I took care of that Sunday. I just want to get towels and stuff like that we’ll need when we go to the lodge in a couple of weeks.’ That was a great relief and, of course, I was agreeable. The kind of shopping Ruthie had in mind was something I could get behind, as long as no women’s shoes or clothing were involved. We got dressed, both of us in the bedroom, with Ruthie putting on some more of her new things. Even in the dowdy crap her asshole husband used to make her wear, she had looked good, and in the new things that Pamela had helped her pick out she looked a hundred times better. Just before leaving, we stood at the door, and she put her arms around my waist and hugged herself to me in a warm embrace. ‘I can’t get over what a sweet guy you are, George, and how you put up with me.’ ‘It’s really easy, Ruthie, putting up with you is no problem at all. I really enjoy your company, in bed and out.’ She stood on tiptoes to kiss my cheek, and we went out to my truck. We swung by. "Maddie, please sit down." She did, very carefully, the pain evident on her face.Mr. Brown started to get up. "What's this all about James. You have no business..." That's as far as he got.Using just one finger against his forehead I caught him at the unique point where his balance had disappeared. He dropped back into his chair. "Sit and listen!" Mrs. Brown opened her mouth to say something but between a hard glare from me and a restraining hand from her husband she thought better of it.I knew the soft Mr. Brown wasn't going to try to get physical with me. I was teenage strong especially after all the hard work I did as a landscaper. I began lecturing the two adults about what they had done to their daughter and how despicable I thought they were. Maddie's mother finally spoke. "This is none of your damn business James Readrdon. You just get the hell out of our house before I call the police."