Suzie’s House 229: Low Speed Chase

Suzie blinked a couple of times, then drew in a deep breath and tried to get a hold of her emotions. She would cherish this moment for years to come, guaranteed.

Standing here in front of a con artist in the middle of MacDonalds was not the time to turn all sappy on Gene just because he finally called her Mom. He had his arm across her shoulders, which made her so happy she could hardly stand still. She tried not to grin, but the smile got out of control. To heck with it. Why fight it?

“So,” Suzie said, then had to stop to swallow hard because her voice came out thick. “You heard what he said. We are on to you. There’s no reason to keep going.” She already had her purse in her hand, so she waved at Gene and Tracy to leave.

Tracy looked like she might argue. She probably still thought they’d be able to get some information about Gene’s guitar from Fran the Imposter. It was a waste of time, but try to convince a teenage girl of that. Tracy slid out of the seat oh so reluctantly.

With his arm still cross Suzie’s shoulder, Gene pivoted toward the door. Suzie’s grin wouldn’t go away even when he let her go to open the door then take Tracy’s hand.

Since the MacDonalds on the Capital Square was so close to the house, and parking could be bad, they’d opted to walk. They’d covered most of one block before Suzie realized Fran was following them. Suzie glanced back uncomfortably.

“She is soooo creepy,” Tracy said, following Suzie’s glance. “How long do you think she’ll follow?”

“Probably forever,” Gene said wryly. “She seems twisted enough for it. This is so weird, stalked by someone who wants my guitar.”

“Mrs. H., you look all worried,” Tracy said.

“Just wondering how we’re going to get rid of her.”

“I could call the cops.” Tracy dug her cell phone out of her pocket and waved it around.

“I don’t think she’s done anything illegal yet.” That fact could make a mother nauseous, but there was nothing Suzie could do.

“Too bad we aren’t in a car,“ Gene said. “We could have one of those chase scenes like in the movies.”

“Oh! Oh, I know what we should do!” Tracy hopped forward while Suzie and Gene continued to walk. “We should run!”

“What?”

“We should run away. It’s like a high speed chase, only on foot.”

“Don’t be redicu….” Suzie’s words were cut off when Gene said “Yeah!” and took off running.

Giggling, and throwing in entirely gratuitous weaving, the kids ran well ahead of her. In a rare mood, Suzie decided to do the opposite. She stopped and leaned against a light pole, waiting for Fran to pass.

Fran went by with a very sour expression on her face. Suzie fell in behind her. When the kids went straight down King Street, Fran went right on past, following the curve around the square. Suzie wasn’t entirely sure they were rid of her, but felt too awkward to continue the odd, reverse stalking thing, so followed the kids.

She found herself glancing back to make sure Fran hadn’t followed, at least for the first few block, then made herself stop because it was entirely too paranoid. Yet, after they’d been home a few minutes, she glanced out the office window, and there she was. Fran stood on the street, looking at the house like she’d like to smash it.

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