Sacrifice

125

'Where's Luke?' I asked Mama after Teresa left.

'Nap,' she said, nodding her head toward the kitchen.

The phone rang. I walked back to answer it. Caught a glimpse of Luke, curled up on a dark green futon just outside the kitchen door, the puppy asleep against his chest. Baby's breath soft between them.

'Hello,' I answered the ring.

'What's up?' Lily's voice.

'I'm trying to arrange a meet. Let her see what's really going down.'

'What if…?'

'There's no 'what if' here anymore. It's what we have to do, now. It's time.'

'When is it? I'm coming too.'

'No, you're not. Let me do this, get it done.'

'I…'

'I'll call you.'

126

Luke was up from his nap, playing with the puppy on the floor, Mama watching over the rim of her newspaper.

'I love her,' the kid said, looking at me.

'Seems like she loves you too.'

'Yes. She does. I can tell. Burke, will you help me with something?'

'Sure.'

'I need a name for her. A good name, just for her.'

'I don't know, Luke…I mean…a name, that's a special thing.'

'Yes, I know. And it has to be a real name, Burke, you understand?'

'Sure. But…'

'Remember our names? Luke and Burke?'

'Yes. Lurk.'

'That's right. Together we're more than just the two of us. Friends. That's what I want…' His forehead furrowed, thinking so hard his body trembled. I lit a smoke, wary of his eyes, but he was okay, still Luke.

'Do you know his father's name?'

'Sure,' I said. Thinking how I'd never know mine. 'His dad's name is Simba.'

'I know Simba— I met him. What's his mother's?'

'Elsa.'

'Simba and Elsa…Elsa and Simba…I know, Burke! Her name is Simsa! Do you like it?'

'Yeah. It's perfect.'

'Simsa,' the boy called. The puppy wagged its tail happily.

127

Wolfe called just past three.

'Can we do it tomorrow?' I asked her.

'What time?'

'I'll pick you up around ten…?'

'Okay. At the diner.'

'I'll have a black Dodge. Gypsy cab. I'll be at the curb at ten.'

'See you.'

'Yeah. By the way, congratulations. Autopsy done yet?'

'See you tomorrow,' she said. And hung up.

128

I drove over to Max's around eight the next morning. Went upstairs. He was arguing with Immaculata about something— I couldn't tell what.

'You ready?' I asked Immaculata.

'Everybody's ready. You can drop us off at SAFE, okay?'

'Sure.'

Max and his woman got in the front seat with the baby, me and Luke and the puppy took the back.