M is for Mississippi
“Hi Teddy,” Emmett said as he walked into Kinnetik.
“Emm, what are you doing here?”
“His majesty called demanding an audience.”
“Ah. We’re planning a major presentation, he probably wants to discuss
catering.”
“Not a problem,” Emmett replied with a sigh.
“Emm, is something wrong?”
“Not really; just a little homesick.”
“Homesick? I don’t understand.”
“It’s been a little over twenty years since I left Hazelhurst. Sometimes I miss
it.”
“I’m sorry,” Ted said as he stood to give his friend a supportive hug. Emmett
hugged back and hung onto his friend for a while. “Why don’t you go back for a
visit?”
“I’ve thought about it but then I realize that my life is here. This is my
home.”
“True, but sometimes to appreciate what you have its good to go back to how and
where it all began.”
“I’ll think about it,” Emmett said with a faraway look in his eyes.
“Do you still have family there?”
“Yes. None of them thought I’d amount to anything. And well, me being me, I
never really fit in.” Emmett waved his hand up and down.
“Then it’s about time you showed them wrong,” Ted declared.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Honeycutt! Get your fairy ass in here!” they heard Brian bellow. Ted and Emmett
rolled their eyes.
“I better go in before he pops a blood vessel or something,” Emmett said with a
grin. Ted nodded in agreement.
About an hour later, Ted heard his master’s voice.
“Schmidt!”
“Theodore, did we make a decision about that inquiry from the company in
Jackson?” Brian growled out.
“Jackson? Jackson, Mississippi,” Emmett asked, perking up when he heard the
name. Ignoring Emmett, Ted and Brian went on with their conversation.
“Not yet. You said we had to do more research since we aren’t familiar with the
market.”
“Then I think it’s about time we became familiar with the market,” Brian said
with a determined arch of an eyebrow. It took Ted all of a fraction of a second
to hop on the clue bus.
“Excellent idea,” Ted said with a wide grin. “I should go make those
arrangements.”
“Yes you should. I’ll take Cynthia with me and our consultant.”
“Right away, Boss.”
*****
A few weeks later, a limousine conspicuously snaked its way through the main
street of the small town of Hazelhurst, Mississippi. It stopped in front of a
modest home then discharged one passenger. The passenger went up to the front
door, knocked and at the acknowledgement went inside.
“Are you sure he’ll be all right?” Cynthia asked Brian. They were waiting inside
the limo.
“No fucking clue, but that’s why we have ‘Starsky and Hutch’ with us,” Brian
said indicating their driver and his companion both of which were ex-military
and trained to handled delicate situations.
“Emmett may not like his welcome.”
“True, but what’s the alternative? Living your life without ever knowing? Never
trying? If it all falls to shit then at least he’ll know he tried,” Brian said
wisely.
Cynthia nodded.
“And if it does work out then Emmett will have a family
besides us.”
“And what about you, Brian, who’s your family besides us? Including Gus and
Justin, of course.”
“That ship sailed a hell of a long time ago. Besides this is about Emmett not
me,” Brian stated, effectively ending the conversation.
Brian closed his eyes and waited for their friend. A couple of hours later Brian
sent ‘Hutch’ to go fetch Emmett; they had a flight to catch. Emmett was smiling
when he entered the car.
“It went well?” Brian asked, not pressing for details.
“Yes,” Emmett replied with a toothy smile.
“Read to go home?” Brian asked, aware of exactly how he phrased the question.
“Pittsburgh, PA, here we come!” Emmett said happily as he settled back into his
seat ready for the ride to the airport and home.
-end-
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