Julian Junk was often teased about his last name and his father's occupation as a garbageman. Mackensie Keller grew up privileged and spoiled. As teens, Junk and Mickey make plans for their future, but when Mickey is sent off to boarding school, he tells Junk their parents are probably right -- they just don't belong together.<br><br>Back in town ten years later, Mickey is all grown up. He and Junk reconnect as adults, but so much was said, and so much has changed. Though he asks for forgiveness, which Junk grants, though old romantic feelings are quickly rekindled, Mickey is reluctant to bring a new man into his young daughter's life after his last relationship's failure. He's also harboring a secret, one that threatens to spoil upcoming Thanksgiving plans.<br><br>Once Junk discovers the source of Mickey's dilemma, he devises a crafty plan to make everything right. Will it work out? Will Mickey accept his help, and can the two of them make a go of it with so much stacked against them?

One Man's Junk

“I fixed it all up.” My younger self pushed the secondhand skateboard back across the Pirates of the Caribbean themed table. Instead of Brute or my alleged telltale trash aroma, my memory brought to mind the smell of the paper tablecloth, the kind that always reminded me of special occasions. The Junks had never been into fine linens. Even before Mom died, we usually got one of those “fancy” disposable paper tablecloths with matching napkins for birthdays, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, too, with either turkeys or fruit filled cornucopias on them.


“It rides better,” I told Mickey. “The wheels were all crooked. Now, they’re not. Wanda obviously didn’t ride it right or take care of it.” I guess I told her.


“No thanks.” Despite that, Mickey shoved it away again.


“Okay. I’ll keep it, then, so we can ride together.”


Chapter 14