Genevieve
Copyright© 2023 by Old Man with a Pen
Chapter 25
The clerk who issued the license noticed David’s canes ... and his limp.
“Mr. Austin ... may I call you a cab?”
“We came by boat. The Chief is waiting at the Underground monument.”
“He can’t park there...”
“Navy Search and Rescue boat ... the 95 foot Coast Guard Cape Class Cutter.”
“They retired all the Cape Cutters.”
“Yes ... or donated them to various friendly countries ... The Navy ended up with this one.” Something new. ‘How did I know the Cape’s were disbursed ... and how did she...?’
“Oh. Hobby of mine ... the Coast Guard.” “ If you’ll give me just a moment ... Charles?”
“Yes, Mrs?” A deep basso-profondo voice answered.
“Mr. Austin needs a ride. Bring your chair. He could use a lift.”
A little clatter and a wheel squeak on tile, and an excellent wheelchair, powered by an excellent gentleman wheeled up behind Daddy...
Quite surprised, he sat.
“Where to?” Charles asked. He wasn’t asking Daddy ... he was asking the clerk.
The clerk said, “The Riverwalk by the Underground Memorial. Mr. Austin came by boat.”
That, in itself ... was unusual ... most disabled called ahead and were whisked away from the parking garage and delivered to their Wayne County Services building destination.
It was a political plum.
The position was given to a winning politician and blessed on an active supporter or campaign worker. Charles was paid three times the wage of an auto worker ... and there were the ‘gratuities.’ Charles was ‘well-off.’
Not that the situation was explained ... Genevieve looked it up in the County Directory ... later.
The ride was appreciated, daddy was on his last legs. Autumn was whistling down the streets. Still warm in the sun but cold in the shadow of tall buildings, the little party was glad for the sun.
Winter beckoned.
“That’s quite the boat,” Charles said.
“Grosse Ile,” Daddy explained.
Chief Roberts had been looking and came out on deck to assist David and Bethanne aboard. Genevieve fended for herself. Gen huffed ... just a little.
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