124 The Laughing Seagull (2/2)
”Of course I didn't.”
”You did the right thing,” said Olga, and Li Yang and Jake nodded in agreement. Reporting a crime, or indeed interacting with the system in any way meant a lot of wasted time if they were lucky, and even more wasted time plus a lot of new troubles if they were unlucky.
Jake said:
”Hey, Olga. This friend of yours at the hotel. Care to tell us a little more? Like maybe her name, and how long you've known each other?”
”Her name is Irina,” said Olga. ”We grew up together back in Russia. We came to the U.S. together. But she got lucky and got this job and I got stuck in New York.”
”I guess that makes you close friends, right? That's good. But when was the last time you actually talked to her?”
”Last week.”
”Last week?”
”Last week. It took two trips to the post office and half a day of waiting.”
”So she knows you're coming?”
”Yes.”
”That was your plan from the start? To join your friend?”
”Yes.”
”What about Bobby?” asked Li Yang. He had grown to like Bobby after the shootout at the crossroads.
”Are you crazy?” said Olga. ”Did you really think I was staying with this black pig?”
”Wowowow,” said Jake. ”Watch your language, Olga. You better not say things like that.”
”Why not? He's black, and he's a pig.”
”It's racist. It means you're a racist.”
”I am not racist,” said Olga. ”For example, Li Yang is okay. So is that guy Harper. Not his sister, she's a stupid black bitch.”
”I told you, don't say things like that.”
”You are one stupid white asshole,” said Olga. ”How do you like that? Is it racist, too? Or maybe it's just a statement of fact?”
The old man laughed out loud, and said:
”Kids. Stop it. I been hearing this particular argument for most of my life and believe me, it's always unresolved. You better use your heads and your energy and your time to plan and make a future for yourselves. It's not gonna be easy, it's gonna be even harder than back in the old days.”
”What about you?” asked Jake. ”What is your plan?”
”I don't need a plan, son. I got cancer. It's slow, maybe a little faster now that I'm getting no treatment. The best I can hope for is a couple more years. I just intend to take it easy, and enjoy whatever time I got left.”
”I'm sorry to hear that,” said Jake.
”Don't be stupid,” said the old man. He leaned to the side to get a good look forward and said:
”Holy smoke, we're already nearing Poplar Island. We're making better speed than I thought. You boys keep your heads down, we're changing course.”
”How much longer is it going to take?” asked Olga.
”If this wind holds, a couple of hours. I'll have a hell of a time getting back, though.”
”Maybe you shouldn't go back,” said Olga. ”Maybe you should stick with us.”
The old man laughed.
”I'm too old to make moves like that,” he said. ”But thank you for the invitation.”
Li Yang heard a seagull screech ironically. He raised his head and watched it fly over the boat and away, still screeching - it was almost as if it was laughing.
At them, at their half-baked plans, at all the losers that couldn't fly.
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