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“Your parents?” I asked after he gave his approval to the chicken.
“What about them?”
“What do they do? What are they like?”
“They are from Wisconsin,” he began.
When he didn’t continue right away, I said, “I’m going to need more.”
“Right.” Sonny set down his food and wiped his mouth with a cheap paper napkin.
“Uh-oh, I’ve spoiled your appetite. That can’t be good. I’m sorry. If you don’t want to talk about it …” Though I was extra curious now.
“It’s okay. My mom died when I was young. My dad drank himself to death a few years ago.”
“Oh no.” I put down my food too. “I’m so sorry. That had to be rough.”
“It was rougher when he was alive. Man, he was a mess.”
“You took care of him?”
“I wasn’t left with a lot of choice. No one else would, and I could never bring myself to abandon him.”
“Oh. Not good.”
“No, but it’s good now.” He smiled sadly. “Isn’t that horrible to say? My life is better without him. There are countless people who would give anything to still have their parents.”
I nodded. “Well, that’s true, but who knows what my relationship with my father would be like if he was still around? We can’t predict.”
“But you’d like a chance to know, right?”
“Sure.”
“We all have old bones.”
“That we do.”
Sonny waved off the line of conversation and picked up a drumstick. “So, tell me something you can about the investigation. Has anyone got any clue what’s going on or who’s doing it?”
I shook my head. “No, and it only keeps getting more mysterious. I mean, I didn’t even know I still had an aunt, but I do.”
Sonny’s eyes got big. “What does that mean?”
“My mom’s sister is living in the same county as we are. I met her once a long time ago, but I don’t remember her well, and I didn’t know she was nearby.”
“Why not?”
“Well, to be fair, she’s not well apparently. However, I’m going to go see her tomorrow, even if I’ve been told not to.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Mental health issues.”
“Your visit might turn out to be a big disappointment.”
“I know, but I have to try.”
“That’s a twist.”
