Jimmy was a small time crook. Today had been a particular bad day for him. He had gambled and lost most of his savings, been double crossed by his closest pal Vick and then to make matters worse Jimmy had taken care of Vick the only way he knew how to. Not once, but twice. The second bullet had gone through Vicks skull.
The rains had been merciless on the New Yorkers that month. Jimmy drove through the downpour doing his best to keep his 65 Chevy on the road. The torrent smashed against his windshield which the weak vipers tried to contest against. Jimmy smoked his last Camel with his left while steering with his right hand. He was sitting forwards and doing his best to spot the turn the roads were taking in front of him.
Someone saw me dig that hole. Someone saw me bury Vic. The cops must have been tipped by now.
He checked nervously in the rearview mirror.
No tailing lights for now. But theyll get you Jimbo. You must have left some bread trail.
Goddamn Vick. You messed with me for the last time. Ill get caught by the bulls but at least Im not buried behind the cheesiest motel in the west.
Another check in the rearview. Jimmy searched his jacket for ciggarates.He was clean.
They are never there when ya need em.
All Jimmy knew was that he was on some highway and was heading away from The Shack where his ex-best friend was to lay forever
till the cops dig him out
Jimmys stomach was on fire. He had been drinking cheap whisky since the early hours of the day and had not got anything to eat. Jimmy had been awake since 4 AM that morning when he had that call from Vick. Not that he had been able to sleep well before that. He had been constantly having nightmares of some unknown presence that was watching him as he slept. Jimmy glanced at his watch it was nearing 9 PM now. He had been driving for nearly 5 hours now. The patter of the rain was the only sound he could hear. It was like he was the only one on the highway.
Suddenly he sat up. Was that a horn? He glanced at the rearview again. For a second he thought he saw the dim headlights of car in the distance. He shook his head and checked again. All he saw this time was the endless black sheet of the night spotted with silver raindrops. Just your mind, Jimbo.
Man, I would love to get my hands on that sonofabitch who saw me. Was it Big Al? Or maybe it was that new bartender they got in the Shack. Hes got flies for eyes, the way them things keep darting around. Or maybe it was Alice.Goddamn I hope it was her. Shell understand.
As Jimmy took the next left turn suddenly he had a strange sense of deja-vu. All of a sudden the weight on his mind that was promising to drive him to the brink of insanity seemed lifted by some unseen force.
Its all right, Jimbo.Dont be too hard on yourself. Youll be seeing Vick again tomorrow.
Jimmys faced eased into a dreamy smile.
Thats right, amigo and when you kill him tomorrow you can get hold of that meddling clown who was spying on you.
Jimmys foot gently began to lay off the accelerator and he was now cruising down the highway. Then something began to bubble deep inside him.
No. I dont want to think that. Not that for Christs sake
dont let it
Just when the simmering thought was going to hit him a flash of lightning brightened up the surroundings and in the rearview mirror Jimmy saw the silhouette of a man sitting in the backseat. Instead of pressing on the brakes Jimmy laid it on the accelerator and the car hiccupped into top gear. Before Jimmy could react the Chevy collided with something with a loud bump and skidded off the road. Jimmy slowly staggered out of the car and checked if his body parts were still moving.
All accounted for, sir. Thanks for shopping with us.
Suddenly he remembered the outline in the back seat and spun around instinctively.
Hello Jimmy Boy. Give an old pal a hug will ya?
Jimmy cautiously moved towards the Chevy. The motor was steadily purring.
Man..i didnt even kill the engine.
The grey Chevy reminded him of a snake coiled for a lunge. He approached the back seat.
Daddy-o, youve given me one mother of a headache. Now why would you do that to a buddy, huh?
