“Oh yeah,” Noel responded.
“Be sure to flip the Christmas countdown signs,” Mrs.Madelyn advised when she spotted the outdoor chalkboard and candy cane-themed pole holding the red octagon signboard still reflecting yesterday’s number.She recalled both parents and children alike reading it aloud with excitement.
Laney immediately raced in her direction.“I almost forgot,” she claimed, switching the chalkboard’s number to twenty-five.
Levi hustled inside to change the second sign.
A few minutes later Mrs.Madelyn delivered the tip jar and placed three one-dollar bills inside.
“Wow, that’s more money than the hot chocolate,” Levi exclaimed after she walked away.
Laney high-fived her cousin.“We are going to save the candy store.”
14
Cavin woke up excited to play golf with his new friends today.He delighted in how quickly he put together an outing that would combine business and pleasure.
He pulled on golf pants, a polo shirt, and a nice sweater.Looking in the mirror, he straightened his collar then plucked from a nearby bag the golf shoes he would later slip on at the country club.For now, though, he put on a pair of casual business shoes.
Up early he allowed time to grab a cup of coffee at Cru and find a sporting goods store where he could buy a set of clubs.He considered renting some at the country club but ultimately decided having his own set would look more professional.
Feeling good, he walked outside ready to head out for the day, but his mood shifted instantly when he noticed a flat tire on the front of the SUV.
“You gotta be kidding me,” he exclaimed into the crisp morning air throwing his hands up.Then his eyes drifted to the back tire on the driver’s side.“What the heck,” he shouted, realizing it was also flat.
A quick walk around the vehicle revealed two more deflated tires.Baffled, Cavin stood staring at the SUV in utter disbelief.It didn’t take a genius to figure out this wasn’t a coincidence.One tire maybe but not four.Who would have done this?Neighborhood kids, maybe?
Cavin’s mind raced.Nothing like this ever happened on past trips.How would he even go about getting this fixed since this wasn’t his vehicle?Would he or the rental car company be held responsible?
Tugging his phone from his pocket, he dialed his dad’s assistant.Eventually her voicemail chimed in, and although her position required her to remain on call, Cavin realized she was likely sound asleep on this early Saturday morning.Hopefully she would discover the voicemail soon and get back to him.
Cavin considered reaching out to his dad for guidance but determined he didn’t want to involve him unless absolutely necessary.He would likely interrogate him and somehow find a way to blame Cavin by implying that he made an enemy which he hadn’t.On second thought, what if the guy from last night who harassed him and Georgia near the bar was responsible?As these thoughts circled in his mind, Cavin quickly decided he would put $100 on him being the culprit.He probably followed them to the house last night.That made Cavin wonder if he flattened the tires last night or this morning.Probably last night, he decided, assuming that the guy was probably hungover this morning.
Cavin’s second call went to the rental car company his family used.Glancing at his watch as the recording announced their normal business hours, he realized they weren’t receiving calls yet, either.He contemplated searching online for a towing company, but how could a truck tow a vehicle with four flat tires?
Maybe an auto mechanic shop could send someone with an air pump, Cavin surmised.Before checking the listings, he decided to examine the tires more closely to determine if they were slashed or if only the air had been let out.
Cavin bent down next to each tire, trying not to let the knees of the sole pair of golf pants touch the ground.Upon further inspection, he found no evidence of slashes, and feeling for nails made no sense.
A quick glance at the local shops brought bad news.Not a single auto mechanic was open on the weekend.
“That’s why this town needs to grow,” Cavin growled.Atlanta would have numerous options open twenty-four hours a day.
A few minutes later, Cavin decided to walk to Cru.That would give him time to think through this situation, and then hopefully he would receive a call back from his dad’s assistant.As he walked briskly down the sidewalk, Cavin passed the restaurant where he met Georgia, followed shortly by Clawson’s where he ate a meal with Luther Perkins and also met Jeff, the banker with whom he was set to play golf today.
As Cavin approached the candy shop, he thought of Noel and spotted a table out front that hadn’t been there yesterday.As he closed in on it, he saw two small figures huddled behind the table, and then he heard the sound of crying.
A few seconds later, he recognized it was Laney and Levi sitting on the low-lying window frame embracing one another, but he couldn’t tell which was sobbing.When Cavin made it close enough to the table to see their faces, he realized both were in tears.
“Are you guys okay?”Cavin asked.
Startled, they both looked up at him incredulously.
“Dumb question, I know,” Cavin admitted.“What’s wrong?”
“That mean lady said we can’t sell hot chocolate,” Laney cried.
Cavin took in the purpose of the table for the first time.“What?Why?”
