Chapter 15 #2
“That was the whole idea, though. It was going to be a birthday gift from all the guys. He wouldn’t have to pay a cent.”
“I know, but I’m rethinking it. He has felt out of control for awhile. In his mind this would prove it.”
“I get that,” Lex says, leaning back in the chair. “Maybe we should come up with another idea.”
“We could collect money from whoever wants to contribute and say it’s for the repairs. He could do them when he wants.”
“There’s gonna be a party, right?”
“Yeah. A private one during the day. I don’t want randoms to be here. Just the regulars.”
“So what else does Ronnie want? Has he said anything?”
I chuckle. “All he wants is to be on the bike again. He’d take off today, if it was possible.”
“Has he ridden yet”
“No. The hip will allow it the doc says, but his ankle is the problem. So far he says it’s too weak.”
“Makes sense. He’ll get back to it. George Barkley had the same issue. Took a year before he could ride.”
“Oh shit. Hope it doesn’t take that long, because I have a vision of him taking it out before he’s ready. That could unravel the whole getting back to normal thing.”
“Has he figured out when he’s gonna be back at work?”
“There have been a few conversations, but nothing concrete yet. I don’t know, I don’t see him making noise about returning.
I almost think he’d rather make an appearance every now and then.
Maybe he doesn’t want to be chained to it like in the past. He’s going to be fucking seventy after all.
I’m thirty-five and I don’t want to do it either. ”
“He needs to hire someone who does,” Layton says.
“Yeah? Who would that be?”
“Fuck, I don’t know. But let me think about it.”
“Your dad has helped so many people over the years. Someone would be willing to at least split the hours.”
“I’ll think on it. Meanwhile help me come up with an idea for a good gift.”
Lex nods. “You need something that touches him.”
“How about a hooker?” Layton says chuckling.
“Like I don’t have enough to worry about. No. I want him to know I’ve put thought into it. Something that shows him I have been paying attention.”
Crickets. The three of us stare blankly.
“I’m the wrong guy to ask. Holly picks the gifts,” Lex says, looking like I feel.
“What kind of things is Ronnie into besides cycle shit? I know he likes the Mavericks. That might be something.”
“No. I want it to be a gift he wouldn’t expect. Something that requires some effort.”
As soon as I say it, it dawns.
“Wouldn’t it be cool if I could find the 500? I’d love to drive up in that baby.”
“That’s it! Brother, great idea.”
“Shit,” Lex says. “It would be great.”
“I don’t even know if I could swing it.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to find out.”
“See if you can locate where it is.”
“And get the guy to sell his pride possession.”
Layton takes out his cell and starts working it. “I’m going to Bluebook it. See if the value is even in your range.”
“This better work out, because you’re never going to think of something better,” Lex adds.
“Thanks for the encouragement.”
“He’s right,” Layton says, pointing at me. “Never. Okay. Things may be looking up. Barely. Says here a convertible nineteen-sixty-three Galaxie 500 sells between eight and twenty thousand. Depending on condition. Should we pray for a few dents and a ripped interior?”
“I couldn’t swing the twenty. But I could definitely do ten. Maybe. I just bought my house. Everything I’ve saved went into the down payment. Shit.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. Find the car first. He has the VIN number I’m sure. If you can find it. And maybe we all can help pitch in.”
“I’m about to start a big job. If the seller could take payments that would work.”
Lex shakes his head.
“Are you fucking kidding? That won’t happen.”
“Yeah. Forget the upgrades in here for now. The money we collect could go for the car. That’s more important than new seating.”
The wheels inside my head are turning. It would be best if it could be my gift alone. But whatever I have to do to get the car, would be worth it. The car that meant so much. There are memories inside there. Crap. I have to make it happen.
My cell sounds and brings me back.
“I got to get this.”
Scraping the chair back, I head for the office.
“Hey, Hunter. How’s it goin’?”
“Bing’s here too.”
“Hi, Bing.”
“So Mom told us about the offer to help you move.”
Guess we’re skipping the small talk. Okay by me. I’d rather get to know each other more organically. Without the bullshit.
“I need to be out of my apartment by the third. I was going to hire day laborers, but I’d rather hire guys I know. Think you’d be interested?”
“What were you thinking money wise?”
I want to laugh because it sounds rehearsed. But I give it to the kid. It’s a valid question.
“Three hundred for both of you and a week’s free stay. You’d have to bring your own car, because I’ll be coming back before you.”
“That isn’t a problem,” Bing says.
“We’ll drive up on a Friday and move Saturday. I may need you for half a day Sunday. After that, you’re free to do whatever you want. Wish I could up the cash, but I’m tapped right now.”
“We accept.” Hunter says it quickly in case I suddenly change my mind.
“Whoo hoo!” Bing yells. “But we’re staying there for the whole week, right?”
“Yeah, with a few rules.”
“What sort of rules?” Hunter asks.
The hesitation makes sense. He’s dealing with his mother’s boyfriend. And technically he is an adult. But it is my house.
“I don’t want anybody sleeping in my bed or going into my room. There are two guest rooms. Otherwise you are welcome to make yourself at home.”
“No problem! We won’t be sleeping much anyway,” Bing adds.
“Also, I don’t want you bringing kids there. Go to their houses.”
“Sure. We can live with that.”
“How close are we to the lake?” Bing asks.
“It’s just down a path. Walking distance. I have a wave runner you’re welcome to use if you know how to take care of it.”
“Alright!”
Red walks through the door alone. That is odd. Where’s Bill?
“I’ve got to go guys. We’ll talk in a few days. Set up our plans.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Bye.”
I disconnect.
“Hey, Red. This is early. You flying solo today?”
I come around the bar, as he slides onto the stool he has slid onto a thousand times. But it is a different man today. His shoulders drop as he looks up. Tears well in tired bloodshot eyes.
“What’s up?”
“Sally Sunshine died.”
He barely gets the words out. Even if the tears weren’t running down his face, he looks defeated. I touch his hand because the guy looks like he’s about to pass out.
“You’re okay. Just relax for a minute. Tell me what happened.”
As if I don’t know. He reaches for a yellowed but perfectly pressed handkerchief and blows his red nose.
“Bill went over to her place last night. He had a bag of food and a heating pad, cause she had taken a fall. But he couldn’t get her to answer the…”
The rest of the thought is dropped, like the end of a life.
“I’m really sorry. Hell, I know how much she meant to you both. What about Bill? How’s he doing?”
“Not good. He wants to bury her somewhere nice, or scatter the ashes, but Sally didn’t have any money and neither do we. I don’t know what will happen. Who will claim her?”
Pouring us a shot, I tell myself not to say anything. Not until I know if anybody would be interested in pitching in. Shit. I’m bleeding money.
He lifts a shaky hand. “Sally Sunshine. I loved you, honey.”
“Sally Sunshine.”
We down the drink.
“Let’s have some coffee. You need to be clearheaded for Bill, right?”
But the death is the only thing on his mind.
“She was doing pretty good. I mean she drank too much, but she could get around.”
I pour two cups of the steaming, strong java.
“You three were best friends. Some women don’t even have one good man in their lives. Sally had two.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“You gave her a lot of happy hours, Red. That’s a big deal.”
His pale eyes find me, and there is gratitude for acknowledging the relationships others have most likely made fun of.
“She was so pretty. Didn’t you think so, Landon?”
“She was a beauty.”
It is not quite a lie. She made two men feel better about life and themselves, when everything was telling them different. That ability is more beautiful than any face.