Peachy Keen

Chapter 8

Tony lost himself in exploring the possibilities in Harley's workshop. There were shelves near the
front holding assorted household appliances for repair and big buckets holding commonplace tools
nearby. "You can fix a lot of stuff with just the basics," Harley said. "When I have time, I work on
other things." He waved towards the cutting-edge workshop further into the building.

Tony examined Harley's 'other things' projects and they had a good time working on one together.
Charley came in after a while, and peered over their shoulders, apparently content just to watch.
They all lost track of time.

"Oh, there you all are!"

Tony looked up. Holly was standing in the workshop door. She'd changed into a pretty flowered
dress and comfortable looking red slippers. Tony tended to notice shoes. "Yes!" he said, "Harley has
some world-changing ideas in here."

Holly smiled. "He also has some kitchen changing mess in the house."

"Oh, yeah. I meant to wash up, Mom," Harley said.

"But Tony!" Charley said. "Dad Tony."

That was a conversational bomb. Holly's eyebrows went up. Tony said hastily, "Charley found a
photo of your husband and the kids think I look enough like him to pretend to be him. Crazy, isn't
it?"

Holly paused, as if thinking it over. "Yes, that's crazy. It would work much better if you were
Eddie's brother."

"Dad had a brother?" Harley asked.

Holly looked up to the heavens in exasperation. "He does now."

"OH!" Harley said, "That brother, sure. Uncle...not Tony. Tommy!"

Tony blurted out, "I refuse to be anyone's Uncle Tom."

"Well, it should be something you'll respond to without thinking," Holly said. "Donny? No, you're
not a Donny."

"Maybe something like Stark?" Harley suggested. "Mark?"

"Sterling!" Charley said, firmly. The Harleys exchanged glances and nodded.

"What?" Tony didn't know how he got into this situation. "Look, there's no need to explain me, I'll
only be here a few days."

Holly came close to Tony and looked at him, seriously. "We saw what happened in New York. I
don't know what happened afterward. I don't know why. I only know that you're a good man, and
there aren't enough of those in the world. I have a perfectly good spare room, and Harley has a
perfectly good workshop, and he could use a partner in his business."

"But..."

Holly continued as if he hadn't interrupted. "Rose Hill is a nice, quiet, friendly town, a good place for
someone to get away from big city life, and big city troubles. Charley likes you. Harley thinks the
sun rises and sets on you. I trust my children's judgment. You have a place here as long as you want
it." She smiled. "Sterling sounds like a nice name, don't you think?"

Tony blinked. "I... well...maybe?" Charley and Harley looked at him. "Yes?"

"Group hug!" Harley said, and the Keener family surrounded Tony. It felt weird, but also damn nice.