Page 73 of Tiger Queen

“About time you two woke up,” Jake called over his shoulder. “Thought I’d have to do all this myself.”

“All of what?” David demanded.

Jake waved his flashlight and the truck stopped. “The food.”

David groaned. “No, no, no! The food isn’t supposed to be delivered until tomorrow! I talked to him about this, we wouldn’t have the cash until then…”

“Relax,” Jake said. “I’ve got it taken care of.”

David marched up to him angrily. “I’m sick of you taking care of things, Jake. Especially without telling everyone. Since he raised the price, this food costs twice as much as our previous deliveries. It’s cash-on-delivery, and I won’t have enough until tomorrow!”

“Fuck you,” Jake spat.

I put a hand on David’s arm. “This is a different delivery. Tell him, Jake.”

“Fuck him,” Jake said. “He wants to give me the finger? He can unload this shit himself.”

“Different delivery?” David asked, confused.

Bobby John hopped out of the truck and waved. “There’s the asshole brother I remember. Wish I could say it was good to see ya again, but that’d be a lie. Don’t like lying much. Makes the baby Jesus cry, y’know.”

David looked dazed as he shook his hand. “Bobby John? What…”

“I’m your new food supplier! Now go on and get the forklift. I ain’t got all day.”

“I’ll get it,” Jake said, and went jogging off. Bobby John climbed up to the back of the truck and opened the door, releasing a puff of cold mist. Inside were huge slabs of beef hanging from meat hooks.

“You knew about this?” David asked me.

I smiled weakly. “I forgot to mention it because of everything else that had happened. Jake cut a deal with him the other night.”

Jake returned with the forklift. We spent the next half hour loading the meat into containers on pallets, then transporting it back to the food preparation building. There were slabs of beef, tubs full of offal, and more containers filled with various chicken parts. David shook his head with wonder as we moved everything into the industrial freezers.

“This is quality meat. Much better than our other supplier. Bobby John, I don’t think we can afford this…”

“Jake and I set the price. Hope it’s alright. If not, we can negotiate.” He handed David a printed piece of paper. David’s eyes bulged.

“This… This is definitely alright! This is fantastic!”

Bobby John nodded and said, “Don’t worry about payin’ me just yet. Whenever you get a chance is fine. No big deal. I know you’re good for it!”

“Thanks again,” Jake said. “You’re the best.”

“Shit, just helpin’ out a buddy who did the same for me.”

After he left, David and Jake looked at each other warily. Like two cats who weren’t sure what to think of each other.

“Jake,” he said softly. “This is incredible. I had no idea you had done this.”

“Yeah, well, maybe you shouldn’t assume the worst of me.”

“Maybe you should keep me informed about your decisions.”

I thought another argument was going to break out, but then the two of them embraced heartily. They held each other for a long time, rocking back and forth and patting each other on the back.

“You’ve saved us,” David whispered. “Thanks to this, we might actually survive.”

The sight of them making up almost brought a tear to my eye.

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