The bartender did what it appeared he did best. He nodded to the center of the bar at a body building muscle guy in a black shirt that was three sizes too small.
Pelton had stuff in his hair, a gold rope chain around his neck and a watch the size of a saucer. There were three girls around him giggling and doing shots of stuff that I had to believe had names like “Sex on the Beach” and “Orgasms.”
My pulse intensified a bit and I got aware of my breathing. This was going to be fun. Big muscle guys were crummy fighters, usually because they spent their time getting muscles and not learning to do anything with them. Sure, you wouldn’t want to get in a bear hug or arm wrestle one of them but that seldom happened in a bar fight.
I took a hit off the bourbon, which I determined to be watered and made my way over to ruin Mr. Lance Pelton’s evening.
“Duff!” The words jogged me out of my own thoughts. “How’d you do?” the voice said.
I looked down and it was Carlos, one of the coaches from the Y. He was more of an ex pug who just hung around the gym but we called him “coach” out of respect. Eight-six pro fights, all of them at 130 lbs or less, had their effect on Carlos and there were times that he would trail off in the middle of conversations.
“I lost on a decision. It wasn’t close,” I said.
“Next time, my man,” Carlos said. It dawned on me just how many times over the years Carlos had said that to me.
“What you doin’ here? This ain’t your speed,” he said.
“You know this guy “Pelton?”
“Pretty muscle boy? Sure, works the door. To cool for his shoes. He’s getting ready to leave. What business you got with him?”
“Don’t like the way he runs his family life. He beat his girl, little nineteen year old and he put a cigarette out on a four year old.”
“Son of a bitch.” Carlos shook his head and looked over at Pelton.
“Yeah,” I said.
“Your kid? Your sister?”
“Nah.”
“Then why you all up into it?”
“Cause it ain’t right.”
“Yeah, when did making things right be your job?”
“C’mon Carlos, he’s got a beatin’ coming—for the girl and the kid.”
“Bullshit.” He laughed and shook his head. It surprised me, especially the laughter.
“Why bullshit?”
“So you go kick this guy’s ass—how does that help the family?” Carlos lost the smile.
“Make him think twice about doing it again,” I said not looking at Carlos.
“You know that ain’t right. You know why you’re doing it and it ain’t got nothin’ to do with no family shit.”
“Carlos, man, you had too many fights.”
“That’s right. That’s why I know.” He smiled at me and shook his head.
“Do something for them and not yourself,” he said. Carlos left me shaking his head and I thought to myself that the man should’ve quit after 50 fights or maybe even 30.
I made my way over to Pelton. I wedged my way into the bar so I was standing next to him and ordered another bourbon. At ten bucks a throw I was glad the promoter paid me in cash tonight. From this distance I could blast him in the nose with a left hand and that would be it. Or, I could call him out and make a scene and kick his ass in front of a lot of folks. If I did that he might get to feel the same embarrassment that he doled out to his woman and kid.
“What the fuck you lookin’ at?” I heard him say.
“What?”
“You, why don’t you take a picture,” Pelton said and gave me his best menacing look. I could taste hitting him like a starving man dreams of food. My shoulders twitched and I brought my fist toward my chin.
“Rude, starin’ buddy,” he said.
I rubbed my chin with my fist and looked at him. I felt blood rushing to my face and I was getting hot inside. I’d been down this road before and I knew that a move had to be made. I felt my knuckles rub up against my chin and it stung some of the skin that Johnson touched up.
“Sorry, man,” I said and walked toward the door.
I thought I was going to puke and there was something built up inside me that had to be released. I couldn’t stay in this state, I felt like it was hard to breathe. I thought of Carlos and I thought of that little kid and I thought of how much I wanted to hurt Pelton. I knew I had to do something.
I needed something, something to make this all right. The bourbon and the exhaustion weren’t touching it and I just turned away from Pelton. There was something else.
I headed for the bathroom and my hands began to shake. What I was about to do was against my nature, against what I stood for, at least what I thought I stood for. The guy would be there, they’re always there in places like The Palace.
I walked in and waited by the sink. There was a tall slender black kid who could’ve been 15 but was probably in his 20’s.
“You lookin’ for something, my man?” He said without making eye contact.
“Yeah,” I said and it didn’t feel right.
“You the fighter ain’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“Lost again tonight, didn’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“Shit, man. You always be losin.”
I thought about how if I hit him in the gut that he’d puke for a week. I let it go.
“You got something for me, for the pain?” I said.
“Yeah, H will take care of it but it’s pricey.” He half smiled.
“Give me $600 worth.” It was what was left of tonight’s purse after everyone got paid.
“Whoa, my man, you get caught with that you in serious trouble. That ain’t even personal use.”
“What are you my guidance counselor.” I took a step toward him. It surprised him and he flinched.
He handed over the packets and I handed him my six hundred. Having it in my hands made me sweat. I headed to the parking lot, started out walking and before long was running.
A trickle of sweat ran down the side of my face and I shook. Before I did anything I called Kelley on the cell phone. He picked up the first ring.
“Kelley.”
“Get over to The Palace, now.”
“Duff? What’s going on? You all right?”
“I need your help, bad. Keep your phone on.” I hung up.
Kelley wouldn’t be happy. I got out of the car and walked over to Pelton’s convertible. I felt like the biggest coward in the world. I hated him, I hated what he stood for and hated what this car stood for. I threw a kick that smashed his rear taillight.
Thankfully, it got lost in the club noise.
I walked around to the passenger door and looked in. I checked the glove box and it was open. I took what I had out of my jeans pocket and left it inside.
I never wanted to hit something so much in my life. I watched from the El Dorado as Pelton came out of The Palace laughing with one of his honeys.
I called Kelley.
“Pelton will be pulling out of the parking lot in a second.”
“Duff-what the f...” I didn’t let him finish. “He’s got a taillight out, he’s been drinking and check the glove box.” I hung up before Kelley could argue.
I switched on the 8-track. Elvis was singing the “Glory Hallelujahs” of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. I let him ride it out and then I listened to him close the show with Can’t Help Falling in Love.
That song and petting Al helped with the shaking. I watched Pelton pull out.
I pulled out of the parking lot and took a right on Wolf. There were flashing lights and a spotlight about 100 yards up ahead. I knew it was Kelley and I slowed to take it in.
Pelton and the girl were in the back seat with their hands behind their backs and Officer Kelley had a flash light in his left hand and in his rubber gloved right hand was a clear bag with $600 worth of heroin packets, which I believe is an amount that constitutes an intent to sell charge, a felony that will usually draw a prison term.
I still wanted to hit something but not quite as much. Sometimes it’s funny how you learn about yourself.
I just hope after 86 fights I can think as clearly as Carlos.
* * *
Rescue Resources
Thanks goes to Nancy Gallagher, Web Master and Basset Slave from
The Daily Drool, for this list of Rescue Resources.
Alabama
http://alabamabassetandbloodhoundrescue.com
Alabama Basset and Bloodhound Rescue
http://www.bhra.org
Basset Hound Rescue of Alabama
Alaska
http://www.bassetrescue-wa.org
Cascadia Basset Hound Rescue
Arizona
http://www.azbassetrescue.com
Arizona Basset Rescue
Arkansas
http://www.4thehounds.org
For The Hounds Rescue
http://www.ombr.org
Ozark Mountain Basset Rescue
California
http://www.bassetrescuenetwork.org
BARNI
http://www.bassethoundrescue.org
Basset Hound Rescue of Southern CA
http://www.bassetcentral.org
Basset Rescue Central California
http://www.bassetrescueconnection.org
Basset Rescue Connection
http://www.ggbassetrescue.org
Golden Gate Basset Rescue
http://www.gebr.org
Golden Empire Basset Rescue
http://www.sandiegobassetrescue.org
San Diego Basset Hound Rescue
Colorado
http://www.coloradobassetrescue.com
High Country Basset Rescue
Connecticut
http://www.newenglandbassethoundrescue.org
New England Basset Hound Rescue
http://www.colonialbhr.org
Colonial Basset Hound Rescue
Florida
http://www.bassetrescueflorida.com
Basset Rescue of Florida
http://www.suncoastbassetrescue.org
Suncoast Basset Rescue
Georgia
http://www.bhrg.org
Georgia Basset Rescue
Idaho
http://www.bassetrescue-wa.org
Cascadia Basset Hound Rescue
http://www.bassetrescueofmontana.org
Montana Basset Rescue
http://www.wabr.net
Washington Basset Rescue
Illinois, Indiana
http://www.bassetrescue.org
Guardian Angel Basset Rescue
Iowa
http://www.houndshavenbassetrescue.com
Hounds Haven Basset Rescue
Kansas
http://www.mabr.org
Mid-America Basset Rescue (now BassetsRus Retirement Ranch Inc)
Kentucky
http://www.4thehounds.org
For The Hounds Rescue
http://www.bluegrassbassetrescue.org
Bluegrass Basset Rescue
Louisiana
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/bayoubassets.html
Looziana Basset Rescue
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia
http://www.bassetcare.org
BassetCARE (Virginia, NC)
http://www.brood-va.org
BROOD
http://www.bassethoundrescueleague.net
Maryland Basset Hound Rescue
http://www.colonialbhr.org
Colonial Basset Hound Rescue
http://www.newenglandbassethoundrescue.org
New England Basset Hound Rescue
Michigan
http://www.michiganbassetrescue.org
Michigan Basset Rescue
Minnesota
http://www.bbrescue.org
Basset Buddies Rescue, Inc
Mississippi
http://www.bellyrubs.org
BellyRubs Basset Rescue
Missouri
http://www.4thehounds.org
4 The Hounds Rescue
http://www.mabr.org
BassetsRus Retirement Ranch, Inc.
http://www.ombhr.org
Ozark Mountain Basset Rescue
http://www.wmbri.org
Western Missouri Basset Rescue
http://www.bassetrescue.org
Guardian Angel Basset Rescue
Montana
http://www.bassetrescueofmontana.org
Basset Hound Rescue of Montana
http://www.wabr.net
Washington Basset Rescue
Nevada
http://www.rescuebassets.com
Las Vegas Basset Hound Rescue
New Hampshire
http://www.colonialbhr.org
Colonial Basset Hound Rescue
http://www.newenglandbassethoundrescue.org
New England Basset Hound Rescue
New Mexico
http://allearsbassetsanctuary.org
All Ears Basset Sanctuary
http://www.bassetrescuenm.org
Basset Hound Rescue of New Mexico
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
http://www.nybasset.org
All Bassets Cherished Basset Hound Rescue (upper NY State)
http://www.midatlanticbassets.com
Mid-Atlantic Basset Rescue
http://www.tristatebassets.org
Tri-State Basset Rescue (Metropolitan area & suburbs into PA)
Carolinas
http://www.bassetcare.org
BassetCARE (NC, Virginia)
http://www.bemikitties.com
Basset Lovers Rescue
http://www.cbhr.com
Carolina Basset Hound Rescue
Ohio
http://www.ohiobassetrescue.com
Ohio Basset Hound Rescue
Oklahoma
http://www.4thehounds.org
For The Hounds Rescue
http://www.ombr.org
Ozark Mountain Basset Rescue
Oregon
http://www.wabr.net
Washington Basset Rescue
http://www.bassetrescue-wa.org
Cascadia Basset Hound Rescue
http://www.oregonbassethoundrescue.com
Oregon Basset Hound Rescue
Pennsylvania
http://www.droopybassetrescue.com
Droopy Basset Hound Rescue of Western PA
Rhode Island
http://www.colonialbhr.org
Colonial Basset Hound Rescue
http://www.newenglandbassethoundrescue.org
New England Basset Hound Rescue
Tennessee
http://www.bellyrubs.org
BellyRubs Basset Rescue
Texas
http://www.bbrtx.org
Basset Buddies Rescue of Texas
http://www.hhbassetrescue.org
Central Texas Basset Hound Rescue
http://www.bassetrescuedfw.com
North Texas Basset Rescue
Utah
http://www.utahbassethoundrescue.com
Utah Friends of Basset Hounds
Vermont
http://www.colonialbhr.org
Colonial Basset Hound Rescue
http://www.newenglandbassethoundrescue.org
New England Basset Hound Rescue
Virginia
http://www.bassetcare.org
BassetCARE
http://www.brood-va.org
BROOD Basset Rescue of Old Dominion
Washington
http://www.adoptabasset.net
Basset Rescue of Puget Sound
http://www.bassetrescue-wa.org
Cascadia Basset Hound Rescue
http://www.wabr.net
Washington Basset Rescue
Wisconsin
http://www.bbrescue.org
Basset Buddies Rescue, Inc
Wyoming
http://www.wyomingbassetrescue.com
Wyoming Basset Hou
nd Rescue & Adoption
Canada
http://www.bassetrescuecalgary.com
Calgary Basset Rescue
http://www.bassetrescue.ca
Basset Hound Rescue of Ontario
http://bassetrescueedmonton.webs.com
Edmonton Basset Rescue
http://www.bassethoundrescuequebec.com
Basset Hound Rescue of Quebec
* * *
About the Authors
Tom Schreck is the author of the Duffy Dombrowski Mysteries, a world championship professional boxing official, a college professor, a freelance writer and the director of communications for a program for people with disabilities. He lives with his wife Sue, therapy hounds Roxie, Wilbur and Riley and cats, CC, Dairy Cow and Lucky in Albany New York.
* * *
Ginny Tata-Phillips lives in Central Florida with 6 rescued hounds and 1 patient husband. She is the co-author of Dogku, Bassetku, Petku, Resku and Horseku books of haiku poetry and animal photographs. Now that she has had a chance to write more than 17 syllables, she hopes to do much more of that!
* * *
Also From Tom Schreck
On the Ropes
TKO
Out Cold
Planter's Punch (with JA Konrath)
Coming Spring 2011
The Vegas Knockout, A Duffy Dombrowski Mystery
All available at online dealers, independent bookstores, chain bookstores and, of course, at The Slobber Shop (where 100 percent of profits got to basset rescue).
* * *
And Co-authored By
Ginny Tata-Phillips
Petku
Horseku
Resku
Dogku
Catku