heard the familiar bubbly laugh of Jules as she spilled out of the cab, losing her balance and rolling into the dirt. Michael was a step behind, laughing too hard to help her up. He handed the fare to the driver who abruptly backed out of the long driveway. As the headlights disappeared, Bobby headed down the porch steps to retrieve the two drunken idiots before they hurt themselves.
“Really?” Bobby asked, looking down at Jules, who still couldn’t contain her laughter or regain her footing. “I guess I should be glad you guys took a cab.”
“Well we know the cops around here are real tight-asses. We didn’t want to take any chances,” Michael said as he pulled Jules up to a standing position. “Help me get her in the house,” he muttered, half stumbling over his own feet. Bobby took notice of the buttons on Michael’s shirt that were misaligned, clearly fastened hastily. He turned to look back at Piper who was probably right about how Michael and Jules had spent their night of celebration, but Bobby still had no regrets.
“You’re on your own buddy. I’ve done my share of holding that big mop of red hair while she hugs the toilet. The only help I’ll give you is a little advice. When she says she’s feeling better and she’s ready to go to bed, she’s wrong. Toss a pillow in the bathroom for her or you’ll be changing sheets and scrubbing carpets the rest of the night.” Bobby turned on his heels and headed back to the porch and rejoined Piper who had settled back on the swing. She smirked at him and found her warm, comfortable spot and pressed up against him.
They slept on and off for the next couple of hours until they heard the recognizable sounds of Betty preparing a meal in the kitchen. Her steady humming and the clanking of dishes were soon followed by the most comforting smells of cinnamon and bacon.
Bobby stood and stretched. His arm that had been propping up Piper’s head for hours was completely numb, but it was absolutely worth it. He pulled the reluctant Piper to her feet and kissed her face gently. “Let’s go watch the news,” he said with a smile.
Betty greeted them in the kitchen and said, “Good Morning. I’m sure hoping you are in better shape than the two lushes asleep on my bathroom floor. I’ve got breakfast almost ready. Bobby, go wake them for me, and Piper, turn on the television there.” Betty looked noticeably relieved this morning. Piper knew it wasn’t actually possible for her to have slept off a few worry lines, but Betty certainly looked more at peace.
As the whole group settled into the kitchen around the table, Betty spun the small television to face them. “Don’t be making a mess, either. My broom has never been as busy as it has since you kids moved in,” she said, handing them each a napkin.
“Don’t look at me,” Michael said defensively. “I’m not a slob, it’s these guys.” He pointed to each of them, placing the blame.
Betty wasn’t buying it. She raised a skeptical brow and shook her head. “I suppose it’s someone else dropping the food you eat, under the chair you sit in. I was born at night, but not last night, my boy.”
He waved his hand at her playfully. It certainly wouldn’t be an issue today. Jules and Michael could hardly glance over at the large stack of pancakes and bacon, as they recovered from their celebration last night.
Betty hushed them all, quieting their complaining and jokes. She loved the noise that surrounded her table this morning, but the news was about to start, and she didn’t want to miss a moment of it.
“It’s a new day here in Edenville and we’re happy to have you with us this morning,” the white-haired anchorman said. Bobby had never been so happy to see his silly combed-over hair and busy, colorful tie. The man was goofy, but he had been the anchor on the local news program since Bobby had moved here. It was easy to take him for granted, but today, on a day when they anxiously awaited the news, it felt comforting that it would be coming from a familiar face. “We’ve got a breaking story that you’ll hear exclusively here at WNC4. Late last night Judge Randall Lions was arrested on charges of sexual crimes against children, judicial misconduct, and a host of other crimes that we’re told