"Is everything OK, Chan?"
"I don't think," he said.
"What happened?"
Channer paused for a while as if he was thinking what to say to Berta, but ultimately decided to answer Berta's question.
"We agreed with Tom that nobody else, except us and you, will know about it. Enrique has troubles."
"What troubles?"
"Bad boys are interested in him..."
"Bad boys?" Berta narrowed her eyebrows. "What are the bad guys?"
"How it is what are they? Well, those who catch and shoot," Channer looked seriously at Berta. "Who will give a shot at your head for a lot of money. Understand, what I mean?"
"Very seriously," Channer said. "As he really likes you, we think you have to know about it..."
"OK..." Berta agreed not going into deep too much about the words of a friend, although otherwise she might have objected. "But why is Enrique needed for them? After all, he's just a college student," Berta smiled.
"Enrique has a past. If you remember, we told you that something has happened."
Berta nodded.
"So... As you know, a circle of Tom's friends is very wide..."
"I know."
"One person asked Thomas, whether he knows Enrique Dobbs."
" And?"
"He even mentioned the name of one girl. Supposedly Enrique should know this girl. Behold..."
"I don't understand... Has something happened to that girl?"
"I don't know," Channer shrugged. "But probably so, because otherwise bad boys wouldn't look for Enrique."
"Huh... But who is the one that girl that bad boys look for Enrique for her?"
"No idea. But, apparently, Enrique seriously did something if they are looking for him."
Berta looked at Channer carefully.
"Don't you think we should warn Enrique?"
"Yes... Having in mind how they love one another..."
"Exactly. They love each other so much," Channer laughed.
Next morning
"What's up, Tom?" Berta asked.
"Don't you smell? Here stinks something so much that I'll throw up soon," Thomas made a funny expression of the face. "Josh, when did you take a shower the last time?"
"This morning," Joshua smiled. "And what?"
"I'm afraid you're the only one who didn't take a shower," Berta laughed and gently kicked to the boy's foot under the table. "Come on... What's up?"
"You know... Channer told you yesterday," he said quietly.
'Mhm ... Did you tell him?"
Thomas shook his head.
"I'll do it now."
"Hey, I'm here, good people!" Joshua waved smiling.
"Sorry, Josh," Berta smiled at the guy. 'We really don't gossip about you. Thomas just wanted to tell me something personally."
"Gossip about Josh?" Thomas chuckled. "About how he chews the books? Don't you just point too much, dude"
Joshua looked at Thomas. His glance was calm as always.
"I'm just Joshua..." he answered modestly.
"Tom..." Berta kicked Thomas to the foot again under the table. "All is fine, Joshua."
Joshua smiled at Berta and rose to his feet.
"Good appetite."
"Thank you," Berta nodded looking at Joshua.
Thomas also nodded to Joshua. His mouth was full of breakfast cereals. Berta got up from the table and turned to the window.
"It will be a beautiful day," she said.
"Mhm... When will your friends come?" Asked Thomas.
"In the evening..." Berta answered dreamy looking through the window. "I don't even remember when I saw them last time, Tom... We were probably ten, eleven."
Berta smirked.
"Everything will be fine. I'm also going to work, I still have a lot to do."
Berta turned towards her room when Charlene appeared in the kitchen.
"Good morning," she grumbled and immediately turned her face away from Thomas and Berta.
Berta stopped listening to how the door of the refrigerator squeaked.
"Good morning, Charlie," she answered the girl.
"You look beautiful today," Berta even didn't feel how she said that.
"Oh, Jesus Christ! - Tom started to roll his eyes. "Let me go..." He laughed.
"And who doesn't let you, Tom?" Charlene chuckled motioning with her hands.
"Are you OK, Charlie?" Berta asked.
Charlene was silent. Berta touched the girl's hand.
"Charlie..."
Charlene slowly turned to Berta. The girl's eyes were full of tears.
"Hey", he greeted Enrique.
"Hi", Enrique was a little surprised. It was not ordinary for them to greet each other.
"Listen, Rick, we need to talk", Thomas gave a cough feeling how he gets nervous as he knew that the conversation probably will not be easy.
"OK... I'm here, Enrique nodded."Go ahead."
"Does name of Alicia Seitz says something to you?" Thomas was straight as always.
Enrique got pale and immediately turned his eyes away from Thomas.
"All clear" Thomas said watching the boy's reaction. "So it says..." He took thought.
'What does it say? What are you talking about?" The note of irritation was heard in Enrique's voice.
"You're here to threaten me or what?" Enrique laughed walking a few steps ahead toward Thomas.
"No, I don't threaten you, but you are wanted, you know? I can't lie to these people if I want to stay healthy and alive myself, so you have to answer this question to me. Do you know Alicia Seitz?"
"I don't care and it's not your business!" Enrique pushed Thomas.. "Piss off!"
Thomas grabbed his shoulder.
"I came not to fight with you, idiot," he said angrily. "I came to warn you, because your ass is burning," Thomas laughed ironically. "You know a girl named Alicia Seitz and you've done something very bad, right?"
"Hey, guys, everything is okay?" Was heard Joshua's voice.
Enrique frowned.
"I tell you, go away from me!" He pushed away Thomas's hand.
Joshua gave a cough.
"Go go, Josh..." Thomas glanced at the guy for short. "We'll clear up."
Joshua paused briefly as if doubting whether it was really worth leaving Thomas and Enrique alone, but then he still went on his own way.
"You also go out of here!" Enrique pushed Thomas again. "Even if I know Alicia Seitz, it's not your business!"
Thomas pushed Enrique back that he almost stumbled and fell down.
"You don't push me and better don't grin in front of me... Whether maybe you understand only the fists language?" This time Thomas was seriously angry at Enrique.
"You don't know anything... And I don't have to tell you anything!" Enrique made a few steps back. He was completely disturbed and no longer able to hide his scare.
"I don't ask you anything to tell, fool! I ask you, do you know Alicia Seitz ?! If so, then keep your ass save, because I don't want to boil with you in one soup at all! Do you understand what I'm trying to say to you?!"
"Okay. I know Alicia Seitz. More precisely... I knew her."
"Aha... So it's true... You seriously put your nails in the crap," Thomas smirked. "And what did you do? Fucked her and dumped? And now her father asked the boys to fuck your ass as well... All is logical."
Enrique swallowed hard. He imperceptibly clenched his fists. He would have hit Thomas, but he felt too tired and exhausted by this unpleasant conversation.
"Listen... Leave me alone, OK?"
For a while, Enrique stood like paralyzed as if he was unable to believe what he had just heard. But that was not his imagination, it was indeed here and now. Enrique desperately took by his head.
"Shit! Shit!" He shouted like crazy feeling the tears of anger in his eyes.