10

“Keep an eye on them for me?”

Abe shook his head. “I can’t—I won’t believe this is happening. A joke you’re pulling, right? You should be honest with your old friend who’s known you since you were a yungatsh and tell him that you’ve made all this up. Listen to that old friend tell you that if this should be a joke then it’s a terrible one and he’ll never speak to you again.”

They sat in Abe’s van where he’d double-parked outside Jack’s place. After a couple of fitful, abortive attempts at their usual banter, talk had died. Jack found the silence awkward. He and Abe always had something to say to each other.

“No joke, Abe.”

“Must be. Has to be. A world without Repairman Jack? Feh!”

How many years since Abe had given him that name? Jack didn’t bother counting. Whatever the number, it wasn’t enough.

“But you will look after my ladies while I’m gone, right?”

“While you’re gone—that I like. It means you’re coming back.”

“Count on it.”

“I will. I won’t sit shiva then.”

Although he didn’t know where he’d be going, even if it was to an alternate reality, Jack had this unreasonable conviction that he’d be able to find his way home. Of course if the Lilitongue dumped him in outer space, that would be a different story: He’d be a flash-frozen fleshsicle in a heartbeat.

“As for watching over Gia and Vicky, I’ll do what I can while you’re away. But the type of woman who wants or needs watching over, Gia isn’t.”

“I know. She’s a self-starter and self-sufficient, but she isn’t quite as tough as she thinks or likes people to think. So look in on them for me, okay?”

“Of course. But who’s going to look in on me? Who’s going to tshepe me about my diet and my waistline while at the very same time bringing me Krispy Kremes? Who am I going to eat breakfast with? Who’s going to worry about me…?”

Abe’s voice trailed off.

Jack heard a sniff and turned toward him. The glow from a street lamp reflected off the moisture puddled on his lower eyelids.

“Abe?”

Nu, this is why you were always utzing me to worry about my heart? This is why you said I should take better care of it? Just so you could break it?”

The words choked off.

Jack felt his own throat constrict. This man had helped him become what he was. It tore Jack up to see Abe this way. He grabbed a pudgy hand and squeezed.

“I’ll be back. I promise.”

Abe shook his head and spoke, his voice thick. “So you say, but I have a feeling this is something even Repairman Jack can’t fix.”

Jack didn’t admit that he had the same feeling.

Abe let out a shaky sigh.

“So, you want I should drop you off at Gia’s?”

“Thanks, no. I’ve got a little something I have to take care of here first.” He squeezed Abe’s hand again. “See you soon. And work on that waistline while I’m gone.”

“Who can eat?”

Feeling like he’d just cut off an arm, Jack grabbed his backpack and jumped out. He slammed the door and slapped the side panel. The truck lurched into motion. He watched it move off and disappear around a corner.

Jack turned and headed up the steps.