“Wow,” Jordan said. “You nailed it. Thanks, man.”
“Anytime.” JB returned to his seat.
Leaving aside the humor, Jordan said, “We can’t swap anything, Dylan, because you don’t know what matters.”
It was intimidating, Dylan admitted to himself. “I’m always happy to learn.”
“What do you mean, I’m not getting my food?”
Jordan held out his hand as if it made his point. “He’s more concerned with eating than being called stupid.”
“No argument there,” Dylan said.
“I have an argument,” Jake spoke up. “I’m feeling insulted and I’m not aware of anything we’ve done to deserve this treatment. You don’t know us, and honestly, I don’t see why your opinions matter.”
Maya shushed him.
“No,” he said. “I need to know what’s going on.”
Sonny stood up, searching. “Hey! Hey!” Tigris was behind the counter. “Can a man eat?”
“Sonny, sit down!” Maya leaned across Jake to pull on his arm.
“I don’t know,” Tigris said. “Where’s the man?”
“Oh. It’s like that? What kind of shit-hole place is this, that you don’t serve paying customers their food?”
“It’s the kind of place where you disrespect my sisters and you get your ass handed to you.” Jordan stood up.
Every man in the bakery but Jake and Dylan stood up with him. The brothers looked around. Twenty on three wasn’t worth it.
“Sit down and shut up.” Jake pulled Sonny down.
After a moment, Jordan sat down. The patrons around the room followed and the image of normalcy returned.
Sheriff Brown came in. A heavy black man whose bulk was more muscle than fat, he carried his authority in his walk. He searched the room and moved when he saw the occupants of Jordan’s table. “Jordan. Maya. Folks.” He tipped his hat. “Jordan, we have a problem. I can call your dad, but I figured I’d see what you wanted first.”
“S’up?” Jordan wiped his mouth with a red linen napkin and set it aside.
The sheriff asked, “Which one of you boys owns that Yamaha sitting out front?”
“That’s mine.” Sonny folded his arms. “You have a problem with it?”
“That’s up to you, son. This flag was hanging off the back. Is it yours?” The sheriff held out an old stars and bars rebel flag.
Maya got up. “You did this!” she hissed at Jake and stomped off.
Nile was near. “Go,” she whispered. “I’ll deal with Jordan.”
“Thanks.” She ran out, crying.
“Maya!” Jake followed her.
In the silence of their departure, Sonny said, “That’s mine.” He held out his hand. When the sheriff didn’t hand it over, he assessed and explained, “It’s not like that. It belonged to my grandfather.”
“Maybe it should have stayed with your grandfather.”
“He’s dead.”
“I suspected.”
Sonny held his hands up in surrender. “I promise you, it’s not racial.”
“I don’t give a shit what it is. It’s not allowed in this town. If you’re leaving within the next twenty-four hours, you can pick it up on your way out. If you’re staying longer than that...I’m afraid, I can’t return it.”
“It’s a flag. It’s my personal property. I’m minding my business. Not hurting anyone.”
“You’re giving our children the impression this shit is acceptable.”
“I’m not giving anybody anything. I’m minding my business.”
Dylan said, “How about if he puts it away until we leave? It won’t be visible.”
Sheriff Brown looked at Jordan who shook his head no. He, likewise, shook his head no. “You can pick it up before ten a.m. tomorrow on your way out, or you can find a better memory of your grandfather.”
Sonny mumbled, “This is a sorry reverse-racist ass town.”
“Why don’t you shut up,” Dylan said. He directed his next question to Jordan. “May I ask why he can’t keep it out of sight?”
“Don’t disrespect my sisters...not even in your fantasies.”
The tension was instant and heavy.
The sheriff cleared his throat. “There’s more.” He paused a beat. “You have a rebel flag sticker on the side of your bike. That needs to go too.”
“Ain’t no damned more,” Sonny snapped. “Give me my grandfather’s flag, you racist motherfucker.” He pointed his finger at Jordan. “That’s what this is, isn’t it? People kiss your ass so you’re on some kind of power trip.” He switched his finger to himself. “I’m not racist. I appreciate the beauty of beautiful women, it doesn’t matter what color they are. Somebody got mad because I think a couple of girls are fine. Your boy got called, and he came up with something to fuck with me. But you picked the wrong one. Don’t nobody fuck with me!” He jumped up.
Dylan jumped up too and latched his arm around his friend. “Calm the hell down! We’ll figure it out.” He slammed him back into his chair.
Sonny was up again. “Figure shit out!” He charged past Dylan. “I ain’t going nowhere and give me my grandfather’s flag!”
Faster than thought, Sheriff Brown grabbed Sonny, flipped him, and pinned him across the table. He used his weight to hold him while he cuffed him. Sonny struggled, but he was no match for the beefy officer. “You have some rights, but I don’t care what they are.” The sheriff dragged him out of the shop. The Confederate Flag was lost in the scuffle. It lay forgotten on the floor.
Dylan locked eyes with Jordan. Both men were expressionless.
Around them, the room returned to normal, uncaring conversation.
“This has been fun,” Jordan said. He retrieved Sonny’s flag, pocketing it. “I’ll see you tonight.” With that, he left.
Twenty steps. The pull of his Harley was strong. Dylan didn’t need any of this shit. Pay the damn bill. Walk out. Go home. Why not?
He didn’t hear her approach, didn’t know Nile was standing there until she poured the coffee, refilling his cup. She set a sandwich in front of him. Turkey club and a side of fries and a large ice tea.
“It’s almost lunchtime. All you ate was a muffin.”
It made him emotional. Despite the insanity, she wanted him to eat.
“He won’t be released until tomorrow. But I wouldn’t worry too much. I’ll see that he eats. When you’re done, check into Macy’s Bed & Breakfast and get some rest. Your brother will need you tonight.”
Nile talked low, so Dylan did too. “What happens tonight?”
“The decision-makers will decide if Jake and Maya can be together.”
“Isn’t it their decision?”
“Not in Rain.”
He spoke his instinct. “It doesn’t look good for them, does it?”
“No,” she said, “not at all.”
Nile walked away.
Dylan turned to see and noticed Tigris wasn’t anywhere around.
Outside, two men in uniform—deputies—moved Sonny’s bike.