Page 16 of Driftwood Daffodil

“Only little bitches run, Simon. You’re not a little bitch are you?” I wasn’t the only one who grimaced when Atlee’s hand swung through the air to smack down on Simon’s groin. “Nope, I don’t feel a pussy. Just some sad ass fucking balls.”

And Atlee didn’t stop there. He stepped in closer and squeezed his hand, causing a pathetic screech to echo throughout the room.

“There’s some money in my wallet!” Simon shrieked out.

That’s more like it.

Atlee yanked his wallet out of his back pocket and tossed it my way.

My mood went down a degree when I opened it up and counted the cash inside. “Sixty isn’t going to buy you shit Simon.”

“That’s all I have,” he whined.

Alright. I nodded at Atlee. “Break his legs.”

One would think I just gave Atlee the keys to the kingdom by the way he called out, “Fuck yeah!”

He stepped back and lifted the bat, preparing to swing, but Simon held up his hands. “Wait… I’m sure we can come to some kind of agreement.”

“Such as?” I said while signalling Atlee to hold up.

“Um… I uh….”

I sighed. Usually when someone offered an agreement they had one in mind. I wasn’t in the mood to wait around anymore.

Just as I raised my hand to wave at Atlee, Simon spurted out, “I have a girlfriend.”

Did this piece of shit seriously just offer to trade his girl for a debt? The reasons to keep him alive were dwindling by the second.

“Don’t lie to us.” Atlee snorted. “What girl in their right mind would fuck you?”

He had a point. The only thing Simon had going for him was his hair. Besides, “I’m not interested.”

Imaginary girlfriend or not, if I didn’t want Atlee’s leftovers I sure as fuck didn’t want his.

The next thing Simon tried, did make me pause. “I’ll pay you double.”

Atlee and I shared a look. More money wasn’t a bad thing. Not that any of us needed it, but that was beside the point. There was only one question.

“When?”

“One week.” Simon said a little too quick for my liking.

“I’ll give you five days.” I raised my hand and pointed in warning, “But I want my money on Friday Simon.”

He nodded.

I spun around and walked towards the door, pausing long enough to look back at Atlee and say, “Make sure he understands.”

How my friend accomplished that didn’t matter to me. The smile Atlee gave me in return was all the explanation I needed.

NOVALEE

The street lights in Sault Saint Marie Estates were about as well taken care of as the pot holes in the road. It was like a sporting event anytime someone with a low to the ground car drove in here. I’d sit outside on the deck and smile as they went by.

It didn’t matter how slow they drove, the undercarriage always got scrapped. Sometimes Memphis and I would make a game out of it and bet how much damage would happen.

The best was the guy with the low rider. It took two days for him to drag his car out of that hole. Consequences of living so close to the swamp I suppose. Wet ground did not make for great roadways, or foundations. Hence all the mobile homes occupying this area.

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