# “The Mom Next Door” by Tad Overdon
**CHAPTER ELEVEN**
“This gadget makes pretty good coffee,” Tom said. He stood at one end of the marble island in the Jacobs’ kitchen, downing his morning double espresso. He stopped scrolling through his email long enough to take a closer look at the stainless steel Gaggia sitting on the countertop. “When’d we get it?”
“About three months ago.” Melissa looked up briefly from her reading. “Glad you like it. I cashed out your 401K for it.”
“Cute. What are you reading?”
“Greenleaf Gazette. It’s what they call a ‘newspaper.’ Local doings.”
“Hope there’s nothing interesting in there about Oakmore.”
“Not a word. Hey, you’ve been awfully tight-lipped about the whole Milt Stewart thing. What exactly was going on down there? Or is it maybe still going on?”
Tom looked alarmed. “Nothing to write home about. A touch of embezzlement is all,” he mumbled, glancing up at the clock. “Look at the time. Long day ahead.” He finished his coffee and went to rinse the cup.
“Dad, it’s a freaking national holiday!” Ben protested. He hovered at the microwave waiting for his egg and sausage muffin, having feigned disinterest in his parents’ conversation until just now.