Read Up in Smoke for Free Online Page B

could do that.”
    The bell above the diner’s front door chimed, and we both glanced over to see who it was. I was without words when I saw that it was the kid from the casino. My shoulder turned sharply away from the entrance in the hopes he couldn’t see me.
    “Blaze,” he said, taking a seat up at the bar next to me.
    Just ignore the nickname and maybe he’ll leave you alone, I thought to myself. I looked up at Ron and he looked confused.
    “Blaze?” Ron asked the kid. “I think you got the wrong guy. I’m Ron.”
    The kid laughed and shook his head. “Oh. Umm . . . coffee with creamer.” I was relieved he didn’t direct Ron’s attention to me and point out the fact that it’s the nickname I went by at the casino. Ron and I didn’t talk casino or poker. It wasn’t something I ever talked about with him. Ron was a devout Christian and even led the choir in his church up until a couple of years ago.
    Ron gave the kid a nod and headed down the line to the coffee pot that sat on the counter behind the serving station.
    “What are you doing here?” I spoke quietly.
    He laughed. “Came here for some food, what else do people come here for?”
    “This is my diner.”
    “You own this joint?” the kid asked, glancing around. “Had no idea you were that rich.”
    “No . . . I mean I’ve been coming here for a long time. These people are like my family.”
    He shrugged and shook his head. “Okay. What’s the big deal? You don’t want me eating here?” he asked as Ron brought his coffee back over to him and set it down.
    Ron gave me a weird look. I wasn’t sure if he heard anything. Ron left to go back into the kitchen.
    “You can eat here. I don’t care. It’s just strange to see you in here.”
    “Thanks for the permission.” The kid laughed.
    “Sorry . . . I didn’t mean anything by it. Just weird that you’re here.”
    “It’s fine. What you been up to? Playing any more tournaments up at the casino?” he asked.
    Leaning in closer to the kid, I lowered my voice as I responded. “I don’t broadcast my poker playing around here.”
    He returned in a whisper, “Okay. Have you been playing?” he said quietly.
    “It’s been like what . . . a few days since I’ve seen you? No. I haven’t been back there.”
    “Well,” he said. “Do you want to play some poker?” He turned and looked around to make sure nobody was close enough to hear as he continued. “Check this out. Me and a couple of close friends are getting together tonight for a little game. You know . . . just the guys . It’s friendly, but it’s high stakes.”
    Intrigued, I asked, “What’s the buy-in?”
    “$2k buy-in, $50k pot.”
    “Wow,” I replied, leaning back in my seat.
    “Yeah,” he replied, putting a hand on my shoulder. “It’s going to be sick. You in?”
    “Tonight?” I asked as I thought about my daughter, Beth, and the grandkids coming down for a visit.
    “Yeah.”
    “What time?” I asked.
    “Five. Probably run until about eight,” he replied as he took a drink of his coffee.
    I raised an eyebrow. “That’s kind of strange. Rather early . . .”
    He turned to me and shrugged his shoulders. “So what if it’s early? Who cares?” he put a hand on my shoulder and shook it. “It’s going to be fun.”
    “Well, I don’t know. My daughter is coming into town. Probably won’t work out,” I said, taking my coffee and bringing it to my lips.
    He nodded. “Family is important.”
    “Yeah.”
    Penny came over to check on Robert, and he ended up ordering some food.
    I stood up to leave. Dropping a five from my wallet onto the bar top, I gave Penny a nod. “Thanks for the coffee. I’ll catch you guys later. Tell Ron I said bye.”
    “Have a good one, Ricky,” she said, smiling as she chewed her gum.
    Turning to leave, Robert suddenly grabbed my arm and stopped me. Handing me a card, he said, “The address is on the back if you change your mind. Five—sharp.”
    I took the card from him