He reached for the radio and turned it down before answering her. “You don’t need to worry about Anthony, Kit. He’ll handle it. He already knew something was up anyway. I just confirmed it.”
“Grizz, let’s be honest here. If he’d given you that news, you would’ve screamed, cussed, probably even put a fist through the wall. He did nothing. He nodded and listened to you and thanked you. His face was unreadable, like he was void of emotion. I couldn’t believe he was the same man who kissed my hand. His calmness was downright scary. I can’t even imagine how he plans on handling it.” The windows were cracked and the night air was warm, but she shivered anyway.
When Grizz didn’t comment, she huffed out a breath and her bangs blew up and softly landed back on her forehead. “Even when Veronique made a scene he didn’t lose his cool. He smiled. I’ve never seen someone handle themselves like that. It’s the mild ones who people need to watch out for. Goodness knows what’s brewing behind his eyes. They were black, Grizz. Black!” She ran her hand through her long hair and asked, “What kind of business is Anthony in anyway? You know, other than landscaping? I heard him mention that he wanted to set up a meeting with Axel to talk about a sensitive delivery."
Ignoring her last question, Grizz tried to lighten the mood. Maybe taking her along to meet Bear hadn’t been the best idea. “You think Bear is mild?" he asked, shaking his head as if he knew better. Before she could answer, he added, "But yeah, him smiling is a rarity, that’s for sure."
“But the other stuff, Grizz. Not showing any emotion. Not even one “f” word. Look how upset I am and it’s not even my problem to deal with.”
“With all your fussing at me for cussing you’re telling me you wish he had?” Grizz asked, the amusement in his voice obvious. “Because Bear does lose his temper and he definitely cusses, Kit. He's not perfect.” After a thoughtful pause, he added, “But now that I think on it, I’ve known him for a long time, and I’ve never seen him cuss out of anger or in front of a woman.”
He glanced over at her and thought he saw the concern in her eyes replaced with what might've been admiration. He didn’t like it.
“You’re not going to be crushing on Bear because he doesn’t cuss in front of women, are you, Kit?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course not. I find it interesting is all,” she answered as she rolled her eyes.
“Good, because you know I’m jealous. I don’t share. I don’t even think about sharing.”
She gave him a small smile and shook her head. “You know you never have to worry about anything like that with me, Grizz. I love you. You’re my husband. You’re the only man I’ll ever love.”
“Good,” he replied, and after a long pause he added, “Because I wouldn’t want to have to put a cap in Anthony’s head.”
She sat straight up, the seat belt pulling tightly against her breasts. “Don’t even joke about something like that, Grizz. It’s not funny,” she pleaded. “You said he was one of a few trusted friends. Why would you kid about that?”
Turning to his wife he gave her a serious look and said, “I’m not joking about what I might do just thinking about you having feelings for another man, Kit."
Reaching for the stereo volume, he turned up Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” as he sped through the darkness toward their home on the east coast.
Chapter Four
Miami, Florida 1958
Anthony pushed the lawnmower in the South Florida heat and swatted at the flies that were circling his head. He ignored the laughter from the pool party next door that was so loud he could hear it over the sound of the mower. It had taken the soon-to-be teenager two months to hitchhike from Oklahoma to Florida, and after arriving he'd quickly found work on a landscape crew comprised mostly of non-English-speaking men. He was okay with that. He didn't want to answer questions about his family or rather lack of one. They'd assumed he was from a poor background and instead of going to school, worked to help support his relatives. It wasn't unheard of, and so far, nobody had cared enough to pry. He was paid a fair wage for an honest day's work, and he was certain that due to his size, they'd assumed he was older than he was.
Anthony rarely had to sleep on the street, and if he did, he knew how to stay out of public view. He was especially good at casing houses that only had part-time residents. He knew how to break in and make the best use of the unoccupied homes without getting caught. His father had taught him well.
Turning off the mower, he stopped and pulled his shirt up to wipe the sweat from his face. The pool party next door got louder, and he could hear the party host slurring his words as he tried to talk the women into taking their bathing suit tops off. Anthony could tell by the hooting and hollering they were complying with the man's request. He was disgusted by weak women. He'd observed how his father treated women and instead of feeling sorry for them, Anthony resented them.
They’re all imbeciles, he thought to himself as he gazed out over the expanse of the yard he was mowing and focused on the yacht that was docked behind it. The clown next door had an even bigger boat tied up behind his house. He despised them. Despised them all.
Anthony decided immediately after his arrival that he disliked Miami and would be leaving as soon as he could earn enough money to travel comfortably. Until now, he'd been mailing cash to his uncle's house in Oklahoma. He always included a small note saying that he was okay and for them not to worry about him. He also made sure his aunt and uncle knew what little cash he sent was to be given to Nisha. He'd felt responsible for her after having a last talk with his uncle, Robert. He started up the lawn mower and let his thoughts drift back to that conversation.
"Is it true? Is it true what RJ said about my mother?" he asked his uncle a few hours after hearing his cousin's nasty comments.
Robert had been standing at his tool bench with his back to the boy. He set down the wrench in his hand carefully and slowly turned around to face his nephew.
"How much of my conversation with RJ did you hear, Anthony?"
"It doesn't matter, Uncle Robert. I heard what he said. Is it true? Was she a prostitute?"
Robert looked past Anthony's shoulder and sighed. Looking back into his dark eyes, he answered, "I don't know."
"Tell me the truth. I told you the truth when you asked me where I got the part for Rosemary's car," Anthony challenged.