Роберт Уилсон - Days Since... - Xavier - Day 853

“I knew the man. His boy came home from Syria, and that was it for the man. They say that’s how he got it—that his boy gave it to him.”

“He’ll see you now,” Haverty’s assistant announced.

Xavier and Grant stood from their seats and made their way into the back office. The first few steps into the room felt awkward. This isn’t right at all. His dad would be disappointed if he knew.

But he couldn’t say no, not after what happened to Sam. No simply couldn’t be an answer to a request from the Second Alliance. His heart raced. His nerves were bent. The office still had the same basic feel, but Haverty’s presence overshadowed his memory.

The large oak desk seemed diminutive, better suited for a dollhouse when compared to Haverty’s size. His clothing—stressed and exhausted trying to compress his girth. One could almost see through the material straining to hold together over his immense frame. A tan fedora, several sizes too small, covered the back portion of his head—his patchy hairline receded underneath it. He was sweating, simply from breathing. Those beads of sweat oozed in and out of his neck rolls, pooling at the top of his shirt, unable to squeeze between his skin and cloth. He blotted himself with a handkerchief.

“Sit down. Eat.”

“Thank you,” Grant said, as they both complied with Haverty’s order.

The plates that sat before them were filled with food, slightly picked over by Haverty, but still much more than they were accustomed to.

“Don’t be shy. I ain’t bitin’.”

Xavier gave pause. One bite would be surrendering to the Second Alliance. Refusal could be construed as defiance. Damn it! He was hungry. Play it safe. They began to shovel the food into their mouths.

“Y’all my guys. This here town’s gonna be… well, the talk of the town.” He snorted. His potbelly rocked the desk as he laughed. “Get it?”

The two guests nodded agreeably. “Sorry. We’re just hungry, that’s all,” Grant responded.

“Hell, I bet two meals a day ain’t too popular right now. Didn’t have a choice though. Y’all were gonna run outta food if the change didn’t happen.”

A cigar rolled around in between his stained teeth as he tongued it from right to left to right. His grin was menacing. His demeanor was unassuming. It was difficult to peg him. Under more favorable circumstances, Xavier might even like him.

Haverty raised a mug to his lips and spit—a few flakes of tobacco riding the brown goo to the bottom. Xavier cringed, almost losing his appetite. “How rude of me. Lemme get this outta here while y’all eat.” He opened a drawer to the desk and set the mug out of sight. “How is it?”

“The food? It’s great.” Grant said while nudging Xavier as discreetly as possible.

Xavier looked up from his plate. “It’s good.”

“Good, Good, Good. Glad we could get off to a good start here.”

Haverty lifted himself from his chair and walked to a small table against the wall. He poured himself a shot of clear liquid from a glass bottle. Putting it to his nose, he winced then smiled. The liquid raced down his throat as he threw it down. “Damn!” He dabbed at his skin with the handkerchief again. “I got some big plans fer y’all,” Haverty continued. “Fixin’ this place right up. Fixin’ how things are done here. I’m thinkin’ everyone’ll be happy with it.”

He moved just behind Grant and patted his shoulder, knocking him forward with his large hands. Grant coughed, expelling an uncomfortable something from his throat. He breathed deeply—all was okay.

“Gas is gettin’ scarce ‘round here. Not even really sure how y’all still have it, but yeah, I need ya both to be leavin’ here shortly. Goin’ on up to the capital.”

Xavier stopped eating and looked at Grant with wide eyes. What is he getting us into?

“Don’t worry son, there’ll be an S.A. Guard escort. Be takin’ State Route 50 into downtown. It’s all S.A. territory. Y’all know where that is?”

“Yessir,” Grant said, nodding enthusiastically.

“And, you?”

Xavier shook his head. “Route 50?”

“River Road,” Grant whispered.

Xavier nodded.

Haverty moved over to the maps that hung on the wall and pointed to River’s Edge Academy. “Here we are, ‘n’ this the way y’all be headin’.” His finger followed a bold line that snaked alongside the Ohio River. “And this here is the end of the line.” The finger rested on Paul Brown Stadium. “Y’all ain’t gonna find any more them Bengal tigers down there. Just the S.A., recivilizin’ the world.”

“What’re we goin’ there for?” Grant asked carefully.

“Like I said, that gas ain’t gonna last much longer.” Haverty sat back down in his seat and folded his hands. “Through our deal with you folks, we gotta protect y’all. And in return, we expect food ‘n’ supplies. For us to get the most outta this place, the S.A. needs it to be efficient. River’s Edge’s important to us. Gonna be our western post for awhile.”

Grant nodded.

“Sittin’ before me right now, or so I hear, are the two best maintenance guys in town.”

“Damn straight!” Grant pounded the desk with his fist. The plates jumped. Xavier almost laughed, but his mouth was full.

Haverty chortled. “I ‘preciate that fire. We’re thinkin’ a couple of solar panels’ll go far here. I’m needin’ both of ya to take a look ‘n’ see if they can be put to use. I’m no electrician, but the two of ya are, ‘n’ I’m expectin’ y’all to get them workin’.” Haverty looked intently at Grant, silently insisting on their cooperation. “Gonna be able to save a lot more people from this hell if we’re efficient like that.”

“We got it. Won’t even be a problem. We gotta few solar panels here that were salvaged from some highway construction signs. We’re familiar with the stuff.”

“These ain’t little makeshift solar panels. They’re the big ones.”

“That should make it easier.” Grant looked at Haverty.

“Good, Good, Good. Y’all be leavin’ within the hour. Finish up with them lunches ‘n’ get your stuff together. Grab up a bag with a change of clothes ‘n’ such. It’ll be one night in paradise. Nice shower ‘n’ dinner’ll be good for ya. Paul Brown’s nice.”

“How long’s the walk?” Xavier asked.

“It’ll take about three hours or so. Give or take. Sure there’ll be a stop to eat ‘n’ what not.”

“That’s not too bad, I guess.”

“We appreciate the big lunch you gave us.” Grant said.

“It may be y’all’s last.” Haverty laughed out loud from behind the desk.

Xavier once again looked to Grant, his eyes wide with fear and disbelief.

“I’m just foolin’. We’ve held Route 50 for awhile now. Y’all be fine. Hang back ‘n’ enjoy the views.”

What in the world is wrong with this guy? How can he joke like that?

“Grab up your plates ‘n’ head on out. Be in the courtyard no later than two. Simon’ll be the escort. He’s good. Listen to him ‘n’ he’ll keep ya alive. Alright?”

“Yessir!” Grant said. The two guests stood from their chairs and shook hands with Haverty. “We’ll be ready.”

“Don’t let us down here. Seriously, a lot ridin’ on y’all’s trip. Make sure those panels work. I mean it. Make it work. And Xavier, there’ll be a big surprise at the end for you, son. Now go on, get outta here.”

Grant and Xavier lifted their plates from the desk and left for the resident quarters to finish their meals. Grant continued eating as they walked the hallway. His plate rested on the top of his chin just below his lips as he bulldozed each bite into his mouth.

“We still have an hour before we have to go,” Xavier said.