Deception

Randy knew he should have kept his mouth shut as he watched Josh stand up and take a few bills out of his pocket. He and George decided they’d had it, too, and reached for their wallets. Josh, feeling a little woozy, steadied himself on a post by the booth before getting his bearings and heading for the front door. He was almost there when Jimmy walked up behind him and slapped him on the shoulder. “Just the man I need.”

Josh rocked back and forth dizzily. “What? Need for what?”

“We just lost Kevin to his nagging wife. We need another hand at the table.”

“Sorry, gotta go home.” He stumbled toward the front door.

“Hey, you gonna be okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“You shouldn’t drive like that.” Jimmy looked at Randy and George for help.

Josh waved them all off. “I can drive.”

Jimmy was reluctant to let him go. “Don’t forget, we’re supposed to take Connie and Marlena to the carnival Saturday. Scott can come, too.”

Josh was at the door. “I’ll pick him up from the school in the morning.” He started to go out the door when Jimmy said, “He’s not there. I saw him in your dad’s truck an hour ago. They were headed towards your house.”

Josh stared at Jimmy, suddenly stone cold sober. He banged through the door and ran towards the parking lot where the ancient pile of nuts and bolts he had bought for a song was waiting. He prayed that it would start. It did, and Josh screeched out of the lot and hit the highway full speed, which wasn’t too fast, considering the old heap he was driving struggled to get to forty miles per hour. He pushed the gas pedal to the floor and still it seemed the car was barely moving.