Saks waited and, finally, the person who ran the appointment desk came on. “Hi, Mr. Parks?”
“Yes.”
“Sally told me what was going on, but I’m sorry. We're booked solid through the end of the day.”
“Sorry. Then tell Tom I’ll see him Friday.”
“Um, I hate to bring this up, but this is the third appointment you’ve missed. We’ll have to start charging you.”
“I understand. You’ve been very understanding so far. I’ll be there Friday.”
Relieved of his appointment, and having the rest of the afternoon off, he decided to visit the Red Bull. He hadn’t seen his cousins since the shooting, and he could use some of their wings.
Saks pulled into the parking lot, which was nearly empty at this time of day, and walked inside. The familiar sights and smells of the Red Bull relaxed him. Brightly-colored bras still hung from the rafters, and the faint smell of liquor and beer mingled sharply and permeated the air.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” his cousin John drawled. “Where the hell have you been?”
“State secret,” Saks replied. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”
John drew a draft and slid it to Saks. “That’s a helluva way to get out of a bar tab.”
“I’m not trying to get out of anything. I just got cleared to drive last week.”
“Uh-huh. And your mother and father haven’t heard from you either.”
“Better that way until the police arrest those guys who put the hit on me.”
“Don’t they have the guys who did it?”
“They did. But someone bailed them out and then they rabbited.”
“
Oh. Sorry to hear.”
“You and me both. But if you speak to my parents, let them know I’m okay.”
“You know your old man. He won’t listen. And your mother is beside herself.”
Saks felt like crap, but really, considering all that had happened, it was just best if he didn’t stay at the house.
“I’m the prime witness for the state. Okie was there, but with his record they don’t consider him a reliable witness. So, I’m it. And until I testify, I have to keep my head down.”
“At least you could call them.”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I’ll call Mom tonight.”
“Good idea,” John responded.
He spun on his stool and studied the room as he sipped his beer. It was a quiet night, with only regulars popping in for an afternoon beer before heading home. The place never had been much to look at, but it served cold beer and the food never made people sick. A sliding sound on the counter had him spinning back around to the plate of hot wings that now sat in wait.
“I didn’t order that,” Saks said.
“You didn’t. But you could use them.”
“Thanks.” He was hungry, and hadn’t contemplated dinner. A plate of wings would do the trick. As he dug in, he felt the presence of someone taking the seat beside him. Usually he wouldn’t have cared much, but something about the intrusion left him scowling as he felt a hand settle against his arm. His head whipped to the side, only for his expression to soften from anger to mere upset at the sight of Chrissy’s sister.
“Hey, Saks,” Gloria said. “How have you been?”