by H. L. Sudler
“That he and I are a couple,” the prostitute said. “Visiting New York.”
The tourist nodded. “We were out having a good time on Halloween. I wanted to score some weed off of one of the guys. The four of them took us captive. Dark shot everybody…”
“And you saved us.”
Jon looked at the prostitute. “And they bought it?”
“Yeah,” the tourist said. “Considering I never actually bought any weed, we’re in the clear.”
“And the police thought we’d suffered enough.”
Jon sighed, relieved. “Thank God for that.”
“What about the boy?” the prostitute asked.
Jon looked up and said quietly, “I sent him away. He’ll be fine. I think he’s learned his lesson.”
“Good,” the prostitute said. “Everybody deserves a brand new start.”
The tourist looked at her, took her hand. He said, “Everybody.”
They smiled at each other, then looked at Jon.
“Want to join us for breakfast. We’re starved.”
Jon clapped the tourist on his shoulder.
“You two kids go on ahead. I’d only be a third wheel.”
The tourist stuck out his hand and Jon shook it. “Marc.”
The prostitute did the same. “Name’s Annie.”
“You two take care,” Jon said, watching them leave.
“I don’t know him…but I know her.”
Jon turned and Detective Brian stood behind him with his arms folded, his no-nonsense face on like a mask, his steel-blue eyes boring into him.
“She’s been through here before...as a guest.”
Jon was silent.
“Hopefully, after last night she turns a corner…in a good way. Judging by that budding romance, I’m betting she will.”
Jon nodded.
“B5…the Five Borough gang…with only four men. Not one with a cell phone on them.”
Jon continued to stare. Detective Brian did the same.
“What will you do now?” the detective asked.
“Go home. Get some sleep. Eat.”
“That’s a good idea. Because right now, you’re looking every minute of your 45 years.”
Jon grinned. “Why, detective, I think that’s the second nicest thing you’ve said to me since I’ve been here.”
“Remember: you only live once,” Detective Brian said, as if issuing a warning. He was smiling.
“But if you do it right,” Jon completed, “once is enough.”
Jon turned from the detective and walked out of the precinct into the bright light of the rising sun. He had some arrangements to make at work, and a plane to catch out west.
Author’s Note
One year I didn’t want to celebrate my birthday. It’s near Christmas, and everyone is understandably occupied. Friends told me I should be happy to be alive. But I was single and feeling down that year, and I spent my birthday sulking. Later I imagined what it would be like to take your birthday for granted. To be forced to fight for your life...on your birthday. To get a new appreciation of life by fighting to stay alive.
About the author
H.L. Sudler is the author of six books, including Patriarch: My Extraordinary Journey from Man to Gentleman, CafeLiving’s Favorite Cocktails (with Keith Vient), Man to Gentleman: A Beginner’s Guide to Manhood, his short story collection The Looking Glass: Tales of Light and Dark, and his thriller novel series Summerville and Return to Summerville. His short story The Way of All Flesh was selected for the PATHS Humanitarian Writing Award. He has served as a magazine publisher, a newspaper editor, and a contributing writer to numerous anthologies and periodicals. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but is now married and lives in Washington, DC.