Fresh Temptation

“I’ve been thinking the same thing all day.”
    Patty narrowed her eyes. “Have I seen you here before? You don’t look familiar. I thought I knew all the grandfathers in the neighborhood.”
    “No, we’ve never met.” He held out his hand. “Tom Sutton. Nice to meet you.”
    Patty shook his hand. “Likewise, Mr. Sutton. Patty Green.”
    “Please, call me Tom.”
    “Call me Patty.” She grinned. “So, is one of these rug rats yours?”
    “No.” Tom glanced around at the small mass of children playing in front of them. “I have four grandkids, all in Connecticut. Today I’m just out and about. Went to a deli around the corner. Thought I’d stop by the park and read the newspaper for a while.” He turned to her. “One of these yours?”
    “Yes.” She pointed. “Fluffy hair, blue-striped shirt. Laughing his head off on the swings.”
    “I see.” Tom straightened his glasses, feeling a twinge of guilt that he already knew what Isaac Green looked like. He took a deep breath and went on, determined to do the job he was paid to do. “He looks like a handful.”
    “He is.” She sighed as she watched him. “He certainly is. But I don’t know what I’d do without him now. He and his mother moved in with me a while back.” She turned to Tom, shrugging. “Recession casualty. My daughter had a great job in Chicago. Then one day.” She drew her hand across her neck in a line. “Axed.”
    “Sorry to hear it.”
    “S’okay. She finally got another job. Started last week.”
    “Good for her. Here in Newark?”
    “No, it’s some ritzy place in Manhattan.”
    This is going to be easier than I thought . Tom asked, “So, how’d she get a job like that? I know people who been outta work for a year or more. She know someone?”
    Patty kept one eye on Isaac to make sure he was okay. “Sorta. She met a guy when she was working at a catering job for all these rich people. Next thing I know, she’s getting all dressed up and driving to Manhattan every morning.” She sighed. “I figure she’ll get ‘em an apartment there, soon as she finds one she can afford. The drive every day is starting to get to her.”
    “I would imagine so. I never drive there unless I absolutely have to.”
    “Me neither.” Patty shrugged. “But she hates the train.”
    “So, you’re the full time babysitter? Your daughter divorced or something?”
    Patty shook her head. “No, Isaac’s never had a father. A one night stand in college. Isaac’s our little souvenir, courtesy Drexel University.”
    Tom let out a nervous chuckle. “These kids these days, I tell ya. They do anything with anyone.”
    “Well, my Cara’s not a slut. I can promise you that.”
    “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to imply such a thing. I was just saying—”
    “No, no. You’re right. These kids. But my Cara isn’t like that.” She patted his knee. “So, what about you? What’s your story?”
    “Oh, there’s not much to tell. I’m a widower. Retired cop.”
    “Cop?” Patty’s eyes perked up. “My Nathan was a cop. Killed in the line of duty eleven years ago next month.”
    Tom put his hand over his heart, then gave her a reassuring tap on the arm. “I’m so sorry. Truly sorry. Was it here in Newark?”
    “Yep.”
    “And you stayed in the area?”
    “Yep. Makes me feel closer to him. What about you? Where’d you work?”
    “Brooklyn.”
    “Oh. I bet your wife was pacing the floor every night until you walked in the door.”
    “Yes.” Tom nodded. “And I heard about it every single day.”
    “And you’re a widower, you said?”
    “Yes. Breast cancer.” He let out a sad sigh. “Happened quickly, almost three years ago.”
    Patty gave Isaac a quick glance then rested her hand on Tom’s knee, angling her body to fully face him. “I’m so sorry.”
    “Yeah. It was rough, but I’ve got a lot to be thankful for.” He gave her a warm grin and reached into his pocket to turn off his recording device. “So, are you familiar with Bryson’s Deli a few blocks from here? They make the best cannoli.”
    “Oh, no. You’ve never tried my cannoli. In fact, I was just thinking I hadn’t made those in a while. You like Italian food?”
    “Do I ever?” Tom put his newspaper down on the bench. This new assignment of his was starting to feel a lot less grueling.
     
    * * *
     
    “Great work today.” Victor squeezed Cara’s hand as they walked into the restaurant.
    “Thanks.”
    It was seven o’clock in the