Page 79 of Judas

“Oh, yeah. They came down here from the condo up the stairs a bit ago. I stopped to get a hot chocolate then went outside. If you take a right outside the door and walk down a bit, you’ll see a patio set up with tables and umbrellas.”

“Thank you.”

My response comes quickly as I push away, but find myself stopping and turning back to him.

“Do girls like those things?”

“What things, sir?”

“The little hand held game you have over there, what’s it called?”

“Oh, don’t tell my grandma you saw me on it, she will be upset. It’s a PlayStation Portable though.”

“What all does it do? Is it like your basic computer with games attached?”

“Uhm, no. All it does is play games. You can connect it to the Internet and download directly onto the device itself so you don’t have to carry around gaming cartridges or disks,” he answers.

“Hmm. Pretty snazzy. Can I buy them anywhere?”

“No, you’ll have to get it at an electronic store or a supermarket. Unless you find someone selling them online somewhere for a cheaper price. They are usually damaged or used to capacity, so it’s better to find a refurbished one if money is an issue.”

“Appreciate the advice, kid. One more thing, the dark headed woman. She didn’t stop in that kitten-bookstore, did she?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Good deal. Last thing we need is a fucking cat. See you around.”

I tap my hand on the countertop and finally step away, ready to see my girls—get some fresh air too. Making my way out of the shop, I follow his directions and come up to a wrought iron fence that surrounds the patio area. It reaches my waist, which is nice; helps keep more people out than the fences that barely come up to your knees.

Looking over, I see them. My heart does that weird hiccup thing, you know what I’m talking about? Where it stutters like some dumbass then tries to make up for being stupid by racing? They’re so damn beautiful. I made one hell of a kid. Hell, I bagged one stunning woman too. Whole package, they are.

Fuck off, I know Nadia did all the work.

The other half of me, in her feisty glory, is talking while Sadie leans back in a metal chair that matches the gates. Her knees are crushed against her chest, arms bound around them in a firm hug. Choosing to stand here a bit longer, there are large trees lining the sidewalk every twenty feet or so. I step over to the closest one and lean against it, avoiding the sunlight. It’s pouring out of the sky between heavy snow clouds that are itching to dump powder on us.

Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket, I slide it out and swipe my finger across my screen. It’s always on silent; I can't have it interrupting any of my jobs but occasionally one comes through and it’s normally one of two people. Xavier or Matias—well, today can make three because it’s Matias’s hellion of a son who’s managed to commandeer his phone and is texting me.

Matias Cell

Uncle, H, when you comin’ back?

H

Etera, why do you have your dad’s phone?

Matias Cell

He’s being an asshole, why else?

H

What do you need, big guy?

Matias Cell

An escape. Can I go snag your Firebird, the girls like when I roll up in it.

H

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