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[orangetoughguy]

welcome home

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[orangetoughguy]

[The kid blazes past that first question because it's irrelevant it's simply small talk that gets in the way of the meat of this situation.]

Did you know he was following you?

[A carefully crafted question. Was he following the old man? Or did the old man know he'd be there?? Freddy finally opens the bag to dig into his sandwich because like hell is he going to go hungry, he'll eat the damn thing while talking to Larry.]

[whitetwoguns]

If he was following me before he sent someone over this way, I did not know.

[Because he has been up on the whole paying attention to detail. People around. Faces.]

They dunno where we're at. I was heading over to his neck of the woods. I saw one of his people and got invited. That's what happened.

[Is this an interrogation? Sheesh.]

[orangetoughguy]

His neck of the woods? What for?

[He's a cop, remember? Was a cop anyway...it's his job to be curious and ask questions. Was his job anyway...

Chomp. The kid starts eating his sandwich nonchalantly and yes he's going to talk with his mouth full. It is a good sandwich, he'll give Larry that much.]

You don't want to look too interested. [Are you interested, Dimmy? Are you?]

[whitetwoguns]

I got to wandering, I also wanted to check in I guess but not look like I was trying to seek him out.

[Larry isn't sweating balls under hot, hot lamps so there is that. And he doesn't feel like he needs to call a lawyer or anything. The whole feel as though he is going to have an unfair charge placed upon him is lingering in the air.]

That's a good way to put it. I don't wanna look too interested. We're trying to make friends but not get wedged into a situation we can't get outta. The money has done us real good.

[Fiscal benefit is the angle. But so is sticking to what he knows.]

Are you gonna tell me what the doc said about you or grill me more?

[orangetoughguy]

Grill you more? I'm not grilling you.

[SHRUG. Followed by a big chomp of his sandwich. Mmphrmmphmff mrphfhfhmr hfmfmfhrmpph. That's Freddy sort of talking around his food as he answers Larry's other question. Wait for it. Wait for it. He swallows.]

The doc says I'm fine. Take it easy, keep the food bland.

[Does this sandwich count as bland? Oh well.]

[whitetwoguns]

I don't really think that is bland.

[He thinks. As to the grilling he will leave that all up to the kid to determine. At least for now. The defensive, clever fox face is better with some time to cool and think.]

Sounds like you're well on your way.

[Guarded tone of relief right there.]

Any more meds or a change in em?

[orangetoughguy]

You don't think so? [Om nom nom. The battle ain't over, Larry Dimick, just you wait. Freddy shakes his head.] Over the counter painkillers, I gotta come back if I get a fever.

[Because that would mean an infection but so far so good.]

[whitetwoguns]

[While he's optimistic, he's not a fool. Boy oh boy do the acting skills but a man at ease though, kid.]

Oh yeah? That's great!

[That sounds like practically healed in his book. Larry goes to the fridge, scrounging for a beer.]

Well, one sandwich won't kill you.

[orangetoughguy]

A sandwich you picked up on the way to your date with El Ray.

[Ray Rey. Whatever he goes by or whatever Larry has taken to calling him.]

Or was it on your way back?

[whitetwoguns]

C'mon, it wasn't a fucking date.

[A look over the open appliance door at him sure says he wasn't expecting that.]

He recommended the place.

[Glasses clink as he grabs one.]

Doc say you can drink?

[orangetoughguy]

Before or after?

[Casual question. A freckled hand makes a grabby motion indicating he wants a beer too. Look Larry you've known Freddy for how long by now? This is the kid showing an amount of restraint.]

[whitetwoguns]

We ate. I got you your sandwich after. No sense it getting it at the same time. It wouldn't be as good.

[Common sense. Where is he going with this? The old man brings over the beer. Freddy's gets plunked down first. The old man takes his own.]

[orangetoughguy]

[You're playing this real subtle, old man, real subtle. But the kid thinks you know he's not pleased with the luncheon date what the fuck ever. Freddy takes a generous gulp of his beer. Plunk back down.]

Why'd you go without me? To see him?

[whitetwoguns]

Fuck me, I didn't leave today with a planned out lunch. I thought I might see our buddy. Might. I wanted to get the fuck out. You had an appointment. I didn't have no reason to say no because what if Ray had someone watching. Then what?

[Then it looks like the old man doesn't want his company or anything. Grand. He takes a long drink like it will wash away some of what he's got in his brain and in his throat.]

[orangetoughguy]

[Sandwich and drink down means he can flap his hands.]

You could have gone somewhere else. I can't believe you walked right into his hands. You're right what if someone was watching, what if he had that big tall fuckhead with him? You didn't have to go that way did you?

[whitetwoguns]

Okay. So I didn't have to. But I did.

[Flapping, drinking and eating right there.]

I didn't think any harm in it. We're not on his shit list. You wanted to go to the hospital alone. I wasn't sure about it at first.

[orangetoughguy]

Why did you?

[If not to seek out the guy in a more passive way by putting himself out in the open to get noticed. Freddy waves his hand.]

I saw a doctor, you saw a fucking gangster, it's not the same thing.

[whitetwoguns]

He can get us money, Freddy. And get it to us faster. I also think he is a ticket to security. Did I go on and suck his dick to get in good favor? No. Just the same as I didn't put it on my to do list to go have a meal. If I saw him, then I saw him. That's what I figured.

[Why does it all have to sound guilty? He sighs and gives his chin a rub.]

You're coming along next time, believe me.

[orangetoughguy]

I don't have to believe you because I'm gonna make it happen when it happens.

[Freddy insists, satisfied with his intuition. He just knew the old man was setting himself up for another opportunity. Years after they met Freddy's accepted that Lawrence Dimick is an opportunist. Freddy Newendyke is too, just lawfully so.]

[whitetwoguns]

Next time it'll be on your terms.

[There you go. Hands spread like he's presenting the fact to the air.]

We didn't talk about anything that important. The football or soccer team that's local may as well be tripping over their own balls. The weather's good. Dumb shit. He asked where you were, I said you were taking up some time on your own.

[orangetoughguy]

[That's better. His fox hide is soothed by the very motion (almost like a bear's surrender).]

Did you tell him why? Make something up? He can't go on thinking I'm just a... ["Piece of ass." is what Freddy wants to say.] A tool or something. We don't split even when we're split up.

[....Right?]

[whitetwoguns]

[He doesn't speak immediately. Drinking is the physical reason. The other is wondering when he was okay with rolling over. The things you do for peace. And peace is pretty important, Dimmy. The two of you are the biggest asset.]

I told him because he asked.

[Shrug.]

I mean, he didn't ask if you hop on my dick.

[Right now the answer would be no anyway.]

[orangetoughguy]

[That's the power of a fox one supposes. Who knew a little(r) guy like Freddy could make a big(ger) guy like Larry roll over.]

Right.....okay.

[Freddy begrudgingly accepts the answer and sips.] We're in this together, okay? No long ranger solo crap.

[whitetwoguns]

It was one lunch.

[Feeble protest? Maybe. But at least it isn't showing the full force of how much it rubs him wrong to hear it.]

I'm not cutting it out on my own, understand?

[Aw man, is this beer over already?]

[orangetoughguy]

Is there gonna be a second lunch?

[One with Freddy this time. He asks only because he takes Ray Rey for the type to propose one and Larry for the type not to turn down an opportunity from which they could benefit.]