"Trained you well, son. You'd have made a hell of a Marine."
"Thank you. It might have been an easier life, if I had."
CV frowned. "I know we never talked about your life. But if being a Marine would be easier―" He shook his head. "You must've come up hard."
Anton shrugged. "Harder than some. Not as bad as others. We have a lot to talk about."
"I believe we do. Tomorrow."
"At Oh f**k Thirty."
They said their good nights and Anton returned to his trailer. Having a quick look around, he found the bugs the police had left behind. He'd expected as much, but he was still offended. Granted, he was guilty, but they didn't know that. He could be a victim of circumstance. This was a fine case of guilty until proven innocent.
Oh f**k Thirty was really 8:30. CV liked to fish, but he maintained that fish were looking for food all day. Why should he go out of his way to be early?
"I go in later, pick off the slackers," he'd often said.
Anton had laughed at that. "Yeah, we get the stoned fish, who have the munchies."
It was after that conversation they had started to bring homegrown hemp seeds with them. They scattered these on the surface and waited, scooping the fish in with a net. It was a worry free way to relax.
CV lit a blunt and passed it to Anton. The younger man grinned, thanking CV with a nod. His friend grew his own, and always had high quality weed.
"My new fishing blend. Tell me what ya think."
Anton took a couple hits and handed it back. "Smooth," he wheezed. "Strong!"
"Keep it, I been up since five. Back pain." He rubbed his flank.
"You should have that looked at."
"Damn VA docs don't know shit."
"Maybe not, but there's a new law, you can pick your own doctor. There's that back specialist in town. You should go. I'll take you."
"You don't need to put yourself out," CV protested.
"Don't you get it, Old Man? You're family. We'll call after lunch, and see when they can get you in."
"It ain't that bad."
"It is if you're up at five, in pain and smoking."
"You aren't gonna drop this."
"No. And neither would you, if it was me. Did you tell your boys?"
"No. They don't care." He leaned over to net a fish, but groaned so loudly, the fish scattered.
"That settles it. We're not waiting." Anton grabbed the oars and started back to shore. "We're going to the hospital. No arguments. You made me your guy for a reason. To make the tough decisions."
CV was pale and shaking by the time they got to shore, holding his chest as he gasped. With Anton's help, he got into the truck.
"The fish."
"Screw the fish. They're fine in the bucket. Got your wallet?"
"For fishing?" Even in pain, CV could convey his disgust at the dumb question.
"Wait here." Anton sprinted to his trailer, picking up his wallet and keys. It took a few seconds more to get CV's, before heading back to the truck.
The older man looked bad. Anton took off quickly, calling police dispatch as he drove. "I've got a man complaining of back pain, but who looks like he might be having a heart attack. I'm on my way to the hospital. Dark blue F-150." He rattled off the license.
"Do you need assistance?" the dispatcher asked.
"Just a clear road. I'm not stopping."
"You got it."
His police escort, who had tried to be unobtrusive until now, started their siren and passed him. Taking the lead, they cleared the path for the speeding truck. The hospital loomed on the horizon. Anton took the right turn so quickly, CV nearly fell over.
"Almost there. Don't die on me, Old Man."
"And let you eat all my fish?" he wheezed.
Doctors and nurses met them at the door. Anton gave them what update he could.
"History of heart problems?"
"Yes. Prone to tachycardia. Controlled with medication." He gave them the name and dosage. "He was complaining of severe back pain, then clutched his chest."
"I'll let the doctors know. Take a seat, hon," the nurse said. She was in her early fifties and had a kind face.
"Thanks." He scanned the room for the cops, spotting them just outside the door. Walking over to them, he smiled, extending his hand. "I know why you're here. I know you're doing your job. I'm not wild about it." He shrugged, waving that away as unimportant. "You helped my friend when he was in trouble, and I appreciate that. I know you've got to follow orders.... You stepped up. Thank you."
©2021 Dellani Oakes
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