“Sure, that’s fine with me, but I’ll have to ask Dad.”
“I’ve already talked to him. He said that’ll be fine. I’ll be over at the courthouse when you’re ready to leave. If you have time, would you mind helping her around the house a little? She has three children. I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”
“I can do that. Oh, Judge…”
“Yes?”
“I would like to get to know Mike. You have any suggestions on how I can do that?”
“Grumpy Mike?”
“Yeah, I painted his name on his bench and left a doughnut with a note that said I was sorry. I said good morning to him, but he was still rude to me.”
“I hope you like a challenge. If you can get him to overcome his bitterness and start enjoying life again, well, that would be a Godsend.”
“Any ideas?”
“Maybe, I don’t know if it would work or not.”
“I’m willing to give it a try.”
“A few years ago a stray dog came up to my house. I didn’t want him around, so I didn’t feed him. I chased him away. He kept coming back no matter what I did. Every time I opened the door in the morning, he was there. I’d come home at night he was there. So I either had to let him stay or shoot him. I brought him in fed him, cleaned him up, and took him to the vet. You know, that’s the most loyal dog I ever had.”
“So I should keep trying till Mike opens up or shoots me?”
Judge Bean laughed. “I don’t think he’ll go that far, might threaten it though. The most he would do is file charges for stalking or trespassing. I doubt that would even happen. I think he stays in his shell because he doesn’t want to get attached to anything for fear of losing it. He has lost everything he has ever cared for.”
“Okay, thanks. Dad and I will be over to the court house in a bit.”
*****
Widow Johnson answered Cat’s knocking on the door. “Hello.”
“Hi, I have some food that Judge Bean asked me to drop off for you and your kids.”
“Oh, you must be Cat. The judge said you might be by.”
“It’s in my dad’s truck. I’ll go get it.”
Dave and Cat brought the food into the house. “Just set it on the table. Thank you.”
Cat asked, “Anything I can help you with?”
“Not really, but I wouldn’t mind some company for a bit.”
Dave asked Cat, “You want me to come back after ya?”
“No. I’ll just cut through the back.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later. Be careful.”
Cat waved at Dave as he drove away. Widow Johnson asked, “Care for a cup of coffee? I just made a fresh pot.”
“That sounds good.”
“Cream, sugar?”
“No, black is fine.”
One of the boys walked up to Cat. “Who are you?”
Cat laughed. “I’m Cat. I brought some food from town for ya.”
“Why they call you Cat? You ain’t no cat. You’re a people.”
Cat laughed even harder. “That’s my nickname, short for Catherine.”
Widow Johnson shook her head. “Go play with your brother.” She turned to Cat. “Don’t have to wonder what’s on his mind.”
“Oh, that’s okay. How old is he?”
“Seven, has to work on his grammar and manners. My oldest boy is eleven. I also have a daughter who just turned four.”
“Looks like you have your hands full.”
“Yes, I do. I sure appreciate what the town and church has done since my husband passed.”
“If there is anything you’d like me to do, let me know.”
“Thank you, I will keep that in mind.”
“I’ll help you put this stuff way.”
“Thank you. There is something you could do. The town has been very generous with food, but the boys have been wanting some meat. My husband used to hunt a lot. The boys used to go with him. I don’t want them to go by themselves. Judge Bean says you like to hunt.”
“You could say that’s how we got to know each other.”
Widow Johnson laughed. “Yeah, he told me you have been in front of his bench a couple times.”
“Yeah, we’ll go with a couple.”
“Would you mind getting me a couple squirrels, rabbits, or whatever’s in season?”
“No, I’d be glad to.”
“That’d be great. Thank you. I know the boys will like it.”
“I had better get going. Thanks for the coffee. I will see if I can get a couple squirrels for you tomorrow after school.”
“You’re welcome. Now, don’t get them out of the wildlife area.”
Cat laughed. “I take it Judge Bean told you quite a bit about me.”
“A little.”
“See ya tomorrow.”
The next day after school, Cat took a couple of squirrels over to Widow Johnson’s. While she was there, she helped the widow finish up the dishes. Widow Johnson poured Cat a cup of coffee.
“Can you stay and talk a little?”
“Sure.”
“Good, it’s nice to have a conversation with someone that isn’t calling me mom. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids.”
“That’s not a problem. I like kids.”
“They really miss their dad. Of course I do too. My boys especially, they miss the weekends he would take them camping, fishing, and hunting.”
“I’m sure they do. Say, do you have a freezer?”
“Yes, I do, a small chest freezer. Why?”
“Oh, I was just having a thought.”
“Now, don’t get yourself in trouble for me.”
“Nah, don’t worry. Thanks for the coffee, I have to get going. I’ll be back.”
“You’re welcome.”
On the way home, Cat had a lot of things on her mind. It would be a lot easier to just get a deer and fill Widow Johnson’s freezer. That would probably get her into more trouble than painting a few benches. Getting to know Mike and convincing him to teach her what he knew about long-range shooting was another thing that was on her mind. She didn’t really know if the stray dog tactic would work or not.
Since Mike’s place was on her way home, she decided to sneak in and check it out. The pond was about one-quarter of a mile from his house. It was a really nice and well kept. The pond was so clear you could see to the bottom in parts of it. He had trails throughout the woods and lots and lots of squirrels. This place is great! There was even a rifle range. It looked as though it had been a while since it had been used. I will just have to find a way to get to know him.
*****
Betty yelled, “Breakfast’s ready. I have to work today. Anybody want a ride to town?”