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Art of Aquarius: Chapter 44-Common Knowledge

  Merrville County

  Sheriff Northrop's Main Residence

  Loud rapid knocking on the front door jars Sheriff Jeffrey Northrop from his fitful slumber. He takes a peek at the glowing red digital clock on his nightstand. Three o'clock in the damn morning. Who knocks on someone's door at three o'clock in the damn morning? Somebody with a serious death wish.

  Opening the top drawer of the night table, Sheriff Northrop checks his handgun for readiness. He rises from the bed and makes his way downstairs. At the bottom of the steps, Jeffrey peers at the front door. Through the glass upper half of the door, he is able to make out the silhouette of a large man's head and torso.

  Sheriff Northrop grumbles aloud and rolls his eyes. He would know that dollop head anywhere. Even in the dark. Newsome. That jackass.

  Crossing angrily to the front door, Northrop unlocks it and wrenches it open. He glowers at Dave, looking the dumpling of a man over from head to toe.

  "What the hell do you want here, Newsome? And why the hell are you waking me up at three in the damn morning? I've got an early day just like you do. I'd like to get my beauty sleep. Although, I can see why you don't share the sentiment. It's too damn late for you!"

  Dave allows Sheriff Northrop to say his piece before issuing a small laugh. The unhappy sheriff looks Dave over again. Has Deputy Newsome finally lost his freaking mind?

  "What the hell is so funny, Dave? I oughta..."

  The sheriff's words are cut short as he spies Hazel standing behind Dave. Hazel's eyes are extremely wide, brown orbs darting between Dave and her thoroughly incensed father. The young woman's mouth is twisted to one side, and she bites her inner jaw in a gesture of unease. Sheriff Northrop's expression becomes one of genuine concern.

  "Hazel? What's wrong, honey? Did something happen?" Sheriff Northrop says.

  "No, Sir. Not yet anyway," Dave boldly asserts, taking a step closer to the porch screen.

  "Keep talking," Sheriff Northrop responds, suspicion building on his face.

  "Sir...Sheriff...I came here to ask your permission to marry your daughter. I want to marry Hazel."

  Sheriff Northrop's face reddens and his steely blue eyes narrow. An edge creeps into the older man's deep voice.

  "Say that again," Sheriff Northrop says, tilting his head as if he didn't just hear what Dave has said. Although, he heard every single word.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  "I want to marry, Hazel," Dave repeats without hesitation. "I came here as a formality, Sir. But I intend to marry Hazel with or without your consent."

  Sheriff Northrop straightens his neck and glares at Dave through the screen door. A sudden smile breaks out on the old sheriff's face and he utters a loud laugh.

  "Hahaha. Whoo hoo hoo. Wow. It seems I was wrong about you, Dave." Sheriff Northrop laughs. "You do have a good set of balls on you after all. Haha. I never thought you'd get around to it, son."

  "Huh? What? You mean you knew...About us?" Dave stammers, his face growing warm from embarrassment.

  "Of course, I knew. What do you think I am, an idiot? I knew my little girl was sneaking around with somebody. And Little Willie Delgado... Everyone's favorite little whiny bitch...Told me he saw your truck out at her place one night. I put two and two together. I was just waiting for you to be a big enough man to come and tell me yourself. Now, I see you're as big as you want to be. I'm surprised at you, son. But it's a good surprised."

  Dave steps even closer to the screen door and places one hand on his wide hip. He shakes his head emphatically.

  "And can you stop with the 'son' business? You're only seven years older than me, Jeffrey!" Dave protests.

  "So what? You're gonna be marrying my daughter. She's less than half your age. That gives me double seniority, you old sack of crap!" Northrop says with a laugh which ends with an impromptu snort.

  The sheriff's loud snort draws laughter from everyone present. Hazel climbs the porch steps and casually puts her arms around Dave's neck. She kisses him with great passion. Their passionate lip lock prompts Sheriff Northrop to stick a finger in his mouth and pretend to gag.

  "Okay. Okay. Enough of that," Northrop says. "Get a room. But you'd better not ever make love in my cabin again."

  "Dad? You knew about that too?"

  "Of course, Sugar. My favorite bearskin rug was moved about three feet. You hate that darn rug. Won't even touch it. And the maid knows just where I like it. So I knew something had happened. William was out in Worthing screwing the brains out of Pamela. So it couldn't have been him. When he told me about you and Dave...Well..."

  "You put two and two together," Hazel finishes her father's statement.

  "Yep. Father's are kind of like that. We learn to fill in the blanks," Northrop says with a wily grin.

  Dave drops his head onto his chest and stifles a laugh.

  "What's so funny, Dave?" Sheriff Northrop says for the second time that night.

  "All this time, we've been sneaking around..." Dave quits talking as laughter threatens to take away his words. "I could've been getting laid a lot more if I'd just come out and told you the damn truth."

  "Dave?!" Hazel exclaims, her eyes wide from shock.

  For several moments, Sheriff Northrop and Deputy Newsome share a hearty laugh. Hazel crosses both arms over her chest, glowering from one man to the other.

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  Elsewhere

  At the same time

  A figure in dark clothes stands shrouded in darkness. One gloved hand rests on the gnarled trunk of an old tree. Soft broken laughter issues from the figure's throat. After a moment of intense observation, the dark figure turns and leaves.

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