Part 55 (1/2)

-Yeah. Had to cover that. Ended up.

-I know.

-Filled the pool partway.

-Chlorinated the s.h.i.+t out of it. Scrubbed and pumped it out.

He runs a finger over the invoice.

-That's a good one.

We sit there till I stand up.

-You gonna eat? Want me to?

He shakes his head.

-The stuff I'm allowed to eat, I'd rather fast. Lost fifty pounds. I'd known I could do that, I'd have had a stroke ten years ago.

-Start a diet craze.

-Man, it's sweeping the nation.

I go to the door.

-I'm gonna see if I can get Xing in the bath.

He puts his hands together in prayer.

-Best thing about this whole deal, not having to wrestle with her. You want to borrow my cane to beat her?

-No, I brought a belt.

-Good man.

He picks up the remote.

-You know Lei won't make it back in two hours.

-She never does.

-Woman can't be on time for s.h.i.+t. You got something going tonight, you take off. I can handle Xing once she's run down a little.