FIFTEEN
Cooper
The next morning, I woke up as confused as the night before? What the hell was Jade’s problem? She had called me, invited me over, let me fuck her, and then went nuts crying? What the hell?
I picked up my phone from the nightstand and turned on the screen. No messages. Maybe it was a one-off? She didn’t seem like that type of woman, but what the hell do I know? Not much.
After throwing the covers back, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stretched my arms. She had been a good lay. I couldn’t deny that one bit.
The look on her face when she came stuck with me as I went through my morning routine, gradually waking up and getting ready for the day. With no job, I had nothing but time.
Around lunch, my phone rang. I grabbed it excitedly, expecting to see her phone number on the screen, but it was one I didn’t recognize. Who the hell is this? I answered.
“Hello?”
“Hey man, what’s up. Long time no hear.”
“Who is this?” I asked, not sure about the voice.
“Damn, bro. We lose touch for a year, and you’ve already forgotten me.”
“Oh, hey, Max. I didn’t expect to hear from you again.”
“Yeah, you made that quite evident last time we met.”
“What’s up?” I asked, getting straight to the point. “If this is about the past…”
“No, no,” he interrupted. “I want to talk to you about a new opportunity. What are you doing these days?”
“Nothing much,” I admitted.
“You did all that complaining back in A-stan, but you’re enjoying that money, aren’t you?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, not believing what he was saying on the phone.
“Look, let’s meet up, okay? This is a solid idea, and you’re the perfect partner.”
“I don’t know, Max.”
“You fucking afraid?”
“Man, don’t do that to me.”
“Do what?”
“Try to manipulate me. It doesn’t work.”
He laughed.
“Not anymore, huh? Anyway, what do you say? At least hear me out.”
“Fine. When do you want to do it?”
“You got time now? I have a hot date tonight.”
“Sure, now is fine. Where you at?”
“Let’s meet at Lucy’s Diner on Fifty-Third Street.”
“I’ll see you there in half-an-hour,” I said then ended the call.
Whatever he had in mind, I was not interested, but he wouldn’t stop bugging me until I told him in person and made it abundantly clear we weren’t going to go into business together ever again.
* * *
On the walk to Lucy’s Diner, I wondered what Max might want. Why had two people with connections to Afghanistan come into my life at roughly the same time?
I had sought out Jade, but Max had showed up on his own? Was it just a coincidence? None of the world made much sense. Ever since I returned, my view of the world had changed.
All I thought about was coming up with a way to get over the guilt attached to the money I had made illegally while serving my country. It didn’t matter how many times I told myself we hadn’t hurt anyone.
When it came down to it, I had participated in a scheme that had made many people wealthy. The money I received was enough for me to do nothing for a while, but I had to come up with my next step.
Jade didn’t seem to be the type of person who would date someone without a job or any prospects for the future. And I wasn’t going to let her go easily this time around
When I made it to the diner, I saw him sitting in a booth next to the front window. He nodded and smiled as I walked up to the door and opened it. I walked over to him and sat down.
“What’s up, bro?” he asked, more jovial than I remembered him.
“Same old, same old. You?”
A waitress walked up, pad of paper at the ready to take our order. He ordered a coffee with no sugar or milk. I did the same. When she left, he looked across the table.
“I’m looking for a partner.”
“I don’t want to be part of any of your schemes.”
He laughed.
“Damn, bro. Jump to conclusions often? This is totally legit.”
“Yeah? And what is it?”
“I’m starting a security company. I’ve already got three big name clients lined up, and I need to find people like you who I can trust.”
“You want to hire me?” I shook my head. “Not interested.”
“No, bro. I need a financial partner.”
“Oh, so you want my money.”
“Well, yeah, but you too. I like how you think things through all the time. We made a good team back in Afghanistan.”
I took a deep breath and shook my head.
“It’s not for me. Not now.”
Do not tell him about hunting down Jade.
He stared into my eyes, his brow furrowed as he studied me.
“Will you at least think about it? I’ll write up an official proposal with all the terms and details.”
“You can do that, but I’m telling you I’m not interested.”
“Before you even know the details, bro? That doesn’t sound like the Cooper I remember.”
“We all change. At least some of us do.”
“Harsh, but fair.”
The waitress returned with our coffee. I took a sip while glancing out the window. Several people passed by, wrapped up in their own worlds, oblivious to anything else.
I finished my coffee as quickly as possible, ready to leave. If Jade called, I didn’t want to be anywhere near Max or his crazy plans, legit or not.
The mystery of the night before continued to play itself out in my mind as I craved answers. Max rambled on about something, but I tuned him out.
After I drank the last of the bitter brew, I slid the cup to the center of the table then stood. He glanced up, making eye contact. I hated everything about him.
“I’m leaving,” I said. “You can email me the information, but I’m probably not going to change my mind.”
“At least read the shit, bro. You can do that for me, right?”
“Yeah, I’ll read it. Thanks for the coffee.”
“Still a cheap bastard, huh?” he said then laughed.
I turned and walked to the door, already wrapped up in my thoughts. The image of her face when I first slid into her flashed through my mind as I walked home, deciding what to do next.