Page 21 of Rum and Roses
I made my way into the garage, opening the door. I put my helmet on my head, mounted my bike, and I took off, closing the garage door behind me.
The sky was obscured by a thick blanket of clouds. It was chilly this morning, but not too bad given the time of year. I drove across town to the pharmacy. I knew this town like the back of my hand. Every nook and cranny, every hidden sidestreet and unguarded corner. I weaved through the cars with ease. Within ten or so minutes I made it to the general store where the pharmacy was located inside. Parking my bike, I flipped the visor of my helmet up so I could see while inside the store. It was owned by some old grumpy senior citizen named Fabio.
God I fucking hated that guy. Who names their kid Fabio anyways?
The store smelled of prunes and old wood with a faint aroma of Pine-Sol. Terrible smell, if you ask me. I grabbed a basket, carrying it in my left hand through the store. I moved through the aisles, my footsteps muffled by the wooden floor. My eyes narrowed in the medicine aisle, searching for whatever medicine I could get my hands on that would alleviate Rosalie's symptoms.
NyQuil, DayQuil,, nosestrips, Vix VapoRub, a few boxes of tissues, the list went on.
I shifted aisles,grabbing some juice, more saltine crackers and a few cans of soup. Things that were easy on the stomach. Though, I planned on picking up to-go from Panera on the way back. Only the best for my Rosalie. This town was small but there was no shortage of fast food options thankfully. I tossed a few more things into my basket, walking past the maps. I stopped, took two steps back and turned to the display of maps.
My eyes scanned the various cities and states, looking for one in particular.
Where is it… where is it… ah! There we go.
I grabbed the map of Las Vegas, and another of the United States. If I was going through with the idea I had, I would need to make sure I knew the best way to get from here to there.
I took one last look at all the items in my basket before going up to the counter. Fabio stood there, arms crossed. “You sick?” He asked with quite the attitude, scanning my items one after the other.
I held my tongue, “Yes.” I fake coughed.
Fabio glared at me, turning back to my items. He paused, staring at the maps before continuing on without a word.
I flashed a friendly smile, pulling my Amex card out of my wallet I kept in my back pocket. Tapping it, I paid, took my receipt and shoved it into the bag full of items I just purchased. Placing my wallet away, I pulled out my phone to put in an order for Panera.
“Hey buddy, what are you doing out this morning?” A voice called from my left. A voice I recognized.
You got to be fucking kidding me.
“Uncle Joe, what's up?” I replied with a smile.
He approached me with a cup of coffee in hand. “Oh, you know, important police work.” He chuckled.
“As always,”
“Still no word on your friend? Such a shame… she was really pretty.”
Don’t react, don’t react, don’t react.
I sighed. “Yeah, it’s a real bummer… I hope you find her soon. Work isn’t the same without her.”
He smiled, “I’m Sheriff for a reason, kiddo. I’ll find her. We have some leads we’re looking into…”
Leads? Fuck… who? Better not be me, the fuck.
“I texted you this morning; I was going to ask if you wanted to get dinner on Friday. Catch up. It’s been a while.” Uncle Joe grinned.
I nodded. “Friday? Sure. Just let me know a time and a place and I’ll be there.” I paused. “I really need to get going though. It’s been nice seeing you, Uncle Joe.”
Shit…
“See you Friday,” he replied, watching me as I turned my back to him.
He doesn’t suspect me, does he?
Peering down at my phone again, I finished putting in my Panera order.
For Rosalie, I picked Broccoli Cheddar Soup and the Half Chicken Bacon Rancher. I also added a brownie and a strawberry smoothie. For myself, I picked Rustic Baked Potato Soup with cheese and the Half Smokehouse BBQ Chicken sandwich. Flipping my visor down, I shoved the plastic bag into the storage container on the back of my bike and made my way to Panera to pick up lunch before heading back to my place.
