Smoke'n'Booze

III.

Chibs POV

I climbed off my harley and laid my helmet on the seat. I texted Erin that I won't make it in time, now it was almost 10 PM. "Shite.", I muttered and made my way to the door, running straight against the closed door. "What the..." Then I realized no cars and motorcycles were parked around. Closed on a Friday night? Something had to be wrong. I knocked three times at the door, hoping Erin would come and let me in. A male voice answered. "Who's this?" Rolling my eyes, I answered. "Chibs." I heard shuffled steps on the inside, the lock of the door getting unlocked. Luke, Erin's son, opened the door just a little. "What do you want?" "Yar mother is waiting for ma."  He grunted and motioned for me to come in. As soon as I stepped inside, he locked the door again. Watching him I saw him holding a gun in his hand. "Why do ya carry a gun, lad?" I asked and pointed at the gun. "None of your business. Mum is upstairs."
Staring at him a moment longer, I shrugged and went upstairs. "Erin?" "Yeah, in the kitchen." I followed her voice and found her leaning over the stove, cooking something good smelling. "What's going on?" She looked at me. "Saw my son?" Nodding at her, she hummed. "Three guys came by earlier today and threatened him. One of them broke his arm." Staring at her in disbelief, I sat myself on a chair at her table. "Why?" I asked simply. "He owns them money. 2k." "Tha's why yar bar is closed?" "Yeah... I didn't feel like opening up today." She stirred in the pot on the stove, avoiding to look me into the eyes. I got up again and came closer to her, putting my hand on her arm. "What's going on exactly? Ya can tell ma. I know there's more." She closed her eyes and nodded. "You're right there is." Finally she looked at me. "But I don't  know if I could trust you. I know you ain't ratting someone out, but still..." She looked at me apologetically.  I sat myself back on the chair and strokes my face. "Erin. I know it ain't easy, hell, life never was or will be easy. But I assure ya, I am here and I have the whole night ta listen." Erin looked  at me, nodded and turned off the stove. She came over to the table and sat herself opposite of me. "Okay. Then.... Filip, my son is growing weed and he sells it in the streets. Some day he was approached by those guys. I don't know any names or who they are or from who they got sent. They told him they had an undeniable offer for him. Making big money. Luke got excited so he said yes. He started selling crystal. My own son went from  a little weed seller to a big drug dealer in no time. That's when he realized he didn't want to. He threw the drugs away. And that's when the blackmailing started. Against him and shortly after against me. He was afraid they were going to hurt me. So he contacted them and assured them to get them their money. He tried. But he failed." She glanced at the clock on the wall. "They told him to have the money at 10pm straight or they would do worse to him, than break his bones." "Oh Erin..." She held a hand up. "I got him the money. It was from my savings from the bar, but I guess, my family is more important than buying more liquor and stuff... Filip, I am afraid they do more of that shit." I looked at her. "Tha's why ya willing to discuss proper security?" "Yeah, but not just because of that. But mostly yes." I shook my head. "Oh lass..." She looked  at me, a worried expression in her face.  "I am sorry... I am loading all my bullshit on you, I am just so worried about my kid." The minute I realized that tears were streaming down her worried face, I slowly got up. Within two steps I was at her side and pulled her close. Her head leaning on my hip, I held her tightly until her soft sobs calmed down.
Suddenly Luke appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. "What's going on here?"
Erin pulled away from me, shaking her head. "Filip is just..." "You told him?" I sensed anger in Luke's look. "Calm down lad, don't blame yar mother. She had ta tell sumbody." He glared at me and Erin took in a sharp breath. "So I assume you're the somebody..." "Luke... don't..." "No mother! I told you, I can take care of it!  Stop interfering once and for all! I told you several times, I am no kid anymore, treat me like a grownup!" I started laughing. "Oh tha's good." I took my chair from before and slipped it next to Erins. "Unfortunately we don't ha any snacks here, but I would like ta hear more of tha, BOY." I said, sitting down and enjoying the drama. Luke inched closer and leaned over the table in my direction. "Dude, this is my house. Try to have a little respect here, or..." "...or what?" I jumped up again and cornered Erin's  kid. "First of all don't talk like tha ta yar mother. She's a hardworking woman and you are her first priority. Second. If ya wanna be treated like a grownup, behave like one! Stop doing stupid shite and man up! Third. If ya ever try to threaten ma again, a broken limb is the last thing ya should be concerned of, BOY. Never threaten a SON, kid. UNDERSTAND?" I pushed him a little. "And so you know. She told ma all of your shite, because she's afraid, sumthin bad is going ta happen, especially ta ya. So if ya could stick ya head out from yar arse, we could work sumthin out, ta keep both of yas safe."
Luke, being a little taller than me, looked down at me with a hard glare. Erin cleared her throat. "Luke... please. Filip is a good man." I looked at Erin with surprise written all over my face. Did she really think that highly of me?
Luke hesitated but after a few seconds he pulled out a cellphone of his pocket, handed it his mother. "I got a message, that's why I went upstairs. They ain't gonna come tonight. They have business." Erin read the message and handed me the phone. "Could it be a trap?", I asked directly at Luke. But he shook his head no. "Already called my contact. He told me they are down in Tacoma." "Reliable source?" "Yes." I looked at both of them. "Ok fine. But I ain't gonna go tonight. Trust is good, control is better." Luke rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Mum, I am in my room, don't bother me, you have your dear friend here for a sleepover.", he sneered. Before I could react, he retreated and we could hear a door slammed shut. Erin stared at her hands in her lap. "I am sorry how he talks to you... the stress makes him cranky..." "Stop apologizing for yar son, lass. I won't lie he is in need of a big ass whooping,  but right now, when I look at ya, I don't care about his attitude." "What are you talking about?" "Ya referred ta him tha I am a good man... I am far away from tha, lass." She just shrugged. "I don't give a shit about reputations. I kinda like you, you seem trustworthy. That makes you a good man." I just smirked at her. "Is there a chance tha I am allowed ta smoke anywhere?", I asked changing  the topic. "Good idea. Follow me."

Erin led me through her hallway and through a small door, climbing up some stairs, ending abruptly with another door. Erin opened the door and a wave of chill air hit me in my face.
When I stepped out my eyes grew wide. A beautiful roof terrace was in front of me, a real oasis in the middle of this town. "Wow, this is...." "My hiding point. I use to come up here after I close the bar and just enjoy the silence and the company of the stars.", she smiled at me. "Come.", she tugged at my sleeve of my jacket and pulled me to some kind of glasshouse. "This really is unbelievable. So many flowers and plants..." Erin opened the fragile doors of the garden house and pulled me in. There were a comfortable looking couch and armchairs with a lot of pillows and blankets waiting for us. "Sit. Fancy something to drink?" "What do ya ha up here?" She smiled at me and went to a small cupboard. After a few seconds she came back with two glasses, already filled up. "Try. That's my favorite." I took one of the glasses and sniffed at the liquid. "Whiskey?" "Yep.", she sighed and sat herself down, pulling up her legs on the couch. I smirked at her. "Looks comfortable.", I said, when she kicked off her boots and leaned back into the cushions. "It is. Join me?" Without answer I let myself fall heavy on the free space next to her. Leaning back for myself, I closed for a small moment my eyes, enjoying the feeling of resting my sore limbs. I felt her shifting in her seat. "Hard day?" "Aye. Been on my bike the hole day. I guess I am getting old..." "Well... you told us you were staying over tonight... make yourself comfortable, make yourself feel like home." I opened my eyes and looked at her. "I would like tha." The woman next to me smiled brightly, but then my stomach grumbled loudly.  "Filip, are you hungry?" I looked at her a little ashamed. "Aye..." "You didn't eat at all today, right?" "No time lass." "Well then, get comfortable  and I'll fetch you something from the kitchen. I am afraid the stew I have on the stove isn't ready yet, I precooked it for tomorrow, but I have some leftovers..." "Anything would be fine." She nodded at me and made her way back downstairs.
Walking slowly out of the glasshouse I seated myself on a box, looking up to the stars. "Oh Jackie-boy, what shall I do ta help her?"