Page 3 of Time Served in New York
“We’re having them taken care of by a few of the guys that are staying behind. Fish and Chewie volunteered to take care of Pop and all the business matters while we’re gone. Gizmo’s still on parole, and there’s not a chance in hell his PO would let him go fuck off in New York for a week.”
“How much longer does he have?”
“About six months, I think.”
“Hey, guys,” Stamp said as he pulled out a chair and sat next to me. “Thanks for the invite. Birdie’s making me nuts.”
“Frankie’s packing up the entire fucking house,” Santa said as he sat down next to Boss. “It’s enough to make me want to sweep her up and carry her to the fucking JP just to get this shit over with.”
“I think we’d all greatly appreciate you doing that,” I admitted. “You know, I’ve traveled all over the country for work and haveneverhad to prep this much. Jared and I are easy, but the girls . . . Man, I’m glad we’re taking a private plane because the amount of money I’d spend on excess baggage fees would break me if we flew commercial.”
“What did I miss?” Preacher asked as he sat down.
“How’s packing going for my sister?”
“Don’t even get me started. She acts like we’re leaving to sail around the world for a year. She’s got a list of shit we need to take from Q-tips to hand sanitizer. I went to trim my fingernails this morning and searched the entire fucking house for the clippers only to find out she’d already packed them.”
“Why?” Santa asked as he slowly shook his head.
“Said we might need them while we’re there.”
“Again, there are drugstores everywhere. Shit. You can get clippers at a convenience store,” I said in exasperation. “Jeez. It’s making me crazy enough that at this point, I’d welcome a trip to the nuthouse rather than Manhattan.”
“Can I volunteer to escort you on that trip?” Executioner, one of the Ares Infidels, asked when he walked up to the table. “I had to escape. She acts like she’s packing for us to go into an underground bunker for an unknown amount of time.”
Preacher picked at his cuticle and muttered, “I should have grabbed the damn clippers out of my supply stash.”
“Is this the escapee table?” Sin asked as he pulled a chair from a table nearby and slid it between Preacher and Boss. “If so, I’m down for whatever plan you’ve got.”
“We could just take a road trip and pretend we got kidnapped,” Executioner suggested. “Santa, you’ll have to act as a witness since you’re the only one who can’t miss the New York trip.”
“I’d rather be taken hostage at gunpoint than have to refold another goddamn t-shirt so everything fits in the suitcase.”
“Suitcase? As in singular? I put my shit into one and was careful to leave enough room for Jenn, and she looked at me like I’d sprouted fucking horns. Who needs that much shit to go away for a week?”
I laughed at the exasperation in Boss’s voice and said, “And they’re out buying winter coats for us now.”
“I never even thought about a coat,” Sin said with a sigh. “Shit.”
“You’re gonna need a good one. We’re playing golf,” Stamp told him. “December in New York, and Birdie booked a tee time for us.”
“I better pack some thermals, too, then,” Executioner said as he pulled his phone from his pocket. “Fuck. If I text her, she’s gonna know I’m here talking to all of you and want me to pick up some shit before I come home.”
“Just don’t forget about it and slip some into the luggage when you get home later,” I told him.
“You’re right,” Executioner agreed as he put his phone back down.
“Have you seen the schedule of events Birdie and Frankie have put together?” Stamp asked us.
“It’s… a lot,” Preacher said with a sigh. “Please, Santa, I’m begging you. Kidnap Frankie, take her to Vegas, find that Elvis impersonator Bug used, and marry her there. If you care about any of us at all, that’s what you’ll do.”
“I’m with him, man,” Sin said apologetically. “I never thought I’d encourage a kidnapping, but that’s what I’m doing. Pick her up over your shoulder like a caveman, and just get in the truck and drive.”
“I’ll buy the fucking gas,” Executioner offered.
“I’ll give you the keys to Birdie’s house on wheels,” Stamp added. “Just shove her in there and go.”
“Tie her up if you have to,” Preacher suggested.
