Chapter 6

He’s confident when he answers my question, “It wasn’t coke. It was money.”

“Money?” It’s my turn to be surprised: raised eyebrows, open-mouth, confusion tucked around my lips.

“Yes, money.”

He tells me a story about his Aunt Wesleywinn, who goes by the nickname Wesley. She lives in Erie. She has breast cancer and can’t work. Her government insurance is paying for her treatments, but they’re not paying her mortgage, electric bill, food bill, etc…

“I take care of her. I gave Lock some money for her. The stash, as we call it. He was nice enough to drop some money off to her this evening. They have tea together and talk. They play Jeopardy!together. He’s good medicine for her. She likes to hear all his tales and study his good looks. It passes the time for her. They get along quite well. Lock’s an amazing man. And Wesley’s an amazing aunt. I have good people in my life, and I love both of them.”