How I Live Now - 25. Day 43

Day 43

Matias arrived later than expected. When he came, he looked like he hadn't slept all that good. Not that I slept any better, providing the circumstances. Matias went on an earlier run, and so he asked if he could add another bag of heroin to my stockpile. I agreed as long as he took it with him when he left. That didn't happen, but we did make a start on selling my drugs. Well, the drugs Salvatore gave to Kyle, so Kyle could give to me. The trick was never to take all of it with you. Which is reasonable. If you are caught by the police, they'll take everything. Though Matias made it abundantly clear.

“Never be afraid of the police… Be afraid of Salvatore. If you lose merchandise, he'll come after you until your debt is paid," Matias said.

I wasn't thrilled to hear those words, but it was common sense. These people need to make an example, so people don't take them for a fool. So, we pulled out some of the tiny little baggies we made yesterday. Thankfully Doug's shower last night didn't saturate all the product. We took the elevator down to the lobby and exited the rear door onto the street behind the apartments. Matias chatted away lively, discussing how to spot potential buyers. If they look like shit: check. If they seem edgy: check. If they stand around, looking about a lot: check. According to Matias, I should always keep up my guard when it concerns the standing around type.

"You never know when it could be a cop. The police are bad for business… and you.

Police arrest your customers… they take you away and raid all your shit. That makes people like Salvatore pissed," Matias teased.

From listening to Matias badger on about the duty of selling drugs, I started to regret having said yes. I need to do the math correctly, but if I made about twenty sales, I'd be able to pay off the loan shark.

Turning onto a narrow pavilion overlooking a river, a bridge with a brick access path down to the water stretched across the watercourse. We strolled down the embankment toward the promenade that ran alongside the waterway. It was late afternoon, so some people were walking along the trail by the river. Some office workers were out to lunch and decided to take a little walk before returning to their desk jobs.

Though who works an office job on a Sunday?

We took our place under the bridge, leaning on the fence, and watched the water pass by. Eventually, the popularity of the walking route dwindled, and lesser and lesser people came by. It looked up, but a family on bikes sailed under the overpass and proceeded down the promenade.

I kept thinking: does it usually take this long?

Possibly my logic is flawed… I've seen too many crime movies, and that's why I thought it would be easier. Though there is a lot of waiting involved.

As we waited for our first customer, I glanced at the graffiti on the wall opposite the bank. It was impressive, but to spraypaint the support column in the middle of the bridge, you’d need one of those scaffolds that builders use.

How did people manage it?

I got lost in the mishmash of colors that I overlooked our first customer. Matias nudged me and nodded at the man who stood just out of cover from the overpass. The man beckoned with his head toward the shrubs and bushes along the pathway, and Matias nodded. The man disappeared in among the foliage, and Matias started glancing around for any signs of a sting operation. When he was happy that it wasn't a setup, we both strolled to the bushes and entered.

The man waited for us, and when he saw Matias, he referred to him.

"Who's this…." The man said skeptically, gesturing toward me.

"He's shadowing me… learning. Do you want stuff or not?” Matias said, collectedly.

The middle-aged man exhaled and nodded.

"Can I get 2 grams this time?"

Matias reached into his pocket and withdrew two balls of heroin, and held them out. The man, in return, counted out $40 and handed the bills over. There were no other words. The guy just made a shift exit, leaving the two of us in the trees. If all the deals went down like this, maybe it wasn't so bad. I didn't need to get my hands dirty by trashing some baker's store or beating up some old lady. I still couldn't help ponder about the damage the drugs would do on the street. I'd be an active member who promoted it by selling it. This shit had the power to tear apart families, and this is something that doesn't sit right with me.

Either way, Matias decided to call it quits earlier than expected. It was a slow day. We got one other person who appeared to be already high, and after that, we chose to head back to my place. When we got back, Doug was home with his kid, and it felt weird being there. I couldn't put the drugs back while Doug was home. So, Matias chose to take the few baggies he had home… or wherever he stashes them. We got to meet Doug's daughter Olivia. She's nice… and totally adorable. If Hudson were there… he'd have totally had a crush on her– I'm sure of it.

Anyway…. that's all I got up to today. I'm happy with the equivalent of two bricks of heroin sitting under the shower base. I'm hoping to get rid of mine. Next time Matias comes over… he's taking his share away too.

Talk soon,

Kyle