Still, a longing to see her again told me I wouldn’t get much sleep tonight. How could I find something good in a murderer?

14

SHELBY

I stood behind the bakery counter and read the article in the Valleysburg Gazette for the second time. My parole news was printed on the third page in an opinion column. The information was public knowledge, but reading my release status crushed me to the core. I rubbed my arms. Would the dirt always be there as though I needed a perpetual shower? Someone had taken the newspaper photo the day I met with James Peterson and Sheriff Wendall, further confirming a person or persons wanted me out of the area. My name glared up at me and the crime I’d committed in cold black letters.

Was Officer Randy Hughes responsible? I’d noted the way he and Denton walked and their builds. Neither one resembled the slight man I’d chased into the woods.

Amy-Jo took the newspaper from my hand. “I saw you reading this while I seated a customer. It’s trash.”

“I’m not finished with the article.”

“No need. Nothing you don’t already know or haven’t read online.” She crumpled the paper and pursed her lips. “No one has the right to condemn you. You can reclaim your life and be proud of your accomplishments.”

“Maybe I should move on. My job here might damage your business.”

“If someone chooses to eat and shop somewhere else, I don’t need them. Besides, leaving here is crazy. Edie and I have already talked this morning, and she’ll be here as soon as she drops the kids off at school.”

“Why? She shouldn’t be seen with me.”

“More craziness. We were sure of your ridiculous response to one person’s opinion. You’re in Valleysburg for a reason, to start over.”

My mind journeyed to a dark place. “I’d like to know who wrote the article.”

“Doubt you’ll find out. The person’s a coward. Trust me, I know a coward when I see one.” Amy-Jo tapped her finger on the glass bakery case. “Are you thinking it’s Edie’s brother? He’s been opposed to her helping you from the beginning.”

“He’d sign his name and brag on what he’d done.”

She blew out her frustration. “You know him well.”

“He hasn’t hidden his disapproval or his intention of running me off.” I sighed, couldn’t stop the response to the heaviness in my soul. “The writer could be someone concerned about me corrupting the community. Could be the person wants me to believe it’s Officer Hughes so I don’t find out who is really responsible. If I’ve learned anything during the past several years, it’s life can blindside us. People deceive and behave according to what drives them from one selfish motive to the next.”

Amy-Jo blinked, revealing teal-and-pink eye shadow. “My late husband used to claim, ‘Roaches can hold their breath underwater for forty minutes. No point flushing them down the toilet because they’ll crawl right back out.’ The writer of this article is a roach. Ignore it and let truth exterminate him.”