Page 48 of Below The Surface
“Fucking hell, Cindy. That’s not what you told me.” Jim runs a hand through his hair and meets my gaze. “I never would have asked you to help had I known.” I believe him. He’s always been real with me, which is why I like him so much.
I turn to Cindy. “Sam’s like thirty something so the guys are age appropriate. What’s the problem?”
I’m going to make her say it out loud. In front of me.
“He’s not...” She makes a few hand gestures like waving her hands, but not quite pointing to me.
I hold up a hand. “You’re telling me you tried to put a hit out on a couple of guys running a flower shop inspired by their grandmother because your son might or might not lean towards men?”
Cindy sucks in a breath and shuts her eyes. “My boy is a good Christian and?—”
Her screams echo in the room. Jim’s mouth hangs open and the first joint of Cindy’s pinky finger drops to the floor. Blood gushes from the digit as she holds it to her chest, soaking her shirt through.
The two stare at the fallen knuckle so long it’s a bit comical.
There’s a knock at the door. “Everything okay in there. We heard a scream.”
I look at Cindy and mouth, “Say everything’s fine.”
“Just dropped something on my toe. Everything’s fine. I’ll be right out.”
“Oh, okay. Get some ice for it.”
“Will do,” Cindy says, her voice barely above a whisper. She’s clutching her hand and pressing it to her shirt to try to stop the bleeding.
I listen for the customers to go back to their seats before talking again.
“I’m gay and you decided to try and use me to hurt the guys at the flower shop because your thirty-year-old man babyson flirted back. No, honey. We’re done.” I turn to Jim. “Don’t call me again while you have this bitch working here.” I tap Cindy’s chest with the knife. “The world needs less homophobes and you’re lucky you’re just walking away missing part of your finger.”
“I could tell,” Cindy threatens. She squares her shoulders and steps closer.
I snort. Jim’s eyes go wide and he shakes his head at her.
“I could go to the police and tell them what you did.” She holds up her hand.
I blink back and look to Jim then back to her. “You’rereally threateningme?” I stomp right up to her. Toe to toe.
“I-I-I-I could.”
“You don’t have any small children. Your only son you probably despise if he really is into men. Does the world need someone like you?” I’m just trying to scare her. She doesn’t fit my profile for people acceptable to kill, though she’s tempting me.
“I-I-I” The scent of urine fills the air and I back off just a smidgen. “Please don’t kill me.” Finally, Cindy breaks down. Fat tears stream down her face and she slides to the floor in the puddle of her own piss.
I squat to meet her eyes. “Only if you promise to make a fuck ton of muffins and take it to Steven’s Flower Shop and introduce yourself and welcome them to the neighborhood.”
“What? No.” She shakes her head.
“You got two days or I’m coming back for more fingers.” I chomp my teeth and turn on my heel. “And Jim, I’m not lying. If she’s still here, don’t fucking call me. It’s going to take a lot more than delicious food to get me to trust you again. Got it?”
“Understood.”
I nod and toss the knife back on the kitchen counter. Whistling a soft tune, I stroll through the diner and hop backinto my car. I give it a few minutes to see what Jim does. He doesn’t know I have theentireplace bugged.
“Cindy, you fucking piece of shit,” Jim’s voice bellows through the app. “Why didn’t you say what the fuck actually happened? I can’t believe you’re homophobic. This breaks my fucking heart, but I can’t have you here anymore.”
“You’re choosing?—”
“Bitch, I’m bi and you’re not going to shit all over the rainbow mafia because it makes you uncomfortable. Clear out your fucking locker and I’ll write up your last check, then you’re out of here.”
