Lake 5

T S brock Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

The county courthouse perches like a recovered spaceship spank central on the town square. A large green-lacquered canon from the War is the obvious monument outside the halls of justice. Often mounted by children climbing on its metallic instruments. Parents take photos. It is pointed at the Woolworth ice cream soda shop just opposite on the street below. Naomi and Audrey are on the bench, just under the canon. Both of them are drunk.

    “I heard you think Bill might be your dad” Naomi said.

    “Well, you heard right. Maybe. My mom and Bill were high school sweethearts here back before the war.”

    “Yes, Audrey. They were lovers long before the war. So. How old are you?” Naomi asked with a touch of trepidation.

    “Twenty-four…” Audrey rubbed her eyes.

    “That fits the timeline…”

    “So you met Bill after…?”

    “That’s right. Just four or five years ago.”

    “Not to be…”

    “No, no… Don’t go there. It’s simple. He needed help. I was there. I lost my husband at Normandy. I met Bill and we fell in love. I can’t explain exactly.”

    “No, I get it. I mean… well… It kinda makes sense.”

    “And that’s why you are here now. Isn’t it?”

    “Yes. But you already knew that.”

    “Yes, I’ve been waiting to meet you.”

    The sky opened into the night and a roaming star appeared on the horizon.