Page 65 of Southern Comfort
“Yeah. A private one during the day. I don’t want randoms to be here. Just the regulars.”
“So what else does Ronnie want? Has he said anything?”
I chuckle. “All he wants is to be on the bike again. He’d take off today, if it was possible.”
“Has he ridden yet”
“No. The hip will allow it the doc says, but his ankle is the problem. So far he says it’s too weak.”
“Makes sense. He’ll get back to it. George Barkley had the same issue. Took a year before he could ride.”
“Oh shit. Hope it doesn’t take that long, because I have a vision of him taking it out before he’s ready. That could unravel the whole getting back to normal thing.”
“Has he figured out when he’s gonna be back at work?”
“There have been a few conversations, but nothing concrete yet. I don’t know, I don’t see him making noise about returning. I almost think he’d rather make an appearance every now and then. Maybe he doesn’t want to be chained to it like in the past. He’s going to be fucking seventy after all. I’m thirty-five and I don’t want to do it either.”
“He needs to hire someone who does,” Layton says.
“Yeah? Who would that be?”
“Fuck, I don’t know. But let me think about it.”
“Your dad has helped so many people over the years. Someone would be willing to at least split the hours.”
“I’ll think on it. Meanwhile help me come up with an idea for a good gift.”
Lex nods. “You need something that touches him.”
“How about a hooker?” Layton says chuckling.
“Like I don’t have enough to worry about. No. I want him to know I’ve put thought into it. Something that shows him I have been paying attention.”
Crickets. The three of us stare blankly.
“I’m the wrong guy to ask. Holly picks the gifts,” Lex says, looking like I feel.
“What kind of things is Ronnie into besides cycle shit? I know he likes the Mavericks. That might be something.”
“No. I want it to be a gift he wouldn’t expect. Something that requires some effort.”
As soon as I say it, it dawns.
“Wouldn’t it be cool if I could find the 500? I’d love to drive up in that baby.”
“That’s it! Brother, great idea.”
“Shit,” Lex says. “It would be great.”
“I don’t even know if I could swing it.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to find out.”
“See if you can locate where it is.”
“And get the guy to sell his pride possession.”
Layton takes out his cell and starts working it. “I’m going to Bluebook it. See if the value is even in your range.”
