I’m at Gracies, a little hole in the wall across town. I’m looking for someone in particular, but I have to take my normal turns with the courtesy hello’s and how you doings?
Mack is at his usual table near the pinball machines. A bright light swings slightly above his head, casting a glow on his otherwise drab look. He sees me coming and motions for me to sit.
“Hey Jackson.”
“Mack. How are you.?”
Mack takes a pack of playing cards out, shuffles them and starts dealing. I take my hand, playing the game.
“Better than you I suppose. You know Lee was looking for you.”
Two threes, and nothing but trash in my hand. I fold.
“Yeah, you know why?”
“Had something to do with a little bird, what I heard.” Mack takes the cards, deals again.
“Yeah, Sparrow Sprite. What I’m trying to figure out is why he’s involved.”
“You really don’t know? Man Jackson, when you fell off the map, you fell off.”
I shrug my shoulders. I left this scene for a reason, and while I was gone, I stayed gone.
“He was dating her man. While you were in the slammer for Rahkim’s thing, they were a hot item.”
That explains a lot, but makes me wonder about one thing.
“Well shit. I guess I’m lucky I don’t know where she is. One more thing Mack, you know anything about that 7-11 holdup a few days back? The one that went sour?”
Mack eyes me curiously. “The one on Lexington? Heard it was some gangbangers. Didn’t end well for the clerk at all. Funny thing about that robbery. Nothing was missing.”
“What?”
“Yeah, when the store did the inventory, everything was accounted for. Kids must have scattered when the trigger went off. Something must have spooked them.”
Do these ‘gangbangers’ have Sparrow? Are they afraid of her being a witness? Would they have the ability to pull her off stage in front of a crowd of fans? It wasn’t Lee. I doubt it was some kids with guns. Something doesn’t add up. But I’m at a loss for answers.

I’m in my closet getting out my pistol when I hear Daisy behind me.
“Jackson?” She looks so small standing there, eyes watered. “Jackson, what kind of trouble are you in?”
“I’m not sure Daisy. Sorry you had to get involved.”
She moves up to me in a familiar motion, wrapping her arms around my neck, holding me close.
“It’s alright. Nothing I can’t handle. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
I let her hold me for a take, and then pull her back locking my eyes into hers.
“You can stay here for now, O.K?” She nods, and a part of me feels good about her being in my apartment. In my range of life again. I check the safety on the gun, sliding it into the back of my pants.
“There’s food in the fridge, but avoid the eggs. I’m heading out, see if I can get some answers.”
Daisy comes close, and kisses my cheek. I take another look at her, and there’s some resemblance of my lost wife there. I give her a small smile,
“Alright. See you soon.”