“More like an acquaintance.”
“An acquaintance to whom you owe money?” Julia asks.
Mark sighs.
“How much money?”
“Not much.”
“How much?”
“A few hundred dollars.”
The knocking grows louder, more insistent. “Hey, man. I know you’re there.”
“Stay here. I’ll get rid of him,” Mark says, opening the door to the inside of the house. “And don’t worry, Nana. He’s harmless.”
“If he’s so harmless, why do I have to stay here?” Julia asks, but Mark is no longer beside her. Standing by the open door, she hears him moving toward the front of the house. She holds her breath as the front door opens.
“Hey, Gary,” she hears him say. “What’s with all the racket?”
“Don’t play dumb,” Gary says. “You know why I’m here.”
“I know. It’s just—”
“I think I’ve been pretty patient, letting you pay on the old installment plan, but I’m getting squeezed here myself. I got people to answer to.”
“I know, man. I’m sorry. I should have your money by the end of the week. You can wait another few days, right?”
“You gotta give me something now, man. I’m not leaving here empty-handed.”
As if on cue, Julia steps out of the shadows into the hall. She is momentarily surprised by how inconsequential a figure this Gary person is. About the same age as her grandson, but shorter, rounder, and baby-faced. Hardly the intimidating figure she’d been bracing herself for.
“Nana!” Mark says, his eyes moving from her face to the Smith & Wesson in her hands. “Nana, what are you doing?”
Julia raises her arms and points the gun directly at Gary’s chest.
“Holy fuck!” Gary immediately falls to his knees.
“How much does my grandson owe you?” Julia asks calmly.
“Five hundred dollars.”
“I believe I have about three hundred dollars in my purse. Will that do?”
“Yeah. Yeah, that’s plenty. That’s good.”
“Mark, go get my purse, would you? It’s in the kitchen.”
“Nana…”
“Go.”
Mark runs past his grandmother to the kitchen, returning seconds later with her white leather bag.
“Now fish inside my wallet and give your friend his cash.”
Mark quickly removes all the cash from Julia’s wallet and hands it to Gary.