Read Online The Dog by Jack Livings - Free Book Online

Omar, his eyes narrowing.
    â€œI wouldn’t call it symbolic,” Omar said.
    â€œCan I tell you something about myself?” Fatty Bo said. “I’m an unlikely success, you know? The odds were staggering. I was very sick as a child. As scrawny as him.” He tipped his chin at Anwher. “Unable to defend myself. Can you believe it, looking at me now? Things change.”
    â€œThings change,” Omar said.
    â€œAnd listen to this: My father was taken by the Red Guard, strapped to a log, and pushed over a waterfall,” Fatty Bo said. “My mother and I lived like a couple of rats in a hole. If someone had told me I’d be here today…”
    â€œYou’d never have believed it,” Omar said.
    â€œYes! Exactly.” Fatty Bo looked at Omar appreciatively. “You haven’t had an easy life, either, but look at you—you’ve done well for yourself. That’s why I feel I can talk to you. So what’s money between two men like us? My men tell me you didn’t even raise your voice to them. You spoke without speaking, right? It impressed them, I’ll tell you that much. Between you and me, you scared them stiff. When was the last time you woke up bloody in a jail cell? Not in my lifetime, am I right? That’s a mistake you only make once. But this poor boy. This generation worries me. They’re soft. None of this ‘eat bitter’ bullshit for them. He’ll never be able to hold your empire together by himself, that’s what you’re thinking. Not that there haven’t been dangerous homosexuals—remember Queen Li? That guy and his fucking wooden knives!”
    Omar kept his eyes level and his hands by his sides.
    â€œYou’re worried,” Fatty Bo said. “Let me put your mind at rest.” But that was all he said. He expelled a weary sigh.
    â€œHe’s been saying he wants to move back to Ürümqi,” Omar ventured.
    â€œIs that a fact?” Fatty Bo said.
    â€œIt is. He’s had it almost as bad as you and I, so it’s understandable.”
    â€œI very seriously doubt that.”
    â€œWhen he was a child in Ürümqi. Both of his parents. My daughter—” Omar brought his finger across his neck.
    â€œNo,” Fatty Bo said.
    â€œYes. Truly. Killed in the street.”
    â€œBy Chinese?”
    â€œYes,” Omar said.
    â€œThat’s no surprise. They used to send the top-notch psychos out there. All this bad blood is their fault. Everyone got off to a terrible start.”
    â€œAnd still, the boy wants to go home.”
    â€œIf only things could have been different early on,” Fatty Bo said.
    â€œI’ve told him to stay here, but he’s a grown man. He can do what he wants.”
    â€œIt’s too late to change the course of history. Isn’t that what they say?”
    â€œHe’s a grown man, but I’m responsible for him.” Omar brought his hands up, as if to apologize for this insoluble family bond. “I can have the money here very quickly,” he said.
    â€œThat’s a good idea. You should pay the fine and I’ll let the boy go.” Fatty Bo leaned toward Omar and put his mouth close to his ear. “You understand I’ll have to interrogate him. To appease the men. They’re animals. No ability to recognize the nuances of the situation. Our history creates expectations.”
    Only the four of them—Omar, Fatty Bo, the young officer, and Anwher—were there.
    â€œYou’ll do what’s expected,” Omar said.
    Fatty Bo sighed and held his gun out to the young officer. “Give me your stick. And don’t let this old man get the drop on you. He’s got a trick or two up his sleeve.” The young officer nodded gravely.
    Standing over Anwher, Fatty Bo slapped the baton into his meaty hand. “Now, young man. Whenever you’re ready to apologize for your crime, let me know.”