The Beast in Him
Page 45

I didnt want to embarrass you.
I have other clients I bring in here. Any time I show up with this tiger, Peter Greely, we have to quadruple the order. He practically shuts the place down.
Smitty chose to ignore the fact that she was hanging around tigers. Like those striped bastards could be trusted.
So your dad called?
Closing up his paper and placing it on the seat beside him, Smitty said, Yup. He called all right.
Why?
To tell me Im making a mistake. To tell me I should bring my ass back home. To tell me what a loser I am.
Trish placed a Coke in front of Jessie and filled up Smittys coffee mug. Jess sipped her pop through a bendy straw like a ten-year-old and stared off thoughtfully. He blew on his coffee, and as he brought the mug to his lips, barely tasting the strong brew, Jessie said matter-of-factly, You do know your father can be an amazing prick, right?
Good thing he wore dark colors today because hed probably never get the coffee stains out.
Jessie winced, grabbing a napkin and leaning across the table to wipe the coffee off Smittys chin and neck.
Sorry.
No, no. Youre probably one of the few people who actually has the guts to say the words out loud.
It just seems to be what he does. To keep control. Convince you guys, you and your brothers, that youre fuckups and that you cant survive without him. Besides, she added, I think he really likes having you around.
Smitty snorted. Oh, come on. Lets not bullshit a bullshitter.
Im serious. He was really sad the day you left. I saw him at the bus
She cut herself off and looked around the restaurant.
You were at the bus station the day I left?
Well, uh...
Jessie Ann?
I was near it.
Near it how?
Hiding in a utility closet that had a window so that I could see the bus.
She had no idea, did she? How much it meant to him to know shed come that day. Knowing shed risked being caught by his sister and her merry band of She-bitches.
I thought I caught your scent, but I figured it was my imagination. I really wanted you to be there. Its nice to know you were.
Yeah, well. She took another sip of her pop. Anyway, your dad was real sad. He didnt want you to go. But I think he knew you had no choice.
Thats some mighty guessing youre doing there.
When you spend most of your time watching people, you learn to pick up things. She rubbed her nose and frowned. Rubbed her nose and grimaced.
JessieAnn?
Before she could answer, the sneezing started and didnt stop.
Leaning over a bit, he saw that the woman in the booth behind Jessie had a bouquet of flowers in her hand. The man sitting with her must have just given her the damn things.
Ill be right back, he said to her before sliding out of the booth and walking over to the couple.
Jess hadnt brought her backpack, but shed shoved her allergy stuff in the big pocket of her parka. God, she loved this coat!
By the time shed pulled the little zipped plastic pouch out, Trish had brought her a glass of water. She swallowed two pills as best she could while sneezing and pulled her nasal spray out next. By the time she finished using that, her sneezing stopped and Smitty was sliding back into the booth. She thought for sure shed have to use her inhaler and probably leave, but when she turned around, she saw that the couple with the offending flowers had moved to a table across the room.
What did you say to get them to move?
I just asked em nice.
This is New York. Nice does not exist here.
It works for me. Must be my charm.
And the fact youre built like a fullback for the Dallas Cowboys. You probably terrified them.
That too. He smiled. Feel better?
Yeah, sorry about that.
Dont apologize, darlin. I just cant believe you still have those allergies. I figured youd grow out of them.
I thought so too. But no such luck. Plants, not really a problem anymore. But flowers... my doom.
Smitty laughed and moved his arms off the table so Trish could put their food down.
Once she walked away, he said with what seemed like total honesty, Im glad I got to see you today.
Youre lucky my schedule allowed for it. My next meetings not until three.
So then we still have time to go back to my apartment and
No, we dont. Although she was glad he actually suggested it. Did wonders for her ego.
Fine. Guess well just have to talk then.
Jess put her usual quart of ketchup on her burger and over her fries. I guess I fell right into that little trap, now didnt I?
Like an impala.
Before biting into her burger, Jess had to ask, Talk about what?
Lets start off easy. Why did you leave?
Easy. Yeah. Sure. Well, after throwing Bertha off Otters Hill, figured it would be in my best interest to get out of town.
Smitty stroked his chin. I thought she got drunk and fell off.