One Apple A Day #44
“Here is our boy”
That deep voice comes from behind him. Mike is sure there was no one in the alley. Where did it come from? Why have all these tough guys this voice? Like if they are putting out words from the guts and not from their lungs. Mike freezes on the spot. He realises that is not moving a single muscle. From outside he must look like one of that living statues collecting money from the tourists. The image makes him smiles. He’s just a nervous reaction. And he turns to face YKW.
“Oh, here you are. You look nervous boy.”
“Hi, I’m here” He feels like is voice is coming frome someone else.
“Yeah, I noticed you’re here, boy. Are you scared of me?”
YKW is laughing now. Mike looks at him for the first time. They never met in person. He’s not the guy he imagined. No big muscles, no tattooes, nothing saying “I’m the bad guy and I’ll kill you” in the guy in front of him.
YKW is normal. Average. You wouldn’t notice it in the crowd. Average height, average shape, average style. He can live the house beside yours and you’ll probably never remember him. The only “bad guy” thing was the voice. Low and deep.
“Hey relax, come with me. Do you want something to drink?”
The voice wakes him up from his thoughts. Maybe it’s not so bad. Maybe he will understand.
“Listen YKW, I … I had a problem last night”
“Wait wait. Don’t rush. I don’t like to talk standing on the street. Let’s go in, have a sit and something warm to drink. I think you need a coffee. You look like someone who drunk a bit too much yesterday.”
YKW leads Mike in the garage. On the far corner, hidden by the wrecked car there are two small couches. Invisible from outside. YKW gestures Mike to sit on one of the couch while he pours some black coffee in two mugs.
“So, your name is Mike, right?” YKW asked handing the mug to Mike.
“Yes”
“Ok, Mike. Do you want sugar?”