Page 73 of Christmas Chaos
Poppy teases me, “Admit it.”
I roll my eyes. “I need you to be my emotional support, happy?”
Poppy squeals and hugs me again. “Yes. Very.”
“Let’s go get my baby and hopefully his father will show up at some point.” This isn’t like the most reliable human on the planet. He’ll figure it out. But fuck, whatever is happening must be important. He chose me over everything in the past so whatever this is must be insanely complicated. But I don’t like it. I don’t like being in the dark like this, especially today. I have to shake off this feeling of dread that’s creeping up. Squash it like a rotten grape.
I grab her phone.
“HEY!” she yells.
I shove it in front of her face for recognition, then pull her towards me and pop off a selfie of us and the car. I assume she has his newest number. The rest of us have to flail through a system of burner phones to get to him. Ain’t nobody got time for that today. I text him from her phone.
POPPY (TABI): You crafty muthafucking godfather.
SAL: Am I now? Will there be a ceremony or some shit?
POPPY (TABI): Nah, he’s got way too many people in his life to take on a real godfather. Thank you. Here’s a picture of a pretty good moment.
SAL: The car you keep, the girl not so much. Now go. Tell Gingersnap to call me later and be nice. Have her send me a picture when you crumble and cry like a little bitch.
POPPY (TABI): Never.
SAL: Cent’Anni (hundred years)
POPPY (TABI): Cent’Anni
“Let’s go, deputy Poppy. It’s time to saddle up and ride.”
She hops in the passenger seat, and I buckle up.
I freeze and Poppy turns to me. “You, ok?”
I unbuckle. My hands are shaking like a leaf. “Can you drive?”
She just grips my hand and holds tight.
