Vintage Rob

Chapter 30 - Post-Party Quietude

Milyaro's Garden had been closed an hour. Rob carried a whiskey from the lounge to the restaurant's main dining room. News of his farewell dinner had spread beyond the small cabal he preferred since returning to Boston in November. Former colleagues had shown up, as well as remote acquaintances and others motivated by his closeness to the Gears. After Rob left the room, Sylvester must have shown the last hangers-on to the door. Only Gene and Jennifer whispered together at a large table.

Rob put his drink down. "Where's Sylvester?"

"Took a call." Gene glanced at his watch and touched Jennifer's wrist. "We should go. I should."

"Me too," Rob said. "First we say goodbye to Sylvester. Right, Jennifer? I also have to ask him for help with Lynn."

Jennifer winced. "I had no idea Mark would be this much trouble. Sorry."

"I'm leaving town." Rob emptied the whiskey glass. He shrugged.

Across the room, the restaurant staff finished straightening chairs and wiping tabletops. Sylvester ambled into the room from the kitchen, followed by one of the bartenders carrying a large black paper bag. The bartender placed the bag on the table. Sylvester thanked him, watched him retreat, and did not sit down. He placed his hand on the back of one of the chairs. "How about you, Gene? Know anyone who wants an Italian restaurant?"

Gene smiled, but his misgivings about Sylvester's past came across. "You could sell this place in a heartbeat if you go through the right company, assuming the paperwork's legit."

Sylvester shook his head. "Everything's legit. I just want to sell it to the right person. Call me a fool."

"You're no fool," Gene said.

Jennifer made a show of kicking Gene under the table. "Hand him your business card in case he changes his mind." Everyone laughed.

"You went all out for me tonight," Rob said to Sylvester. "Thanks."

Sylvester nodded, but his blank face meant he was confused, so Rob mimed shaving. In recent years, Sylvester had shown less concern for his appearance, but this evening he was clean-shaven.

"Ah, you noticed." He laughed before poking the black paper bag.

"For me?" Rob said.

"No, your friend's kid, dummy. I forgot to give it to you last time you went to Japan."

Rob tipped the bag over and glanced inside. Baseballs rested on top of baseball caps, jerseys, and other memorabilia. He pulled out one baseball. The sight of a Japanese ballplayers' signature scrawled across its surface brought tears to his eyes. "Unbelievable. Sylvester, you're a class act. Thanks."

"Won't bring back his Dad, but maybe he'll like it."

"He'll love it."

Sylvester tipped his head. "Well, I hate to be rude, but I have to kick you scabs out." He smiled at Jennifer. "You too, professor." He winked. "I have an unexpected meeting."

It was past midnight, and Gene would comment later. Sylvester kept up with dubious characters and nefarious business, but he and his friends were also night owls out of habit and disposition. The meeting could be nothing at all. It could be a game of cards.

Gene stood and positioned himself behind Jennifer's chair. "Thank you for a great evening, Mr. Milyaro. And for your unwavering support of my brother."

"Yes, thank you." Jennifer stood as Gene pulled out her chair. Sylvester squinted comically as she gave him a hug. Gene had already tried to pay once, and Rob was glad he did not pull out his wallet again.

Sylvester shook Gene's hand. "I'll call if I need legal advice."

Gene frowned.

Sylvester laughed. "Just joking."

"No, call. Anytime." Gene's head bobbed unnaturally.

Rob laughed at that. "Speaking of favors, Sylvester, I want to ask something."

Gene and Jennifer walked ahead while Rob told Sylvester about the break-ins. If Lynn's safety was in doubt, Sylvester would help, whether or not he employed her, but Rob was counting on him to keep her close, just in case.

"She a friend of yours?"

"Hell yeah. A hard worker too. And tough."

"Have her call me."

"I will. Thanks."

"Maybe she'll buy this place." Coughing clipped his laughter and he grabbed Rob for support. They were halfway across the dining room. Gene and Jennifer waited in the lobby. Sylvester stopped coughing but did not start to walk. Rob held him tight. To give him a reason to rest, Rob suggested the government might have hired Mark. Sylvester held his own forehead, as if in agony. "Could the government be so damn stupid?"

"They're college graduates."

Sylvester's watery eyes trembled. "True." Rob brought out his phone and showed him the picture of the man who broke into Mark's apartment. Sylvester peered at it. "Nice suit. Sharp. Unless he's elected, he's not government, I guarantee it."

"Maybe he has a trust fund and a government job for kicks."

Sylvester wiped his mouth with a cloth handkerchief. "The guy looks like a lawyer, no offense to Gene. A lawyer breaking into homes in the middle of the day, sounds about right." He smiled and started walking. In the lobby, he took Jennifer's hand. "Professor, show up without these clowns sometime. I'll tell you about the real economic history of Boston."

"That sounds like a date." She nodded at Rob and Gene to go first.

They paused under the green awning in front of the entrance and said more goodbyes. The fresh night air carried earthy fragrances from the public garden. Wet pavement under the streetlights and scattered leaves hinted at a spring rain they had missed while indoors. Rob stepped out from under the awning and took a deep breath. "Smells great."

Jennifer laughed and grabbed Gene's arm. She hustled him past Rob. Gene's Lexus waited in a parking garage down the block on the other side of the street. "Tell the garage it's on me," Sylvester said.

They waved without responding. Rob stopped. He tried to formulate a joke and considered going back for a hug. Sylvester stepped out from under the awning, and a loud, sharp thwack hit the side of the building. Chips of stone exploded off the wall between them.

Rob recognized it for what it was. So did Sylvester. He raised his chin and beckoned to get Jennifer. Rob inserted himself between her and the gunfire and pulled her toward the restaurant entrance. She cursed and tried to slip out from under his grasp. "Gunfire," Rob yelled.

A window shattered while he pushed her through the restaurant door. Behind him, Sylvester cried out.

Gene keeps his distance from Sylvester. Does that affect how you feel about either of them? 

Why don't they get to enjoy the beautiful, wet night? 

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