Page 27 of Stealing Iris

It’s midafternoon, and Conny’s late—again. For once, I spent the day hoping he’d show up. So far that hasn’t happened, even though he was supposed to be here to cover the market at noon. My nerves are starting to wear thin at this point. I don’t need him getting all bent out of shape, thinking I ruined his chances at his big score. There’s no telling how he’ll react. As it is, lately that’s getting harder and harder to predict.

Where does Dante stand with all of this? Maybe I got stupid around him the other day because at some point, in the middle of the night, I realized he didn’t tell me anything about himself. Yet here I am, days later, hoping he’ll walk through the door. What could I possibly do? With Carol out for class, I’m the only one at the register right now, so there’ll be no surprise lunch date, no suggestions to sneak into the office for “a quick word.” At this point, I’m just glad Oliver’s in to cover the meat market.

“Good afternoon, ma’am.” Habit adds a smile for the customer, while inside I’m hoping she can’t see it’s all for show.

“Hi there.” The woman, whose name escapes me, starts unloading her cart, the first of the larger weekend purchases, when the door slides open again. As much as I don’t want to turn, I glance over. It’s Conny, finally. He’s in his usual wife beater, a shirt tossed over his shoulder, but his features are strained, and he’s mumbling to himself. My shoulders tighten involuntarily.Great, he’s high.

“You’re out of avocados?”

Clearing my expression, I swing back to her. “Yes, ma’am. I apologize. We’re due a delivery today. The distributor’s just running late.”

Heading around the register area, he comes to stand beside me, his eyes shifting way too quickly.

“So, you get it done?” His hands are opening and closing as he waits because whatever’s in his system won’t let him be still.

“We’re set for Saturday.” I reach for the pack of corn tortillas as I keep ringing up the order.

“Yes! You pulled it off, Iris.” He grabs me by the shoulder and biceps, shaking me in excitement. “Come on.” Gripping my arm, he drags me out of the register area.

“I can’t leave now.” Trying to be discreet, I glance over to the lady who’s just dropped another half dozen items on the conveyor belt. “We have customers,” I add in a whisper.

“Damn it.” Scowling, he shoves me back toward the register.Grasping the divider,I steady myself as he heads toward the office. Meanwhile, the woman folds her arms, scowling as she goes from him to me and back.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am.” How many times have I told him not to be rude to customers, yet he still does this?

“All these years coming to this store,” she says, shaking her head. “Tony never would have allowed this to happen.”

Tears sting my eyes. “You’re right, ma’am.”The weight of his presence bears down on me, butI keep scanning her groceries, half afraid she’ll walk away and we’ll lose a significant sale. “I’ll talk to Conrado in just a minute.”

Even after her groceries are packed, she’s still wearing a pinched expression. “Oliver,” I call out to the meat market. “Can you help with a carry out?”

With both of them heading out the door I run to the back.

*****

CONRADO

Fuckin’ Iris. This is important, and she’s stuck on some old lady wanting groceries. I plop onto the worn office chair. I’m getting a buzz just thinking about the party. I got a plan, but as much as I hate to admit it, I can’t make it work without some help. Tugging out my cell, I thumb through my contact list till I find the number I need.

After two rings, she picks up. “Mom—”

“Hi, baby. How—”

“I’m going to Dante’s party on Saturday.” I blow past her hello because if I don’t stop that shit, she’ll go on forever.

“Oh, that’s wonderful.”

“I gotta work something out for Iris.” She’s a fine piece of ass, but she’s gotta put on a show if I’m gonna get the money for Dante’s deal. “There’s gonna be a lot of high rollers at that party. I need to polish her up to hook one willing to pay what I need.”

“And you’re calling me for that?” I can hear the doubt in her voice. “I thought you said you didn’t need me.”

I can’t believe she chooses to do this now, when I have no choice but to give in. “Yeah, Mom, I need you for this.”

The silence stretches out, and I hold my breath, waiting for her answer. If she bails on me, I got nobody else to turn to. Just when I’m about to lose my shit, she answers me.

“What do you need me to get for you?”

I ease my breath out as quietly as I can. “It ain’t for me, Mom. I got my own shit. But for her, everything.”

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