Page 112 of Clean Slade
“You heard me. I let you go once. I let you slip through my fingers. I was young and stupid then. I’m not gonna make the same mistake again.”
My heart pumped a little louder with every word, and my eyes stung more than usual. It was the kind of thing any person in the world would love to hear—would dream of hearing—but after all the lonely years, I never expected that to become true.
But here he was.
And every day, he made a new promise. Promises I knew he could keep. It was hard not to fall in love.
“Hello, do you need any help?”
I broke eye contact to turn to the man standing behind us. He was in his forties, with brown hair mixed with silver strands and a white beard. A pair of square glasses framed his dark eyes, and as he smiled, I looked down at his orange volunteer T-shirt with Duke’s logo over the heart.
“Hi, no, we’re good. Duke’s showing my daughter around, but thanks?”
It was impossible not to recognize the man. I didn’t think there was anyone who didn’t. He was probably the richest man in town, investing in small businesses across the island.
“You’re Jake Wilson, right?”
The man smiled and shook my hand.
“I didn’t know you volunteered here.”
Shut up, King. Why would you know that? You’re not his friend.
“I love it here. There’s something about being surrounded by nature, isn’t there? Besides, Duke does so much hard work for the island. I like to give back what I can too.”
“Good. Good. As if I needed to feel any guiltier.” I laughed, but it was the truth.
When a man like him, who must have a portfolio as big as my schedule, could spare a minute or two to help Duke, why couldn’t I? Especially seeing as he was my friend.
Maybe if I made it out of this crap alive, I’d do more. I wanted to do more.
“Oh, stop it. You’re a busy man, I’m sure. I’m a lazy bum with too much money on my hands. Let me know if you need anything.”
Before he went, he handed me a card with his name, number, and email.
I doubted he could help me with my little mob problem, but I saved it in the inside pocket of my coat for a rainy day.
“Daddy! Daddy! I found her. I found her,” Mac screeched and barreled across the field.
“You found what?” I asked, and she almost knocked me down as she came to a stop mere inches from me.
“The pet I want,” she said and held her hands out, and it was only then I realized she’d been holding a black chicken.
“I thought we were getting a dog,” I said and looked to Slade for support, but he just shrugged.
“I know, but look how cute she is. Isn’t she cute? Her name is Thelma. Can we take her home? Please, Daddy!”
Duke caught up with Mac, slightly out of breath, followed by a red chick.
“I think my daughter’s lost her mind. She wants the chicken.”
Duke grimaced.
“You’re more than welcome to take her, but…”
The red chicken stopped at Mac’s feet and clucked at her.
The black chicken clucked, too, looking at the red one. Only when Mac put her down did they stop clucking and start chasing each other around Mac, making her giggle.
