Storm Chaser // JJ Maybank

66

JJ pulls up to the dock at Barracuda Mike's.

"Barracuda!" JJ shouts. Big B, what are you doing with that thing? You see the storm coming?"

Barracuda Mike is standing next to an ATV. "I see it coming. I ain't afraid of a little rain."

"Well, uh... Just wanted to ask you something. Trying to track down the pops," JJ tells Barracuda Mike. "You, uh... wouldn't know where he might be, would you?"

"The last I heard, he was somewhere south of Belize," Barracuda Mike informs him.

"Shit, I know he's asking..." JJ starts.

Barracuda Mike cuts him off, "I ain't seen him, bro. He's a wanted man. And I'm a law-abiding citizen."

I scoff. "Sure."

"Shame. Because the thing is, uh, well... I got something of his," JJ states. "I'm just trying to sell it, you know? Could be worth a mint too. So, uh... if he comes up for air, just let me know." JJ grabs my hand and we turn to walk away. "It's gonna be mad money for him and maybe a little for you, as well. So, let me know."

"Wait," Barracuda Mike states. "I ain't seen him. I might be able to get him a message, maybe. Put your digits in there."

JJ puts his number into the phone. "Thank you very much. Your dog ever shut up?"

"Please don't say anything about my dog," Barracuda Mike tells him.

"All right. So, just, like, wait around?" JJ asks.

"Yeah, hang out by the dock and I'll see if he pings," Barracuda Mike tells him.

JJ and I sit down on the end of the dock.

"This shit is weird," I state. "Like what does the letter even mean? How does your dad have anything to do with Genrette?"

"I don't know," JJ tells me. "But I need to find out."

"Yeah if your dad even calls you," I offer. "He's not really the reliable type."

"He's still my dad," JJ states.

"Yeah." I nod my head. "I know but I am glad that I punched him in the face the last time I saw him."

JJ looks at me surprised. "You punched my dad in the face?"

I nod my head. "Didn't you realize his nose was a little red."

"I was a little more worried about getting him out of OBX," JJ tells me.

"He deserved it," I state. "Really it was revenge for giving me a concussion."

"Fair," JJ tells me.

JJ's phone rings and he rushes to pick it up. "Yeah. Yeah."

"Is it him?" I whisper.

JJ nods his head. "Yeah Dad? Yeah. Yeah, where you at? Uh, well, it's not me actually hocking something. It's, uh, a long story, but it's about Wes Genrette.... Yeah, no. Well... it's a little too late for that, but... Wait, where'd you say you were? Say something again."

JJ hangs the phone up as he marches up the dock.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"My dad's here," JJ tells me.

I look at him shocked. "I sorry what?"

"I heard Barracuda Mike on the other end along with his dog," JJ explains.

He starts to pound on the back door. "Barracuda Mike, let me in! Hey! Let me in!" JJ picks up a Busch can before throwing it on the ground. "Dad! Hey! Dad, where you at?"