley! Have fun in Kansas City!"
"Bye, Casy! I'll call as soon as we get back!" She said, waving at her friend as he went out onto the porch. Casy turned and waved at Joseph and Rocky as the two idled the truck out of the barn and up to the house. Getting out, the two went inside the house to say their farewells.
"Alright, miss Kelly, we'll meet up in two days' time." Rocky said, hugging the young woman who had become like a little sister to him.
"Don't get into trouble, Rocky."
"Trouble? Ha, since when has trouble found little ol' me?"
"I can name a dozen examples." Joseph said as hugged Riley next.
"Yeah, and I can name two. Take care of him for us, okay squirt?" Riley said. Joseph nodded his head as he nestled himself against her shoulder. "You're bringing the camera, right?"
"You know I will. I'll get a picture of you boys with the new car." She said.
Joseph then hugged Bella tightly as she did the same. "You just have fun camping with your dad, okay?" She said, kissing the boy on the forehead.
"Alright, we got one stop to make before we head West. We better get moving, Cal." Rocky said as he climbed into the cab of the truck and started it up again.
"Best get going, Joseph." Bella said as she let the boy go. The two waved at the ladies on the porch as Rocky put the truck into gear and headed down the driveway.
"So where do we need to go?" Joseph asked. Rocky smiled wide. "I got a job for you."
Rocky pulled out a road map of Missouri and placed it in Joseph's hands. "You get to be the navigator."
"But I haven't left St. Louis?" He said in disbelief. There's no way Rocky was crazy enough to let him call the shots.
"Have some faith in yourself, son." Rocky said, tussling the boy's hair. "And have some faith in your old man! I roamed all over the west, so finding Kansas City is a piece of cake in comparison. Besides, we have to go a few miles in the wrong direction so I can bid farewell to my beautiful maiden."
Knocking on the door, Rocky smiled wide as Evelyn answered it. She had just gotten done with a shift at the hospital and was dog tired, but she was happy to see Rocky again. It had only been two days, but it felt like forever after doing three shifts in that time. She was excited to have someone to bring some joy and laughter into her life but then remembered why he was stopping by.
"Come here, handsome!" Evelyn said as she pulled Rocky in and kissed him passionately.
"Ew…" Joseph said, turning away as the two adults kissed right next to and above him. He had a closer view than he'd prefer for such a gesture.
"Oh please, you'll do the same thing to a girl someday." Rocky said, winking at his kid. "I wanted to say goodbye before we left on the trip."
"That's right, you're off to get a race car. Please tell me that isn't costing you any money, Rocky." Evelyn said.
"Not a penny! In fact, our only real cost is going to be gasoline and maybe some food."
"Well, at least you know how to make a dollar stretch." Evelyn said. "When are you boys going to be back?"
"Two days out, two days back, figure two days in Kansas City." Rocky said, doing the mental math. "Should be back by Wednesday."
"Good, because I don't think I can keep working at that hospital without my shining knight to come rescue me for a few hours every couple of days." She said, kissing him once more.
"This knight will always return for you, my dear." Rocky confirmed. "We've managed to be dating for this long."
"Which reminds me, there's something I want to talk to you about if you don't mind stepping in for a moment."
"Of course!" Rocky said before turning to Joseph. "Mind waiting in the car, Cal? Give us a route out of town."
"Yes sir!" He replied, scampering back to the car. Rocky followed Evelyn into the house and closed the door to keep out the afternoon heat.
"Did you need help with something?"
"No, Rocky. I just was wondering… now that Joseph is older, I think we should start thinking about what's next."
"Oh yeah, seeing some things." Rocky remembered. It had been a while since they last had this conversation. Rocky wanted to stay in the area so Joseph would have a family and a home, but he was growing up fast and soon would be having his own adventures. "He is only fourteen."
"Yes, but Joseph will be fifteen in a few weeks. Then it's just a couple more years. Please Rocky, I'm dying to start planning this stuff out."
"Alright, alright. Tell you what, we'll get to work on this when I get back."
"You promise?"
"Cross my heart, dear!" Rocky said, gesturing with a single extended claw making an "x" over his chest.
"Good! Go have some fun with your son. I know he might not show it as much as you'd like, but that kid absolutely loves being with you."
"I can sense it, but I'm glad to know you see it too." Rocky said before opening up the door. Evelyn reached for Rocky again, kissing him goodbye while he held her around the waist.
Climbing back into the truck, Rocky straightened up his collar before smiling at his son. "What do you say we find a good fishing spot somewhere upstream and then make camp about a hundred miles west of here?"
"Only a hundred miles?" Joseph said, looking at how far they had to go.
"We can't push the old girl too hard. And besides, when's the last time we had a long evening of camping when it was just the two of us?"
Joseph smiled as he scooted in to be next to his dad. "Okay, let's do it."
"That's my boy." Rocky said, putting his arm around Joseph's shoulders and pulling him in close. "You tell me where to drive and I'll let the wheels do the rest."
Back Again
"So that's the place." Jacob said as he stood with Mordecai across the street from the former Little Daisy Café. The building had long since been shuttered with boards over the windows to prevent vandalism. Jacob was always curious to learn more about his guardian's past and being in St. Louis was the perfect opportunity to learn more. Mordecai, on the other hand, was merely humoring his boy's request to see more of the city.
"Yes, beneath us about twenty feet or so below the sewer lines is the Lackadaisy." Mordecai said, gesturing to the street that, by his estimation at least, was far less busy than it used to be.
"Could we go down there?"
"That would be an unwise idea. In fact, it is best if we go no further. The area looks like it has become overrun with bums."
"Unemployed, Mordecai." Jacob said. "Most, I'm sure, would be happy to have a job."
"I suppose you're right. We are luckier than most. Come, we have more interesting things to see than a shuttered commercial structure from my past."
The two walked side-by-side through St. Louis as they had been doing all day. Mordecai mentally counted up the days. It would be nearly two weeks until Jacob could check into the dorms. It was earlier than other students, but it would give him the chance to settle in before classes began.
"Speaking of your past, could we go see the Maribel Hotel?" Jacob asked.
"Absolutely not. There is far too great a chance someone may recognize me."
"You could handle them, couldn't you?"
"Possibly, but I… don't want to risk you." Mordecai said, putting his hand on Jacob's back. His tone was subtle, but its message was not. Not only had he moved on from his old life, but the ex-hitman had far greater priorities than picking fights.
"One word of advice." Mordecai continued. "It would be best to leave my past buried."
"Skeletons in the proverbial closet?"
"Skeletons are the least of my concern. You must understand, Jacob, that I was a dangerous man in this city. If the wrong people found out that my…" Mordecai stopped briefly to find the right word but there really was only one that would suit them now. "If the wrong people found out that my protege was in the city, they could harm you in an effort to harm me."
Jacob stopped instantly and hugged Mordecai. "I'll be fine, Mordecai. Really, I won't go digging around if it's got you that worried."
Mordecai still wasn't a fan of such closeness, but at this particular moment he felt more relief than anything else. "That is all I need to hear, Jacob. I know you're intelligent enough to stay out of trouble. Now, we should continue before we draw attention."
"So where can we go that won't be an issue?"
Mordecai thought for a moment until he came up with the perfect place. "There is a large park near the university you should see. It is a great place for many things... courting included, if you so choose."
"Woah, courting? I'm coming here to learn."
"As you should, but it is the natural thing to do for young people of your age."
Jacob looked at Mordecai with a raised eyebrow. "You're telling me you courted anyone at eighteen?"
"No, don't be ridiculous. I was much too busy trying to stay alive." Mordecai said with a huff. "I'm merely suggesting that this park has multiple utilities for you and that this is your chance to build your own life here, relationships included."
"Please don't tell me you have advice for that…"
"No." Is all Mordecai said. There were a great many things he was good at; finding a partner was not one of them. He was correct about the park though as they arrived at the large outdoor space reserved for some semblance of nature to thrive in the middle of the bustling city. Jacob's eyes widened when he saw the entire park from the top of a small knoll.
"Woah, it's like Central Park back home." Jacob commented.
"Almost twice as large, actually. Thirteen-hundred acres surround us." Mordecai said. "Distances and areas have a way of appearing smaller than their true size out here."
"Really? So how far out is the horizon from here you think?"
"About ten miles. You'd be lucky to see half that in New York unless you look out across the ocean."
"Huh…" Jacob said as they continued. "You know, I think I'm going to miss learning something new from you every day."
"And I freely admit that I will be feeling some nostalgia to all the instances I've been able to impart such knowledge." Mordecai replied. "But you will be coming back to New York for winter and summer breaks I hope."
"Of course I will!" Jacob exclaimed. "Unless that courting thing you mentioned pans out." He teased.
"Do not joke about loyalty to family." Mordecai replied, not finding the humor in the suggestion. "Take it from someone who has learned his lesson on that topic. My sisters and mother love you and want to see you often… as do I."
"Wait, did the stone-cold, former hatchet man just admit he loves his son?" Jacob said, a smile forming across his face. Mordecai sighed, finally giving in.
"I didn't think it needed saying."
"Well, it is good to hear it from you now and then. So, besides women, what else is there to look at in Forest Park?"
"The botany, for one thing. Take that oak for example. See how well manicured it is? The whole plant is almost perfectly symmetrical."
Mordecai approached the tree to examine it more closely. He wasn't exactly a mountain man, but when plants were well cared for and turned into living art, he could see a certain beauty in the greenery. Not watching where he was going, the black cat tripped over someone lying underneath the other side of the tree.
Mordecai fell flat on his face and turned red from embarrassment, realizing his clumsiness. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that he had disturbed the peace of a couple.
"Are you okay, dad?" Jacob asked as he quickly caught up to where Mordecai had just tripped.
"I do apologize, sir and madam. I was too engrossed in examining the tree to see you—"
"Mordecai Heller?" Wick said as he took his sunglasses off to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
Mitzi was far smoother with her southern ways. "I was wondering when you might come crashing back in, hon…" She then stopped talking and looked between the two cats in front of her. "Wait, did he just call you dad?"