Page 11 of Blue-Eyed Jacks
It rang long enough that I doubted anyone would pick up.
“It’s your dime.Talk.”The man who answered had a rich voice despite the sarcastic greeting.It wasn’t Gina.But I had to assume it was someone she knew who could help.
“This is Kate.I’m at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.I’ll be discharged some time today.I need—”
He interrupted me, “Hang on.I’ll look up that part.”
What?We didn’t have time for this.Someone could walk in at any second.“I’m getting discharged.They’re probably going to call my father, and he’ll call Shock, and I don’t—”
“Sure, we can deliver.It’ll cost extra.Address?”
Was this code?I didn’t have money.But this was my only chance.“Are you talking to someone else?”
“No.”
Oh.“Is there someone with you?”
“Yup.That’s why we charge extra.”
He wasn’t making a lot of sense.“Gina gave me this number.”
“Yeah, figured as much.I can swing by the dealership and have it to you in about three hours.”
My insides sang with hope.“Is this Jackson?”I’d seen him hand a boy his phone.And it was the same phone Gina showed me later.
He scoffed.“Listen, do you want the part or not?”
Ifpartmeant freedom, absolutely.“Yes.”
“Cool.What’s your card number?”
“I don’t have any money.”The lack of any was one way Shock controlled me.
“Okay, let me repeat it.”He rattled off a string of numbers.“Expiration date?”
I hoped he was still pretending to be conversing with a customer.But in case he needed information on timing, I said, “As soon as possible?”
“Thanks.I’ll run it and get on the road.Hey, Pinner, I’m heading west, do you want me to drop off those tires for you while I’m out?”The latter half was slightly muffled, as if he’d covered the microphone.
There was a murmured answer in the background.
“No shit.It’s going to take me all fucking day.”
I tried to be patient, but this conversation didn’t guarantee he would help.For all I knew, the numbers had gotten crossed, and I was listening to a completely different conversation.
“Yeah, fuck ya later, dick.”There was a rustle and more noise in the background.It sounded like hammering and loud rock music.“I’m out, assholes, parts delivery.”
Then the noise decreased dramatically.I heard the squeak of a heavy door and the beeping of a vehicle door alert.“Okay, babe, Kate, is it?”
“Yes.”
“I’m in the work truck.They’ll tag the mileage, so here’s what to expect.I can be outside the hospital in three hours, but I’ll be in a bright fucking yellow tow truck.And that’s no fucking good.We need to meet somewhere that this bitch isn’t going to stand out.How about a gas station or coffee shop?”
“I don’t have clothes.”Or a ride, or money, or anything.
There was a pause.“No shit?”His voice was filled with innuendo and intrigue.
“Jackson?”
