“Sure, I can drive. Where ya headed?” Sparks lightened up.
“JFK. And we have to be there by seven.”
Sparks checked his watch. “We better be hustling, then.”
Kip went into action. “Jacky, Stabbs, Lock. Grab your shit. We leave here in five. Annie, grab your bags! The rest of you, go back to sleep, or whatever!”
“Five,” Jack said, pulling on his, or someone’s underwear. He was pretty sure it was his. “I need a fucking shower!”
“Fuck, you’ve smelled worse, Jacky. Let’s go!”
Sparks had them at the airport at ten minutes to seven. They all piled out of the car stumbling and shielding their eyes from the sunlight. Sparks, with his uniform and police badge was able to get them to their private jet where Lydell was waiting. They all stumbled up the stairs and disappeared in the belly of the Lockheed.
Kip hung back and finished a conversation he was having with Sparks.
Moments later, as they all were buckling themselves into their seats, Kip and Sparks stepped into the plane.
“Ladies and gentlemen, meet the new official band body guard!” Kip said. Sparks looked embarrassed as he limped to the nearest seat and sat down.
Lydell walked up from the back of the plane. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Hi, nice to see you too, Lydell,” Kip said.
Lydell rubbed his forehead, and then reached out his hand to shake Kips. “Yeah, sorry, Kip. It really is nice to see you.” I rarely get to even speak to you anymore.”
“I like it that way, Lydell.”
“Are you ever going to reconsider getting a cell phone?” Lydell asked.
“Never!” Kip said firmly.
“What’s with the cop?” Lydell asked again.
“We needed a bodyguard, and presto, we have one!” Kip said smiling.
“Kip, you’re going to be surrounded by three thousand armed Marines.”
“Yeah, well, can’t hurt to have another good guy with a gun around.”
“Maybe, but Kip, he’s a cop.” Lydell said.
“Not anymore,” Kip said. “I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
The flight attendant approached them. “Gentlemen, I am afraid I am going to have to ask you both to sit down. The plane is about to take off.”
They complied.
Kip found a seat by Annie and buckled up. He took a small bottle of Jim Beam from his pocket and took a swig. Annie saw him and nearly gagged.
“Oh, God, Kip, how can you do that?”
“What?”
“Drink after last night? Just the thought of it makes me want to puke.”
“Hair of the dog, Annie,” Kip replied. “You take a swig, you will not puke. I personally guarantee it.”
Annie eyed him. Then she took the bottle from his hand. “I am trusting you, Kip.” She took a swig. It did not go down smooth. She made a sour face.
“Relax, Annie. What could go wrong?” Kip smiled.
Chapter Five
Kip woke up with the voice of the pilot announcing that they were about to land for refueling in Frankfurt, Germany. Annie was leaning against him, still asleep. He tried to adjust in his seat without waking her, but his movement caused her to stir and blink her eyes open.
“Where are we?” She asked.
“We are about to land in Germany,” Kip replied.
“I’ve never been to Germany.”
“Where all have you been?” Kip asked her.
“New York, Jersey, Pennsylvania… California.”
“That’s all?”
“Yeah, pretty much,” Annie answered after yawning. “Oh, I went to Niagara Falls once, and I stepped over the border into Canada.”
“Well, let me tell you, you’re in for a real shock once we land in Afghanistan,” Kip said.
“I’ve seen it on television.”
“You ain’t seen nothing yet, believe me.”
Annie wiped the sleep from her eyes. “I can’t wait. How long are we going to be in Germany?”
“Just long enough to refuel. An hour maybe,” Kip answered her.
Annie craned her neck to look out of the window. “Too bad. I would love to see it.”
“Well, I can show you around the airport,” Kip told her. “I am afraid we won’t have time to take the full, drawn out tour. Maybe pick up a souvenir?”
“I am afraid I don’t have any money for souvenirs, Kip”
Kip gave her a sideways look. “I can spot you a few bucks. Besides, I have got to get a new shirt. I reek of alcohol.” Kip sniffed his shirt, and then he sniffed Annie’s. “Oh, wait that’s you.”
“How do you do it, Kip?” Annie asked him.
“Do what?” Kip asked back, genuinely not understanding her question.