My Name Is Ed
Copyright© 2018 by MysteryWriter
Chapter 5
The first evening, I stopped on the drive home to buy us all pizza. Linda’s mother was paying me too much to be honest. So I sprang for dinner two medium Pizzas and the extras, from Domino’s Pizza. I called ahead on the cell phone to order them in advance. Before I pulled into the parking lot for the pick up, I determined that no one was following me. I also made sure Linda had the canned air horn, just in case Barry showed up. Megan of course knew nothing of our plans.
When Megan asked, I told her. “I work for your grandmother. There has been some threats from the people where your mom works. Your grandmother thought I might be able to help make sure nothing happened to either one of you,” I explained. “It won’t last long. I’m just going to be here until the real police find the man who made the threats. After that I’ll be gone.”
“Do you have a gun?” Megan asked.
“No, but I can get one if I need it. Don’t worry Megan your mom and I can handle anything that comes along,” I further explained. “So how is the pizza?”
“It’s fine. I do love pizza,” she said.
“Me to. I have take out pizza often,” I explained.
“I wish I lived with you,” she said.
“No you don’t, your mom has to be more fun than me,” I said with a laugh.
I had also bought a gallon of iced tea, so I had a couple of glasses of that. Megan was concentrating on the pizza and I was glad. I also wanted her to feel safe, and convince her to let me know if anything seemed wrong. Which was why I engaged her in conversation.
“So Megan, how old are you,” I asked.
“I’m almost 12 years old,” she replied.
“Well you’re as cute as a button. I bet the boys are lined up to flirt with you,” I commented.
“No, the boys pay more attention to the girls who have boobs,” she said calmly.
“Oh really, well I think you are adorable. If I wasn’t so old, I’d be trying to impress you,” I said with a smile.
Linda smiled at me. “So Ed, how do you fill your time since you retired? I mean besides helping damsels in distress.”
“Well, I bought an old country store. I’m giving some thought to worm ranching,” I explained.
“Worm ranching?” Megan asked with a smile.
“Yes, I always wanted to be a rancher. Since I saw rawhide on the TV as a kid. It’s about the only kind of ranching I can afford right now,” I explained.
“You are kidding me right?” she asked.
“Not at all. I haven’t bought my stock yet, but I am making plans. If I can find a small enough horse, I’m going to purchase him or her right away.” I said. “I have been working on the ranch house so far.”
“I don’t believe that for a minute,” she said.
“Well I’m sorry you don’t believe me. I going to name the ranch ‘Barbee Worm spread’. I should have a thousand head of worms by the end of the first year.” I said.
“Mom is he telling me the truth,” Megan asked.
“Honey, I honestly don’t know,” Linda said. “I never met a worm rancher, but I can’t say that he isn’t the first one.”
Since Megan did her home work at the community center, Megan and her mother watched dumb sitcoms on TV. I spent a lot of time with my Email and burner phone messages. Nothing had happened on day one with my real business. At least nothing I couldn’t postpone, so everything was fine.
The two women in my care watched TV until 9:30pm. Family shows occupied their time from dinner until Megan’s bedtime. I got a hug from Megan before she left for the night.
“I don’t believe you about the worm farm,” she whispered.
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