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

After calling me a dork not more than two hours earlier, Mickey had the confidence and immaturity to squeal, “Wheeeeee!” as I got the truck up to ten miles per hour going down the main strip in town. Dusk was settling by now, but every time I glanced back at him in the side view mirror, under illumination from a couple of early triggered streetlights, I could see him smiling.


The teenage boy who took the order was all smiles, too. “There’s something you don’t see every day,” he said.


Mickey had to hop down before I could pull forward to exit. Two hot coffees, one in each hand, left him without one to grip the grab bar in back.


“We’ll do it again sometime,” I said, “a longer ride.”


He never objected when I spoke of “agains” and “next times.” I took that as a good sign


Chapter 22