“Just one today?” Amy, the normal waitress asked.
Andrew glanced towards the door, hoping Randall would push through any minute. With a sigh he turned towards Amy and nodded.
“You haven’t seen him today have you?” Andrew asked, slightly concerned.
She shook her head. “Not for a few days, but I was off a couple days as well,” she said as she set the menu in front of him. “Let me get you some coffee.”
A few days was unusual for Randall. He had a system and tended to keep track of the money Andrew left for him so that he could have breakfast every morning during the week, which was when Amy worked. Andrew knew that Randall had a bit of a crush on her and he could understand why. She was always nice to him and never looked down on who he was which had made her endearing to Andrew as well. Andrew decided that he would take a look around and see if he could find him after his meeting with Cortez. He figured that Randall had probably hustled some money and was drunk somewhere but Andrew knew himself well enough to know that he wouldn’t feel comfortable until he found him.
~*~
Andrew walked out of Cortez’s office and onto the sidewalk. There were more times than not that he actually missed Jamal. Jamal was hard as nails but Andrew sensed that he cared for him, at least deep down. He never got that sense with Cortez. Cortez barely noticed him. Andrew looked up and down the street. He started walking along the paths that he thought Randall might be on. Finally, on the fourth street he had gone down he smiled brightly when he saw a man slouched against the wall with a bottle in his hand.
“Randall, you missed breakfast man. I think Amy missed you,” he said tapping the man.
A drunkard that was not Randall looked up at him questioningly and Andrew stepped back, narrowing his eyes as he looked down the alley.
“Hey, you seen Randall around?” Andrew asked pulling out a couple of dollars.
The drunkard shook his head and Andrew sighed, handing the man the money anyway. He continued down the alley towards the next street. He kept his hands fisted in his pockets with his brow furrowed. He remained on guard just in case he encountered some sort of trouble but he was definitely starting to worry.
“White boy!” Andrew heard as he turned on to the next street.
Andrew ignored the men he recognized as local gang members. They generally never bothered him after the first time he saw them on the day he met Randall. He didn’t know why they would be interested in him now and he had no intention of finding out.
“Yo, White boy, I know you ain’t deaf!” he heard a deep voice approaching from behind him.
When he felt a hand on him, instinct took over and as he turned he swung one of his fists, knocking the man back. Before Andrew could do anything else he was pulled into the alley and there were two guns drawn on him. The man he hit stood directly in front of him.
“What the fuck is wrong with you? You got some kind of fucking death wish or something?” the man said, glaring at him.
“I don’t bother you guys so back the fuck off,” Andrew spit out, seemingly unfazed by the men before him.
The man smiled and laughed before motioning for his men to drop their guns. “Calm the fuck down, White boy,” he said coolly, somewhat amused by his reaction. “Look, it’s cool how you always help out old man Randall. He’s a drunk but he’s good people.” He stepped a bit closer to Andrew. “But that don’t mean that I won’t have my boys kill your ass if you ever do some stupid ass shit like that again,” he said with a wicked glint in his eyes.
Andrew didn’t allow his expression to falter. He knew through his experience in prison that the gang members generally just wanted to be respected but if they sensed weakness in you they would pounce on that without hesitation.
“You seen Randall anywhere?” Andrew asked calmly.
The man sighed and looked down, twisting his lip in an usual way before looking up at him again. He nodded. “That’s why I was calling for you, ‘cause I heard you was asking about Randall.”
“So where is he?”
“I saw the bus pick him up on Monday, he didn’t look good and I ain’t seen him since, so he may be dead by now.”
“Dead! What the fuck!” Andrew’s expression finally wavered at what he was hearing.
“I don’t know, man, I would check Bellevue. They don’t be keeping homeless dudes very long. So he is probably at the morgue already if he ain’t on his way to Potter's Field.”
“What the hell is a Potter’s Field?” Andrew asked bringing his hand into his hair, looking lost suddenly.
“It’s where they bury the people who can’t pay,” one of the other men said with a shrug.
“Yeah, you know, homeless, prisoners, shit like that,” the other gun-toting thug added.
The leader waved his men back, which they reluctantly did. He set his hand on Andrew’s shoulder. He felt bad for the man. It was obvious that he cared about the old drunk and he respected him for that and the way he tried to take care of him but in his eyes, drunks died all the damn time, which was why you never got personally invested in them.
“I’m sorry, man,” he finally said with a kindness that one generally wouldn’t associate with a gangbanger.
“Where’s, umm, this Bellevue place?” Andrew asked, swallowing thickly.
~*~
Andrew stared at the woman before him. She had spent the past ten minutes explaining to him that Randall had been admitted into the hospital on Monday when he had fallen in the middle of the street, he died later that night of advanced cirrhosis and a myocardial infarction. When his body was not claimed after twenty-four hours the hospital transferred him to the morgue at Bellevue where a petition was filed to have him buried at Potter's Field. He was delivered there yesterday, buried in an unmarked grave.
“That makes no sense. You just sent him away?”
“I’m sorry, sir, but we can’t keep the indigent for...”
“His name was Randall!” Andrew yelled as he slammed his hands on the counter. “He had a fucking name. Stop acting like he was some homeless nobody that no one cared about. He was... my friend.”
“Is there a problem?” A security guard asked coming up to them.
Andrew brought both of his hands into his hair, trying to calm down. The last thing he wanted was to get arrested but he was tired and frustrated and no one seemed to care about Randall aside from himself.
“Well, how do I get to this Potter’s Field place and how do I know where he’s buried. Do you have some kind of map I can follow?"” he asked with an exasperated breath.
“I’m sorry, sir, but the ferry to the island won’t be for another two weeks and...”
“What does that mean? I can’t go see him?” Andrew interrupted her.
She sighed, feeling awful for the distraught man before her. “The ferry travels to the island once a month and, well, you don’t actually get to visit the individual’s grave. Visitors are only allowed on the Gazebo,” she said politely.
“I... I can’t say goodbye. Is that what you’re telling me?”
She nodded. “I’m sor...”
“Stop saying that!” Andrew hissed as he turned and walked out.
He stormed out of the building, immediately shoving a cigarette in his mouth. He wasn’t sure how he got home because he didn’t actually remember it. He just knew he was there. He was extremely thankful that no one was around but to be on the safe side, he took the elevators up to his and Madison’s apartment. He didn’t want to talk to anyone.
He walked into the kitchen, pulling out two bottles of Heineken before finding himself in his chair by the window. He cracked the window and pulled out his pack of cigarettes. He never smoked in the apartment but he needed to today. Andrew drained his beer in several large gulps and flicked his cigarette butt inside the bottle before popping the top off his second one. He felt completely shattered. He took a long swig of his beer, sat it on the ledge next to the empty bottle, and picked up his sketchpad. He flipped through it, fi
nding what he wanted right away. He had sketched Randall one day several months ago; just for the hell of it. He had drawn him sitting in the diner, a big toothless grin as he told stories about his life in New Orleans. Over the past five and half months, Andrew had gotten to know him fairly well. He had a family but they had written him off years ago. Andrew had asked him many times his last name but Randall never gave it, saying it was better that way. He closed his eyes as he took a deep breath.
“Randall, come on, man. You’re being unreasonable.”
Randall looked up from his breakfast. He leaned back and stared at the man in front of him. For all intents and purposes, he had been his only real friend in years. He had a good heart and he meant well but he had no idea what he was talking about.
“I’ve caused nothing but problems for them, Andrew,” Randall said, scooping a large forkful of food into his waiting mouth.
“But I’m sure they would want to know where you are, that you are alright. I could help with that,” Andrew said watching him.
“Nah, they are better off now than they ever were with me around. They can move on with their lives without me always fucking things up for them,” Randall said as he took another large bite of his pancakes.
“I don’t know about that, man,” Andrew said with a frown.
Randall laughed heartedly. “You’re alright, Andrew,” he said, setting his fork down. He then gave him a steely expression. “You, of all people, should know to let sleeping dogs lie, hell, the best thing I ever did for my family was leave.” He sighed when he saw Andrew’s contemplative face. “You gonna eat that?” he asked, motioning to Andrew’s toast, wanting to end the uncomfortable conversation they were having.
“Go ahead,” Andrew replied but as Randall reached for it, Andrew placed his hand on his. “We’re not done talking about this though.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“I mean it, Randall. I used to think my family wouldn’t care but they did.”
Andrew blinked and swallowed hard. Now Randall was dead, no one would know, and no one would care. He frowned and slammed the sketchbook closed, tossing it back on the end table with a thud. He took two big gulps of his beer before lighting another cigarette.
“You stupid fucker,” he fumed as he brought his cigarette to his mouth, taking a long drag.
~*~
Madison was sitting in her office going over client files. She was excited for the evening. Andrew wouldn’t tell her what he had planned for the night, only that she had to be home on time and that she would enjoy it. Of that, she had no doubt. Things had definitely improved between them. He still seemed a bit unhappy but she could tell that he was trying. She was planning on talking to him tonight about the possibility of visiting California sometime in May or June, after tax season was over when things were significantly less stressful for her.
“You have plans tonight, Madison?” Susan asked, bringing Madison her mail.
“Not sure. Andrew is planning something, but he won’t give any details whatsoever. It’s maddening,” Madison said with a giggle.
“Oh, that would drive me crazy,” Susan agreed.
“How about you?” Madison asked.
“Oh, just the usual,” she replied and then realized Madison didn’t know what that entailed. “We are going out to eat and then the Empire State Building. He proposed to me there on Valentine’s Day six years ago, so we go there every year.”
“Wow, that sounds wonderful,” Madison said, wondering what tradition Andrew and she were going to repeat every year.
“Well, I will let you finish so you don’t have to stay late,” Susan said with a genuine smile before walking out of Madison’s office.
Madison smiled as she glanced at her mail haphazardly, not paying any attention, lost in thoughts of what awaited her at home. There was no lingering around today for Madison; once five o’clock came, she headed out to her car. Traffic was horrible, which irritated her, as she didn’t want to be late tonight. She swung the door open excitedly, halfway hoping Andrew would be greeting her naked, or close to it, but everything was dark. She walked inside, confused.
“Andrew?” Madison called out.
She slipped her heels off and hung her jacket up, glancing in the kitchen as she walked by it. There was nothing warming up, which she thought was odd. He knew she didn’t really want to go out. She flipped on the light switch and the chandelier above the dining room table flicked on. That’s when she saw him, sitting in his chair; his expression was hard, angry even. There were four bottles of Heineken on the ledge and what looked like smoke. She breathed out a slow breath, knowing something had happened. She walked over to him and maneuvered onto his lap. He exhaled loudly as his arms enveloped her, his head falling down to bury into her hair. His breathing was ragged and Madison wasn’t sure, but it seemed as if he might be crying.
“I’m here for you baby, always,” Madison said lovingly, hoping he would say something so she would know how she should react.
“Randall’s...” He stopped and sat up straight.
Madison looked up at him. “Helios, what happened?”
“Randall... died, four days ago.”
Madison gasped and held him tightly. “Oh, God! Baby, I’m so sorry.”
Madison drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder. He stared out the window and picked up his cigarette, bringing it to his lips as if he were in a trance. He never smoked in the apartment so she knew he was really upset. Not that she blamed him. He exhaled out the cracked window.
“He left me,” Andrew said matter of fact, bringing the cigarette back to his mouth.
“Baby, I’m sure that...” Madison started to say.
“I’m alone out here,” Andrew stated flatly through a cloud of smoke. “I have no one anymore. Just you, Madison,” he said turning to look at her. “All I have is you.”
Madison felt the sting of her tears when she saw that his eyes were minus the spark she was so used to seeing in them. She reached out to cup his cheek, thankful when he leaned into it. She wanted to tell him that everything would be okay, but she no longer believed that to be true.
15 Walls Closing In
Friday was difficult for Madison as she spent her entire day worried about Andrew. The previous night he had been lost in thought and slept restlessly, tossing and turning all evening. Another Valentine’s Day that Madison would put in the 'to be forgotten' files. What she had initially thought would be a wonderful three-day weekend, holed up, making love to Andrew the entire time, turned out to be some crazy emotional roller coaster that she desperately wanted to slow down or jump the hell off of. She felt as if she were walking on eggshells, not sure which Andrew would emerge. He was either very clingy, needing to touch or hold her or he was very distant, angry even, giving her the impression that he wanted nothing to do with her. She had no idea how to help him through this and by the time the weekend came to a close she was emotionally drained. For the first time since she met him, she was thankful to be away. Not that being at work made anything better as she constantly thought of him and whether he was doing okay.
Throughout the day, Madison felt extremely guilty for wanting to be at work but in the process she came to several realizations, one being that he needed her and she would not disappoint him and two being that moving to New York may not have been in their best interest. She wasn’t sure how to fix the situation or make it better, but she was determined that she would find a way because she couldn’t handle seeing Andrew so distraught. With renewed energy, she picked up Chinese take-out for dinner so that they would have no excuse not to talk, which was something they needed to do. She even went so far as to leave the office a little earlier than she normally did so that he wouldn’t have to be alone for very long. She couldn’t believe that she had even fathomed for a moment wanting to be away from him.
The drive home seemed to go by quickly as she was so lost in thought that she was actually surprised when s
he arrived at her apartment. As she parked and rode the elevator up, she made a silent prayer that he would be doing a little better today. She walked through the door and set the food on the dining room table next to the mail that Andrew had brought in for them. He was in his typical spot and when he heard her enter, he turned, offering her a small smile. She went to him immediately and maneuvered onto his lap, something that had just become custom for them. She kissed him softly, sweetly.
“How was your day?” Madison asked as she ran her hand through his hair.
His fingertips traced along the outline of her face, resting on her lips. “It was alright,” he said as he kissed her again.
“How about we eat and then go to bed early?” Madison suggested, sensing he needed to hold her and feel reassured before they talked.
He nodded. “Yeah, I’d like that.” His eyes became sad suddenly. “I’m sorry I’ve been so moody.”
“It’s alright, baby, I know things have been difficult and I love you, so yeah, there’s that,” Madison replied with another tender kiss.
He breathed in deeply and smiled as he lifted her up and off of him. They swung their hands as they walked to the dining room, happy for the levity the gesture brought. Madison let go when they got into the kitchen and grabbed the dishes and silverware while Andrew got their drinks. They dished out their food and Andrew moved the mail out of the way, but then remembering she had received a letter that looked important.
“There was something in the mail from the apartment complex,” he told her as he began eating his food.
“Really? Hmm, they never send me anything,” Madison said curiously as she wiped her mouth and dug through the mail.
They had been so preoccupied since finding out about Randall that they hadn’t checked the mail in several days. She was suddenly worried that she may have missed some important deadline. Finding what she was looking for, she ripped the envelope open and pulled out a formal looking letter.
Helios Exposed (The Helios Chronicles #2) Page 15