Just Try It

Chapter 38- Unanswered Questions

Wednesday, February 15th 7:30pm

Seymour Dojo and Fitness Center

"Changed your mind?" Paul asked Sondra as he took back his card. If she had decided not to follow through on her plan, he wouldn't hold it against her. What she had planned would have helped, but it might have been dangerous. Besides, he didn't mind letting a DHS worker know a little about the crime family if it meant keeping an innocent girl out of harms way. That was just part of the job.

To his surprise, Sondra shook her head and said, "I'll be in touch when I hear that they are going to run."

Paul glanced down at the card he now held, and couldn't help doubting her words. However, he still cautioned, "Don't do anything stupid. I don't want you to get hurt."

Sondra nodded solemnly, and Paul went out the door. He had other avenues to pursue, and he couldn't spend too long worrying or putting his faith in a minor that should be smart enough to stay as far out of it as possible. Before he was more than a block away, he was already busy figuring his next step.

Back inside, Jamie took over the counter and Sondra immediately went to check on Moe.

Moe was staring off into space as he finished printing his report. He had managed to push his worries away long enough to finish the project. Now that it was done, he was wondering how Sondra and Jamie were getting along with the DHS worker. He still wasn't ready to think about Malcolm. There was just nothing he could do about that, and he didn't want to think about it. When hands covered his eyes and Sondra's voice perkily demanded, "Guess who?" he couldn't help but smile.

Moe paused a moment to enjoy her closeness and noticed the light perfume he always associated with Sondra. After a moment, he teasingly suggested, "Bigfoot?"

She laughed, and he grinned in response as he turned around. His smile faded as he asked, "How did it go?"

"She seemed nice, and honest. She will set up an emergency hearing for tomorrow," Sondra offered. She paused and added, "The judge tries to do most of his cases in the morning, but mine was added at the last minute, and will probably be the last one. So, Ms. Mac Inness said that I could still go to school, and she would pick me up in plenty of time. We are just lucky that the courthouse is only a couple of blocks away. I'll walk to school with you to turn in the last project, be there during the tests, and I'll be back before the end of the day to find out how you did."

Moe nodded and said confidently, "The tests will be fine. You can even quiz me after we eat to make sure."

Sondra smiled and joined him in grabbing some of the food that Danica and Sammy were making. As they were finishing up, Korbin filled two plates and took them down the stairs. When he returned a few minutes later empty handed, Moe realized that the second plate had been for Ms. Mac Inness instead of himself. He nudged Sondra, and she quickly invited Korbin to join them. Even though Moe wanted extra time with Sondra, he didn't mind when Korbin got another plate, and sat down with them.

Moe's aunt and uncle soon came up the stairs, and joined them too. They all took turns distracting Korbin enough to finish supper. When they were done, his aunt and uncle gathered their things to go, and Sondra followed them down the stairs. She said that she was going to offer to check on Jamie and offer to man the counter so that Jamie could show Ms. Mac Inness around while they talked.

Moe waited until everyone was gone, and then turned to Korbin. "Thanks for earlier, but I had a question."

"What?" asked Korbin distractedly.

"How did you know about the scars?" Moe asked quietly.

Korbin focused over on Moe, and said casually, "I've known you since we were little. We've wrestled and climbed trees, and played in the rain. How could I not know?"