Page 35 of Gator: One Love


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He ran a hand through his hair, the weight of the past heavy on his mind. Gator couldn’t help but think about the paths they had both taken, the divergent journeys that had brought them to this moment. Had fate intervened, guiding them back to each other? He couldn’t shake the feeling that she was the one he was always meant to be with, the missing piece to the puzzle of his life.

As the room grew darker, Gator flicked on a lamp, casting a warm glow on the photographs that adorned the walls. Images of his past adventures, friends, and family stared back at him, a tangible reminder of the life he had lived. But amid the smiling faces, it was Sylvie’s absence that spoke the loudest, her presence now a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.

Back then, Gator had been little more than a boy, inexperienced and unprepared for the complexities of love. Sylvie, on the other hand, had been every bit a woman, her captivating allure drawing him in despite her being with another man.

He reached for a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid shimmering in the lamplight, and took a slow sip.

Gator rarely indulged in alcohol, a conscious choice rooted in his upbringing amidst two alcoholic parents. Yet, on this particular night, he found himself craving the solace of a drink.

The warmth that spread through him as the alcohol burned its way down his throat provided a momentary comfort, a fleeting distraction from the torrent of emotions that swirled within him. He closed his eyes, letting himself be engulfed by memories of Sylvie – her laughter, the gentle touch of her hand as she tucked him into bed, and the sparkle in her eyes when she smiled.

As the night deepened, Gator found himself at an emotional crossroads. The feelings he had harbored for Sylvie all those years ago had resurfaced with a newfound intensity, the vulnerability of his feelings both exhilarating and terrifying. He knew that the choices he made now would shape the course of their future, a chance at a life together that he’d never thought possible.

In the quiet of the night, Gator made a solemn promise to himself – he wouldn’t let this opportunity pass him by.

Now, with the years having diminished the significance of the age gap between them, he resolved to ensure she would never leave his side again, nor would he leave hers.

Deep within his heart, he knew Sylvie was his destiny, and the flame that burned for her would never be extinguished.

16

Gator satin a dimly lit corner of The Bulldog Café, nursing a cup of black coffee as he waited for Bruno to arrive. He had called his old friend earlier, explaining that he needed to talk about the events surrounding Marvin’s death. Bruno had agreed to meet him, but the tone of his voice held a hint of reluctance.

Gator had chosen The Bulldog Café as a sign that he knew more about the connection between Bruno and Marvin than Bruno had let on.

As Gator looked around the café, he noticed how it had changed over the years. Once a bustling hub of activity, it now seemed to cater more to the lonely and the lost. It was more of a bar than a café now, but at least their coffee was good. It was just what Gator needed to keep his mind sharp and focused as he tried to unravel the tangled web surrounding Marvin’s death. The strong, bold flavor provided a small comfort in an otherwise unsettling situation, grounding him as he prepared to face the unknown.

Maybe that was why Bruno had used the place to meet with Marvin…because it was all but empty this morning. The air hung heavy with the scent of stale beer and cigarette smoke, and the low hum of conversation, from the few who were there, provided a backdrop to his thoughts.

His mind raced with questions about the other person Bruno claimed to have seen at the scene. Could it be possible that someone else had been involved in Marvin’s death? Gator didn’t want to believe that Sylvie had lied to him, but he couldn’t shake the nagging doubt in the back of his mind.

Bruno finally entered the café, his eyes scanning the room before settling on Gator. He approached with a cautious gait, as if he knew that the conversation they were about to have would be a difficult one. He took a seat across from Gator, his hands nervously tapping on the table.

“Thanks for meeting me, Bruno,” Gator began, trying to keep his voice steady. “I need to know everything you saw yesterday.”

Bruno looked uncomfortable, but he nodded and began to recount his story. He described seeing a shadowy figure running from the backyard. He insisted that he couldn’t make out the person's face, but he was certain it wasn’t anyone he knew.

As Gator listened, he studied Bruno’s face, searching for any signs of deception. Even though he had known Bruno since their childhood, with so many years between then and now he had no idea of the person Bruno had become.

Even back then, Gator had never been good at reading him. Still, something in his gut told him that his old friend was holding back.

“Bruno, I need the truth,” Gator said, his voice firm. “Sylvie’s life was on the line there. I need to know if there’s someone else out there who might’ve had a hand in this.”

Bruno hesitated, his eyes flicking away from Gator's intense gaze. He took a deep breath before speaking again. “Gator, I swear to you, I saw someone else there. But...I can’t be sure it wasn’t just my mind playing tricks on me. I was in shock, you know? I had just seen Marvin dead on the floor.”

* * *

Gator sat backin his chair, mulling over Bruno’s words. He’d sensed a connection between Bruno and Marvin, and he was eager to uncover its nature.

He leaned in, fixing his gaze on Bruno, and asked, “Do you know why I wanted to meet you here at The Bulldog Café?” Bruno didn’t respond, his face betraying nothing. Gator continued, “Because I saw you having a meeting with Marvin here the other day. What was that all about?”

Bruno shifted in his seat, visibly uncomfortable, and avoided Gator’s eyes. He seemed ready to bolt at any moment. Gator persisted, waiting for an answer. Finally, Bruno spoke, his voice hushed and tense. “Alright, Gator. I didn’t want to bring this up, but Marvin was mixed up with some shady characters…dangerous criminals. He got himself into trouble and ended up becoming an informant for the police investigation I’m heading.”

Gator, taken aback by the revelation, stared at Bruno. The gravity of the situation began to sink in, and he realized that there was much more to Marvin’s death than he had initially thought.

“You think maybe they put a hit on him?” Gator asked.

Bruno nodded. “That’s why I was tracking him. When he went to Sylvie’s, I didn’t think much of it until I saw the other person arrive. I thought he was maybe one of their friends…either Marvin’s or Sylvie’s. And then you arrived, and I wondered what the hell was going on. I couldn’t decide whether to rush in or wait it out…”

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