“That you’re harassing him. And harassing his lady friend.”

“His laaay-dy friend.” She made a little laugh. “That’s what he’s calling it?”

The man frowned and he took a notebook from his pocket. He opened it up. “Seems you’ve been calling his work nonstop. Owner had to go through the expense of having his number changed. And frequently trespassing at his place of employment. Leaving threatening notes in and on his truck. Threatening messages under the windshield wipers of his girlfriend’s car, and engaging the dental services of his girlfriend pretending to be a customer in order to make slanderous statements. Making slanderous statements to his friends. Making slanderous statements to customers as they approach the business. Following them while they run errands or have lunch.” He looked up from his notebook. “Do you want me to go on?”

Gloria shook her head. “I got no idea what you’re talking about.”

“None of this sounds familiar?”

“No, sir. Not one bit. You know what my day is? Worrying to death over my son, spending too much time at my own work, and trying to look after my daughter. If that witch said all that, she needs her head examined. She’s jealous whenever Telly and I have a moment. And believe me, we’ve had plenty. Maybe you should get that Susan lady to talk to her.”

The man scritched his head with the top of his pen. “Mrs. Janes, I know you’re going through a whole lot right now, and I’m here as a courtesy. But you need to know, if you’re engaged in any of these activities I mentioned, that is harassment. There are laws against it. You need to leave them alone.”

Gloria looked at him for a long time. Then she said, “I’m not doing nothing, Detective Aiken. I barely got time to get milk.”

He turned around and opened his car door. Before he got in he said, “I’d suggest you put that fire out. Wind’s picking up.”

Then they drove away. Darrell let go of my hand. He got the hose and squirted water in the middle of the fire. It made a sissing sound. “Come on, Darrell,” Aunt Erma said. “We best get on home.” Gloria went over to the fire and crouched down. She picked up a handful of wet ashes and squeezed them hard. Drops of dirty water dripped out of her fist.

MAISY

On the weekend the man came back. He and the same policeman got out of the car with the star on the side, and Gloria rushed out through our happy, happy yellow door.

“Not more complaints! I haven’t even left—”

“No, ma’am,” the man said. Today his tie was just black. “We’ve come to give you an update on the recovery efforts.”