The Minnesota Candidate Read Online Free Page A

these people; I wouldn’t trust half of them as
far as I could throw them. And the others, well, they should be
locked up in padded cells. I’m telling you, you’re about to meet
the bottom of my family barrel.”
    “Will you please stop saying that? I’m a big
girl and capable of forming my own opinions. I want to accept your
family. I also want to be accepted into your family, Tom. That’s
very important to me.”
    “Fine,” grunted Tom, “get ready to jump into a
pool of leaches. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    “Stop saying that.”
    They were among the vultures now and Tom could
feel them sizing them up. “Tommy,” called his mother from the cab
drivers, “we need you up here!”
    “She needs my credit card,” whispered Tom.
    Shari gave him a nudge with her elbow as they
continued walking. She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen
so much leather. She smiled and nodded to the crowd as they parted,
allowing them access to the business at hand.
    Doris beamed at the sight of Tom and Shari. When
they were five feet away, she charged over to them and gave each a
warm hug. “I felt so terrible after I left,” she said. “I’m so
sorry for the way I acted. I hope you’ll both forgive me. I promise
to forgive you for the shabby way you treated me and we’ll be even,
okay? Now Tommy, would you mind paying the drivers? I forgot my
money at home and after all, this is your party.”
    Shari held up her little purse to Tom. “I’ll
take care of it, honey,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
    That wasn’t exactly true. It took Shari nearly
fifteen minutes to settle up with the eight cab drivers. This gave
Tom a few minutes alone with his mother, time he desperately
needed. He led her up to the front steps of the main house, which
was now covered in shadows as twilight fell upon them. “What are
you up to?” he hissed.
    Doris smiled. “What do you mean?” she asked. “I
was excited to tell everyone your big news. What, was I supposed to
keep it a secret? You never asked me to do that.”
    “You know exactly what I mean. You wouldn’t let
these people within a hundred yards of your house. Don’t play
innocent with me, Ma. I know what you’re up to.”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I
made some phone calls and this is who showed up. I can’t help it if
the other members of our family felt as slighted as I did. You
brought that on. Now, don’t you dare embarrass me, I want to
introduce your lovely wife to our family.”
    Tom shot a look down to the milling mongrels and
spotted a small group down by on the dock. “Stay out of the boat!”
he shouted. “Ma, you had better help us keep an eye on these
people. Shari has antiques in the house.”
    “How come you were down at the tiny house?
What’s wrong with this one?”
    “This was her parent’s house. She keeps it
locked up. The other house is really nice,” Tom turned back to the
group on the dock. “Johnny, get out of the boat!” he shouted.
    “You didn’t answer my question, Tommy.” What’s
wrong with this house?”
    Tom balled his hands into fists. “Ma, there’s
nothing wrong with this house. Shari doesn’t use it, that’s all.
What difference does it make?”
    “I’ve always wanted to live on a lake, Tommy.
You know that.”
    “You’ve got to be kidding me. You never said
that, at least not to me.”
    Doris smacked her lips together and smiled.
“Actually,” she said, “I didn’t realize it myself until this
afternoon. The fresh air, beautiful sunsets, water lapping at the
dock. Oh, I could get used to this.”
    Shari walked up to join them as the last cab
drove away. She gave Tom an odd look, obviously having heard the
last part of their conversation. Tom dropped his eyes, praying the
conversation would be steered in another direction. He got his
wish. “Next time, charter a bus,” said Shari.
    “Good idea,” agreed Doris. “I’ll remember
that.”
    Tom’s cousin, Larry Calizzi,