Page 64 of The Happy Month

“Got it.”

I left her alone and went back to my area to enjoy my coffee. I tried the Markers again and didn’t get an answer. I wondered if they were screening their calls. If they were twenty years younger, I’d be sure of it. But then, if they were twenty years younger they might be at work.

I thought about what Rocky’s friend said about Vera liking married women. Had she liked Georgia? Did Georgia even know it? Or was she hiding something? And what about Virginia Marker? Had she been one of Vera’s married girlfriends?

I ruminated for a few minutes, just like Lydia, then I called Junior and invited him to lunch.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

July 30, 1996

Tuesday noon

Junior and I met at the Coffee Cup, which was east of Redondo so I didn’t get there much. It was a breakfast and lunch place, kind of like the Park Pantry, which meant I’d usually just go to the Park Pantry since it was closer. Inside, the place was rustic and beaten up, with old menus pasted to the walls instead of wallpaper. Junior was already sitting at a table in the back.

I sat down and said, “So you like this place?”

“You haven’t lived until you’ve had their mashed potato omelet.”

Somehow, I doubted that. Honestly it sounded like a mouthful of mush. The waitress set two cups on the table and offered us coffee. When we said yes, she told us there was cream and sugar right there in the basket. “Do you know what you want?”

Junior ordered the mashed potato omelet, while I chose a cheeseburger with bacon and avocado. When the waitresswalked away, Junior said, “All right, I’m dying to know. Why did you ask me to lunch? Are you throwing me out?”

“No. Nothing like that.”

“Oh, thank God. Homeless isn’t a good look for me.”

“I wanted to ask you about Rocky Havoc. Do you know who she is?”

“Of course I know who she is. I’m surprised you don’t.”

“I’ve heard that before. The thing is, I’ve only been in Long Beach a few years.”

“Well, she isn’t only about Long Beach, but, whatever. Rocky Havoc is a legend. She’s been fighting for LGBT rights since the nineteen-fifties—back when it was just G and L, and not very friendly G’s and L’s. She did a lot up in Los Angeles before she moved to Long Beach in the seventies to bartend at Que Sera. The Center practically started in her living room.”

“Do you know where she is right now?”

“She took a fall at Ghetto Vons and broke her hip. There’s a nursing home on 7th. I think we drove by it. That’s where she is. Why are you asking about Rocky Havoc? And by the way, I’m sure Ronnie knows about her too.”

“I didn’t know she was connected to The Center, so I didn’t think to ask him.”

“You might want to repeat this conversation with him. So he’s not offended.”

“I think he’ll be okay,” I said. “He doesn’t offend easily.”

He stared at me for a moment, and then said, “I’m waiting. Why are you asking about Rocky Havoc?”

“I’ve been told she was in love with Vera Korenko.”

“Really. Now that’s interesting.”

“I went to her apartment earlier today and her neighbor said Rocky talks about Vera a lot.”

He narrowed his eyes and asked, “Small girl, buzz cut except for a tuft in the front?” I nodded and he continued. “Her name’s Jo Miller. She does everything for Rocky. Speaking of unrequited love. If Rocky was even ten years younger they’d be a match made in heaven.”

“Do you think we can get in to speak to Rocky?”

“We can try. You really think she knows something about Vera’s murder?”