A Stone Cut without Hands Ch. 02

"Come on, Courtney. Mother Deedee will take care of you until George comes back," Deedee crooned as soon as George let go.

After Courtney had been led away and as George reached back for his keys and coins, the deputy behind the metal detector spoke for the first time. "If we had more like you to care about them, we wouldn't need jails anymore." The remark bothered George for a reason he couldn't define. The words were right, but the tone made him feel as if the deputy was accusing him of something.

In response, George allowed his cynicism to resurface. "Don't kid yourself deputy. If every crook in the state became an angel tomorrow, all those public servants in the department of corrections would still need paychecks. By Monday, there'd be a whole new set of laws creating a new class of criminals for you to lock up."

Suddenly worried that his guilt over wanting a sex toy was showing in his anti-social outburst, he softened his criticism. "The battle I'm fighting is one that can only be won by saving one soul at a time and even then, I don't win very many." Adding silently to himself, he finished, And if you knew what I've have tasked myself with, I'd be one of the inmates myself.

After seeing the deputy's anxious expression soften, George relaxed. Subconsciously, he began humming as he turned away:

Happy birthday to George,

Happy birthday to George,

Happy birthday dear George,

Happy birthday to you.

Anticipation of his birthday present thrilled him with excitement so bubbly, it could more accurately be described as suds. it was all George could do to continue humming instead of bursting into song.