When I heard the knock on my door, it surprised me.  Mainly, because I didn’t have friends over;I always met friends at a bar or club, we rarely went to anyone’s home or apartment.   When I answered the door, imagine my surprise to see the retarded man and a boy of around fourteen or fifteen who looked very much like the woman in my basement. 

 “Can I help you?”  I ask them.  

 The boy was handsome and had his mother’s hazel eyes.  “Yes sir,” he said.  He held up a poster.  

“Have you seen this woman?”

 “She’s my friend,” the retarded man said.  His slack face showing as much emotion as it could.   

 I took the poster and looked at it.  “I’ve seen her running in the evenings when I’m working in my yard.”

 “Did you see anyone watching her or harassing her?” the boy asked me.  He was serious.  His face still was baby-ish but he was on his way to manhood. I held in my laughter.   I had watched her.  I had taken her and this kid had no idea.  I was fighting off the giggles.  I kept my face solemn and concerned.  

 “I’m sorry but I really didn’t pay attention to her, aside from waving at her now and then,” I told them.  “I wish I could be more help.”

 “Thanks,” the boy said.  I could see he was dejected. He wore is heart on his young face.  “Come on, Dug.  Let’s go.”

 The retarded man wouldn’t budge.  He stood there; his face more slack than it was a few minutes ago.  H was staring at me so intently, I felt he could see inside me.  It was disconcerting.   “You’re a liar.”  He said.  He sounded as if he were in a trance.  

 “I beg your pardon,” I said to him.

 He moved closer to me.  Hs size was imposing. “You are lying.  She is here.”  The boy looked at him and then looked at me. His face twisted in anger. 

 “Is my mother here?” the boy asked.  His eyes were wide. I could tell he trusted every word of the retarded man and I was beginning to get vrry uncomfortable.   

 “I don’t know your mother, Kid.  Get off my lawn with your retarded friend before I call the police."I said angrily and tried to shut the door.  The kid put his foot in the door and blocked it.  He was stronger than he looked.

 The kid’s face turned a bright red.  He was furious.  It was amusing somewhat.   “First off, ass munch, he isn’t retarded and don’t ever use that word again and second, where the fuck is my mother?”

 “Let me put it to you this way, kiddo.  I don’t know your mother.    If you don’t move your foot I will break it and I will kick your friend’s ass.  I don’t care if he is retarded or not.”  My anger was rising.  I wanted to knock the smart ass kid on his ass. He had a fire in him, much like his mother.   

 “Okay,” the kid said.  “I will move my foot.  I don’t want it being broken when I kick your ass.   I will be watching you.  If you fart into the wind, rest assured, I will be close enough to smell it.  If you have my mother; I will fuck your life up.   I will do anything to get her back.   If you ever call my friend retarded again, rest assured, you won’t have to worry about breaking my foot, because I will break it myself when I beat your face in.  Have a nice day, Mister.”  The boy took the gigantic man’s hand led him away from my door.  I shut the door behind me.  I leaned against the door and took a deep breath in and out.  Those two were going to be a problem.  I had to do something.  

 I needed more information.  Ev was going to have to give me the dish on her son and that man.   

How in the hell did he know she was here?  What the fuck was going on?  I had to calm down before I went down and talked to her.   The last thing I needed to do was hurt her again.  My nerves were fried.  I needed a drink.  A strong one.  

As I poured me a shot of whiskey, my hands were shaking and my head was pounding.  

Next Chapter: Donnie