***So far, Miranda has been jilted, fired, and left to take care of a child that isn't hers.  Everytime she gets her footing back, life throws another curve ball at her.  Today she confronted a well known local pervert at scissor point. Had a visit from the infamous Missy Toblerone, then a visit from the Sherrif.  All she wants to do is go home and have a nice cold beer.  But as she is locking up the store, she hears someone rattling the back door.  ***

 

 

 

I stand stock still.  Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.  Then I see it turning.  

 

My mind starts going over all kinds of scenarios.  You know the kind. Woman alone, robber ties her up.  She gets put in freezer to die a terrible death.  Pistol whipped and made to tearfully open the safe.  Not gonna happen.  Not tonight and not to this girl.  If there's one thing I know about myself, it's that I'm gonna go down swinging.

 

Looking around for some sort of weapon, I spot a broom, the scissors and a can of Libby peas that someone was too lazy to put back.  I drop the can of peas into a plastic bag and tie it closed.  I quickly unlock the front door, all the while looking around for the dirty son of a bitch.  If he's my size I'll charge him and hit him over the head with can.  If he's big, I'll throw it at him, hope for the best and run.

 

I slowly move towards the edge of the building.  The sound of footsteps crunching on the pavement grows louder.  I have the element of surprise on my side so when the jack ass is just about to pass by, I jump out swinging the bag with the can in it.

 

"Dammit!  What the hell are you doing?"

 

I let the bag fall on the curb beside my feet.

 

"Mitch?  What the hell am I doing?  What the hell are you doing?  I thought you were trying to break in."  My heart is thumping a mile a minute and I'm pretty sure his is too.

 

His hand briefly touches on his side arm.  "You almost assaulted an officer.  You know I could have arrested you for that. What's in that bag?"

 

"It's a can of peas."

 

"You came out armed with a can of peas?  Are you stupid?  Why the devil didn't you simply call 911?"

 

"Don't be ridiculous?  Everybody knows y'all are slow as molasses to respond."

 

After it's out of my mouth, I realize I'm not helping my case.

 

"Miranda, I know you think you're tough and you think you can handle everything by yourself, but what you just did was stupid.  Plain and simple."

 

I look down at the ground.  "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry I almost beaned you with a can of peas.  Why were you at the back door trying to get in?"

 

"I was checking to make sure the store was secure."

 

"I've never known the Sherrif's department to do that before."

 

"One of my deputies is out for a week.  He usually rolls through this area around midnight.  I'm trying to do a few of his businesses."

 

"Oh."

 

"Next time call 911."

 

"Ok."

 

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go change my uniform."  Mitch tips his hat and starts walking towards his squad car, parked in the darkened corner of the parking lot.

 

I lock the door and grab my purse off the ground where I had dropped it.  I wave at Mitch weakly as he waits for me to leave.  

 

For the twenty five minute drive, I try those relaxing deep breathing exercises.  And to my happy surprise I'm relatively calm when I pull up in front of the trailer. 

 

I'm at the door when I hear a familiar voice.  "Hey, you just getting home?"  Aaron says.  He's already in the yard.  I can smell the weed from there.

 

"Are you high?"

 

"Heck no.  Well, okay, maybe a little but not wasted."

 

"Look, Aaron, I've had an awful day.  I'm just going inside and calling it a night.  So, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

 

"I just need to ask you one thing.  Then I promise I'll leave."

 

"Sure.  What do you need to ask?"

 

"My friend will lend us the diving equipment if we plan to go look around this weekend."

 

"Let me think about it."

 

"If there was anyone else to ask, I would ask them."

 

"For one hour. That's it.  No more.  One hour."

 

His face lights up.  "Thank you, Miranda.  You have no idea what this means to me.   Saturday or Sunday?"

 

"Saturday.  One hour."

 

He turns and starts walking back.  "I got it.  We are gonna find the most amazing  stuff."

 

I step inside to find Waylon asleep.  The television is on and when I go to turn it off manually, I see the screen on his phone blinking off and on.  One missed call.  I wonder if it's Dougie.  I could check it but then that would be an invasion of privacy.   And as curious as I am, I am not willing to lose what little ground I have.

 

 

To be continued ...