Page 89 of Tracing Holland

We’re interrupted by a knock on the main door and exchange a brief look before pulling away.I make my way to the stairs and relax.

“Delivery guy,” I call back to Holland, opening the door.

“I’m looking for a Jeff Sweeny?”

I nod.“One sec.”

Based on the volume still roaring from the back, I know he won’t hear me if I call.I pull open the partition and four sets of eyes settle on me.

“Sweeny, your food’s here,” I say and start moving back to Holland.

“Huh?”

I glance back at them and catch the looks of confusion.

“Yeah, there’s a delivery guy here looking for you.”

“For me?”Sweeny asks, shaking his head.“No, that can’t be right.”

I shrug.“I don’t know.I’m just telling you.”

It’s then that I see it.Jesse staring me down, shouting at me with a look, and I just about choke.Oh, shit.Here we go.

“Dude, just see what he wants.Guy’s standing there waiting.”

Sweeny grunts and pushes himself up from the couch, Eli close behind.

“Are you Jeff Sweeny?”

He nods.“Sweeny, yeah, but…”

“Ok, great.That’ll be one thousand six hundred and five dollars.”

My jaw hits the floor as Sweeny literally takes a step back.

“Um…I’m sorry…what?”

“Your total for today is one thousand, six hundred, and five dollars.We have two vehicles here with your pies.Thirty pepperoni, thirty plain, thirty meatball, and ten mushroom.Where do you want them?I’m not sure they’ll all fit in here.”

“Uh, no.I’m pretty sure you made a mistake.”

“You’re not Jeff Sweeny?”

“No, I am but…”

“Catering event, far north parking lot, black tour bus, phone number 281-3…”

“No, I got it!I mean, I get that it’s me it’s just…”

“So it is you?Look, seriously, man, I’ve got a hundred pies here getting cold.”

I can’t breathe.I’m pretty sure I’m literally dying.I can’t even look at another soul right now and focus on the floor.

“I don’t have that kind of cash on me!”

“We take credit.”

“Ok, but…” Then, he freezes.“Wait….no…no fucking way….”he breathes, his eyes darting toward the back of the bus.I follow his stare and almost lose it completely at Jesse and Parker’s perfect disinterest in the events.They’re back to zombie-killing, gazes fixed solidly on the TV.