What does Red see in this twat,’ thought Micky? Peering discreetly over the cliff edge at Axle and Angela, down on the beach far below him? Staying back, only allowing his eyes to see, hidden like a hunting animal behind windblown grasses. Micky watched them intently, talking and laughing. He had been wondering about her father’s decisions lately. And had even bitterly challenged some of Reds decisions. He had become increasingly worried about Reds fanaticism bordering on dementia. Mickey was now worried if red had plans for this young twerp? Maybe even running the business?
This Axle business was really starting to bother him. Although Red had done a back-ground search on Axle a few years back, which seemed to have satisfied him. Mickey decided to do one of his own, without anybody’s, especially Reds knowledge.
Micky stood back from view and walked over to a man wearing a headset, kneeling in the tall grass. He was holding a small parabolic listening devise.
“Anything,” asked Mickey?
“Not much, its far to windy, and garbled,” he answered. I think they’re making up?”
“Fuck, tell me something I don’t know…gezze! Dam, I wish I had ears down there!”
“He was speaking with some old dude earlier, walking a mutt.”
“Ya …I know who he is, unimportant, just a fucking pest. I've warned the prick about walking here." Replied Mickey.
“I did get a few clear words though.”
“Like?”
“Well, they were speaking away from us, like they are now, but I did hear Reds name mentioned.” And I think they were talking about someone’s baby. I heard baby mentioned, a number of times?”
“Baby, you sure?”
“Ya, pretty sure, I heard it clearly, you can check the tape."
"They're talking about the bikes right now...I think they wanna take a ride?"
“But I think you’ll like this. I heard them use Draino’s name earlier?”
“Draino, really, now that’s interesting?
“Anything else. Could it just be simple couple talk, like honey or baby? The man just shrugged his shoulders. Mickeys phone buzzed. It was Red texting.
“What the fuck are they talking about Draino for,” Asked the man under his breath, after Micky checked his phone? “Do you think they know?” Micky ignored the question.
“K stay on it, see what you can get.” Said Mickey “And for fuck sake, don’t let them see you!”
“I just tossed and turned, maybe I got an hour,” said Red, as Micky returned to his office. Where the hell you been anyway, I need you close by right now?”
“What, you think midgets are robots, that don’t sleep.” Replied Micky?
“O, ya sorry!”
“Maybe you should take a break, rest up somewhere for a few days, I can handle things around here. Nothing of any interest to report anyway,” assured Micky. “I think its finished for now.
“Is Angela around,” asked red, dialing his phone? Ignoring Micky’s comments.
“Rosa said they were down at the beach,” lied Micky.
“I thought they were fighting?” Stated Red.
“Ya…well they must a have made up,” replied Micky? “Where did you hear that anyway?”
“A little bird told me…!
“Ernie," called Red into his phone. "collect them,” demanded Red. “Meet us for coffee in an hour." Continued Red, harshly into the phone.
“Are those so-called advisors still around?” Red asked Mickey cupping the phone to his leg.
“I think they’ve all left?”
“Ernie, change of plan…make it two hours!” He yelled and hung up.
“No time Mick, get them back here. No excuses! These Europa turds are applying too much pressure, I’ve gotta act, and act fast! Who do we know at the UN?”
“We have a few good choices. You want information, or contact?”
“Probably both, not sure just yet. Just tell them to be ready and to keep their phones on.”
“Done! But wont that alert, or get back to their bosses?”
“I’m hoping so Mick, I’m hoping so. And keep it open, I want others hearing!” Replied Red rushing out of his office.
“Where ya going?" Yelled Micky after him. But Red was gone. Red flew across the lawns to find Angela. A security man came running over. Red waved him off.
“Honey, can we talk,” asked Red out of breath, catching them coming up from the beach. Bending over and gasping for breath. While pointing toward the cottage.
“Sure, is there something wrong?” Asked Angela. Surprised at his odd, and sudden appearance.
“No not really, can’t a father talk with his daughter?”
“I’ll leave you two alone,” interrupted Axle.
“No, no, this regards you as well,” said Red bundling them both together, and leading them along the cliff edge toward the cottage. I’m very ashamed of myself kids, and have been very blind. I’ll be less mysterious in the house.
Mickey got a surprised call, telling him Red was at the cottage with the couple. “Tell me the moment they leave, or if anything else happens!”
Red closed the door, as Angela and Axle turned to face him. “Look, I’m not using this as an excuse, but I’ve been under intense pressure. And have had to do things I deeply regret. If I’d had more time, maybe things would have turned out different. I did the unthinkable, I came between you, and the man you love. I can never hope to be forgiven.
“Dad,” cried Angela. “Stop!” Axle and Red both looked at her surprised. They had never heard her use the term dad before. “We’re going to have a child, I’m pregnant!”
Red stood there, looking like he had the wind knocked from him, jaw hanging in disbelief. Smiling, Angela nodded her head in confirmation. Red turned away holding his head in his hands, a thousand things rushed through his brain.
“Dad, dad,” she shouted. “Did you hear what I just said?” Red turned and stepped toward her with his arms out to embrace her. Angela rushed to him. “I’m so, so sorry my beautiful child, I broke my main rule. Never involve the family in business! But what wonderful, wonderful news!"
“Its OK, we’re working through it!” They parted, sill locking arms. Red turned to Axle beaming with happiness. “I don’t think we have any cigars in the house, for the proud Papa?”
Axle laughed, forgetting for a minute that he was a father. “Ya, he’s right…we need to celebrate this!” Announced Axle proudly!
Red stepped over to Axle and extended his hand. Then grabbed him and hugged him. Madly patting his back. “My boy, my boy, I’m so sorry. Seriously I feel terrible.” Red kept repeating. Angela stood watching them in amazement. “Let’s have a Toast to our baby, if we can’t find cigars,” she finally yelled?
“Right!” Demanded Red, stepping over to his bar. “Bloody well right!” he continued. Searching a tall wine case. “Yes…I think this will do.” Red selected and pulled out a bottle of red wine. “A Pinot Noir, should fit the occasion. A 1962 La Tache, yes, this will do perfectly.” Suggested Red. “Sadly it should sit upright for a time. But we have no time.” He carefully cut away the shiny foil, and uncorked the bottle, picking out bits of 50 year old cork from the rim. I regret this may have been leaking, looks like a bit of rust around the cork? Then he slowly poured out three equal portions into tall-stem french wineglasses.
Axle always felt foolish at these times, because of his poor knowledge of wines. Angela sensing this stepped beside him and held his hand. Red passed them each a glass, then swirled the wine vigorously in his glass, then raised it to his nose. Axle and Angela followed, copying his every move. “Ahaaa, fascinating nose," he said, burying his nose in the glass! Then took a sip. "Marvelous! To the Child,” announced red, raising his glass. “May he have a long and fruitful life! Toasted Red. They all clinked glasses together and drank.
“Like this wine,” offered Axle, after swallowing the ancient liquid, much older than himself.
“Yes, yes, indeed!” Laughed Red. “Very good my boy! I suggest, with your permission of coarse, looking toward the young couple, we invite Rosa over.”
“O yes lets,” replied Angela excitedly. “It just wouldn’t be right without her. Thank you papa, thank you. I’ll call her right now,” said Angela.
“Don’t let her start preparing anything, tell her to come straight over!” Demanded Red Laughing. “Or she’ll be all day.” Not realizing the poor woman was sleeping.
As Angela waited for Rosa to pick up, she called out to Red. “So you think it’s going to be a boy then, you said may he, have a long life?”
“Did I?”
“Ya, you did, “confirmed Axle. “Funny enough, so do I.” Red held up his glass to Axle for another clink.
“Rosa’s coming,” said Angela, "she sounded sleepy. Hope I didn't disturber her," Continue Angela? "You're going to think this is crazy, but I think it’s going to be a boy as well.” She said, walking over to join in the glass clinking. “And Rosa, wants it to be a boy!”
“That is quite odd,” said Red, in true amazement? “You may think this, presumptuous but have you decided on a name?”
“Brian,” spouted out Axle quickly. “And may I add,” taking another sip. “I don’t believe I’ve ever tasted a nicer wine in my life. What a true compliment to this wonderful occasion!"
“I have to agree!” Replied Red holding up his glass.
“Actually, we decided, that if it were a girl, I would name her, and Axle would name the boy.” Interjected Angela.
“As long as my name is in there somewhere,” Laughed Red. “But, only with your permission,” said Red. Walking around replenishing everyone’s glass.
“Brian,” whispered Angela, into Axles ear? Then stepped away and waited for his reaction.
“What’s wrong with Brian?” pouted Axle, pretending to be hurt.
“I like the sound of Dylan. Dylan Rivers.” Said Angela! A knock came to the door, and Rosa stepped in to a lively, and slightly tipsy crowd.
“Come in, come in, dear Rosa,” demanded Red, holding out a full glass of wine to her. Angela ran in to embrace her almost making Rosa spill her drink.
Axle came over and clinked glasses with her before Rosa even had a chance to take a sip. “What do you think of this wine,” asked Red holding up another bottle?
“Open it "yelled Rosa! Taking a gulp of wine, trying to catch up. Sending them all into delighted waves of laughter.
“Its decided then,” cried Red! “This one is a year older!” Yelled Red, attempting to open the wine.
“Allow me,” interjected Axle, holding out his hands for Red to hand over the bottle. Red stood, a little taken back. “Yes, yes, of coarse. My, where are my manners!” Stated Red embarrassed looking.
Axle feverously opened the rare bottle, as they all stood around him, holding empty glasses.
Mickey, smiled.
Dan Ger
