After a quick prayer, nothing was heard but the clacking of forks and knives to ceramic.Apple looked up and nodded his head at Mustang, who had no idea what that meant.
“You can grill-grill,” Apple said.“These steaks are actually succulent.I don’t use that word often, but they are simply delicious.”
“Thanks,” Mustang said, scowling.
“I want that peach cobbler.Aunt Helen, please tell me there is vanilla ice cream to go with it,” Oscar said.
“I have vanilla ice cream,” she replied.
Oscar stood up.“I’m sorry, Mr.Milton, but you can return to Wisconsin without me.I’m staying here and getting fat!”
Everyone at the table laughed, but Mustang knew the boy meant it.He hoped the weekend went well for the two of them and based on the child’s reaction to seeing the photo in the hall, perhaps, this is where he belonged.He only hoped the weekend for his wife and Apple was as productive.
When he returned, he again was at a loss for words for what two fruits had made happen in less than 48 hours in one small bowl with a few nuts.
****
MID-WAY THROUGH DINNER, the Bad Apple realized he was having a meal with Helen, not the Cranberry.He’d not worked closely with many other Technicians other than in the field, where he saw them in action.Being in her private home, when she was not in Technician mode, was unsettling to him.He listened but didn’t ask questions as she and Jay spoke of the wedding.
“The date is June 14th,” she told Apple.“It will be at the Galt Hotel in Louisville.The room block is for two days before and two days after the wedding itself, in case you and the guys want to come in early for a bit of R & R.It has a pool, bars, and shopping, and it is at the waterfront for sightseeing.”
“Thoughtful,” Apple said, remaining silent.
“Jay, we need to start thinking about your groomsmen; how many will you have?”she asked Mustang.
“Depends on how many bridesmaids you’re planning to have, I guess,” he replied.
She sat for a moment, looking at nothing in particular as if she were adding the cost of three specialty apples versus buying a bag of oranges.“Definitely Abi and Rebekah, and I’m thinking Passion Fruit; that chick is in dire need of deep conditioning and some moisturizer.”
Apple asked, “Abi?Rebekah?Are those your childhood friends?”
Helen offered a smile, “Abi is Abigail, which is Cherry’s name, plus she’s my sister, and Rebekah is his sister, who became a good friend when I was seriously in needed of one.”
“So just three,” Mustang said.“Well, I guess I would take Michael, maybe Bleu, don’t know yet about the best man.”
“You’re not choosing Mr.Yield?”she asked, her tongue in cheek.
“Oh, you got jokes.”
“He did ask to be your best man,” she said, laughing.
“I’m thinking Apple here may be the other groomsman, and I’m not locked in on the best man yet,” he said to Apple’s surprised face.
“Me?A groomsman?Sure.I’d be honored to stand at your side,” he said.“Wait, Bleu, as in Neary?The ATF Mind Molester?Isn’t he the son of the FBI Neary up in DC?”
“Yeah, Uncle Joe,” Mustang said.“Bleu is his youngest.The Archangel is the middle son.”
Mustang said it, watching the realization cover Apple’s face.He offered him the information to see what he was going to do with it, if anything.Before Apple could speak, Mustang said, “They will all be at the wedding.Helen is inviting all The Directions, and The Fruits.”
“Oh, really?”he said, watching Helen.
“We need to have some fun and get to know each other outside of showing up at rundown buildings seeing depravity,” she said.“My last days working with Passion Fruit made me want to give this shit up, but my first assignment made me realize why I was needed.”
“It doesn’t take you long to shake it off to get back out there and protect those who can’t fend for themselves,” Apple said.“I was surprised when you took yourself out of play with Sour Grapes.”
Helen stared him directly in the eyes.“If it doesn’t feel right, then it is wrong.Besides, the best tracker in the country is sitting across from me.I can learn from the best.”
Mustang shook his head.“She’s just after more funding in her allowance.You’re not fooling me, lady.”
