Page 77 of Blue-Eyed Jacks
“Do you still have a scar from the stitches?”Zoe searched my face for answers to all the questions in her eyes.
I led her hand to that ridge about an inch under my hairline.It was behind my ear where the skull got boney and thick.Luckily, it hadn’t been lower.I would be dead.At the time, I didn’t think it was lucky at all.But holding Zoe made me look back on things a bit differently.
Her expression was one of pity mixed with fear.
It wasrealnow.
Not just a story from someone else.
“I love you, Mom.”She threw her arms around me again and squeezed hard.I squeezed back, savoring the moment for all it was worth.
Poppy’s arm tightened around Lily, and Gina put a hand on her daughter-in-law’s back.
The sweet moment was too good to last.A sound louder than the TV and the stereos erupted from the backyard.
“Oh shit.No one invited Hagerstown, did they?”Gina jumped off the couch.
I joined her, motioned to my bedroom, and led her to the balcony so we could see what the hell was going on.
The grill was tipped over, and there were no fewer than four men patting at the embers stuck to Sketch’s coat.Half of them were doing more laughing than fire prevention.
Sprout released the fire extinguisher on the pile of coals, scattering them into the grass.
“Get the hose.”Jackson motioned for a prospect to spray the grass.
Gina yelled down, “What the fuck are you idiots doing?”
Sprout looked up.“Hey, Ma.”
“Don’t ‘hey, Ma’ me.What did you do?”
“Me?Nothing.Bear bet Sketch fifty bucks he couldn’t climb to the balcony.But I greased the pole earlier.”
As they spoke, Danielle joined us, followed by Lily, Poppy, and Zoe.
“You greased the pole?”
“Yeah.Security risk, ya know?”He noticed Danielle.“Hey, babe.You’re looking fine tonight.”
Gina shook her head.“Never a dull moment.Are you sure you want one like him?”
Danielle smiled and covered her stomach.“I think he broke the mold.”
“You better hope he did.”
Sprout called out to Bear.“Yo, dipshit, do I get Sketch’s fifty if I make it up there?”
“Go for it,” Jackson said and dug out his wallet.“Fifty more says he lands on his ass.”
Money changed hands quickly.
“Do they always bet on stupid shit?”I stage-whispered to Gina.
Zoe overheard me and snickered.
Lily downright laughed.“Always.You better get used to it.”
Sprout took his time kicking any coals or ashes from under the balcony and stepped back a good three strides.He took a short, running leap at the house.
