Free Running Home by T.A. Hardenbrook

them tomorrow when I pick up my bread; it’s going to break your momma’s heart when I tell her,” she threatened, while standing next to me holding a large ceramic ashtray in her hand. Releasing the tension in my arms I gently grabbed the culprit to my now headache, and set it down on a higher shelf in the garage, knowing damn well she couldn’t reach it.
    “I don’t think he is in here anymore ,” I said, as I stacked an empty crate on top of pile of junk.
    “Did you no t learn the first time I bopped you, Walker?”
    I force d a smile, and tried to squeeze out the door, knowing the quicker I got out of here the better my odds were at not getting a lecture from the old coot. “Mrs. Elderbush, I need to get going. I promise to come back with a trap once I get off work,” I declared, while walking out to my car.
    “Don’t let her get away Walker, you deserve happiness too ,” she hollered as I climbed into the vehicle.
    Why did everyone in this town seem to think I’m not happy? Just because I don’t want to settle down with someone , doesn’t mean I was miserable. I actually think that’s smart of me. Why get drug down with a miserable marriage, when I could live that life alone? Besides, mom still did my laundry anyway. Who really needs a wife, when I have her?
     
     
    “Hey , Aunt Patty,” I yelled into the old Victorian home just off Main Street. It was close to dinner, and I knew she had a couple guests staying in town, so my luck of getting a good home cooked meal tonight was in my favor. Not getting a response I began to wander back to the kitchen in the B&B, glancing in each of the open rooms to see if Sadie decided to stay. Yep, I’m sure I looked like a creeper if I ran into her, but I could not get her out of my head for the life of me. Poking my head into the large commercial style kitchen, I noticed my Aunt over by the stove, stirring something that smelled absolutely delicious. “Hey, Aunt Patty,” I called again, as she jumped back from the stove, almost knocking the pot off with her.
    “Good Lord , Walker, you about caught me with my pants down.” Aunt Patty chuckled, while centering the pot back on the burner.
    “I didn’t mean to scare you ; I yelled from the front door.”
    “Boy , you know I can’t hear you clear in the back of this house. What are you doing over here tonight? Thinking I’m going to feed you?” she teased, as she pulled out fresh rolls from one of the double ovens. “No, ma’am, I was wondering if a new guest checked in today? However, if you are offering to feed, me I wouldn’t tell you no,” I replied.
    “You mean the pretty dirty blonde who checked in this afternoon? Tell me, Walker Gene Mason, how do you know I have a new guest?”
    My face turned a light shade of red as my aunt grilled me on the new guest. Why can’t I just be curious; what’s the harm in that? I didn’t say anything as the timer went off on the other oven, and I went over to help pull the fresh blueberry pies out as Aunt Patty gave me the questioning eye. I couldn’t help but let a shit eating grin spread across my face; my aunt knew exactly why I was here and there was no trying to deny it now.
    “Alright , boy, go set the table. It’s just the four of us tonight; the Gracen’s checked out earlier this afternoon.” My aunt smirked as she started to place the dinner in serving bowls.
    I let out a low laugh as I grabbed the pla tes and glasses from the hutch. How was I going to explain just showing up here tonight to Sadie? “Hi, remember me? I’m the officer that stopped and asked if you needed help. I then proceeded to send you to my aunt’s place to stay, and promptly made a fool of myself when I went to leave,” I mumbled to myself as I set the flatware on the table.
    “Are you talking to yourself over there , Walker?”
    “Maybe , Aunt Patty,” I laughed, and walked over to the counter to grab the filled dishes.
    “Well , go holler at your uncle and Sadie, who