“Are you?”
“Nah, but who cares?” He taps Owen’s leg. “Go and make me proud.”
Owen exits the car and walks down the street. It has turned into a warm day, or maybe it’s his blood that is warmer than usual. He’s worrying that his cheeks are too flushed.
There’s a young man sitting on a chair on the street in front of the house Nate pointed out last time. He’s wearing loose clothes and smoking a cigarette. The way he sits with his legs stretched makes it seem like heowns the street, though with such a shitty street, it’s not much of an achievement.
Owen slows down and makes eye contact with the young man. “Hey.”
“Hey. You’re not from around here.” The man has a bit of a Hispanic accent.
“That’s right.”
“You’re looking for something?” He takes a long puff of his cigarette and blows out the smoke.
“I think I’m looking for you. Can we do business?”
The man shrugs and looks to the front. “I’m just a guy sitting outside, enjoying a smoke. Do I come across as a businessman?”
“Depends on the business, I suppose.”
“And which business is that?” His eyes find Owen again, offering a challenge and a warning.
“The kind that can make me feel good and make you some money.”
“Oh,thatkind.” He takes another puff. “How’d you know to come here? I don’t run ads.”
“People from where I live recommended you. I’m from Van Buren.”
“You’re new there?”
“Been living there for a couple of weeks. Moved from Kansas City.”
The man whistles. “A big-city man. How’d you end up here?”
“I got into some trouble and needed to stay low for awhile with a family member.”
The man nods. “You did business there as well?”
Owen forces a smile, hoping it comes out a bit cocky. “I might have struck a deal or two in my day. I’m Owen.”
Another puff of smoke, then the man throws away the end of his cigarette. “Joe. Lift your shirt.”
“What?”
“If you want to do business, you better show me you’re not wired.”
Owen lifts his shirt and slowly spins until he faces Joe again.
“You’ve got an ID?”
“Sure.”
Joe examines it and nods. “First time I’ve seen someone looking good in one of these photos. Alright, then. I guess we can do business, Big-City Owen. What are you in the mood for?”
“Two ounces of weed for starters.”
“For starters?”
