Page 18 of Pocketful of You

"Yet," Lucky chimed back with a wink. "My woman didn’t cut my balls off in my prime likesomepeople I know."

"Ha-ha, asshole." Noah flipped him the bird and stalked after him. "And still no ring for Hope, either. Wow, do I sense commitment issues –"

"I hate to interrupt this delightful pissing contest, but could ya'll please return your focus tome?" I blew out a ragged breath. "Can you help? Can my friends and I hire you?"

"Sorry, cowboy, I can't help you," Lucky said, sobering his features as he flicked his gaze to me. "I got out of the game a long time ago."

My heart sank. "Can't or won't?"

"Both."

"That's bullshit," I groaned.

"That's fatherhood," Noah corrected before following Lucky out of the room.

"Wait – wait!" I stood up and chased them both outside. "Now, I recognize that I'm in no position to demand favors from either one of ya'll, butplease, you've gotta help me." Smoothing my shirt down, a nervous trait, I quickly continued, "I'm in over my head in some seriously murky waters and nobody taught me how to swim with sharks." Still clutching Chris's faithful journal, I thrusted it at them both. "Now, I haven't read it yet. Truth be told, I'm afraid of what I might find. But my friends are in trouble and, dammit, I need a white knight to ride to their rescue. And since I clearly ain't qualified for the job, I was hoping one of ya'll could do it for me.Please. I've already lost Chris. I can't lose Romi and Sketch, too." I sighed in defeat. "Take pity on a poorly proportioned pubescent with a penchant for academics and self-preservation."

"You done?" Lucky quipped.

Exhaling heavily, I nodded. "Yeah, I think I am. Did I sell it to you?"

"Sayy'allagain," Noah instructed.

"Y'all."

"One more time."

"Y'all."

He looked to Lucky and shrugged. "What? I like the accent."

"Then go listen toLee," Lucky shot back impatiently. "Listen, cowboy, I'm really sorry to disappoint you, but I've got kids to think about. I'm not looking for any more trouble –

"Neither am I!" I strangled out. "But it's looking for me, and if you don’t help me, there's a good chance I'm not gonna make it to that fancy-pants college I was telling you about." Swallowing my pride, I pushed on, "I amreallyscared and I ambeggingyou to help me. Please. I'll do anything."

Lucky stared me down for what felt like an age before inclining his chin. "Alright, kid. I guess I can do you a solid."

"You can?" My eyes lit up. "You will. Oh my god, thank you so much!"

"I'm not making any promises," he continued, taking a drag of a cigarette. "And you're gonna owe me, cowboy. And you can bet your ass I'll cash in that favor someday."

"That's amazing. Wonderful, mister Lucky. Fantastic, sir. No problem. Wow, I can't believe this." Laughing with sheer relief, I stepped forward, arms extended. "Should we hug it out?"

"No."

"Okie dokie."

"Now, give me that damn diary," he ordered. "We've got work to do."

9

Romi

My attempt at evading capture was an unsuccessful one. Fished out of the water by my father before I had a chance to get ten feet away, I was wrestled to temporary safety. Once on board the ship, my hands were tied behind my back, all while surrounded by a liege of armed men.

Keeping a firm hold of my arm, and totally uncaring of my bad knee, my father dragged me under deck. Drenched to the skin, I stumbled along corridor after corridor, not stopping until we reached an achingly familiar door.

One with a crack underneath big enough for a child's hand to fit through.

---