Day 16

Next week, I’m comin’ with you

Saturday morning comes around again.  Over their morning tea, the two men continue with their plans.

“Go to the video shop again, same time as last time.  If you see the boy, talk to him.  See if you can get friendly, but don’t overdo it.  And make sure you keep away from the main shops.  That’s where the cameras’ll be.  Do you think you can do that?”

Nathan is glad that things are back on track again.  He’s been worried that he’s spoiled Ed’s plans.

“Will do, Ed. Want another cuppa before I go?”

“Nah, you’re right.  Just get goin’, you don’t want to miss him if he’s gunna be there.”

Nathan sets off for the shops, happier than he’s ever remembered.

“D’you see him?”  Ed doesn’t greet Nathan, just asks the question he’s been wanting answered all morning.

“Yes, we had a chat about music.  I asked him what he was listening to.  You should see the size of that music player he’s got. It’s tiny, fits right in his hand.”

“And he was OK?”

“Yep, happy as.  No danger.”

“And he was there the same time?”

“Yep, bang on.”

“Good. Next week, I’m comin’ with you.”

He needs to get inside out of the sun

Saturday morning and there’s a dog in Chris’s front yard.  Chris isn’t really much for pets.  The family had them when he was a kid, but he’s never had anything living with him since he left home.  He sees it in the front garden when he goes to check the mail.  These days he only looks once in a while to clear out the crap that still gets shoved in the narrow slot in spite of the no junk mail warning.

The dog’s annoying him.  When he first notices it, it’s on his lawn, scratching the grass with its front legs, back arched like it’s just taken a piss.  He looks over at the black and white thing, wants to shout out at it, but doesn’t want to draw any attention to himself.  He feels exposed at the top of his driveway, rarely spends more than a few moments here.  When he hears the voice, it makes him flinch — he hopes not visibly — sends shockwaves through his chest.  Chris looks over and sees his neighbour calling to the dog.  The dog trots obediently to its master, ignoring Chris in the process.  Chris smiles and waves, says “Hello,” hopes his neighbour hasn’t noticed him scowling at his dog, getting ready to give it a serve.  The man nods back, says “Hello,” in response.  Chris notices his wife in the background.  She’s dressed all in black, says nothing.

Chris’s neighbours moved in about the middle of last year.  They’re not really new any more, but they’re new around here.  He’s never really spoken to them since they moved in, just a nod and a greeting every now and then when they coincide in their front yards.

Chris hurries up the driveway.  He needs to get inside out of the sun.