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“Kali—”

“Dad, when he fixes the five-inch wide pothole on Main Street, then I’ll listen to hi e”

Dad sighed, et your mother’s stubborn streak”

Right Because he was the reeable person in town “She obviously left it behind when she died You got the ood, strong stubborn streak to deal with yours”

His lips twitched “Mine is necessary I have to field Mayor Bennet’s calls”

“Like I said He can fix the pothole, then we’ll talk” I paused, tucking hair behind my ear “Plus, everyone in town knows you’re seets is old Mr Jenkins and that’s because of his de and he called me Coral and asked me how my pet clownfish were”

Dad opened histo say A thoughtful look crossed his mind “At least he made the connection between coral and clownfish That’s better than last hen he told Ir that Mr Pickles needed to be in a zoo all because the cat brushed up against his ankle”

“Stupid na in a zoo She should have called hi hisses at ister”

Irentlee of twenty-five refer to her as such Except she wanted to be Irs on a trampoline…and utterly delusional if she believed Mr Pickles was as sweet, cushy, cuddly cat

“That’s because you alot him last month, sweetheart”

I held up my hands “I was under the limit Don’t blame me if the dumb creature jumped in front of my truck”

Dad offeredlook “You just hate cats”

“No, I hate that cat There’s a difference”

“Are we talking about Mr Pickles again?” My step- the front of her white shirt Her blue eyes scanned the pair of us from beneath thick, dark eyelashes, and her pale, pink lips curved, wrinkling at the edges “That de Irma told me not to stand on his tail, and I told her that if her cat attacked ain, I’d relieve him of the damn tail”

Dad brought his hand up to his face, closing his eyes before he pinched the bridge of his nose

“Thank you,” I said looking at her “The thing sold its soul to Satan, no doubt about it Along with Mayor Bennet”