Page 7 of Found

“I love older men.” She sighs.

“Why?” I scoff. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-three.” She finishes the remainder of her drink.

A younger woman can be a mixed bag. On one hand, they can be fun, adventurous, and up for anything. On the other hand, they can be immature and needy. Seeing that Lexi is only here for a week, I don’t have to worry too much. If she has any deal-breaking flaws, she’ll most likely be gone before I have to deal with them.

Lexi turns to see the server talking to Claire.

“Cam, I want you to meet Boss! It’s his birthday! Isn’t he so hot?”

The verdict is still out on this girl.

I smile toward Lexi’s friend and extend my hand. She shakes it. “Hi, I’m Tony. Lexi here has told me a lot about you already. It's nice to meet you.”

“Campbell is my best friend! She and I have been friends since we were little,” Lexi says, slurring more than half of her words.

Cam glowers toward Lexi, her face scrunched up in a scowl before she forces a grin for me. “Nice to meet you, too. Can I get you anything from the bar?”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll take a Bud.” I turn my head and call out behind me, “Hey, do you guys need a drink refill?”

As I shout out, Deacon steps from behind me and Cam’s face falls with recognition.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I step away from the table to take the call.

“Hey, Momma,” I say with the phone to my ear.

“Hey, Baby. Am I not getting a visit from my birthday boy today?”

A cursory glance back toward the guys shows Cam storming away from our table in a huff. I don’t even want to know what’s going on with her and Deacon.

“I told you I was going out with the guys tonight. But I’ll stop by next week, for sure. We can grill up some brisket and ribs?” I offer, knowing a good tender piece of barbecue will be something for my mother to look forward to.

“Okay, that’s a deal.”

“Great but only if you make Mamaw’s slaw and cheesy potatoes,” I say.

“You know I will, baby. Well, have fun tonight and be safe.”

“Always.”

“And baby?”

“Yeah, Momma?”

“Happy Birthday. I love you.”

“Love you, too. See you soon.”

I hang up with my mother, and stare at the cell phone in my hand, thinking. I really need to go see her more, I know I do. She lives on the other side of town in the same house where I grew up. Truth is, I hate that house, that neighborhood, and everyone there. I worked hard to escape it. Every time I go home it reminds me of the bad in my life. When I was young, there was so much bad. Gangs. Drugs. Violence. Deaths.

I’m the first Boston kid to make something of himself. My older brothers were lost to gangs before they were fifteen. The eldest is dead. The other is in jail. My older sister lives with Mom and works for minimum wage at the liquor store a few blocks from their house. I worry about them both every day. I’ve tried to get them to move out of that neighborhood, but they refuse. For some reason, they love it there. They say it’s their home, their community, and they won’t leave.

My dad left a month after I was born but from what I’ve heard he was a real nasty person, and abusive toward my mother. I’m not sorry that I didn’t know him. I’m sure I’m better for it.

I place my phone in my pocket and look over at my friends—my brothers—laughing, probably over something stupid Pauly said. Those men are my family, and the life I have is great. I feel for those who don’t aspire for more because it’s possible. I’m living proof of it.

“Boss.” Lexi waves, her voice shrill.

---