Chapter 22

“He’s deaf,” Jackson said.

“Oh. Poor thing. If these damn fools knew how to drive or knew how to stay home, they wouldn’t be messing up the roads.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Jackson replied. “Whereabouts do you live?”

“Well, I work at the State House, but I live over in Revere. I was just finishing up for the day.”

“So this is really out of your way…”

“That’s all right. Didn’t get your name.”

“Jackson Ledbetter, sir. This is Wiley, and the little boy’s name is Tony.”

“Pleased to meet you. Ledbetter, you said?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ve heard that name a time or two in the State House.”

“I imagine you have,” Jackson replied. He did not elaborate.

“You any relation to Eunice Ledbetter?”

“She’s my mother.”

“Is that right? It’s a small world, isn’t it?”

“Do you know my mother?”

“Heavens, son, everyone knows your mother.”

“Is that right?”

“Indeed it is, son,” he said with a smile.

“We didn’t catch your name, sir.”