Page 101 of 5+Us Makes Seven

The helpful guy was nodding, smiling feverishly. His hand went into the air again.

“Yeah, man. I used to get high with Shaky, a while back now. Last I heard he was shot by some gang who wanted his corner.” He frowned, thoughtfully.

“Ain’t heard of Freddie Biggs for years, since the O’Rourkes got taken down. But John, yeah John with the gold teeth, right? He’s still about. Rolling with the new gang in town, so I hear. Selling dope for them over on the east side. It’s good shit, man. Used to get it from him couple weeks ago. But you can get it on most corners now.” He was looking at me, his glazed eyes gaining focus as the meth wore off gradually.

“Good. Now, listen. I was never here. I hear so much of a peep one of you has been jawing about my visit, I’ll be back. With backup, and five sets of handcuffs. Got it?” They were all nodding.

I pointed the gun at them in turn as I backed out of the room. “Now, get high. And forget I was ever here. Do that, and stay out of trouble, and I’ll never have to bother coming ‘round here again.”

I turned quickly as I left the living room, taking the corridor in two long strides as I jogged back to the car.

I’d already memorised three of the guy’s faces, their features etched into my mind. I took a mental note of where they lived as I headed back to the car.

I wasn’t fucking around when I said I would be back if I heard even a whisper about my visit. I had already learned that idle threats were soon ignored if you didn’t deliver on your promises.

Now, time to pay my old friend Goldie a visit.

FOUR

Eden

It was the day after Conall’s unannounced visit and I’d just finished my shift at the diner. The other waitresses had pressed me pretty hard yesterday about what was up, as I’d still been pretty shaken when I started wo

rk. I didn’t want to go over what had happened again. I held my head up and got on with my day.

At the end of the shift I was feeling much better, and by the time I’d finished working at the bar I was back to my usual bubbly, confident self. Then again the four drinks I’d been bought had helped a little.

I was due to work again at the bar for the next few nights, and was grateful for the distraction. Plus, the tips had been great last night when I’d been covering for the girl who was sick. I guess the Wednesday night drinkers had enjoyed the change of scenery.

I stopped into a little grocery store to get some things I needed back home, mentally listing the boring items as I walked down the aisle. I yawned, bored and a little tired.

“Eden? Is that you, dear?” I heard a shaky, elderly female voice off to my right.

I turned, oblivious to my surroundings as I’d been intently studying the tins on the shelf in front of me.

I smiled when I saw one of my Mom’s friends looking at me intently, pushing her thick glasses towards her face with a wrinkled finger.

“Oh, hey Sally. Yeah it’s me. Don’t you recognize me? I haven’t changed that much.” I giggled warmly.

“Well I can remember when you were a little girl, and yes you have changed dear. How are you?” She came over to stand closer to me, unashamedly studying me from head to toe.

Sally had been our next door neighbor when we were growing up, and I’d known her for as long as I could remember. She had seemed old when I was a kid, and I had no idea how old she was these days.

“I’m good, thanks Sally. Got my own place, only renting for now. But you know me, I’m working hard. Putting money away when I can, and planning on moving away somewhere when I can afford it.”

As far away from Conall as I can get.

“That’s good dear.” She was looking at my face, her appraisal of my new womanly form complete. “Are you still with that.. Mike?” she queried, hesitantly.

I waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, no. We broke up years ago. I’ve been single since, haven’t found the time to find the right man yet!”

“Oh I’m glad, he was a nasty piece of work. You can do much better than him.” She smiled at me.

“I mean look at you, you could get any man you wanted! But it’s hard finding a decent man, I know. Just don’t work too hard, and find the time to have some fun.” Sally winked at me, a mischievous gleam in her eye.

I laughed, blushing at her compliment.

We chatted for a while longer about nothing in particular. Sally mentioned the recent news stories about the biker meth resurfacing. I had shrugged, trying to act nonchalant as I was reminded again of Conall’s visit and his threats.

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