The Phone Call - An Avia Short Story
It was the phone call that mattered the most to Benton. L was throwing a party. A family get-together. Everyone would be there. Grant – his uncle. Decker – his uncle by marriage. Ashley – L’s wife, his aunt. L was, of course, attending – Shadow’s adopted father, another uncle. Benton had never felt so fortunate. His extended family had helped him through the worst of times. Most recently, it had been his wife’s murder, the trial, and his resulting incarceration. Parole was a bitch, but jails were worse.
It wasn’t his fault Maddy had betrayed them. She had turned coats, become a double-agent of sorts. She gave Company information to the Sanchez and Sanchez information to the Company. Benton had no choice. He had to shoot her.
Benton sighed. It had been the beginning of the rift between him and Shadow. Maddy was her best friend. Benton hadn’t even known Shadow was home, but she had heard the gun shots, ran upstairs, and screamed. He had tried his best to comfort her, explain. Shadow sobbed.
Of course, it was nothing compared to the afternoon of their breakup. He hadn’t planned it. Benton had called her that morning to ask when she was coming back to Macapa. That afternoon. Perfect, they’d have lunch, watch movies, relax.
Then L had walked into the Parlor, listened to his private conversation, and interrupted once Benton had finished.