“She is.” When it came to her, I didn’t feel like I was talking about a stranger.
The kids started filing onto the risers. I got one last smile from the woman who grated on my nerves for having the gall to care about my dad, then we both focused on the performance.
Autumn and Kerry helped the kids get into position, scooting from side to side until the kids were in single file on each of the three levels.
When the kids were situated, she went to a stand-up microphone. She had her hands clasped in front of her, and her smile was wide and genuine. “Welcome, everyone.” Her smooth voice carried through the room. Everyone settled, including the kids. “This year’s third-grade class has been working so hard on this performance for you. I’m super proud of their efforts, and I know you’re going to love it. Now, without further ado... enjoy the show!”
She stepped to the side. The lights were dimmed, and Kerry hit a button on a stereo system. Haunting music poured out of the speakers.
The singing was light at first, hesitant. Their voices grew stronger. Kids searched the audience for their parents like I once had. Between songs, a few of the kids did a little skit that included the bats attached to the backdrop. They rushed back to join in the next song.
“Aren’t they cute?” the woman next to me whispered.
I nodded, surprised I agreed with her. Their effortand enthusiasm wove through the program. Tonight, I was around more kids than I had been in my entire adult life. I never noticed children, and the thought of them didn’t factor into my plans or ideas for the casino. We catered to the over-twenty-one crowd.
Autumn’s life was so much different than mine. We’d grown up very similarly, both had experienced tragedy, but she’d surrounded herself with youth and excitement and unbridled energy.
I was surrounded by concrete and steel and people looking for an extreme escape. There was no learning going on in Silver. No thoughts of the future, only the present and the pleasure that could be had.
When I looked back on my career, I had spreadsheets to show for it. Reports. A casino with its doors still open—no small feat. But when she looked back, she’d see hundreds of kids she’d influenced. Kids like me who’d grown up and attained powerful positions.
I didn’t even mentor up-and-coming corporate wannabes. I left that to another team. I wanted to do my job and build my own empire so I could secure my family’s fortune, so to speak. But in the end, I had nothing of my own. Autumn had individually touched so many people’s lives.
I swallowed hard as the last string of music blared through the speakers.
My wife was pretty goddamn amazing.
I looked forward to tonight as much as last night. I’d get her home nice and early. Her back would be on the mattress and my face would be between her legs for the third day in a row.
My phone buzzed.
Son of a?—
As the students filed off the stage, I peeked at my screen. Hank.
What the hell?
I silenced it. He was probably going to ask me to help him with the bullshit projects in the stable.
A moment later, my phone started buzzing again. I stared at the thing. He never called more than once in a row.
Parents were filing out. The woman who’d chatted with me gave me a goodbye wave once she saw me with my phone. I nodded at her and her husband.
Damn. What if something was wrong? I answered. “What’s going on?” The irritation came out like it usually did when I dealt with him.
“Giddy, I’m sorry to bother you.”
“Don’t call me Giddy.” A small jump of alarm crawled around my throat. He sounded frantic. “Something wrong?”
“My truck died, and I have a meeting. Can you give me a ride?”
Not even I had meetings at eight at night.
Something tickled the back of my mind, a factoid I should grasp that might be important, but irritation smothered it. “Shouldn’t we be concerned with towing your pickup to a shop?”
“I’m going to miss it entirely. Is the program done?”
“Yes.”
