Page 126 of Crow
“I met this lady, and she invited me to Alina. So here I am. I forgot you guys lived here until I saw you on your motorcycle riding through town. Then I remembered Valerie lived here, so I called her. There’s no mystery.”
“You’re using meth. Are you looking for a handout?”
“I’m not using anymore,” he quipped. “Iamshort on cash. I want to help out my lady friend.”
“How much?”
Justin shrugged. “Two hundred. Three if you have it.”
“For drugs?”
“I told you that I’m off the stuff. It’s for food and electricity.”
Crow knew the guy was a lying sack of shit, but he felt sorry for him. Life had given Justin the finger and the short end of the stick.
“I heard you give money to a homeless dude, but I’m not living on the streets or using. I’m even working.”
“Where are you working?”
“I wash dishes at Bulldog Pub.”
“They got good bar food. Eli treating you okay?”
Justin grinned again. “He’s a cool dude.”
“Good.” Crow took out his wallet and counted out three one-hundred-dollar bills.
“Do you have change? It’s hard to break a big bill.”
“I’ll get it at the bar. What’re you drinking?”
“Coke or 7-Up is good.”
Crow came back with a bunch of small bills and handed them to him, then placed a can of Coke in front of him. “This is a one-time favor, got it?”
“Sure.” Justin picked up the can and took a big gulp. “I haven’t been able to get a hold of Valerie. She moved from her apartment.”
“You went to Madera Crossing to see her?”
“Uh-huh.” Justin took another large gulp.
“Look, dude, you and Valerie never got along. She’s got her own thing going, and she’s busy with the kids. It’s best to leave her alone.”
“Did she tell you that?”
“Yeah, she’s not into doing a family reunion.”
“Okay, but now that we’re older, I thought we could try and be friends.”
“I get it, but she’s not on the same wavelength. That’s the way it is.”
“What about you?”
“I’m pretty swamped with the club and my work.”
“And your girlfriend.”
“I’ll be straight with you: I don’t hang out with citizens. My friends are my MC brothers and bikers from affiliate clubs.”
Justin pushed away from the table and stood up. “I get it. I have to go. Tell Valerie I won’t bother her anymore.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned away.
“Take care, man,” Crow called after him. He watched as the younger man disappeared into the night.He’ll be back. Fuck.
