Read Gotham for Free Online Page B

a gift Nati, Lydell Junior, will never deliver. It’s five years too late, the best they had. Did he picture it on her arm, I wonder, back there in Bloomingdale’s? Did he picture her there on the red chaise lounge among the grey yachtsmen, carried unharmed all the way to this different, invented life and its unimaginable opportunities?
    â€˜You know we don’t discuss her,’ Smokey says before I can speak, ‘but I think it was important. Going there tonight, doing that. I don’t know. More important than two more pairs of pants anyways.’
    He gets another text, and shows it to me. This one reads, ‘You have a daughter, asshole.’ No photos.
    He calls back, full of joy and regret, and gets shouted at. A baby wails in the background.
    â€˜I know, I know,’ he says, battling to get to the news, to make certain all is well.
    The phone is handed to the nurse for that. His lady dismisses him. He takes it on the chin and listens intently to every detail.
    â€˜You tell her I love her,’ he says to the nurse once he’s heard it all. ‘D’vonne and my new best girl, you tell them both, even if one of them don’t want to hear it right now.’
    I can hear the nurse’s voice. His baby’s quiet now. He’s getting acquiescence to his request but not much sympathy.
    She finishes the call and he looks over to me and says, ‘Fine set of lungs, my daughter. Can’t guess where she got that from. She’s good. It’s cool. I’ll see her soon. Soon as LyDell…’ He raises his eyebrows. ‘She’s healthy. Everybody’s healthy. That’s the main thing. I thought I had more time.’
    â€˜It’s quicker with the second sometimes.’ I have only one, but I’ve heard. ‘Congratulations.’
    â€˜Yeah.’ He grins. ‘Yeah, it is that time. I’m in the doghouse but she’s in the world, man. Breathing and squalling and beautiful, too, the nurse tells me. Thank you.’ He swivels in his seat, so that he’s on his knees and facing forward. ‘Hey, Rakim,’ he says to the driver. ‘I got me a daughter.’
    â€˜Happy for you, Mr Carmichael.’ Rakim reaches a hand up to shake. ‘So happy for you.’
    There’s a tapping sound at the front window, Nati’s voice just audible through the thick glass saying, ‘What the fuck?’ His arm is over his head, as though the light rain might strike with enough force to cause actual pain.
    â€˜Sorry, sir.’ Rakim moves quickly.
    Nati steps back as Rakim simultaneously opens his door and pops a black umbrella. He launches himself from his seat and shelters Nati while pulling the rear door open.
    â€˜I’m cool that you get out of the rain,’ Nati says as he climbs in, ‘but you could keep your eyes open.’
    â€˜Yes, sir. I was distracted by the news.’
    Nati runs his hand down each sleeve, flicking water onto the floor. He smells of sweat and sex. He eases back in his seat and sits knees apart, proud of himself.
    He runs a finger under his nose, taking a long theatrical sniff at it.
    â€˜Sweet,’ he says. ‘This been in some happy places.’
    The finger leaves a few white crystals behind, or moves them around in a way that makes them visible.
    I’m waiting for Smokey to break his news, but instead he says, ‘How ’bout we do some more of the interview now. Seems like the perfect time.’
    I pat my jacket down to find my recorder. It’s another chance for Smokey to mention his baby, another for Nati to ask. But Smokey is back looking out the window as we pull away from the kerb and Nati is grinning like a fool, jazzed on whatever’s gone up his nose and the sex he’s just had.
    â€˜Okay, so…’ I try to remember what I’ve covered. I have notes in a pocket, but it wouldn’t be right to pull them out. ‘There’s word you’ve