CHAPTER 7

“But Chantal, Brigitte’s always been a bit on the flighty side,” Sue protested around a bite of Hawaiian pizza. She chased it down with a sip of Coke. “What’s so different this time?”

Chantal shook her head. “It is different, Sue. It’s like she’s trying to disown all of us or something. She keeps talking about God’s vision for her life and how she can’t let anyone or anything derail her from pursuing it. For goodness’ sake, all we were doing was inviting her to dinner!” She bit into her pizza so hard her teeth clicked together audibly.

Sue jumped and reached into her jeans pocket. “ ‘Scuse me, cous; my phone’s blowin’ up.” Sliding it open, she grinned. “It’s Marc. He’s wondering if we want to get together with him and a friend for – get this – pizza!” She laughed. “Should I invite them over?”

Chantal grimaced; she wanted to spend some girl time with Sue venting about Brigitte’s odd behavior and trying to figure out what, if anything, could be done. Thinking about it for a minute, she realized a little objective input from a legal perspective might be what she needed, so she shrugged and nodded. “Sure. Ask him to pick up a couple of larges, though; we don’t have enough here for four people. If he’s taking requests, I’d like bacon cheeseburger.” Sue pressed relayed the message; a few moments later the phone buzzed again and Sue confirmed the guys would be over as soon as they could pick up the pizzas.

“So,” Chantal asked, “who’s this friend Marc is bringing with him?”

“Idk – sorry, I mean I don’t know.” Sue replied with a giggle. “I had texting on the brain. Maybe his partner John – you know, the other deputy we met that day?”