Page 131 of Coach
“Yeah?” Deacon asked, shifting his feet.
“Of course. I keep telling Saul that you are going to make a fortune from it when you got out. And now you’re out.”
“Dunno about that.”
Deacon fell into the trap that a lot of young men from shitty families do. Without any love or direction growing up, with a parent who beat the shit out of him and emotionally stomped him out, he went looking for belonging elsewhere. That got himinto crimes. And if he’d been on the loose long enough, I was sure drugs would have become a problem.
In a fucked-up way, going away, and making friends with people inside like me, had shown him there was a different way.
Evident by him showing up at my door all these years later.
“Well, I do,” Este insisted. “Okay. What are you doing standing on the porch? Come in. I have fresh coffee. And I was about to make some lunch. Are you hungry?”
“You’re gonna invite me in?” Deacon asked, watching her with wary eyes.
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I?”
“I’m a con.”
“Saul is too.”
“It’s different.”
“Not from where I’m standing. Come on. You’re practically family. Are you afraid of dogs?”
“Nah.”
“Okay. Trix might not be a fan of yours right off. But she will warm up eventually once she realizes you’re safe.”
We all moved inside, but after I put down our toddler and took the baby, so Este’s hands were free, Deacon and I hung back as Este disappeared into the kitchen.
“This is your place?”
“Yeah. We’ve done a lot of work on it.”
“It’s nice.”
“Yeah. It’s home. So, what are you most excited about now that you’re out? I think mine was food, a good shower, sex, and peaceful sleep.”
“All that,” Deacon said, nodding. “But also some art supplies. Good ones.”
“Don’t know much about good supplies, but I’m sure we can find some nearby. Where are you now? Halfway house?”
“Yeah. Couple towns over. Probably not even supposed to be here.”
“Which P.O. did you get?”
“Some Nancy chick.”
“Shit.”
“She no good?”
“She’s gonna be a thorn in your ass every day until you’re free of her. Got a friend who can tell you how to navigate her. ‘Cause she will be looking for you to fuck up. Might be able to get you in an apartment in town, though. Old place he had.”
“Be glad to be out of the halfway house. Don’t wanna be around a bunch of guys with no privacy.”
“I get that. I’ll get you in touch with the woman who owns the apartment. But you’re gonna need to convince Nancy.”
