Page 97 of Rigid

“Once you’ve made the decision that you’re going to point it at someone, you’ve got one of two situations. The first is this: you need to shoot, and there’s no time for demands. In that case, you do not hesitate, you shoot. Hesitation will cost someone’s life. Shoot first, make up a story to cover your ass later. The second is this: You want someone to do something. If that’s the case, you point the gun, and give your demand. For instance, a man is raping a chick behind a trash dumpster. I’ll pull the gun and say, get off of her and get on the ground. If he complies, great. If not, I’ve got a decision to make. Either way, I’m prepared to shoot, and we know that because why?”

She sat up straight. “Because you pointed it?”

I leaned over and kissed her. “You’re a quick learner.”

“So, that sums it up. Don’t point it unless you are mentally prepared to shoot it, and don’t hesitate if there’s a life at stake.”

“Got it.”

“I’m going to load it now. When I leave, it’ll be loaded. Leave it that way, and only get it out of the dresser drawer if you have to. It’s not an illegal weapon, but it’s not registered to me, either. It’s just easier that way. If the cops ever do a trace on it, it won’t come back to me.”

“Okay. What about you? What if--”

I raised my fists. “I’ve got these.”

She sighed. “I like your hands. And your little tattoo flowers. Don’t hurt them.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Don’t let anything happen to my three babies.”

She looked at me and squinted her eyes. “Three?”

I nodded. “You, Eddie, and little man.”

She grinned. “I won’t.”

My gut told me I could trust her.

So, that’s what I did.

TWENTY-NINE

Sandy

Dressed in a pair of boxer shorts I found in the dresser, and one of Smokey’s wife beaters, I danced around the house without a bra or panties.

It felt so good to let go for once.

I’d loaded the music app on my phone for Smokey’s Sonos system, and now I could see the names of the songs that played. I wrote down the titles and artists of the ones I liked, and skipped the stupid ones.

After an hour of dancing, I was exhausted.

One chocolate milkshake later, and I was missing Eddie, and even more so, Smokey. Knowing a nap was imminent, I set the alarm for 12:00, and changed clothes into something a little more appropriate, just in case Richard decided to come inside.

After P-Nut’s speech, he hadn’t so much as walked her to the door. I felt bad for not remembering to say that P-Nut was full of shit, but I figured I could tell him some other time.

I sat on the couch. As Band of Skulls, Cold Fame played, I closed my eyes.

I woke up confused.

Still groggy, but fairly certain that I’d heard something, I lifted my head and looked around the house.

Nothing.

I couldn’t decide if it was a dream. I rubbed my eyes and looked around the room, sure I’d heard someone screaming. I stood up, shook my head, and checked the clock.

11:47.