Ashley & Milo

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  I put the girls in the car and went to pick up their mother. There was a tall, gangling youth mowing the lawn as we pulled up. "That's Mark. He is kind of nice to us."

  "I thought you said he was mean?"

  "Not really, but he calls us "little squirts" all the time and knows we don't like it. Other than that he is good to us."

  "It sounds like he likes you and shows it by teasing. Go say hi to him." Lindsey and Marie ran over and the boy stopped the mower and gave them a hug. The girls were all smiles and shyly led him over to where I was standing waiting for Jean.

  "Hi Mark, I'm the girls' dad, Milo Burns. Do you miss them?"

  "Actually I do. They are kind of fun to have around. It is just that the house is so crowded when they are here, but yes, I do miss the little squirts."

  "Are you working this summer? I see you mowing the lawn. It looks nice."

  "I couldn't find a steady job, so all I have is three lawns to mow. I just got my license and wanted to save up for a car. I'll have to wait until next year now I guess."

  "I could give you some work part time. I'm a handyman so you would be a handyman's handyman. Mostly fetch and carry and maybe mow lawns and stuff like that."

  "I'd love to have something to do. When?"

  "I'll pick you up Friday morning about eleven here in front of the house. I have a job for that afternoon and all day Saturday. Pay is nine dollars an hour, but I have to take taxes. Would that be satisfactory? If it works out, I may have other things I can use you for."

  "That would be great Mr. Burns." He was grinning from ear to ear.

  Jean came out with an overnight bag and the girls ran to her shouting, "Hi, Mommy."

  She got in the car. "I see you met Mark. Why was he looking so happy?"

  "I just hired him to work for me for a few hours. He said he needed to save up to buy a car."

  "Milo, why did you do that? You don't know anything about him."

  "The girls said he was kind of nice. That's enough recommendation for me."

  "You never change do you Milo. You trust everyone and it always comes out right."

  "Not always, Jean. Not always."

  Jean was silent and then said, "I guess I deserved that."