Chapter 52

“So, Mikey,” I said, continuing to pick at the thread that Thumper had exposed down by the creek. “How do you like working with Bob-Gunnar?”

“Love it,” he said. “It’s interesting work. You know, sometimes. And I can walk here, which is a big plus. Lot of the guys I know drive up to Banks every day to bus tables or work at the mall. This is way better’n that.”

“He’s an okay boss?” I asked.

“You see he’s a real slave driver,” Mikey countered, working hard at lounging. He grinned. I chuckled. We watched a couple clouds roll by in quiet before he said, “You wanna know what, Berger’s the only break I get. I think I’d go crazy living here if it wasn’t for him.”

“I can relate to that,” I said. “He was the only thing that kept me close to sane when we were growing up here. Or this time around, for that matter.” Mikey gave an appreciative nod, which prompted me to add, “Him and your mom, of course.”