My Fiance Kissed My Best Friend on Our Fourth Anniversary novel · Chapter 19 of 24

Chapter 19: Every Door on Main Street

We reached Main Street at seven, and the flatbed was already backed up to the curb.

The property manager in the polo shirt stood on the sidewalk with his clipboard.

Beside him stood a sheriff's deputy with a folded paper and the face of a man who did not want to be there.

Four men in orange vests waited by the truck with empty hand carts.

My father stood in the shop doorway in his apron.

He had not moved from that spot since five.

"Mr. Sundquist," the deputy said. "I have a writ here for seizure of the inventory. It says you owe Tolland Properties thirty-eight thousand dollars in back charges."

"I have paid my rent on the first of every month for nineteen years."

"It says charges, sir. Not rent."

"What charges?"

"I wasn't told. I just serve them."

Dad took the paper.

He read it standing up, and his lips moved.

Then he folded it in half and handed it back.

"Tell Mrs. Tolland I said it's a very creative number."

The property manager cleared his throat.

"The crew will begin with the back stockroom."

The men in vests started up the step, and I planted myself in the doorway next to my father.

"You're not taking one bolt," I said.

"Ma'am, the deputy is here."

"Yes. He looks very sad."

The deputy looked at his boots.

Behind me, I heard a long, rising rumble of voices.

I turned my head.

They came down Main Street from both ends at once.

The gray-haired woman came first, in her gray cardigan, with her purse over her arm.

The barber came next with a comb still in his pocket.

The tire guy brought his two sons.

Six firefighters came off shift in their station T-shirts, all of them with their arms already out.

The college kids who had watched me on the stage arrived in a pack with coffee cups.

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