Murder in the City of Marylane
11. Old Friend
Revenge, huh?
As hard as I thought, I still did not understand. To whom did he take his revenge? Me or the people he killed?
I don't know Levon Jourell. What if he takes revenge on me and kills people I don't even know?
Or ... Maybe he just scares me?
All this makes me dizzy.
I just got home from the office today. It's ten o'clock in the evening, I just finished my shower. I dry my hair with a towel, go to the kitchen and open the fridge, looking for something to eat.
There aren't.
Refrigerator's empty. I opened the kitchen cabinet.
Only one instant noodle left.
I forgot about the shopping. Anyway, come to think of it, lately I've been eating out more often.
I miss my aunt's omelet.
I grabbed my phone, displaying my aunt's contacts there.
Call her?
No?
Phone or not?
I hung up my phone in the end. I didn't want to bother him and decided to go to the supermarket. I might get beaten up by Kenneth again if he finds out I'm with his mother.
I went there by car. It took me a few minutes to get here. I went out, took the trolley and went inside, took some necessities.
Rice rice.
Pastas.
My hand held the two packs of meat I took from the fridge.
Beef or chicken?
Chicken is cheaper.
Beef is better.
I'm a little poor and better save it. Choose the cheaper one.
I put the chicken pack into the trolley and resumed my activities.
Should I buy processed meat?
No. gabe.
The others only.
Eggs.
Kitchen seasoning.
Tomato.
Carrots.
Potatoes.
Should I buy fruit?
One kind seems to be enough.
Apples.
The toiletries are almost gone. Just dickin' all.
Once I felt enough, I went to the cashier and paid for everything. I came out of the supermarket with a bag of cloth I brought from home. Counting reducing plastic waste, ‘kan?
I'm remembering. I think there's less, but what?
I thought about it all the way. I opened the trunk and put my groceries there.
I just remembered.
Tea and coffee! How could I forget it?
I went back to the supermarket to buy both.
And I suddenly hit someone. Accidentally, of course. Our shoulders collided.
“Ah, sorry,” I said while slightly bending over. I was about to walk again, but a voice stopped me.
“Juan Scott?”
---
We ended up in a unique classic cafe. I sipped my coffee, and he ate a cheesecake with a fork in his right hand. Indeed, his taste has not changed since long ago.
Her friend. Alston Aaron, remember? He used to play basketball with me. With Leon and Riley. And he's one of those people who knows about the effects of my past.
“Your News?” ask after feeding a little part of the cake.
I just smiled meaningfully. “Do you think?” I said, “How about you?”
“Ya .. so it is.”
“What do you mean?”
“So. Yeah, just like that.”
It's unclear.
“I mean, my life is not good, but—so. I can't explain it,” he continued.
“Ya, yes. I get it.”
“Hey, sometime we play basketball. I'll take Riley and Leon.”
“I'm still communicating with them. Hey, we've lost contact since you moved in with your aunt here,”.
Ah, yes. I changed all my social media and my cell phone number without telling them.
“Sorry.”
“Pardoned. Even though you shouldn't have to. I understand,” said. “Again, I'm glad to see you again. I need your cell phone number. I'll tell Leon and Riley.”
I gave her my phone number. He fiddled with his phone and returned it a few minutes later.
I sipped my coffee.
“You moved here? How are Leon and Riley?” tanyaku later.
“Yes, just yesterday I moved here. Leon is still in Wimpey City, he works as a teacher.”
“Teacher?” I raised my eyebrows. Leon Rees, who was often nicknamed a rookie during High School became a teacher? A person who is often punished for not doing that task as a teacher?????
Well, the future nobody knows. I think he's conscious.
“Iya.” Alston laughs. “I didn't believe it at first, but it really happened. Whoa, honestly, I'm impressed.”
“Then, Riley?”
“He became a pediatrician in the hospital .. uh, what's his name? I forgot the name of the hospital. He moved to Patton City, worked there.”
I nodded in understanding. No wonder, Riley is interested in the medical world and loving children since long ago.
Hey, don't get me wrong. He's not who you think he is. I guarantee that.
“Then, you?”
My question made his face turn sour. “I've worked.”
“Work what?”
“Sort ... guts test.”
“I'm serious.”
I scrunched my forehead. “What do you mean you work kind of ‘uji guts’?”
He sighed. “I work as a morgue guard.”
Then he put his shoulders and continued, “It seems like my fate is not too lucky compared to yours. But, well, not too bad than not getting a job at all.”
I nodded in understanding. “You'll move up the ranks later.”
His face looked at me curiously. “As what?”
“Mayat.”
He brandished the fork he was wearing with his forceful smiling expression. “Should I stab you with this?”
I laugh. “Sorry, sorry. After all, we're candidates for a dead body, aren't we?”
He dropped his fork. “True also.”
“How do you work?” tanyanya switched topics. “That time you told me that your father wanted you to be a cop.”
“Ya, it happened.”
“Then how? You enjoying it?”
I haven't answered. Alston opened his mouth again.
“Seeing from your face, you look like an undead. If someone sees it in detail, I'm sure they think you are.” He pointed at my face with the fork he was holding.
“Excessive,” my comment.
“You got less sleep?”
“That's.”
“You still have nightmares?”
I'm speechless.
“Don't blame yourself, Juan. I told you, ‘kan, it's not your fault. It's been eight years.”
---
The Foolish Four (4)
Alston Aaron created the group.
Alston Aaron added you.
Riley J's.
What's with the group name? Substitute.
Leon R's.
If you're stupid, don't take me.
Alston A's.
Aye, yes.
Alston Aaron changes group name to “Fancy Four”.
Riley J's.
Is that not excessive?
Alston A's.
-___-
You
Hola!
Leon R's.
WOW!
IS THIS THE JUAN SCOTT THAT THREW THE BASKETBALL IN THE HEADMASTER'S FACE????
You
You can shut up, right?
Alston A's.
Hey, it's never forgotten hahaha.
Legendary.
Riley J's.
HAHAHA.
By the way, welcome, Juan Scott.
Hey, we haven't seen each other in a long time.
But I'm still in Patton City.
I busy.
Leon R's.
No one asked.
Riley J's.
I'm telling.
Leon R's.
I don't wanna know.
Alston A's.
I like this fight.
I laughed reading that conversation. Habits, they used to love fighting. Well, just a light quarrel, which actually just makes our relationship docked.
Riley J's.
Whatever.
Anyway, let's meet one day!
Leon J's.
Yep, yeah.
You
Sure was!
Alston A's.
Certainly is.
I put down my phone and looked at my groceries I had placed on the kitchen table. My appetite is gone, I don't know where.
Stupid timing. I'm not eating.
I keep my groceries where they should be. For a moment, there was less.
I patted my forehead.
I forgot to buy tea and coffee.
