Flashes spattered the interior of the Chevy, like
fire and water, as Jerry sped through another red light.
“They getting any closer?” He glanced over the back of the
seat where I sat crumpled against the door, Frankie moaning against my breast.
Hot wet spread like a virus over my thigh. I clutched at my
husband’s ridiculous politician’s tie. The clip gleamed like an executive pen,
gold.
“I can’t see,” I breathed at the ridge of upholstery against
my cheek.
Our blood pooled together, making us one for real. I’d once have given
all of mine to fill his heart again. Frankie was fading, and I’d live to pay
for his funeral. Black or blue hearse? Would the kids want to go? How many
stitches?
Frankie groaned and shifted with the sway of our Impala. It
was white, like his dress shirt had been. Washing away from the fender was angry red. Handprints, where Frankie’d grabbed the car instead of me. I
was already flat and left as dead.
I dropped my gaze to his blanched face. His eyes rolled in
his head like spotted cue balls. Anywhere on the ceiling, to the window, and
finally to focus on me.
“Is it serious?”
Frankie’s speech slurred. Mother was a nurse. He wasn’t bad.
He hadn’t stood in the way when Eddie showed his pistol, either. It was down to
business, his old partner had said.
Business was bad for wives like me.
I spread on a buttered
smile. “Hold on, honey.”
Yesterday, those police behind us would have been in front of
us. Tomorrow, we’d be famous, even if Frankie hadn’t just won the poll.
Jerry cursed and wrestled with the steering wheel through
deeper waters. Maybe it’d flood. Blood and water. Better than drowning in
booze. I petted Frankie like the dog he was.
His suit coat lay crumpled in the floorboard, just within
grasp of my straining fingers. I dragged the expensive fabric over Frankie’s
face, drawing his attention once more.
He needed a blood transfusion. The hospital lay just beyond
twenty breaths. It took twelve, and Frankie couldn’t even deliver a good kick.
His mouth lay open in final surprise.
I looked surprised when they pronounced him dead at
the scene. The police grumbled in disappointment and took Jerry in as a
consolation prize.
Blue. His hearse was blue.
