Free The Missing Will by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page B

he headed down the hall to take a shower. He’d worked on the remodel of a house an hour north of Akron today and gotten caught in traffic on the way home. He didn’t want to disappoint Scott by not showing up at his party but was sure he’d already missed the meal.
    Better late than never,
he told himself.
With any luck I’ll get there in time for cake and ice cream.
    He reflected on the invitation he’d received from Arlene when she’d called a few days ago and left a message. In addition to inviting Joel to Scott’s party, she’d made it clear she didn’t want him looking for Dad’s will unless one of the sisters was with him. This didn’t set well with Joel, but he wouldn’t bring it up this evening. No point spoiling Scott’s party.
    Joel slapped the side of his head. “Oh, great. I don’t even have a gift for the boy.” It wouldn’t look good for him to show up at the party without a present. He had a certain fondness for the kid, probably because Scott reminded Joel of himself at that age—adventuresome, full of life, and equally full of questions.
    He removed his dirty shirt and stared at his reflection in the mirror, rubbing the prickly stubble on his face. He needed a shave but didn’t have time for that right now.
Just a quick shower, change, and I’ll be out the door. Still, wish I had something to give the boy.
    Joel’s stomach growled loudly, which only magnified his hunger. Bananas and a pear were in a bowl in the kitchen. He might have to eat the fruit as he drove to Charm, since he’d be too late for the home-cooked meal he could have had at Arlene’s with his family.
    An idea popped into Joel’s head, and he forgot about his hunger for the moment. He did have something Scott might like for his birthday.

    Farmerstown
    Arlene had no more than placed Scott’s cake on the table when a knock sounded on the door.
    “I’ll get it.” Larry pushed back his chair and hurried from the room. When he returned, Joel was with him, holding a banana peel and a pear core.
    “Sorry I’m late. I had to work later than I hoped, and traffic was bad, but I wanted to wish Scott a happy birthday and give him this.” Joel fumbled with his garbage, while he tried to reach in his jacket pocket.
    Arlene noticed his dilemma and stepped up to him. “I’ll throw that away for you.” She took the banana peel and what was left of the pear, and handed him a napkin to wipe his hands.
    “Sorry about the mess. Since I was running late, the fruit ended up being my dinner, which I ate on the drive down here.”
    “There’s some leftover chicken in the refrigerator. You’re welcome to eat some of that,” she offered.
    “Sounds good.” Joel gave her a sheepish grin.
    “I’ll fix you a plate after I’ve served the cake.”
    “No hurry.” Joel wiped his hands on the napkin, handed it back to Arlene, then slipped his hands into his pockets and withdrew a harmonica, which he gave to Scott.
    The boy’s eyes widened, and his lips curved into a huge smile. “Wow! Is this your mouth harp, Uncle Joel?”
    Joel nodded. “Well, one of ’em anyway. I have a few, in different keys. The one I’m giving you is in the key of G. I chose it because a lot of songs are played in that key.”
    Scott’s face beamed as he held the harmonica as though it were a piece of gold. “Will ya teach me how to play it, Uncle Joel? Will ya show me what to do right now?”
    “Don’t you think you oughta blow out your candles and eat some of your birthday cake first?”
    “Your uncle is right.” Arlene pushed the cake plate closer to Scott. “After we’ve had cake and ice cream, we’ll let you open your gifts, and then Uncle Joel can give you a lesson on the harmonica.”
    Scott glanced at the others, as if to see what they thought. When everyone nodded, he smiled up at Joel. “Why don’t ya take off your coat and pull up a chair? I bet you haven’t tasted any cake as good as my mamm makes.”
    Arlene waited to see what