Just In a Name: Part 5: (Critique genuinely welcome)

I almost felt like it was déjà vu. This crazy old lady yakked at me all the way home from the Supermarket. I was so glad to get out of the car to get away from her, but then her son's car stalled out with her now hanging out the window and loudly repeating like a broken record, 'Call me soon, my sweet Dexter.' Thankfully, her son knew what the problem was. He popped the hood, made an adjustment and they were on their way. I bent down to pick up my groceries, but I could feel eyes. I looked up and saw Peggy Sue with a mile wide grin staring at me. She ran over and said, 'You certainly know how to pick 'em.' I said, 'What?' She smiled, 'You know, your new girlfriend. The one who calls you Dexter.' I just whistled, shook my head, picked up my bags and started towards the house. Peggy Sue ran in front of me still grinning, but I could see in her face she wondered if she had gone too far.

I looked at her, then gave her the house key and said, 'Would you open the door, please.' We put away the groceries silently, but I heard her giggle a few times. I gave her a cross look and she said, 'Ah c'mon, can't you take a joke?' I then realized I was being a cad and replied, 'It's been a long day' and I gave Peggy Sue a weak smile. 'So she wore the Army boy out' and with this she started laughing. I thought this was ridiculous, but then said, 'Yes, she's a wild one. You should've seen her with the lettuce. I was afraid to take her near the passion fruit, us being in a public place.' Somehow Peggy Sue kept a straight face and deadpanned, 'It's that serious!?' She then burst out laughing. What a beautiful laugh to warm my heart after such a crazy day. After that we both sat down and I told her the whole story of meeting this lady at the airport and then today at the supermarket.

Peggy Sue said, 'You've certainly had a strange homecoming.' I said, 'I know. All the crazies seemed to know I was coming, including your pa.' Peggy Sue frowned when I said this and my face showed I was sorry. I started to apologize, but she said, 'You know it's tough for me sometimes putting up with him.' It was the first time I had ever seen her with a serious look on her face. We sat silently for about a minute and then I said, 'Has he ever pointed a shotgun at you?' She smiled and said, 'No, I don't steal tomatoes.' We both laughed and then I decided to tell her about her pa calling the cops on me. This shocked her. I said, 'Look, I didn't tell the cops about the shotgun and nothing happened. The officer talked to him and he went back inside your house.' She seemed relieved and then said, 'I don't know why I didn't tell you, but I took the shotgun and locked it in the cabinet. He won't be pointing it at you no more.' I smiled and said, 'That's about the best thing I've heard all day.' Peggy Sue then stood up and said, 'I'd better go home and check on pa.'

I walked her to the door and she coyly said, 'Call me sweet Dexter' and took off running home and I heard her laughing.