Mango Key

by Bill H Myers

  Instead of giving up, I decided to check the large parking garage across from the Truman Annex. I figured with all the concrete it'd be cooler inside and be a good place for Eugene to hang out unnoticed during the day.

  I ducked under the gate and went in. After a few steps I could feel the temperature difference. Definitely cooler inside than out. Also darker. The low ceiling with the soft fluorescent lights made it a little hard to see much detail, but it looked like most of the parking spaces on the ground floor had cars in them.

  Near the back, where the parking spots were tighter and harder to get into, there were a few empty spaces. I walked past all of them looking for Eugene but didn't see him. If he was on the ground floor, he was well hidden. The garage had two more floors and I checked them both. Same as before, no Eugene.

  I'd been gone about thirty minutes and decided to head back to Wiener Girl. Leaving the parking garage, I stayed on Front Street until I reached Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum. I wanted to go in, but today wasn't the day.

  Across the street, I noticed a cruise ship unloading passengers. I was pretty sure Eugene wouldn't be one of them, but he might be panhandling near the unloading area. I headed in that direction.

  As I got closer, I could see the cruise ship was much larger than I originally thought. Instead of unloading a few hundred people, it was unloading thousands. A quick look around showed the area to be devoid of homeless people. The presence of six private security officers in uniform probably kept them at bay.

  Disappointed at not finding Eugene, I decided to go back to the hot dog stand and see if he had shown up there. The sidewalks were crowded with cruise passengers, which meant the walk back took longer than it should have.

  When I go to the parking lot where we'd left the Prius, I could see the line of people waiting to place orders at Wiener Girl was longer than it had been before. Buck was standing off to the side and it looked like he was signing autographs and posing for photos.

  The crowd he had attracted seemed to be helping Wiener Girl's business. The people who weren't buying hot dogs were buying T-shirts. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Rather than break up the festivities, I decided to stay in the parking lot near the Prius.

  From there I could watch people on the sidewalk near Wiener Girl and if Eugene showed up, I could get to him quickly. As it turned out, I didn't have to watch for long.

  Eugene did show up. In fact, he walked right up to me and said, “I didn't do it.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  He was wearing the same shirt he had on the day before. The red ketchup stain was still visible.

  I smiled and said, “Eugene. I'm glad you're here. We need to talk.”

  He stepped back. “You're not going to hit me, are you?”

  “No, not unless you pull a knife like you did yesterday. You planning on doing that again?”

  “No. That was a mistake.”

  “Good. Let's talk. Tell me about your note. What'd you mean by it wasn't you who did it?”

  Eugene looked around to see if anyone was listening. Satisfied that no one was near, he said, “I think Vincent did it.”

  “Vincent? Who's Vincent?”

  “He's the other guy in our crew. I don't know him too well, but he looks like trouble. He was there when I told Freddie I wasn't able to get the money from Wiener Girl. Freddie grabbed me and started to pound on me but Vincent stopped him. He told Freddie to leave me alone. He said he'd take care of Wiener Girl.

  “Freddie told Vincent to give her a real scare. He said he should do something that would get her attention. Vincent said he would and he left.

  “After he was gone, Freddie said Vincent was dangerous. Said he had beat up people in the past and to stay away from him. I didn't know what Vincent planned to do to Wiener Girl, but I wanted to warn her. When I went by to tell her, she'd already closed up. That's why I sent you the note.”

  I nodded. “How come I didn't see you in the food line? Everybody who ate last night walked by my station.”

  Eugene looked down at his feet. “I was afraid you'd mess me up again. I didn't want you to see me so I gave my friend the note and left.”

  “You didn't eat last night?”

  “No, I didn't.”

  “What about today? Have you eaten?”

  “A little.”

  “You hungry?”

  “Yeah, why you asking?”

  “Because I'm hungry and was thinking about going to get something to eat. You want to go?”

  Eugene looked around. “Is this some kind of trick? You going to take me somewhere and hurt me?”

  “No Eugene. It's not a trick. I'm going to go get a burger. You want one?”

  “Sure, as long as you're buying.”

  We got in the Prius and threaded our way through the crowd of tourists walking in the streets. Many were texting and shooting photos and not watching for cars. It was slow going until we got to US 1.

  Six minutes later, I pulled into a Burger King parking lot. Given Eugene's dirty clothes and lack of hygiene, Burger King was a better choice than most of the sit down restaurants nearby.

  I parked and we both went inside. I ordered a burger and fries and told Eugene to get whatever he wanted. He ordered a Whopper, onion rings, a chocolate shake and a fried apple pie.

  While waiting for our order, Eugene said he needed to go to the bathroom to wash up. He didn't need my permission and with free food on the way, I figured he wouldn't run off. “Yeah, go ahead. I'll wait here.”

  He wasn't gone long. Maybe he was worried about me leaving with the food. Or maybe he was just hungry. Whatever his reason, he made it back just as our order came out. The girl behind the counter put it on two trays. Eugene grabbed the one with his onion rings and I grabbed the other.

  We found an empty table near the front window, far away from other diners. I wanted to talk to Eugene and didn't want anyone listening in. It didn't look like that was going to be a problem. The blood-red ketchup stain on the front of his shirt, his unshaven face, wild hair and body odor gave other diners a reason to sit as far away from us as they could.

  Once we were at our table I expected Eugene to gulp down his food, but he didn't. He seemed to be waiting for me to take the first bite. Almost like he needed permission to start eating.

  “Aren't you hungry?”

  “Yeah, but I didn't want to be rude. You paid for this; you should get the first bite.”

  I smiled, picked up my burger and took a bite. “Eat up, Eugene.”

  That's all it took. He started eating and didn't stop until he had finished everything on the tray. When his food was gone, I asked him, “You full? You want something else?”

  “No, not now. Maybe when we leave. I know you brought me here because you want something from me. Tell me what it is.”

  I smiled. “Eugene you're a smart guy. I don't know why you're hanging around Freddie and doing his bad deeds. You're better than that.”

  He shook his head. “You don't know me. Maybe I'm just like Freddie.”

  I nodded. “Maybe you are. But I don't think so. I think you're a good guy who's had some tough breaks. I think things will get better for you as soon as you get away from Freddie. I want to help you do that.”

  Eugene cocked his head, suspicion in his eyes. “Why do you want to help me? What's in it for you?”

  I smiled. “Eugene, that's a good question. Here's my answer. Wiener Girl is my friend. I don't want to see her get hurt. If my helping you will keep her safe then I'm going to help you. But first you have to help me by telling me where I can find Freddie.”

  Eugene looked around, worried someone might see him talking to me. When he was sure no one was listening, he asked, “Why do you want to find Freddie?”

  “I want to talk him. I want to give him a reason not to bother Wiener Girl. That's all.”

  Eugene used one of the paper napkins on his tray to wipe his face. “I appreciate this meal and all, but I don't know if I can rat out
Freddie. He's been helping me survive here in Key West. If it weren't for him, I would have starved.

  I nodded. “So is Freddie feeding you? Has he found you a place to live? Is he paying you anything?”

  Eugene shook his head. “No, not yet. But he says the money will come if I keep working for him.”

  I nodded. “So do you like working for Freddie? Is that what you really want to do? Work for him?”

  He shook his head again. “I only came to Key West because I was looking for a job. But there aren't any jobs here for me. I'd leave if I could. But I don't have enough money for a bus ticket.”

  I nodded, wanting him to know I sympathized with him. Then I asked, “Eugene, what kind of job you looking for?”

  He pointed at the register where the girl was taking orders. “Restaurant work. I've done it before. Everything from dishwasher to fry cook. That's what I'm looking for, something in a restaurant.”

  His mention of restaurant work reminded me of the business card I had in my wallet, the one Jimbo had given me. “Eugene, what if I found you a job washing dishes? Would you take it?”

  He smiled. “In a heartbeat. But I don't think anyone is going to hire me. Look at me. I'm wearing the only clothes I own, they're ragged and dirty. I smell and need a haircut. I look like a criminal. Who's going to hire me?”

  I pulled out my phone. “Let me see what I can do.”

  Jimbo's number was in my recent call list. On the third ring, he answered. “Jimbo's, this is Jim.”

  “Hey Jim. I don't know if you remember me or not, but I'm the guy who brought your puppy back. Name's Walker.”

  “Yeah, I remember you. You changed your mind about the reward money?”

  “No, I haven't. But I need a favor. I have a guy here who is looking for a job. He has restaurant experience and says he likes kitchen work. You have any openings?”

  There was a pause then, “Yeah, we need a dishwasher. Will your guy do that?”

  “He says he will. When can he start?”

  “Today if he wants. I need someone right away. Working night shift.”

  “That'll work. My guy says he'll do it. There's a small problem though. He doesn't have a place to live. You know of anything? It doesn't need to be much, it's just him. Can't be expensive though.”

  Jimbo took a deep breath then said, “Hold on, let me ask around.”

  While waiting for him to get back on the line I told Eugene about the job. “I've found you a job. Washing dishes up in Marathon. You can start tonight. You interested?”

  Eugene smiled. “Yeah I'm interested. I don't care what it pays, I'll take it.”

  From my phone I heard Jimbo ask, “You still there?”

  “Yeah, I'm here.”

  “Good. I talked to the guys in the kitchen and one of them is looking for a roommate. You get your man up here by six tonight and he's got the job. I'll pay his rent for the first month. If he's a good worker, he'll make enough to cover it from then on. Think you can get him here by six?”

  “Yeah, I can do that.”

  We ended the call.

  I shared the news with Eugene.

  “You now have a job and a place to live. I'm going to take you up there, but first we need to get you cleaned up. You ready?”

  “You betcha.”

  Before we left Burger King I called Buck and told him I'd found Eugene. I let him know I'd be bringing him by Wiener Girl in about an hour and for him to make sure the girls were still there. He wanted to know more, but I told him I needed to take care of a few things first.

  We left Burger King and headed north on US 1. Half a mile down the road, I pulled into the parking lot of a Bealls Outlet. “Eugene, I want you to go in there and pick out five white T-shirts, five pairs of short pants, five pairs of socks and underwear, and a pair of new tennis shoes. Get a back pack to put everything in.

  “I'm going in with you and I'm going to pay, but you're going to pick everything out. We're on a tight schedule. We can spend twenty minutes in there, no more. Got it?”

  Eugene nodded. “Yeah, but why you doing this? Why you being so nice?”

  “Because I think you're a good guy. I figure if I help you get started with a new job, you might help me find Freddie. Think about it while we're inside.”

  We went into Bealls and Eugene started picking out his new clothes. He was worried about me spending too much money. I told him that Bealls had pretty good prices and I wanted him to look good for his new job.

  Even though I told him to get what he wanted, he stuck to the sales items. He was careful not to go overboard. At the checkout, the total for everything was just under a hundred and thirty dollars. A lot of money, but a bargain if it helped Eugene turn his life around.

  After Bealls, we headed to the grocery store next door. I helped Eugene pick out shampoo, shaving cream, razors and soap. Back in the car, I asked, “You know a place around here where you can clean up? Maybe take a shower?”

  “Yeah, Higgs Beach. They have public rest rooms and outdoor showers. Take me there.”

  Like most places in Key West, Higgs Beach was close. It only took us a few minutes to get there. Eugene showed me where to park, in the shade near the rest rooms. “They'll run me off if I spend too much time in there. So I'm going to shave first, come back to the car, and then shower. You coming in with me?”

  “No Eugene, I don't want to watch you shave. You go ahead. If I see cops headed your way, I'll let you know.”

  He grabbed the razor and shaving cream we'd just bought and headed into the bath house. Five minutes later, he returned to the car, cleanly shaved. His face was red from razor burn but he was starting to look civilized. He grabbed the shampoo and headed back to the bath house.

  The showers were outside, shielded from the beach by a six foot high wooden partition. They were intended to be used by beach goers who wanted to wash off salt and sand before returning to their cars. No one was using them, so Eugene didn't have to wait.

  He quickly stripped off his shirt and pants, and showered in his underwear. Anywhere else, a man showering in his underwear in public might draw attention, but in Key West it didn't raise any eyebrows.

  When he was done, he dried off using his old shirt, and came back to the car in his underwear. He went through the bags of new clothes, pulled out what he needed, and went back to the bath house to change.

  When he came out, he looked like a new man. Cleanly shaven, combed hair, clean clothes. He was standing taller, no longer hunched over like he was trying to hide from the world. On the way back to the car, he tossed his old clothes into the nearby trash bin and wiped his hands. He had a smile on his face when he climbed into the passenger seat beside me.

  He turned and said, “Sunset Marina. That's where you'll find Freddie. I meet him there every day at six. Vincent shows up every other day. He was there yesterday so he probably won't be there today. But Freddie will be there.

  “The marina is right behind KOTs, the homeless shelter. Freddie has one of those rubber boats. It has yellow pontoons and has the words “Marine Sat” painted in blue on the cabin. If you're at the dock around six, you'll see him come in. Tell him you want to do business with him. He'll talk to you.”

  “What kind of business is he in?”

  “Something to do with installing satellite systems on boats.”

  I nodded. “Eugene, I appreciate you telling me this. It was the right thing to do.”

  The clock on the Prius dash showed it was already two thirty. I had to meet Kat at my trailer at seven. If I left for Marathon, I'd be back in plenty of time. But I needed to do something else first.

  “Eugene, I'm going to ask you a favor. I hope you say yes.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  “I want you to talk to Summer. She's the woman who works behind the counter at Wiener Girl. I want you to tell her you won't be bothering her any more. Would you do that for me?”

  Eugene took a deep breath. “Look, I feel real bad about causing her tro
uble. But if you take me over there, I don't know if I can talk to her. I'm kinda embarrassed about the way I acted around her.”

  I nodded. “I understand it'll be hard for you to face her. But if you do and if you tell her you're sorry and won't be bothering her again, it'll make her feel better and it'll make you feel better. What do you say? Let's give it a try.”

  Eugene thought about it for a moment then said, “Okay, take me over there. I can't promise I'll say the right thing, but I'll try.”

  We drove back down US 1, turned right on White Street and made our way over to the parking lot across from Wiener Girl. The hot dog stand was still open, but there was no longer a line of people waiting to get served. I could see Lori and Summer inside. Buck was sitting in the shade near the back of the trailer in one of the folding chairs Summer had put out for customers.

  I turned to Eugene. “You ready?”

  “No, not really. I don't know what to say. I'm afraid I'll mess things up.”

  “Don't worry about it, Eugene. I'll go over there and introduce you. You just tell her you're sorry and you won't be bothering her again. That's all you have to do.”

  Eugene nodded. “I'll try.”

  We got out of the car and crossed the street. Lori looked up and saw us coming. She tapped Summer on the shoulder and pointed in our direction.

  Summer saw me and smiled. I don't think she recognized Eugene. She continued to smile as we got closer.

  I walked up and made the introductions. “Summer, this is Eugene. He has something he wants to say to you.”

  Eugene was standing behind me until I introduced him. When he heard his name, he stepped forward and cleared his throat. Then he said, “I'm sorry. It wasn't my idea to come over here and ask you for money. I shouldn't have done it no matter what. I'm not that kind of person and I apologize. I promise I won't be coming back to bother you again.”

  Summer listened to the apology then looked at me. “Who is this guy? Why is he apologizing?”

  I smiled. “Summer, this is Eugene. He's the one who's been coming around asking you for money. Don't you recognize him?”