Free At Their Own Game by Frank Zafiro

lost again.  
     
    We dozed for a while after the second time. I dreamt something that was both comforting and dangerous, but when I woke up, it was gone almost immediately.  
    Helen was fast asleep beside me. I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes, amazed at how easily this happened. She’d been gone for years, and after that moment of initial shock, everything seemed normal. As if she’d never left. And yet magical, at the same time.  
    Christ, this woman was infuriating.  
    I let out a long breath. This was how it always felt with her.  
    And I liked it.  
    I glanced over at the clock.  
    The crimson numbers read 7:09 .  
    I blinked.  
    Ozzy.  
    “Shit!” I said, clambering out of bed and reach for my jeans.  
    Helen startled awake. “What is it? Is someone here?”  
    I pulled on my jeans and started looking for my boots.  
    “Jake, what is it?”  
    “Nothing. I’m late for something, that’s all.”  
    “Late for what?”  
    One boot was in a pile with my shirt. I grabbed it. “Nothing.”  
    “Jake, I can hear the stress in your voice. Are you okay?”  
    I found the other boot halfway under the bed. I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on both boots. “I am fine,” I said. “I’m just late.”  
    She hesitated. Then she said, “I’m not trying to pry. You just scared me, is all.”  
    “Sorry.” I whipped through tying my boots. Then I stood, pulling on my shirt. “It’s something important.”  
    “Oh.” Crestfallen, like a little baby bird.  
    I paused. “Look, I didn’t mean it like that.”  
    “I know.” Same voice.  
    I leaned down and kissed the corner of her mouth. “I didn’t.”  
    “Okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. “But come back soon, okay? I still need to talk to you.”  
    “About what?”  
    She just shook her head. “After your important thing. I want your complete attention.”  
    I glanced at the clock. 7:10 now. Then I looked at her again, sitting up in my bed. Her hair tumbling down the front of her shoulders. Not long enough to cover her perfect breasts. Her eyes looking at me like I was it, man. I was the only person in the world. No one else mattered.  
    Christ, how did I ever shake this woman in the first place?  
    “I’ll come right back,” I promised. “Don’t go anywhere.”  
    “I won’t.”  
    I tore myself away, grabbed my keys, and hurried to my car.  
     

TEN  
     
     
    I whipped into the Safeway parking lot at 7:17 , and found an open slot in the center of the parking area. Then I turned off the ignition, and waited.  
    He didn’t keep me waiting long. Less than two minutes later, a black Ford with flames painted on the hood pulled up behind me. Randall was driving. Ozzy slid out of the passenger seat and waved me over.  
    Reluctantly, I got out of the car and walked toward him.  
    “Get in,” Ozzy said.  
    “Where we going?”  
    “Fucking Disneyland. Get in.”  
    I hesitated, then climbed up into the truck. The odor of Armor-All permeated the cab. Randall gave me a short nod as I sat down.  
    Ozzy got in after me and slammed the door. Without being told, Randall gunned the engine and pulled away.  
    “Where are we going?” I repeated deliberately.  
    “First off, the fuck you care?” Ozzy shook his head. “Second off, you’re late.”  
    “I’m sorry.”  
    “The whole world is fucking sorry,” Ozzy said. “Why don’t you try to be original?”  
    I didn’t answer.  
    Randall jetted across the street and through a McDonald’s parking lot. Then he stopped behind the Swinging Doors Tavern.  
    When he’d put the car in park and killed the engine, Ozzy turned toward me. His large frame twisted and he leaned back against the door. “So we got problems?”  
    “No.”  
    His brow furrowed. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but your guy brought the money, but your other guy didn’t pick up the product, right?”  
    “Right.”  
    “That sounds like a problem.” He