Changes:
All American Part XVI of a novel in many parts
by Roger Vaughan Previously: The year is 1988. Andy Thomas made an ill-advised tactical call during a race in 50foot sailboats that nearly caused a dangerous collision. His father, Mitchell (at the helm), was livid. Later, at the awards dinner, a drunken Andy delivered a public declaration that made it virtually impossible for Mitchell Thomas, a well-known amateur sailor, not to mount a Round the World Race challenge. Okay, you know the rest, but if you need a refresher, go to www. tidewatertimes.com (writers, Roger Vaughan) where you can find all previous chapters. ***
G
iven the amount of blood on Andy’s clothes, the late hour and their altered states, Andy, Jan and Eric entered the Iberia Hotel by the back entrance and took the service elevator to the fifth f loor. They encountered no one. In the room, Andy rushed to the toilet, long overdue. He noticed that Isha’s cosmetics were gone, neatly packed
in their bag perched on the vanity. He unlocked the fridge, and the three sailors grabbed mini bottles and beers for a nightcap. Andy turned on the TV. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles appeared. Eric went to the bathroom, soaked a hand towel in hot water, removed the bandana and washed the cut on Andy’s arm. “Not bad,” Eric said, as the hot compress made Andy wince. “In my ’hood, anything under six inches was considered a scratch.” They stared in dull amusement at the Ninja Turtles, which somehow made more sense in Spanish, content to sit and zonk out. After a while, Sargent popped the question. “What was that all about?” “Guess they figured I was an easy mark,” Andy said. “But Señor Ricos? Come on, man, that’s a rough neighborhood joint.” “Mistake, I guess. Maybe the limo driver was in on it. Dunno.” Andy shrugged. “Good sandwich.” “And a guy with a knife?” Sargent
117
