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Pushing a slightly wobbly buggy forward, Phoenix leaned on the railing, a bit hunched over. He felt the weariness of the last night creeping back as he moved between the produce aisles. Bananas on one section and apples on another he stopped.
“Bananas, Daddy,” reminded the young voice of the girl that trotted over to grab a bunch off the hook.
“Look for green ones. We can put them in a paper bag, Truce so they’ll ripen,” Phoenix said with a nod.
“So, none with freckles?’ Trucy asked.
Phoenix then spotted the price and said, “Nope, we want them to stay fresh as long as they can… and organic bananas are a bit rich…”
“Oops daddy, I forgot,” Trucy giggled, putting them back. “Regular plain bananas right Daddy? Not the frou-frou ones?”
“That’s my girl,” said Phoenix rubbing her hair.
She grinned and placed the bananas, 39 cents a pound instead of the 69 cents a pound organic ones the stall over, into the cart next to the apples.
A familiar tune trilled from the hoodie’s front pocket. Phoenix pulled it out and checked the number. “Hey Truce, could you find these things while Daddy takes a call?”
With a bounce in her step Trucy nodded and went to push the cart while Phoenix found a quiet spot and whispered into the phone, “Hello?”
Tucked away between the vegetable section and the juices Phoenix heard Miles’ voice query, “Wright, are you copacetic?”
“Well since you’re using the five-dollar words,” Phoenix whispered, shifting his weight. “I am hanging in there…”
“My apologies Wright, if this is an inopportune time,” came the hushed reply.
“I’m grocery shopping right now. Discount Harry’s Dollar Food World,” Phoenix said.
“Do you have enough for groceries this week, Wright?” asked Edgeworth, the five-dollar words shifting to the same value of Phoenix’s simple straightforward choice of dialogue.
“Nothing wrong with Discount Harry’s,” Phoenix interrupted. “I can stretch those dollars further.”
“I just want you to get Trucy the best food possible… there is value in nutrition. I can send more funds electronically so you can at least shop at… Food Penguin…” came the baritone voice of dissaproval mixed with Miles in problem-solving mode serioiusness.
“Food Penguin? You mean the store where they serve you a free cup of coffee and you have a fancy card. And you can buy any newspaper in the world while you sit in their food court? Nope, too rich for my blood…” said Phoenix with another sad chuckle. “Don’t’ want to blow my cover…”
“Ah…” muttered Edgeworth on the phone, pausing. “You are inclined to be on a Cost Cutter Foods budget?”
“Ding, ding, ding, that’s the ticket,” Phoenix cheered.
Instantly the smooth voice cracked a bit, growing stern and cold as it snapped, “Wright this is no joking matter. If you are lacking I can…”
“Miles please,” hissed Phoenix glancing around. “I hate…. Asking for… help…”
“My apologies,” came the reply after a throat clearance that was distinctly Edgeworth. “I did not mean to insinuate or insult…”
“I… accept your apology,” muttered Phoenix taking a deep breath and looking up at the water-stained acoustic tiles on the ceiling. “But if I suddenly start showing this mug in Food Penguin with the avocado toast munchers don’t you think it’d draw his attention?”
“Verily you are correct. Gumshoe shops at Cost Cutter. He has a few coupons you can use,” Edgeworth hesitated, as if choosing each word carefully, even more so than when he presented a case.
“That’s nice of him,” Phoenix replied, the tight band of guilt around his heart loosening.
“You can get more for your value there, he said. And Papa… used to shop there too…” Edgeworth added. “The circulars are always in the LA Daily…”
“Thanks Miles… for understanding…” whispered Phoenix, realizing that his friend knew the value of things versus the expense. Surrounded by people pushing their cards, wearing much the same clothing he was, he felt some measure of anonymity. Nobody saw him as the forger. Just another person a few dollars away from the street or food stamps, which he fingered in his pocket.
“Anytime, Wright…” answered the soft voice of his best friend. “If I step out of line please do not hesitate to correct me…”
“Miles, I…” Phoenix choked over the lump in his throat. “You know that I value our friendship right?”
“There is no doubt of that. I value yours far than you realize. Your own value as a person does not diminish despite what the world and society may devalue you?” Edgeworth asked, right in Phoenix’s ears as the hobo slid down slightly and leaned into the wall.
Oblivious to their conversation Trucy placed other items into the basket. She didn’t veer far as Phoenix emerged from his place and moved towards her, pointing to the cereal aisle where big plastic bags were on the lower shelves instead of the cardboard boxes. As he placed his hand on the cart next to hers, she smiled up at him, obvivious to the debate between her daddy and Edgworth.
"Who's that on the phone?" Trucy asked, bounching on her feet as they stopped in front of the toilet paper aisle.
"Uncle Edgeworth," said Phoenix quickly, his heart skipping beats as he searched his daughter's face for the reaction. He whispered a quick bye and clicked the end call button.
A smille spreak across her young face, her blue eyes sparkling as she said, "Oh, he wears the ruffles all the time? I like him better than Uncle Kristoph..."
"Ah, well, I'll let him know that, but let's keep that a secret from Uncle Kristoph okay?" PHoenix asked, voice catching in his throat while he stowed his phone in his hoodie pocket.
"Nope, don't wanna make Uncle Krissy mad,' Trucy agreed, watching her father hold a finger to his lips.
"Let's get some Macaroni and cheese next, okay, sweetie?" Phoenix suggested, pulling his hat more securely down on his head as he listened to the phone. Both father and daughter then pushed the cart together to their next destination, knowing the value of their time together was priceless.