Wilson came on the run and waited for Gus to give him a good scratch behind the ears. Gus obliged. Wilson was the first one out the door when Rose, Violet, and Iris appeared.
Outside, Gus let loose with his problem. “Obviously, I know nothing about women, so I’m asking for your help. I don’t know what to do. By the way, Barney is coming home. He said he’s tired of making money. I don’t believe that for one minute. He’s bringing jade and silk for you ladies. And I think someone is following me. Probably someone Elaine has hired to keep tabs on me. You need to know that. If you want me to stay away, I can do that. I don’t want to cause any problems for any of you. Private detectives dig and dig and dig. That’s why they get paid the big bucks. This could mean trouble.”
Violet squared her shoulders. “I think we can handle interference, Augustus. I also agree with you about Barney. Now, as to the young attorney who is handling your divorce . . . you said she accepted your apology. You sent her flowers. You are thinking of asking her to dinner. I say, do it.” Iris and Rose agreed.
Gus felt dizzy as he tried to absorb all the advice they were throwing at him. What he walked away with was that he needed to be humble, complimentary. “And, Augustus, you need to listen and pay attention to what the young lady says. If you get stuck, go to the men’s room and call us; we’ll talk you through it.”
Gus felt like he was sixteen and going out on his first date. He’d been married, had relationships in the past, for crying out loud. If Barney were here, he’d laugh his head off.
“Where are you going now, Augustus?” Rose asked.
“To the post office to pick up your mail. I can do that every morning to save you guys time. Traveling to three different post offices takes time. I’m sort of surprised that you get orders by way of the postal service as opposed to the Internet.”
“There are people who do not have computers, Augustus, or even access to computers. People still write letters and put stamps on the envelopes. I know in your eyes those people are Neanderthals, but it is what it is. When you get to the post office, just say you’re there to pick up Initial B Enterprises’ mail, and they’ll give it to you in a sack. Those sacks have to be brought back here. What is on your agenda for the rest of the day?”
“If you don’t need me, I thought I would try to get myself settled in my new digs. I need to pick up a few more things and some additional groceries. I also need to pick up my own mail at the office and pay some bills. I’m just a phone call away if you need me to do anything.”
Violet sniffed. Of the three sisters, Violet was the most unforgiving. “I think we can manage, nephew. But, we do appreciate all you’ve done for us.”
“Thanks for your advice. I’ll be back with the mail.” Gus waved as he exited with Wilson on his heels.
On his way to the Jeep, Gus noticed movement in the front yard; Mr. Younger and his sons working on the old sycamore. Gus walked over and looked down at the monster logs, which were being split into firewood. He asked about the part of the tree where he and Barney had carved their names. “It’s right there on the steps, Mr. Gus. Your grandmother told us to save it for you. You can take it now if you want. Shame this old tree had to go like that, but Mother Nature is a strange lady.”
Gus was surprised at how heavy the slab of bark was. He felt his eyes start to burn. His index finger traced the deep carvings he and Barney had done what seemed like a lifetime ago. He nodded, picked it up, and carried it out to the driveway. He opened the back of the Jeep and settled it in the corner on top of an old blanket. He walked back to where Alex Younger was standing and shook his hand. He whistled for Wilson, who was sniffing the fresh-cut wood.
Ninety minutes later, Gus had returned to the farm and was unloading the sacks of mail on the back porch. As if