The Next Morning

  Mackey Residence

  "Hey, Dave!" James exclaims, hustling to get into Newsome's department issued Ford pickup. "You're early. I thought we were gonna use my car?"

  "I am...And we were," Dave replies, shoving the truck in drive a split second after James is completely inside. "I needed to talk to you, Mack. I'm in a crapload of trouble. I think I really stepped in it last night. With Octavia, I mean."

  "Uh oh. What'd you do, Davey Wavey?" Detective Mackey says with a finger wag. "Forgot to let the dog out again?"

  "Shut up, and I'll tell you!" Dave shouts. "Damn. You're worse than a little kid, Mack. I can't ever get a word in with you."

  "Okay, Dave. I apologize," James states in a mocking tone. "Go ahead. Talk. I'm listening."

  "I will. Well, anyway...Last night, I come home and find Octavia crying. She'd come over to my place instead of heading to the festivities. Turns out St. Patrick's Day was Vivian's favorite holiday. Octavia and the kid had never actually spent a single St. Patty's Day apart. That is, until Aquarius...Until Vivian's...You know."

  "I know," James says.

  The detective lowers his gaze and pretends to adjust the passenger mirror through the open window. Dave continues his story in a hoarse whisper.

  "I made the mistake of suggesting we go away together. On vacation. Someplace nice. And, Octavia happily accepted. Only problem is...Like a dumbass, I also kind of suggested--," Dave lets out a deep sigh. "I kinda proposed to her too."

  "You what?" James screeches, his eyes growing wide with excitement. "What do you mean, 'like a dumbass'? That's great news, Dave. I'm excited for you. Congratulations. Have you picked out a date yet? A ring?"

  "No. That's the thing. It was kind of spur of the moment. I saw Octavia crying...I wanted her to feel better...And my stupid mouth said way too damn much. I love Octavia. And I know she has strong feelings for me. I'm just not sure if our present situation can handle marriage. I don't want to destroy a good thing. I don't want to lose Octavia the way I did Hazel," Dave confesses. "There's still so much hurt. So much pain beneath the surface. Last night, Octavia confided in me that sometimes she doesn't know if she can go on without Vivian. I'm the same way about Octavia. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her too. She's a good women. And a better lover than I could've ever expected."

  James lowers his eyelids halfway, playfully scooting away from Dave.

  "Okay, now. We're heading into too much information territory. I get it. You opened your flap trap and now you're afraid of commitment. I get it. Just don't bring it up again. You'll be fine. "

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  "Easy for you to say, Mack. You're already hitched," Dave protests. "In my life, I've been close to the altar maybe three times. I've struck out every single time. Someone always got cold feet. Or in Hazel's case, marriage just wasn't going to be possible. I want this time to be different. I need Octavia. Dammit! Why did I open my big fugging mouth?"

  "Because you love her, Dave. You said what was on your heart. Own it and move on," James says. "What happens is what happens. The important question is, though--?"

  "What?"

  "Did you get lucky after you asked her?"

  "Well, yes," Dave stammers.

  "Then, that's your answer. If Octavia didn't leave out of there in a nervous huff...Like your Honey Bear did...The night I glimpsed all of her earthly goodies? You're pretty much on the hook, Dave. You might want to start thinking about the kind of ring you're gonna give her. I'm just saying."

  Dave uses his peripheral vision to study James very closely. His voice drops several octaves.

  "About that? I know you like to spin wild tales, Mack. But I've always been curious. Did Hazel really storm out of my house...With everything showing? You know, everything?"

  "She sure did," Mackey replies. "As a single guy, at the time, I was just a little tempted to try to scoop her up myself. Although, I sorta always felt she was a bit too young for me. I guess...Now that you mention it, I wouldn't exactly say everything. But everything of importance. If it were a contest...I'd say, from what I was able to see that night, Hazel and Sabrina Engle were practically neck and neck. Beautiful women, both of them. But I'm a married man now. I wouldn't dream of dating either of those two ladies. Well, you know why Sabrina is out of the running. And Hazel...Well."

  "I can't believe it," Dave mutters. "I really can't believe it."

  "Can't believe what?" James asks, eyebrows arching.

  "I can't believe how stupid I've been," Dave laments. "Hazel was a beautiful young woman. How did I ever think I could hold her down like that? Damn, I was old enough to be her dad. The more I think about it...I think that's exactly why we ended up together. She spent so much time caring for that damn father of hers. More like a wife than a daughter. She cooked his meals, she took care of his finances, and arranged all of his town meetings. Hell, before Hazel got with me, she had very few real girlfriends. Hazel's dad practically smothered the two girls after their mother died. That's a huge fugging reason why her sister, Chrissy, left town. Greener pastures. A fresh start. Why listen to an old fart rant about the good old days with her momma? Especially, when he wasn't even her real father. I think Hazel was looking for something in me. Something I couldn't give her. And when she realized that...She bailed. So many times, she tried to bail. I wouldn't let her. I always tried to talk her out of leaving me. After Aquarius...There was no talking Hazel out of it. We were through."

  James lets Dave unburden himself without saying a word. The detective casually cleans under the fingernails of his left hand with a toothpick. Dave glances over for a brief second, a weak smile turning up the corners of his mouth.

  "Sorry. Didn't mean to unload on you, Mack. I'm just really feeling the heat today. I see you and Madison together...And I can't help but feel a little jealous. You're a young guy...And you've got it all figured out. I'm a total mess. Some days, I don't know if I'm coming or going anymore."

  "I think you know, Dave," James states reassuringly. "You can't go wrong putting one foot in front of the other. The first step is always the hardest. You'll know what the right thing to do is...When the time comes. Don't worry. You'll make a great husband, Dave. And I wish you only the best."

  "Does that mean you'll be my best man at the wedding?" Dave asks, his smile widening.

  "Of course, Dave," James responds. "You didn't even have to ask."

  "Thanks, Mack."

  "No problem, Buddy. Except...Keep your eyes on the road."