Singlewide — The Ferraday LA series insert

Singlewide — insert

“What’s your name?”

“River,” he said.

“Were your parents hippies?”

He nodded.

“They fought the law. They fought the good fight. What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?”

“I didn’t know there were hippies in Arkansas.”

Branch took a sip of coffee. Grimaced.

“Did you make this?”

She hunched up her shoulders and glared.

“So?”

“So it sucks,” he swirled the contents of the cup and tried to decide if he should pour it out. He wasn’t sure if he could do that to the plants or mother earth. It would be too cruel.

“I’ll make the brew from now on.”

She snorted.

“Do you have some secret technique?”

“Not so secret,” he said. “I was a barrista in college.”

“Of course you were. I can see it now, Hippy artist trying to change the world. I bet that’s why you became a cop.”

He shook his head.

“Nope. I got into law enforcement because of my parents.”

“The hippies.”

“Those self same ones. We landed here when their car broke down on the way to California. They decided to start a commune. Free love. Free Pot. Live off the land. Sell art and a fruit…