Page 32 of From the Flames
Grant was so serious. Willy peeked as Grant went in and right up to the sofa. “Uncle Kevin, Daddy wants to know if you want cheesy sammiches. And he says to be quiet.” Of course he talked at his normal tone, which was loud enough to wake the dead. Willy went back into the kitchen so he didn’t laugh in front of Grant.
“Tell your daddy that I would like one, please,” Kevin said.
“Daddy, Uncle Kevin wants a sammich,” Grant called before sitting back down and returning his attention to his blocks as though he hadn’t just yelled through the entire apartment.
“I tried,” Willy told himself and got out the bread, butter, and cheese. He also got some fruit and began cutting it up for a side dish.
A knock sounded on the front door.
“I’ll get it,” Kevin called, and he went to the door. “What the hell do you want?”
“He said a swear,” Grant called, already racing for the container.
“I know. Just stay here,” Willy said, holding Grant as Kevin let loose a few more choice words.
“You think we can’t kick your ass into the middle of next week like we did the last time you showed up here? Making threats is a criminal offense. I’ll call the police and make sure they have your description. Then you can deal with them.” Kevin closed the door hard and whipped out his phone, coughing.
“What’s going on?” Willy asked.
“Our friend paid you a visit. Apparently, getting his nuts handed to him wasn’t enough.” Kevin coughed some more before speaking to the police. “They’re sending someone over.”
“What did he want?” Willy asked, returning to the kitchen. No matter what drama was going on, he still had to feed the kids.
“Not sure. It’s intimidation, but I have no idea what they think they can gain by this.” Kevin sat at the kitchen table with a sigh. He coughed again, and Grant got up and began patting him on the back.
“Feel better?” he checked, and Kevin smiled at him and nodded.
“Much better. Thank you.”
Willy got him a glass of water and placed it in front of him.
“I hate this cough.”
“It’s your body trying to get the gunk out,” Willy said gently, then let Kevin relax. “What did the police say?”
The doorbell rang.
“I think I just got my answer.” Willy answered the door and let in two officers, one familiar, and the other with a beard that partially hid the scar on his face.
“Hey, Willy,” Carter said and shook his hand. “This is my partner, Red.” Willy shook his hand as well. The guy was huge and would be intimidating without his smile.
“Kevin is in the kitchen.” He led them through, and Grant hurried over to him, half hiding behind his leg as Willy lifted April into his arms.
“Are you a real policeman?” Grant asked. “Are you going to arrest Daddy?” He held him tighter.
“No. We’re here to help your daddy,” Red said. “And yes, we’re real policemen. We help people when they need it. I promise.”
“Let me get these two settled and we can talk.” He got the kids on the sofa, the dogs surrounding them. Then he put on a movie. “I’ll bring in your lunch.” He was in the middle of way too many things. Once the movie was going, he returned to the kitchen to find Carter at the stove, flipping the sandwiches.
“I’ve made tons of these for Alex over the years,” Carter said. He cut the sandwiches into quarters and put them on plates to cool a little.
“Is this some sort of full-service police force?” Willy asked, teasing.
Red sat down, and Willy joined him and Kevin. “What happened?”
“We’ve been visited twice by a man trying to intimidate us. The first time he threatened Willy, Willy laid him out on the sidewalk and left him singing soprano for a while. But the guy was back this morning. We don’t know what he wants exactly, but his message was pretty consistent: leave things alone as far as Kraft and Hobson is concerned.”
Carter brought over two plates for the kids and another with multiple sandwiches that he set on the table. Willy took the kids theirs, along with covered cups of milk. After making sure they were okay, he rejoined the others at the table. “Those sandwiches are for you, not the dogs,” he called behind him, knowing exactly what was about to happen.
