"HARRY & IVORY" – Epilogue

"Harry & Ivory"

Epilogue

    Ivory’s father drove Harry home after the two of them spent the morning installing the Lincoln in the spot Ivory had picked out. Harry shifted around in the passenger seat and tried to act relaxed despite the man’s warning that on the way back they would need to talk. The Clearson family pickup was serviceable but noisy, and as soon as they were out of the driveway and in top gear, the black man spoke up.
    “How’s your wife?”
    “She’s fine. I love her.”
    “And my daughter?”
    “I love her. I love her so much it hurts. I don’t understand it, but it’s true.”
    John Clearson was speaking rapidly, as if he had rehearsed his questions. “And what happens to Ivory after I’m gone. No parents to look after her. I think we agreed she can’t take care of herself.”
    “I’ll take care of her.”
    “And your wife? Annie?”
    “I’ll take care of them both.”
    “And if something happens to you?”
    Harry thought about it. “What are the alternatives?”
    They pulled off onto the shoulder of the road, and when Clearson shut down the engine, the silence was palpable.
    “At least you brought her back.”
    “Mister Clearson, I...”
    “The other ones didn’t bring her back.”
    The familiar stab and burn struck Harry in the chest and he had to straighten up.
    “You keeping your place in Miami?”
    “Yeah. Yes, but I don’t have a job there anymore. I’ll be staying in the area here most of the time. When I do make trips down there I’m hoping you will let me take Ivory along. If she wants to.”
    “You didn’t ask me the first time.”
    “I couldn’t.”
    Clearson wiped away a tear with a finger. “I was that way with her mother. Her real mother.”
    “Yes sir.” Harry looked away. “I was hoping you would say that, Mister Clearson.”
    “My name is John.” He cleared his throat, and placed a dark, gnarled hand on the ignition key.
After some slow and grinding turns, the engine fired up, and they truend back out onto the empty highway. John smiled suddenly. “Mister is okay, though.”

Author's note: "LOWBOY", a sequel featuring Perry and Janey in their thirties – the first book in a new, trucker P.I. series – will be ready for publication this year. Appearances by Harry, Annie, and Ivory will not disappoint.

Humanism with attitude!