Mr. Tan

Chapter 38: Show 'Em What You're Made Of

Since that nasty blizzard, the power has been restored, thank God. After that, temperatures have been in the upper 50's to lower 60's and sunny most days. Earl's Juke Joint was still under investigation and of course it was still closed. The good news is that Earl temporarily worked full time at Rhett's Auto Body Shop from Monday to Sunday. The good news is that the surveillance cameras outside of Earl's Place recorded three possible suspects but they couldn't be identified due to the fact that they wore mask and dark clothing. The Bolivar County Sheriff's Department often kept in contact with Earl to give him updates on the investigation taking place. One of the deputies recognized me because he saw me perform months back at Earl's Place and he thought I was amazing. However, I digress. It was now New Year's Eve and partly sunny, I decided to spend time by hanging out with Adrian. I simply couldn't wait to tell her the good news. Today was Tuesday and Adrian didn't have to work but she will be starting junior college classes sometime in January. Earl was working but he would be home early, perhaps around 3 o'clock this afternoon, right now it was 1:00. Adrian sat in the recliner peeling her second orange while I was in the kitchen pouring our drinks, root beer for her and grape juice for me. I bought our cold beverages into the living room while Adrian was flipping through channels until she landed channel 45, which was now showing a raunchy afternoon talk show. It was the Ebony Whitman Show and the subject was "I'm Having Sex With My Boss For That Promotion". Trashy daytime talk shows were Adrian's weakness. She liked trashy talk shows and reality TV while I preferred sitcoms and action movies. 

"Ugh, I can't believe you like The Ebony Whitman Show", I said as I rolled my eyes and placed our drinks on the coffee table.

"I like watching the fights, especially when they start cussing and throwing chairs", she replied as she popped an orange wedge into her mouth. Oh by the way, these are for you and Earl.

She pushed two red mesh bags of oranges across the coffee table in my direction.

"Oranges?", I asked.

"Mhm", she replied. Me and my great Aunt spent Christmas in Florida, that's where we got them. She wanted me to bring you guys two bags of Florida oranges. 

"This bag is open", I said, giving her a smirk.

"I got hungry", she replied, shrugging her shoulders. 

I playfully nudged her, took an orange out of the already opened bag and sat on the couch. 

"Does your great Aunt Angie know about me and Earl?", I asked.

"No, I don't think so", she replied. She just knows that Earl is or was your legal guardian.

"Well, I got some good, no great news for you", I replied.