Jebediah looked down at his phone. The number XXX-YYY-ZZZZ was calling. He flipped open the phone and pressed the button. “Yes sir” he said as he positioned the phone to his face.
“Jebediah, where is Jeremiah?”
“He’s on his phone already.”
“Well, you’re the best one to ask. Our friend Laura seems a bit…how should I say…under the weather and off the radar. Why might that be?”
“She compromised the mission.”
“Really, she did?”
“Close enough. Because of her, the two of us are still working.”
“She may be harboring a grudge against you two. I’m afraid she took a fall in Sioux Falls.”
“Isn’t she being taken care of?”
“No…I’m having trouble finding her. It appears she doesn’t want to be found.”
“Do you think she’ll be looking us up?”
“Well, I hope not. She knows her role and her job. I just found her a new one in Houston, but she seems…offended by something.”
“Mokoto.”
The usual instant comeback from the Weatherman was slow in returning. “Yes, that might be a reason. She seems to have a grudge.”
“We know you cut Mokoto more slack than anyone else.”
“Don’t you think that’s justified? Her work speaks for itself.”
“She does good work, but Laura has worked for you a long time. I don’t think she’ll be easy to forecast from now on.”
“Very good Jebediah. You’d be the last I’d expect to speak my language.”
“Just let me know if this is a storm watch or a storm warning.”
“I’d call it a…hazardous weather outlook. We’ll know more later. By the way, have you heard from Mokoto?”
“Funny you should ask…”
***
“You…you’re the reason I’ve been an emotional wreck the last few months? You, the one of Phil’s friends I was always a bit skeptical of? I knew you were devious, but you actually interfered?”
“You heard what I said ab-”
“You hid her letter from me? ARE YOU INSANE? Do you know how much I’d give to get another chance? To show her how much I care?”
“Look, I hid the letter yes. I admit it. I was wrong. Michelle didn’t call to see if you got it. And Phil, I know you looked up her info on the web. Heck, you paid that people search site to get her number and address, but did you ever call?”
“DON’T TURN THIS BACK ON ME!” Phil was on the verge of screaming, and Michelle’s fists were on the table.
“Excuse me, but could you keep it down?” Abbie gritted her teeth as she started to hand Bob his change. Bob took a ten and looked at Abbie.
“Keep the rest, and we’re just going.” Bob stood up. “We should really take this outside. No use ruining everyone else’s supper.”
Michelle and Phil looked at each other and started to slide out of the booth, while Bob walked towards the door. He heard them behind him the whole way.
“You’re just trying to keep your best pal to yourself! You always were jealous of how much time we spent together.”
“You kept a letter from a woman I never got over, a woman who wants me back. Well, wanted me back. How much more can you fuck up my life right now?”
Bob spun around and put his hands up, hoping to stop Phil and Michelle from gang tackling him. “Look, I’m sorry. I was wrong. I was very wrong. I’ll understand if neither of you forgive me, but try to understand why I did it. I promise I’m done screwing up your life.”
“Not quite.”
Bob’s heart sank further than before, as he spun around and saw Mokoto sitting on the hood of Michelle’s car. Phil’s eyes opened wider than he ever thought possible.
“Who the hell is that?” Michelle asked loudly.
