just yanking your chain. We’re not in trouble. We’re just going away for about six months.” Jenny’s eyes widened in both fear and shock at hearing this turn of events . Her hand came off her hip as Connor continued with his well thought out plan. “Jack won some tickets for six people to go on a cruise down to South America the other day . He was the first to call into the radio station and won the grand prize. He invited Kara, Mark, Sara h and I to go with him and Jillian.”
Sarah sm iled inwardly as Jenny asked “Why are y ou going so suddenly ?”
Sarah remembered being in his mind as he thought through every possible scenario yesterday . This one was the best cover story because not too many people have connections in South America, living in Minnesota that is. Connor continued. “Because Jack said that we should all go and explore other parts of the world.”
His mate stepped forward and added “I don’t know about you, but I’m just going because it is warmer down there. Also I want to bask out in the sun and try to get a tan. It would be a great reprieve from all th is snow . ”
Jenny’s brown eyes looked at Sarah and softened. She sighed quietly then said “I can understand that reasoning well enough .” She looked back at Connor. “So when are you leaving?”
Connor said evenly “Tomorrow morning.”
Jenny sighed quietly a few times before saying “Will you be careful and take care of everyone.” She sounded defeated.
He walked forward and gave his mother a gentle hug. He looked like he was going to engulf his mother with his massive form. As he pulled away he spoke calmly , “I will make sure everyone returns home safely.” He turned his head to the group. “There is still a lot we have to do before tomorrow get’s here.”
Sarah was next to give Jenny a hug follo wed by both Kara and Mark. As they put on their shoes to leave , Sarah realized that Jenny is a well grounded woman. She knows that time always allows change and you have to go along with it. A ll said their goodbye’s and headed back outside. Mark and Kara decided to ride with them in Connor’s truck as they finished preparations to depart . The cabin of the enormous truck i s ultimately warmer than Mark’s soft covered jeep.
The first stop was to visit Deputy Burrow’s. He is a gentle black man who is almost always wearing a pleasant smile. He is in his late forty’s to earl y fifties. He is shorter than Sarah’s mate and has a slender build. He has a beautiful wife and three adult children along with a new grandchild. Sarah first met him when one of her colleagues held her in a chokehold during Connor’s graduation. His name was Mr. V. a science teacher who loathed her husband as much as Mathew did. Deputy Burrow put the teacher away for several more years. And w hen Maggie went missing, both Connor and the deputy put an end to Mathew existence .
The deputy wasn’t too happy with the news of them leaving town for several months, but was glad that they had something good happen within their lives. He said “Have a safe trip and come home in one piece.”
The next stop was for Mark. They stopped at his local diner he built when he first arrived here in Minnesota . He went inside alone to talk to his manager Gerry. Gerry has a strong southern accent and is a very husky gentleman. But a nytime Mark would invite her and Connor over to eat , Gerry was always very polite , especially after finding out they had a hearty appetite as great as his own .
While Mark made plans in his diner, Connor called all of his usual patrons and told them that he wasn’t going to be in town for awhile and he would call them back when he returned. Sarah then asked to use his phone. She called the principal at the school and told him about her leave of absence. He said that since she was so good at the job that he wouldn’t fire her from such a long leave.
Little did he know, she’s lived longer that the history book she
Janwillem van de Wetering