Chapter 23

When that was done, Butch wrote a note and taped it on the door. It simply read, Goodbye, Troy.

He turned to leave and met Mrs. Jorgensen coming down the hallway, pulling her grocery cart.

“Beauregard? Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you! Why? What’s all this?” she asked, indicating the pile of trash bags.

“It’s garbage day, Mrs. J. Just getting rid of unneeded trash,” Butch had said. He’d then kissed her on the cheek and walked off down the hall singing “Zip-a-dee-do dah” while tossing and catching his new set of keys.

“You’re shittin’ me!” Quinn exclaimed when Butch finished his story.

Of course Butch had left out all but the most positive references to Ernie. What Ernie had shared about living with his mother and his virginity was just between them.

“No, that’s what I did,” Butch said, still feeling proud of his decisions and actions.

“So, what’s next? You know we’re not supposed to be putting the make on clients,” Quinn reminded him.