Friends till the End

39

1

Nadia

The music was pounding, the floor was thumping, the lights were flashing and the attractive young citizens of Moscow were dancing. He sat at a dark table in the rear watching his prey. He was older than the rest of the crowd, yet no one seemed to take any notice of him. He had planned it this way. He wore a plain gray suit, and was wearing a matching Ushanka on his head. And even if anyone did notice him, it wouldn’t do the police any good, since the latex mask he was wearing looked nothing like his real face.

There was so many to choose from. There was the blond with the big fake tits, the redhead who knew how to shake her ass, or the dark haired beauty who seemed to be a little too drunk. Which one would it be? He was good at his craft, patient; he had already been watching for more than an hour, and still hadn’t decided. He took a sip of his drink when he noticed the new batch arriving all with smiling faces, happy to be one of the chosen to be granted access. She was the sixth one in. She was wearing red, and she had a milky complexion with raven hair. He decided that she was the one.

She was too young to be in here, but it was amazing what one could do, like flirting with the guys at the door, or passing them a few extra rubles. The way she and her companions were giggling, he knew they were impressed with themselves, therefore confirming his suspicion. He watched as they attacked the dance floor.

She was gorgeous with a smile that could light up the entire club. This could be a problem; every guy in the place had his eyes on her, and more than one of the ladies as well. He guessed she was no more than sixteen, maybe even fifteen; it was so hard to tell these days. The game was on and she was playing it very well. She stayed close to her group, nursed her drink and even went to the ladies room with a friend. He knew she would eventually make a small mistake, and then he would win.

The game was going into overtime. It was getting late and he knew he had to make his move soon. If she got out of the club then she would win. It looked like the tables might be turning. He watched as she walked across the dance floor with some guy. They took a seat directly across from him. He was upset. How could her friends, sister or whoever she was with leave her alone with this clown? He had to be a least three years her senior. He watched him rest his hand on her arm; he was good. He watched as he ordered two shots from the shot girl. He saw that he pressured her to gulp down the drink. After a moment of watching them together, he changed his mind about the guy. He might even have to buy him a drink: the guy just won the game for him. He made his way to the entrance of the ladies room. As if on cue, the raven haired beauty ran past him.

He waited two and a half minutes before he entered. The two girls checking their makeup in the mirror looked at him, but he spoke before they could. My daughter is sick. They both shrugged and left. He saw that his poor opponent did not have time to shut the door to the stall. She was still on her knees, verifying that there was no more in her to come up. He had just stepped into the stall when she stood and turned around. He shut the door, and before she could say a word he injected her in the side of the neck. Game over; he had won.

2

Johnny

Jonathan Douglas, who everyone called Johnny, quietly stepped into his small one-bedroom Manhattan apartment and closed the door behind him. It was nice and quiet, which made him happy; it meant Liz was still asleep. He walked as lightly as he could to the kitchen, hoping that the wooden floors would not squeak. Once in the kitchen, he placed the containers of food and the plastic bag he was carrying on the counter. Reaching under the sink, he pulled out the breakfast-in-bed trays they had received at their engagement party eleven years ago. They were only used three times. He placed the eggs, home fries and toast that he had carried in with him on a plate, which he set atop one of the trays. After pouring the coffee into her favorite mug, he put napkins and a flower in a glass vase on the tray, as well, and then quietly made his way into the bedroom. He looked at his beautiful wife from the doorway as she lay sound asleep on her side. He just stood there looking at her. They had been together for two years and married another ten, and yet he was still in love with her. He was sure going to miss her. He was leaving tomorrow for a two-week trip to Alaska with the guys. He could just stand and gaze at her beauty for hours, but since he didn’t want her food to get cold, he figured he might as well wake her up. He placed the tray on the nightstand, brushed her long brown hair from her face and kissed her cheek.

Hey baby girl, time to get up.

She opened one eye. What are you doing here, I thought you went to the café?

I did, but that was six hours ago. She lifted her head, trying to focus in on the clock beside the bed. 10:00. As he helped her out, and she pushed herself up, he could see by the look on her face that she was nervous. Relax, everything is OK, he said, hoping to calm her down.

I thought you were going to give me a wake-up call at six?

Shaking his head, he said, I figured I would let you sleep in, you’re going to be working hard enough the next two weeks. He bent down and picked up the tray And I think you should be treated like the princess you are.

Are you sure everything is alright? she asked him again, her brow furrowing. It was the first time in the two years since they had opened the café that he had done anything like this. He was out the door by four in the morning so he could open by five. He would work straight through till closing, which was nine at night during the week, and eleven on the weekends. Who is working the café?

Pierce and Winston.

So everything and everyone is OK? She was double checking. When he nodded and smiled, she let herself relax. You should go away more often. Sitting back, she placed the pillows between her back and the headboard.

Johnny placed the tray across her legs and sat down on the edge of the bed. I’ll be down in a few minutes, she said, I want to take a quick shower once I’m finished this.

Don’t worry about it, he said, I think we should spend the day together. If I remember correctly, there’s that Broadway show about that Italian singer, what’s his face? We should go see that.

Frankie Valli, and the show is called Jersey Boys, but we won’t be able to get tickets. And what about the café?

I told you that Pierce and Winston have the café covered, and as for the tickets … Raising himself from the bed, he reached in his back pocket and produced an envelope that he placed on her tray. She gave him a skeptical look as she opened the envelope. Inside were two tickets to the Jersey Boys.

Front row baby! he said with a smile, clearly proud of himself.

How the hell?

I have my ways, he said, still wearing his goofy smile. His way was his friend Mike, who worked at one of the hottest clubs in New York. Mike had connections to everything. After the show, I figured we would have dinner at Spazo’s.

There is no way we will be able to get reservations… She caught herself. You had Mike get the tickets and the reservations. She gave him a playful punch in the stomach.

I’ll never tell. He got off the bed. After you finish, why don’t you take a shower and then we can go for a walk through the park before heading over to the theater.

Alright who are you and what have you done to my husband?

Can’t a guy spend his last day in town with his beautiful wife?

After she finished eating Liz went to take a shower, while he brought the dirty dishes to the kitchen. While he was washing them he began to think what a lucky guy he was. He had the greatest wife in the world; she was gorgeous, smart, sexy and, most important, very sweet. When he had received the call from Jack that he wanted him as well as Mike and Kyle to come to Alaska for a couple of weeks, he had been skeptical. Liz insisted that he go and have a good time.

The childhood friends had not been together in over three years, and that had been for a funeral. He couldn’t remember when last they had spent any substantial amount of time together. Jack insisted it was Johnny’s job to convince Mike and Kyle to come along. It took a lot of arm twisting, but he finally got them both to agree. Now he was having second thoughts. The small group had drifted apart over the years. He and Mike still lived in New York, Kyle was living in Los Angeles, and he had no idea where Jack was living.

He and Mike saw each other a few times a month. Mike worked a few blocks from the café and would stop by on his way home, have a cup of coffee and bullshit. He and Kyle spoke every few weeks, and if he spoke to Jack four times a year it was a lot. There was also the issue between Jack and Kyle, who had not spoken to each other in over two years.

He finished the dishes and then stepped out to the garbage chute to throw out the trash. When he stepped back into the apartment he heard that the shower had stopped. He walked into the bedroom, and removed all his clothes. As he walked by the mirror he couldn’t help but check himself out. He wished he had kept walking. Since opening the café he had not been able to work out and of course he had been eating more. His once rock hard body now was soft with a pot belly. He decided not to dwell on his body, and lay down on the bed completely naked.

Liz came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. She smiled when she saw Johnny.

You think because you bring a girl breakfast in bed, get her tickets to a Broadway show and promise her a fancy dinner you can have your way with her?

Can’t blame a guy for trying? Oh you can’t, can you?" She gave him her great smile, and dropped the towel. He was right: he had definitely married up; her body was slim, tight and sexy.

Well, Mr. Douglas, I had a great day, Liz said as she lay in bed next to her husband. After making love that morning, the happy couple had walked over to Central Park and hung out on the great lawn before heading over to the theater. They enjoyed the show and then went over to Spazo’s for an incredible dinner. It was only 8:30 in the evening, but they had started their day at half-past three in the morning, so staying up late was not an option.

I must admit, I had a great day as well, Johnny said stifling a yawn. They lay in bed holding hands and enjoying the quiet before he spoke. I’ve been thinking. Maybe I should cancel. I hate to leave you alone.

Nonsense! I’ll be fine, and you know it. Besides, you haven’t taken a day off since we opened the café two years ago.

What if something happens?

If something happens, I will take care of it. He knew she was right, and he was just making excuses. Liz would be able to handle anything that came up. They had been in this together from the start. She actually had the harder part. She was still working a nine to five as an accountant when they decided to become entrepreneurs. Every night after work and on weekends, she would show up, don an apron and get busy, and their hard work finally started to pay off. Liz had been able to leave her job two months ago. Besides, it’s the deal of a lifetime.

She was right again. All he had to do was get himself to Los Angeles. Once he got to LA, Kyle would take care of the flight to Alaska, and Jack was handling everything else. I’m just going to miss you so much. What if something happens to me?

Liz angled her head.Like what?

I could get eaten by a bear, fall off a mountain, drown in the Bering Sea …

Don’t make me worried! Liz slapped him on the shoulder. I’ll make you a deal. If you promise to come back in one piece, I’ll let you in on a little secret."

What secret?

You have to promise.

I promise I will come back in one piece. Now, what’s the secret?

Now remember you promised you will come back in one piece, which means you also promised you’ll go. One of the reasons I didn’t tell you was because I thought you would use it as an excuse not to go.

You’re leaving me?

Liz bit her lip. Only in your dreams, buddy. I’m pregnant.

He sat bolt upright and looked at her. She was nodding her head and smiling. He took her in his arms and his mouth met her lips. How, when?

If I have to tell you how, then we both may be in trouble! As for when, I just found out on Monday. They had planned to start a family, but it just didn’t happen. Nobody knew why; they had been to all the top fertility doctors and poor Liz had to go through so many tests. All he had to do was masturbate into a cup, which was embarrassing enough, but no one was able to find a reason. They finally stopped trying and figured if it happened, it happened. That was five years ago.

Johhny became suddenly serious. Babe I can’t go.

She pushed him away, saying, Jonathan Kevin Douglas, you made a promise that you are going, so you are going!

I can’t! You’re pregnant!

What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?

What about the café?

What about it?

How are you going to stand on your feet all day?

You let me worry about that. I have Winston and Pierce at my disposal. They’ll do anything I ask.

I still think I should stay.

Liz poked him firmly on the arm. I know you do, but if you think your life is crazy now, wait until the kid is born. This may be your last chance to go anywhere for ten years. Johnny sighed and they lay quietly in each other’s arms.

I don’t think we should tell anybody for a few months just to be sure, she said.

I understand. He knew she was superstitious, and after all they had been through, who could blame her? They lay there, contemplating, not saying a word until they fell asleep.

3

Mike

Mike Hamlin walked, or rather, danced his way across the dance floor. Sure he was much older than the crowd partying around him, but that didn’t stop most of the girls from wanting to be with him, or most of the guys wanting to be him—at least for the night. His long hair showed no signs of graying in the dim light, his body still looked solid, and the stubble on his face only made him look sexier. He made his way to the office in the hottest club in the city and using his key card to get in the door, he walked in and dropped the bag full of cash on the desk. They were one of the only clubs left that still demanded cash at the door.

Hey Gina, here’s the door takings—it’s been a busy night for a Sunday. He was talking to the pretty girl sitting behind the desk.

You can say that again! She pulled up the third-floor bar register on her computer and pointed to the total.

He let out a whistle. Nice. He opened the safe and placed the cash inside. I think I may cut out a little early, I’m leaving for Alaska in the morning."

Alaska? What the hell is in Alaska? she asked frowning.

I’m not really sure. I’m meeting some buddies up there for a couple of weeks, for some hunting and fishing.

You don’t seem too excited.

I’m going with a bunch of guys I haven’t seen in a while. Well, two guys. The third guy owns the café on Columbus, Liz’s.

I love that place. They have the best lattes and croissants. I didn’t know you knew the owners, I think it’s a husband and wife.

Yep, Mike nodded, ‘that’s my buddy Johnny and his wife, Liz."

He seems like a really nice guy.

He’s a great guy, and if it were only me and Johnny, it wouldn’t be so bad. It’s just that they’re all doing well professionally, and I’m working in some club.

You’re running the hottest club in the city, she reminded him, you made this place what it is. Without you it would just be like every other place in the city.

Mike smiled ruefully, he knew she was right; if you wanted to have the hottest club in the city, the number one rule was to have it full of the sexiest people you could find. Everyone wanted to hang out with the hot, famous people, and they were willing to stand in line and pay exorbitant prices. This was one of the ways he had made the club the place everybody wanted to be.

You’re sweet Gina. He had just closed the safe when the bell to the office rang. They both turned to the monitor and saw it was Beer. The man was big enough to have been named Bear, but his love for the beverage made the name stick. Gina looked at Mike, who gave her a nod to buzz him in.

Mike I tried you on the radio, Beer said as he came into the office. Mike checked the radio on his waist and then pulled the earpiece from his ear.

It hasn’t been working all night. What’s up?

Double D is in the second-floor lounge. He was one of the local drug dealers that weren’t supposed to be in the club. Mike sighed, he had a hard rule. No dealing in the club. He didn’t mind if drugs were used in the club—hell, it was a New York City nightclub! Even he liked to smoke a joint every now and then. But the rule was simple; sell your shit outside, as long as it was not near the door. He had a good relationship with the NYPD and did not want to jeopardize it.

I’ll take care of it. Mike placed the radio on the desk and headed for the door. When Beer started to follow, Mike stopped him, Where do you think you’re going?

"With you, there are three of