Joel was wide awake at four P.M. when he should be sleeping. He drove to Mom’s and noticed her and a stranger through the kitchen window. Maybe a new neighbor. Or con artist. He strode in, pulling Mom into the usual hug, kissing the top of her head.
“Hi, Mom.” He glared at the stranger wearing mom’s favorite apron with the map of Italy. The guy was clean cut with an air of familiarity to his face.
Mom said, “We were just talking about you—”
“What’s he selling?”
The man lost his smile.
“London was the one who helped me yesterday when I got hypoglycemic. Kuma approves of him, so you can turn off your overly protective cop attitude.” She smiled. “Joel, this is London. He’s a fan of mine.”
Kuma wormed his way between them, throwing his paws over Joel’s shoulders.
“There’s the puppy.” Jo
