I've mowed Ms. Ward's lawn three times already since I've been back from break, and it's one of the highlights of my week. I love hearing stories about her husband and kids. She's an incredible baker. She made the most delicious chocolate chip muffins one week, and pecan pie the next. I don't even have a problem getting up early. The first week I told her I like waking up, but I honestly didn't. I knew she preferred mornings though, so for her sake, I thought I would bear it. But it isn't even a struggle to get up on Saturday mornings now.

And, the best part is I get to brag to Chelsea how amazing Ms. Ward is. One afternoon, I heard her telling Meaghan that the old man she mows for is evil and is never pleased with her work.

There's just no downside to this situation.

I bound across the lawn, excited to talk to Ms. Ward before I get to work. I knock on the door, even though she told me to just come in when I arrive. When no one answers, I try to open it but it stay firmly shut. Confused, I walk around to the back door. She showed me where she kept the spare key in the entryway, so I used that to get inside.

"Ms. Ward?" I called. "Flora?" I feel weird using her first name, but she asked me to. I still get no response. Maybe she got hurt and fell somewhere. Old people did that, right?

I shut the back door and walk into the kitchen, scanning the room. I don't see her on the ground writhing in pain, so I start to walk into the dining room when my eyes land on a piece of paper, out of place on the usually pristine table.

"Vi,

I had to run to the store. I'm out of chocolate chips and I didn't realize until this morning. I'll be back soon, hopefully before you leave.

~Flora"

I laugh. She's so sweet, always going out of her way to make me cookies.

A shadow falls across the floor and I look up, expecting Ms. Ward, but it isn't her.

It's two men. They walk inside the kitchen like they own the place.

"Who are you?" One asks me. I cringe at the sound of his voice. It sounds like he badly needs to clear his throat. He's tall with dark black hair, and despite the warm weather, he wears a black leather coat and black pants. Even though he's been inside a few moments, he still wears his black sunglasses over his eyes and keeps his face covered by his jacket.

"I should ask you the same thing." I cross my arms over my chest and meet the second guys eyes, thankfully not covered by shades. They're a dark brown, and they look me up and down. There's a glint there that I don't like, but I can't back down now. Who do these clowns think they are, waltzing in here like-

"Flora's grandsons."

Oh.

Well I suppose that's acceptable.

"I'm the girl you hired to mow her lawn." I say, putting my hand out. "I'm Viola Mathers."

"We know."

I give them a look. Creepy...

"We hired you."

Right. Still, they're very off-putting. They don't make an effort to reach for my hand so I let it fall against my side.

"And we've seen you on TV." That look is back across the second guys face. I really don't like him at all.

"Well, I'll be off then, to go start..." I say pointing outside, trying to break the awkward silence. I start towards the door, but the tall one doesn't move out of my way fast enough and we bump into each other. "Oh, sorry." I step back quickly, but as I look up, I notice him not so subtly stare at my chest. Instead of acknowledging him with covering myself up, I looks right in his eyes, daring him to do more. He smirks and steps aside.

I walk outside, cheeks burning, and fuming. I'm wearing a tee shirt and sports bra, not that that's stopped anyone before. Men are pigs.

I start my routine of mowing, setting up my music, checking the gas, when I can't get a little thought out of my head. It's something those guys said...

I start the mower when it hits me.

Ms. Ward told me she had nine grandkids and only three of them are older than 20. All three of them are girls. I've also never seen any pictures of these two, and her house is covered from floor to ceiling in photographs. So then who are these nimrods?

I quickly cut the mower, leaving it right in the middle of the yard and rush back inside.

"HEY!" I yell, slamming the screen door. I search for the guys quickly and find them in the dining room rifling through a drawer. I'm too worked up to notice what they're doing.
"Flora told me her older grand kids are all girls. And I trust her more than I trust you. So who are you?" Something about them is very off putting. I don't trust anything they say.

The tall one sighs, looking slightly embarrassed.

"We're grandchildren from her husband's first marriage. She doesn't like to talk about us much. It upsets her."

"Oh." Well now I feel bad. Clearly it's a sore subject for everyone.

But Flora's such a nice lady. I can't see her disliking anyone...

"Don't you tell her that you saw us." The shorter one demands, taking a step towards me...threatening me. The taller one puts a hand on his shoulder, almost as if holding him back. The short one almost seems familiar, but I can't place him. I've definitely never heard that wolf-like growl before, but something in his face is familiar to me. I shrug it off.

"He just means, he doesn't want to upset her. She really disliked our mother in her younger days. It wouldn't do good to bring up all the bad memories..."

I nod.

"Okay, I won't tell her." He looks relieved. I turn around to leave, but I add, "Not because you asked. Only because I care about her feelings."

I don't stick around for their reaction.

***

Luke memes and reaction faces are literally my favorite thing. I have so many photos saved on my phone; my sister gets real mad when I constantly send them instead of texting her back 😂

~ashtonfortherwin