Mikey
Cam showed up to work early Monday morning. Mikey unlocked the glass door and switched on the neon ‘Open’ sign.
He had a full schedule today, mostly repeat customers and one new client.
“Hope there’s no animosity between us,” Cam said.
“No, man,” Mikey waved him off, “don’t let it happen again though.”
Cam put his palms up. “You don’t have to worry about that.” The kid took his jacket off and hung it in the closet.
“Do me a favor, wipe the counter down. There’s glass cleaner and paper towels behind there.”
Cam got to work without hesitation.
“I have a few appointments today, so ask me if I have time for any walk-ins.” Mikey went back to his station to set up for his first client. “Oh, and call Needles for me, remind him he has a noon appointment scheduled.” Ned had been skipping appointments lately, telling Mikey he had forgotten about them. Getting a bad rep for screwing over clients wasn’t something he needed. He’d get rid of him before that happened.
“No problem. My pleasure to wake his lazy ass up.”
Mikey finished his eleven o’clock early, so at noon he laid down in his tattoo chair. He took out his phone and texted Grace.
Mikey: Whatcha doing, beautiful?
Grace: Working
Mikey: Sounds boring.
He added a yawning emoji.
Grace: It is. Do you need something?
Mikey: You
Grace: Sorry, you’ll have to wait till 4
The bells over the door jangled and Mikey glanced over. Harry sauntered in, his usual brisk stride absent. Needles came through the door behind him.
Mikey looked at his watch. Needle’s twelve o’clock had been waiting ten minutes already.
“I know I’m late, got held up,” Needles said.
“Hey, it’s your client, your money.” Mikey shrugged. Looking at Harry he said, “I didn’t do it.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “That’s not why I’m here.”
“Oh.” Mikey sent another text to Grace.
Mikey: Gotta go. Luv u.
Grace: Love u 2
He put his phone away then crossed his legs at the ankles and his arms over his chest.
“I’m here to ah…say I’m…uh, sorry. Yeah.”
Mikey chuckled. “Wow, that was difficult, wasn’t it?” He had no idea why Harry apologized, but always looked for ways of torturing the man. Payback for being accused of murder. Although truthfully he respected Harry, thought he was a great man and good cop.
“So I assume he told you. I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings.”
Mikey raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Harry, I don’t—”
“Listen, he’s a great kid and I—”
“I’m sorry, this is about my son?”
“He didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what? What happened?”
Harry rubbed his forehead and sucked air in between his teeth. “I fucked up. I assumed something I shouldn't’ve.” The cop’s eyes darted around.
Mikey stood. “What, Harry?” No wonder Brayden was so mopey.
“I didn’t understand why he likes playing chess with an old bastard like me. I thought maybe he didn’t have any friends his own age.”
Mikey snorted with exasperation and threw his hands up. “Did it ever occur to you that he likes you? Looks up to you? You saved my life, which we’re both grateful for, and the reason I’m not angrier. Come spring, believe it or not, you’ll be his grandfather. He already thinks of you that way.”
“I know,” Harry mumbled.
“You know what, he’s the one you should apologize to, not me.”
“I tried.”
“Try again. Make this right. He has so little family. All he has is me and Grace.”
“Do you mind if I pick him up after school and take him to your house?”
“I’ll call the school and let them know.”
* * *
Harry
The school parking lot was a congested bowl of crap, like he felt. However, a harsher word than crap was likely more apt here. Harry pulled into the circular drive student pick-up zone. He put one of Natalie’s loaners into park, and flopped his head back on the seat.
Brayden came out of the school smiling and talking to a couple of other boys. They stood off to the side, hovering over his phone, laughing. Probably watching a YouTube video. After another two minutes the kids waved goodbye to each other. One of them got into a car in front of Harry and the other hopped onto a bus.
Brayden stayed where he was with his arms crossed.
Harry rolled down the window. “You’re gonna catch cold, come on,” he called to Brayden.
Mikey’s son came forward so slowly Harry questioned whether the kid moved at all.
“Sit in the front seat, I wanna talk to you.”
“Isn’t that against the law?”
Harry sighed heavily. “Just get in and stop giving me a hard time.” Brayden slid in the front seat. “So, I hear your birthday is coming up.”
“Yeah?”
“I was thinking about what you said—” The car behind them honked. “Yeah, yeah, screw you.”
“You’re supposed to pull forward when the car in front moves.”
“Anyway,” Harry said stepping on the gas. “About what you said, that grandfathers are supposed to teach their grandsons things. I was thinking you and I should go fishing this spring, maybe up north. Natalie has a cabin by the river with good fishing.”
“I’ve never fished before.”
“That’s all right. I’ll teach you how.”
“Will it just be the two of us?”
“If you want. That’s up to you. Your dad, Grace, and Natalie can come.”
“I think it should be a man’s weekend.”
Harry laughed. “So we’re going to leave your dad at home?”
“Ha ha, funny…but yes.” Brayden smiled from ear-to-ear. “He doesn’t fish.”
“Great, I’ll make arrangements.” Harry pulled out of the lot and they rode in silence for a while.
“I forgive you,” Brayden said.
“I didn’t say I was sorry yet.”
“I know. My dad told me why you were picking me up though, and asking me on a fishing trip is way better than some stupid ‘I’m sorry’.”
Even though Harry was happy, he set his lips in a thin line so he wouldn’t tear up. Brayden was better than a grandson, he was the son he’d never get the chance to have.