St. Patrick's Day

  Mackey Residence

  Madison Mackey enters the living room. James Junior is held gently against the left side of her chest. In her free hand, Mrs. Mackey holds an ice-cold pitcher of lime-green Kool-Aid. A secret smile flits across Madison's face as she strides across the room.

  Dave and James are seated on the couch, watching a digital recording of the previous weekend's basketball game. Madison crosses to the glass table and lowers her pitcher of Kool-Aid. She is careful not to place the pitcher anywhere near the overflowing tray of nachos, melted cheese, and avocado dip. Choosing instead to set the pitcher between the platter of mini sausages and a bowl of green jello cubes.

  James glances upward. The detective uses his right hand to pat the open space remaining on the couch cushion, winking seductively at Madison. To which, she shakes her head.

  "No, James," Madison replies, the flesh of her cheeks turning red. "This is your night. You and Dave have been working nonstop...Doing security duty for that silly mayor of ours. You deserve a day to just kick back and relax. Me and Jamie will be just fine. I'm gonna take the baby out for a quick stroll."

  "But I want you here, Babe. As much as I love watching the game...It's no fun without my favorite lady."

  "Ick," Dave jokingly mutters under his breath. "I'd tell you two to get a room, but I'm actually enjoying the game. I wouldn't be able to hear a thing over the racket you two make. Worse than two cats in an alley."

  "How would you know?" James snaps, whirling to stare Dave down. "Have you been spying on us, Dave?"

  "I don't have to know. You two are pretty uh...Nevermind. Well, let's just say...You don't hide your feelings very well. I'm sure it's even worse without adult supervision."

  "Haha, Dave," Madison chuckles, readjusting Jamie in her arms.

  Leaning forward, Madison puckers her lips, hinting for James to kiss her. He obliges without hesitation. Their eyes meets as they separate.

  "I won't be gone long," Madison whispers. "I'll just be down the road. I still have a few pounds of baby fat to lose."

  "What if I told you...I like the way you look, Maddie?" James says in complete seriousness. "Because I do. No, I take that back. I love the way you look, babe. You look beautiful."

  "Oh, James...."

  "I have to agree, Mrs. Mackey," Dave interjects with a sly smile. "You are looking mighty pretty these days. Like something out of a magazine."

  Madison's mouth falls open. She stares at the large deputy with an expression of confusion-- and a hint of gratitude. The young woman's color deepens further, her mind scrambling for a response. A magazine? Did Dave really just say that? What kind of a magazine?

  James glowers at his best friend with faux hatred. Dave response is to roll his eyes, while casually shrugging his broad shoulders.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  "What? I'm trying to help you out, Buddy. We men have to stick together. She'd never believe it coming from you. You're her husband. You're supposed to say nice things. Now, best friends...Are a totally different story. We always tell the truth. Nothing much to lose."

  Dave shifts his gaze to Madison's stunned face. Another wave of deep color infuses the younger woman's cheeks and she blinks twice. Looking away from Dave, Madison kisses James a second time.

  "Back in a little bit, Babe. Have fun watching the game."

  "I'll be counting the seconds until you return," James exclaims breathlessly.

  "You're too much, James. But that's why I love you," Madison states between a tiny laugh. "I mean it. Have fun. Bye, Dave."

  Madison crosses to the front door, bending to open Jamie's stroller. James watches her every move, admiring the new dimensions to his wife's shapely derriere. Dave leans forward, pretending to do the same.

  "Mmmm. I can see why you'd rather chill at home than join the local festivities. Wise choice, Mack ole buddy!"

  "Another wise choice...Dave? Zip it!" James hisses out of the side of his mouth.

  Madison turns slightly in the two men's direction, as she straps the tiny newborn into his stroller. She offers James a warm grin, which he promptly returns. Once Madison is finished with her task, she waves to James and Dave.

  "Enjoy your game, fellas. I think I can actually hear the parade from here. Isn't that funny? See ya. I love you."

  "Love you too, Maddie," James says.

  "Love you," Dave teases in unison.

  James waits until Madison is out the front door before pointing a threatening finger at Dave.

  "Shut the hell up, Dave!" James laughs.

  -

  -

  Madison pushes Jamie down the road, heading towards the festive sounds of the local parade. This is the first time the parade goers have traveled down their road. Then again, she and James haven't really lived here very long. For all she knows, this could be quite a popular route.

  Madison stops walking, pushing Jamie's stroller to the right shoulder. She crosses in front of the stroller and kneels down. Raising the canopy, Madison peek's underneath at James Junior's sleeping face. Such a sweet child. Her child.

  As if sensing his mother's stare, Jamie opens his eyes. A tiny wail escapes the baby's trembling lips. Madison reaches into the compartment under the stroller and opens a small green diaper bag. She removes a clean washcloth and dabs at a spot of milk staining one corner of Jamie's mouth.

  "Ssh, honey. It's okay. Mommy here. It's okay, Jamie. You hear that? It's a parade. Wanna go see the parade, Jamie? Come on. Oh, don't cry. Mommy's gonna get you moving again. I know you like that. It's okay."

  Madison bends and kisses Jamie's forehead. The baby settles down a fraction, whimpering rather than crying. Closing the diaper bag, Madison repositions it and stands erect. She lowers the canopy of the stroller.

  "Hello, Miss."

  Madison turns to find a young woman standing a few feet away. The woman is dressed in a beautiful green tuxedo with sparkly green sequins covering nearly every inch of it. Besides the tuxedo, the woman wears very little else. The plunging neckline of her chosen ensemble leaves little to the imagination. Madison studies the young woman. She feels as if she has seen the pretty young vixen somewhere before.

  "I didn't mean to startle you," the young woman says, stepping closer. "I think I'm lost. I wandered away from my group to take a leak in the woods. I kind of had too much to drink. Can you tell me where Acker Street is?"

  "Acker Street?" Madison gasps. "That's not even close to here. You're about two miles from where you're supposed to be."

  "Oh," the woman in green sighs in disbelief. "Oh goodness. Um. Well, can you point me in the right direction? I'm afraid my friends might leave without me. I'm actually from Hillsburg. I don't know anything about this town. I just came for the cute guys and the parade."

  Madison glances over her shoulder, in the direction of home. Tucking in her lower lip, Madison shakes her head.

  "Sure. I'll walk with you as far as I can. But I promised my husband I wouldn't be gone long."

  "Thank you, Ma'am," the attractive woman says. "I really appreciate this. Thank you so much."