Liar Ch. 06

Then she registered what the voicemail said.

With her mind racing a mile a minute, she replayed Gigi's message, "...I'll explain more when we land...see you in a couple hours."

Gigi was on her way to Reston. With Ethan.

****

"Hey there Mr. Bennett." Jude said coming up behind him at the counter at the convenience store.

"Oh hey there Jude what brings you out here?"

"Just picking up the necessities for the usual Sunday football gathering at Gabe's." Jude replied lifting the beer he carried, "And yourself? What brings you out on this fine Sunday day."

"Candy." he replied.

"Always a good reason for a trip. How's the misses?"

"She's good. In the car with one of Sloanie's California friends."

"Lady friend?" Jude said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Yep." Mr. Bennett replied, before lowering his voice, "Lord knows I only got eyes for Mrs. Bennett, but if Sloanie's friend ain't a stone cold fox, then I don't know what is."

"Foxes are cool! I like foxes. Mom said I could be a fox for Halloween. I can spell fox! F-O-X."

Jude looked down to see a little boy crouched in front of the candy display contemplating all his choices. He didn't know how he missed him earlier.

"Grampa. Mom never lets me chose my own candy. There's so many. I can't choose. "

"My grandson." Mr. Bennett explained when Jude sent him a puzzling look. He directed his attention back to his grandson, "Well then pick whatever ones you want Ethan."

"Awesome!" Ethan said with a slight lisp before proceeding to horde more candy bars than anyone could possibly consume.

"Did Rome have another one?" Jude asked.

"No." Mr. Bennett said amused by his grandson, "This is Sloane's little boy."

The admission floored Jude.

Sloane had a baby?

When did Sloane have a baby?

"I didn't even know she had-" Jude started to say when he looked down at the tiny boy again. Just then Sloane's son looked up at him, "Oh my god."

"Exactly what I said."

That's why she never came back! Little Sloane had a big secret.

"Does...does he know?" Jude asked hesitantly.

"No, but I imagine it's only a matter of time." Mr. Bennett said right before Jude heard the little boy pipe up.

"'Scuse me mister," Jude blinked. Mini Gabe was speaking to him, "Are you Myles High?"

"Pardon?" Jude said, clearing his throat.

"Are you Myles High?"

"No." Jude replied confused, "I'm Jude."

"Oh." He said deflated, "I heard my Aun' Gigi talkin' about him on the way here. She says Myles has a club. But she said it's only for big boys. I'm a big boy."

Myles High? Club? Jude thought confused before laughing when he finally connected the two.

"Do you have any idea what he's talking about?" Mr. Bennett asked Jude after he calmed down, "Ethan's been on and on about him since he got here."

"No. Not a clue sir." Jude said clearing his throat, "I think I want to meet this Aun' Gigi."