Chapter 10

“Drinking, then? Hoping to cover liquor on your breath?” Pops came almost as close to my mouth as Mickey had been.

“No. I just like candy canes. It’s a Thanksgiving tradition.” Pops knew both of those things without me stating them. Likely never being able to eat a candy cane again without becoming aroused? That part might have been news.

“He’s telling the truth, Mr. Junk.”

“You shut up, Keller, and get out of here.”

“Pops!”

“Go. It’s not that far,” Pops told Mickey. “You can walk.”

“I’m sorry,” Mickey said.

“Me, too,” I told him.

“I meant what I said, though.”

“Me, too, Mickey.”

He smiled, looking both handsome and terrified in the blinding rays of Pops’ headlights. Pops didn’t smile. His sneer was enough to send Mickey on his way.

I’d ended up pretty embarrassed, not to mention grounded, by the time all the yelling was over. Pops hadn’t ratted out Mickey at least. His refusal to speak to the Kellers sometimes came in handy.