Blacktop Wasteland(78)

“You was right. About Ronnie, about everything,” Beauregard said.

Boonie sat down on the couch that was perpendicular to the recliner. “Talk to me,” he said.

Beauregard gingerly ran his hand over his forehead. He told Boonie everything. The jewelry store, Lazy, the van, Kelvin, everything right up to what happened to Darren. Boonie listened quietly, never once interrupting or asking any questions. When Beauregard was done, Boonie got up, went into the kitchen and returned with a mason jar. He unscrewed the top, took a sip, and sat it on the coffee table between them.

“I’m so sorry, Bug. What you want us to do?” Boonie asked.

Beauregard turned his head and leaned his good cheek against the side of the chair. The surface was cool. Boonie’s central air unit was working overtime.

“You know, I used to think of myself as two people. Sometimes I was Bug and sometimes I was Beauregard. Beauregard had a wife and children. He ran a business and went to school plays. Bug … well, Bug, he robbed banks and armored cars. He drove 100 miles per hour on hairpin curves. Bug threw the people who killed his cousin in a car crusher. I tried to keep them apart, Beauregard and Bug. But my Daddy was right. You can’t be two types of beasts. Eventually one of the beasts gets loose and wrecks shop. Rips shit all to Hell,” he said.

He grabbed the mason jar and tossed it back. When he sat it down, nearly half of its contents were gone. Tears leaked from the corners of his eyes.

“They shot my boy, Boonie. They shot my boy because Bug fucked up and Beauregard wasn’t there to fix it.”

“We gonna fix it, Bug. You just tell me what you want us to do,” Boonie said.

Beauregard sat forward. “I’m gonna fix it. I might need a few favors.”

“Anything,” Boonie said.

“I parked up the road back down by that old house on Carver’s Lane. I need to get that car to the yard and get rid of it. Then I’m needing to borrow a vehicle. Can’t make no moves in my truck.”

“Okay, no problem. But what we gonna do about this Ronnie and Lazy situation?” Boonie asked, his voice full of malice.

Beauregard smiled. It didn’t go much farther than the edge of his mouth. “We ain’t gonna do nothing. I’m gonna find Ronnie and get that van back. There’s only two places he could be. He can’t just roll up on somebody to move that much swag. The way he moved them diamonds, I know he got a connection, but it’ll take a couple of days to set up a deal. I don’t think he’s dumb enough to be at his house. So that leaves Wonderland. Once I get the van back, I’m gonna call up Mr. Lazy.”

Boonie grunted.

“You can’t go up against these boys by yourself. Them fools up at Wonderland ain’t shit, but this Lazy fella is bad news.”

“I already got Kelvin killed.”

“And I ain’t gonna let you get killed. Anthony was like a brother to me, but you done become like a son. I can’t just let you go out here all alone like you some fucking cowboy. Your family needs you. Hell, I need ya, you stubborn son of a bitch,” Boonie said.

Beauregard leaned forward and stared in Boonie’s eyes.

“I’m already gone, Boonie. I know what you think my family needs, but I’m gonna tell you what I need. I need for you to do for my sons what you did for me. Be there. I think I understand why Daddy left now. Beauregard and Bug are the same person. And that person ain’t no good for a family.”

Boonie snatched off his cap and slapped it against his knee. “Stop talking that crazy shit. You they father. You’re Kia’s husband. They need you. You leave, and you make the same mistake Anthony made,” Boonie said. Spittle flew from his lips.

Beauregard stood. Boonie stood as well although it took him a bit longer to get to his feet. He jammed his stained cap back on his head.

“You don’t want to help me then I’ll go,” he said.

Boonie crossed his arms. “I would do anything for you. You know that. But I saw what Anthony leaving did to your Mama. What it did to you. I know he thought he was making the right decision, just like you do. But you were both wrong. Bug, look around. You the closest thing I got to family these days. Don’t do this,” Boonie said.

“This thing inside us. This thing in me. The thing that was in my Daddy. It’s like cancer. It gotta end with me, Boonie. Kia ain’t like my Mama. They won’t grow up fucked-up like I did. Javon ain’t going to juvie. He’ll get off with self-defense. And if Darren pulls through…” Beauregard swallowed hard. “When Darren pulls through, he and his brother and his sister are going to grow up and get out of Red Hill. They are going to go to college and fall in love. Have kids of their own. But the only way any of that happens is if I get ahold of Ronnie and Lazy. Now if you can help, I appreciate it. If you can’t, then get out the way. I’d appreciate that too,” Beauregard said.

Boonie breathed deeply through his mouth. His eyes moved past Beauregard to the wall behind the recliner. There were old photos in cheap frames on the wall. Boonie and his wife. The first day at the scrap yard. Him and Anthony posing next to Boonie’s ’67 Mercury Comet. His eyes moved back to Beauregard.

“Let’s go move the car. Then we can get straight on everything else,” Boonie said.



* * *



“Hey, Mama,” Beauregard said.