C4 antho - Chamber Four

~186~ The Chamber Four Fiction Anthology
Wesley’s parents have one of those elevators that open
right into their apartment. I shake hands with Wesley’s parents
and give them a bottle of Jura.
“There you are,” Wesley’s dad says, squeezing my hand
tightly.
“How are you doing, dear?” Wesley’s mom asks.
“I’m ok, how are you?” I ask.
She sighs. “Oh, as good as can be expected.”
“I hope you like the wine,” I say.
“Thank you, Hector,” Wesley’s dad says, looking at the
wine, but also not really looking at it. “I’m sure we will.”
I go across the foyer to a silver tray. On the silver tray are
mint juleps in pewter tumblers. I take one of the mint juleps
and walk over to the living room. There is a four-piece New
Orleans band playing New Orleans-style music. I can see the
jet set gathering by the big windows facing the park. They are
talking in low voices, but I don’t pay attention to them. I go
to the fireplace. On the mantle is a vase. The vase is filled
with Wesley’s ashes. My plan is to steal the vase and take it
to the castles of Islay where they belong.
“There’s something wrong with these mint juleps,” one
of the jet set says.
“Yeah, too much mint,” another one says.
The New Orleans band plays another New Orleanssounding
song.
I look out the window. The buildings around the park are
lit up. They make me feel like I’m in an old movie, or on
some kind of movie set.
A waiter comes by. I take another mint julep.
Some investment bankers come over to where I am standing.
One of them grins. He asks me if I want any blowcaine. I