Lana's Lawman by Karen Leabo

what?”
    â€œDoubting me. Defying me. It sets a bad example.”
    â€œExcuse me? Have you ever listened to the way you talk to me? The day you treat me with an ounce of respect or dignity is the day I’ll worry about the kind of example I set for Rob where you’re concerned.” She turned and started for the car.
    â€œLana. I asked you a question, and I expect an answer. Are you seeing this cop?”
    â€œAnd I gave you an answer. It’s none of your business.”
    â€œAnyone who comes in contact with Rob is my business.”
    â€œLook, Bart, do I interrogate you about the womenyou go out with?”
Of course not. That would be a full-time job.
“Extend me the same courtesy, please.”
    â€œSo this Bennett character
is
someone you’re dating?” Bart looked bemused, like he wondered what kind of bozo could possibly want her.
    â€œAs I said, and I will say again, it’s none of your business.”
    She made it to the curb this time without Bart objecting. But she was burning with fury as she started the car. How dare he?
    â€œAre you and Dad fighting again, Mom?” Rob asked. The prospect didn’t seem to bother him much.
    â€œYes, we are,” Lana answered, this time deciding not to shield Rob from the truth. “Your dad is very upset with me for letting the garage roof get so bad that it fell on you. And I admit, I should have done something about it sooner. He wanted to make sure I got it fixed properly, and he’s concerned about the kind of people I bring over to the house, because he worries that they might be a bad influence.”
    â€œLike Officer Bennett? He’s a policeman. How could he be bad?”
    â€œWell, you and I know he’s a nice guy, but Dad doesn’t really know him.”
    â€œMaybe Dad should talk to him, then.”
    â€œThat would be fine. But the reason I’m a little angry with your father is that I think he should trust me not to let anyone hurt you. I made one mistake, one error in judgment, and suddenly he thinks I’m Monster Mom from the Black Lagoon.” She said this last part in a Bela Lugosi voice, which made Rob laugh.Good. She’d told the truth, she hadn’t undermined herself in the process, and she’d done it in a way that didn’t upset Rob.
    â€œMaybe you should dress as a monster for Halloween. Oh, when are you gonna make my costume? I want to be Mr. Potato Head, remember? With the burlap sack and the cardboard glasses and ears and stuff?”
    Yes, unfortunately, she remembered. When would she have time to manage a homemade costume? But she’d always made Rob’s costume, every year. Somehow she’d have to find the time.
    As soon as Lana and Rob arrived home, she pulled into the garage, then immediately stepped outside to inspect Sloan’s roof job. It looked fantastic, straight and true. She picked up a rake and poked at the repairs with it. Sturdy as the Rock of Gibraltar. All the debris and lumber scraps had been picked up and hauled away. Bart would have nothing to complain about.
    Still, Lana found herself wishing that Sloan hadn’t finished the job so quickly.
    â€œHey, Mom, there’s a note on the door,” Rob informed her. “It’s from Officer Bennett.”
    Lana’s heart fluttered as she quickened her step. Sure enough, a piece of paper was tacked to the door: “Your lawn needs mowing,” the note said. “I’ll do it for a sandwich and lemonade.”
    He shouldn’t have done it, Sloan thought as he walked a beat on Fifth Street, Destiny’s main drag. Heshouldn’t have offered to mow Lana’s grass. First off, if he wanted to see her, he should call her up and ask for just that instead of manufacturing excuses that would throw them together. But the idea of calling her up and asking her for a “date” made him uneasy. That seemed so … so serious. It seemed so much safer