Page 159 of Javier

I took a swig and grimaced. “I’ve had moonshine that tastes better than this.”

“Your days of abusing liquor are behind you.”

“You’re right about that.” I stared at the bottle in my hand. “But you know what?”

“What?”

“I’m okay with that, and with whatever shit is in thisbottle, too, as long as it gets me up to speed so I can be there for her.” I glanced at Missy and took another swig.

“Where is Goof and what have you done to my friend?” King teased. “I demand you bring him back to us. On second thought, fuck that. I like this Goof just fine.”

I chuckled, and for once, it didn’t hurt.

“She’s your champion, right there.” He pointed a long finger at Missy. “That gal is a powerhouse.”

“You got that right.” I smiled down on her. “My woman’s a powerhouse.”

“How does it feel to have that, to say it?”

“To say what?”

“My woman.”

“It feels good, man, real good. I highly recommend it.”

“Look at our Goof, all grown up and shit.”

“You’re just jealous.”

“Maybe a little. It’s been a while, but I kind of remember some of the joy of it.”

“Fuck me.” I swore. “I’m sorry, K-man. I heard about your girl.”

He looked away.

“You don’t talk much about her,” I ventured.

“She’s gone.” He shrugged. “Nothing to talk about. It’s your turn now. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, dude.” My eyelids lowered to half-mast. “Damn those med-cocktails. They make me so drowsy.”

“Get back to sleep. We’ve got a ways to go and I heard there’s news waiting for us when we get there. I’ll be right outside. Holler if you need me.”

“Will do.”

He got up, then paused by the door. “And Goof?”

“Yeah?”

“Life’s short.” The shadows of sadness dimmed K-man’sirises. “Hang on to that woman with all you’ve got.”

Chapter Forty-two

Missy

After three years away, my first look at Astor House came from the back of the Land Rover that drove us from the airstrip. Under the headlights, the massive iron gates parted, dividing the scrolled “A” in the middle. In the darkness of night, the small caravan of vehicles accelerated down the road.

At the top of the hill, my father’s enormous mansion sprawled, a rambling, ostentatious monstrosity that combined every grandiose architectural style known to humans into one of America’s largest and most rambunctious palatial estates.

---