As they entered the café, the cheerful chime of the bell greeted them, and they joined the queue, the anticipation of their chosen treats heightening their excitement. Stu-E, his sturdy frame exuding an air of quiet strength, ordered his regular: a large cappuccino, rich and bold. Laney, her youthful spirit radiating joy, opted for a caramel Frappuccino, a sweet indulgence that mirrored her vibrant personality.
In line, Stu-E's phone began to vibrate, its insistent hum a subtle disruption to the serene atmosphere. He glanced at the screen, the caller's number unfamiliar, and with a casual press of his thumb, he silenced the intrusion. His focus remained on the present moment, on the promise of shared moments with his daughter.
Trays laden with their chosen beverages, Stu-E and Laney found a cozy corner table by the window. The sunlight filtered through the glass, casting a gentle glow upon their surroundings. Stu-E settled into his chair, his cappuccino cradled in his hand like a cherished relic. Beside him, Laney's frappuccino shimmered with caramel swirls, an embodiment of youthful delight.
As they sipped their drinks, the café hummed with the symphony of conversations, the clink of cups, and the laughter of fellow patrons. Stu-E's voice, warm and steady, broke the tranquil ambiance.
"Darlin', there's something we need to discuss," he began, his gaze meeting Laney's with a mix of earnestness and tenderness.
Laney's brows furrowed slightly, curiosity mingled with a hint of trepidation. "What is it, Daddy?"
Stu-E's fingers traced the rim of his cup, his expression a blend of fatherly concern and reassurance. "You know the Art of War pay-per-view is comin' up. It's a big event, and I'll be right in the thick of it, givin' it my all."
Laney's gaze flickered, uncertainty shadowing her features. "What does that mean for me?"
Stu-E's eyes held Laney's, unwavering and filled with genuine affection. "It means, darlin', that you'll be back home in England with your mother. It's important for me to focus on the match and do what I do best. And I know it might not be what you want to hear, but it's the right thing to do."
Laney's lips curved into a pensive smile, her fingers tracing the condensation on her frappuccino cup. "I don't like it, Daddy. I want to be there to cheer you on."
Stu-E's smile mirrored hers, a blend of understanding and pride. "I know you do, and trust me, I feel that support even when you're not there. But sometimes, the best way to support someone is by givin' them the space."
Laney's gaze held a mixture of admiration and resignation. With a nod, she reached across the table, her hand finding her father's. "Okay, Daddy. I'll do it. For you."
Stu-E's fingers curled around Laney's hand, a gesture of love and gratitude. "Thank you, sweetheart. And remember, even when we're apart, we're always connected. That's the beauty of family."
As they shared a smile, their hands entwined, the café around them seemed to fade away. In that quiet moment, a father's wisdom and a daughter's willingness to understand forged a bond that would withstand distance and time, a bond as unbreakable as the ties that bound them together.
Nearing the end of their drinks they emerge from the cozy embrace of Starbucks, Stu-E and Laney stepped out into the warm embrace of the afternoon sun. The sounds of the bustling street surrounded them, a symphony of life that was both familiar and comforting. Stu-E clutched his now empty cup, a relic of their brief respite, while Laney's caramel frappuccino still held a few tantalizing sips.
Their footsteps fell in rhythm with the city's heartbeat as they began to amble down the sidewalk. Laughter and chatter drifted through the air, a tapestry woven from the interactions of passersby. Their path, however, would soon be intercepted by an unexpected presence – a figure whose demeanour carried an air of intrigue and authority.
A man, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that exuded an aura of both sophistication and danger, stepped forward from the shadows. His eyes, sharp and piercing, fixated on Stu-E with an intensity that demanded attention. Laney instinctively moved closer to her father, a subtle but instinctive display of solidarity.
"Stuart," the man's voice was smooth and controlled, the words tinged with an undeniable air of authority. "A friend of mine has been tryin' to get in touch with you."
Stu-E's brows furrowed, his gaze narrowing as he regarded the stranger. "And who might you be?"
A wry smile curved the corner of the man's lips. "Names aren't important, my friend. What's important is that you answer your phone when it rings."
Stu-E's phone vibrated once again, the screen displaying the same unfamiliar number. The implication hung heavily in the air – this encounter was more than chance, more than a mere encounter on a bustling street. Laney's grip tightened on her father's arm, her expression a mix of curiosity and caution.
Stu-E's jaw tightened as he regarded the man before him, a blend of scepticism and defiance in his eyes. Slowly, he retrieved his phone from his pocket and answered the call, the device pressed against his ear.
"Price," he stated firmly, his voice a subtle assertion of his own presence.
Laney's gaze shifted between her father and the stranger, her curiosity piqued and her instincts on high alert. The air around them seemed to hum with tension, a silent understanding that they were entering a realm where rules were different, where the mundane gave way to the enigmatic.
“Stuart! It’s Tommy! You probably don’t remember me, but I remember you.”
He raises his eyebrow, clueless as to who the hell was on the other line.
“You remember, about ’88 or ’89 you came on a summer trip with your grandparents, over to Sicily?”
Still there’s nothing ringing a bell, until Price thinks long and hard, not taking his eyes off the gentleman who stopped him in the street.
“I vaguely remember a family trip?” As Stu-E says this, there’s a laugh from down the end of the phone.
“We stole a case of wine from Frankie’s vineyard!” That one sentence changes the complexity of the conversation entirely, Stu-E laughs.
“Now I remember you! Tommy, it’s been a lot of years! How the hell do you expect me to remember all of this?”
“I know, I know. Sorry for not keeping in touch, I’ve just been a little busy, y’know?”
Price rolls his eyes, “Busy with what?”
“Well, Stuart, I’m a made man now, I have responsibilities.”
“What do you mean, a made man? Like in the movies?”
Tommy laughs down the phone really loudly, “Yeah, yeah. Just like the movies!”
Price chuckles a bit, “So what can I do for you, why have you called me out of the blue?”
“Well, Stuart, is my guy still with you?” Price looks at the guy who is still juts stood there, “Yeah, Tommy, he’s looking right through me.”
“Tell him to #### off, his job is done.” Tommy has a voice that carries, Price just points at his phone and shrugs his shoulders. The unknown gentleman nods his head and walks away.
“It’s the kids. The grandkids, they want to get tickets to this wrestling thing you’re doing, this Art of War thing, I told them I knew a guy.”
Stu-E laughs, now it sinks in, why he’s got a phone call out of the blue. “I’m guessing this guy is me, Tommy?”
Tommy’s booming laugh comes down the phone, “Still a smart kid, I see, Stuart! Yeah, you’re my guy. I was just wondering if you could set me up with some tickets for the kids, y’know?”
Stu-E shrugs his shoulders, he probably can help, for old time’s sake. “You know what, we haven’t spoke for nearly forty years, but I appreciate you tracking me down like this. Tell you what, yeah, I’ll make a couple of phone calls and get some V.I.P tickets for the kids, if I have to pay, then I’ll just pay for them, alright?”
“You see, Stuart, you’re my guy! Thank you for fixing this for me, I have to say though, once the kids started watching and I recognised you, me and the boys paid a little more attention to what’s been going on around you. When we bring the kids over, me and the boys will take care of Fallen and this Legion guy, no questions asked.”
Price outstretches his arms, in shock at what he just heard.
“No, Tommy! You and the boys don’t do anything while you’re over here. The promotion is already in the news for all the wrong reasons, we don’t need this!”
“People go missing every day, Stuart, you’ll be surprised how many people go missing and all of a sudden they had mental health issues leading up to their disappearance.”
Stu-E is just shaking his head at what he is hearing.
“Nobody messes with family, Stuart, and you are still family.”
Price has heard enough, “No, we aren’t family, Tommy! Sal is dead, my Grandad is dead, our connection died when they did! I appreciate the offer, I really do but don’t do anything, if you want to do something just leave the situation to me.”
“We do things a little different down here, Stuart, a disrespect to you and your little girl is a disrespect to your Grandmother, and in honour of your Grandfather, god bless his soul, the decision has been made.”
Thankfully Laney has been playing on her phone, oblivious to the severity of this conversation unfolding. “No! I appreciate the offer, but don’t do it. Don’t go over my ####ing head on this, I swear. If you do then I’ll have no problem complying with the authorities.”
Tommy goes quiet for a moment before he laughs, “No you won’t, Stuart, no you won’t”
Stu-E goes to answer, but he hears the tone of the phone, Tommy has hung up. Price places his hands on his hips and looks up to the sky almost in shock. Laney glances over and gives him a hug as the scene fades out.
Message Thread
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