excerpt
Tyne watched as a man of indeterminate age, unshaven and dressed in a shabby black overcoat, stumbled from the doorway of a derelict café, and began to weave his way along the sidewalk towards them. There was something familiar ….
“Morley, look! Isn’t that ….”
Morley took his eyes off the street to follow the direction of her gaze. “Oh, good grief, it’s Corky Conrad.”
He took his foot off the gas pedal and, finding a vacant spot, pulled over to the curb. “Stay here, Tyne,” he said.
Before she realized what was happening, Morley had exited the car, stepped quickly around the vehicle and up onto the sidewalk where he came face to face with Corky. In spite of the chill, Tyne rolled her window down and listened.
“Why hello, Corky,” Morley said. “I didn’t expect to see you here today. How are you?”
The man teetered on unsteady legs as he came to an abrupt halt. He squinted up at Morley under the brim of his battered fedora. Tyne could see him sway slightly from side to side as he tried to concentrate. Then he lifted an unsteady hand in Morley’s direction.
“Hey, y … y …you’re that young Cresshwell fella, ain’t you? The one that has my … my kidsh?”
“Yes, Corky, I’m Morley Cresswell. But I don’t have your kids now. Don’t you remember? You gave permission for their Aunt Ruby to take them.”
Corky’s nose wrinkled as he tried to focus on Morley’s face. “Did I do that? Why would I do that? Lydia wanted Tyne … Tyne Milligan to look after ’em.”
“Tyne is my wife you know, Corky. And we did have Rachael and Bobby for a while. They’re great kids. When are you coming home to see them?”
“Sheesh, I don’t know. Trying to get work.” Corky swayed but quickly righted himself. “No money ’till I get work.”
“Where are you staying?”
Corky motioned with a hand towards a dilapidated building across the street. In doing so, he lost his balance and began to fall…
Libros Libertad 