I drove back to Fort Walton and found Ike on the beach, soaking up the sun and guzzling water from a gallon jug.
“Thought I told you to take the day off,” he said, perched on a short beach chair that hovered just above the sand.
“I am,” I said. “But I need a couple things.”
“Alright.”
I glanced around to make sure no one was close by. “Couple of guns. Two at least, three would be better. At least one auto. Don’t care what it is. And I need them today.”
Ike shifted in his chair. “Don’t suppose I should ask why.”
“No. You shouldn’t.”
“Good rather than evil?”
“In the larger sense, absolutely.”
He nodded slowly. “Alright. I’ll see what I can do.”
“The other thing. I may be gone tomorrow.”
“Gone?” he asked. “As in gone gone?”
I nodded. “I told you this morning I wouldn’t just up and bail on you. You’ve absolutely saved my ass, Ike. In more ways than you know. I owe you. So it’s the least I can do. Good chance I won’t be around tomorrow.”
“I shouldn’t ask where you’re going, right?”
“I honestly don’t know,” I said.
“And I’ll assume this is tied to your need for guns?”
“Good assumption.”
He nodded and stared at the water. “You need anything? To go, I mean? You good with money?”
“I’m good,” I said. “You’ve overpaid me the entire time I’ve been here and I’ve barely spent a penny. I’m good. And, obviously, I’m paying for my order.”
He waved me off. “Kid, this is Florida. Guns aren’t exactly like buried treasure. Look in any trashcan and you’re likely to come out with one. Don’t worry about it.”
“If I owe you, I wanna know,” I said. “I’ll cover the cost.”
“And you need them today?”
“Yeah, as soon as you can get them to me. If I’m not home, just leave them there.”
He nodded. “I’ll make a couple calls. Gimme a couple hours.”
“That’s fine.”
He stared again at the water. “People were talking today. About some guy on the water this morning. Surfing like nobody’s business, doing things the tourists can’t do on a rental. Then he apparently passed out in the sand for awhile.”
My mouth curved into a small smile before I could stop it. “That right?”
“Yeah, but when they said he was good looking, figured it couldn’t have been you.”
I chuckled and nodded my head. “Right.”
He adjusted the sunglasses and pushed himself out of the chair. “First time I’ve ever heard you laugh.”
“I haven’t had much reason to lately.”
“Been there,” Ike said. “Whatever the reason is, I’m glad for you.”
I wasn’t sure there was a reason yet, but I appreciated his words. “Thanks.”
“I’m gonna make a couple calls and I’ll get you what you need,” he said, checking his watch. “And if you need anything else-today, tomorrow or whenever-you let me know.”
I held out my hand. “Thanks, Ike. For everything. You probably saved my life.”
We shook hands and his mouth twisted into a frown. “Don’t be so dramatic, kid. I ain’t capable of that kinda shit.”
“Yeah,” I said. “You are. You did. Thank you. I’ll find a way to repay you some day.”
“Get going before I start crying or something, alright?” he said. “You’ll have what you need soon.”
I walked up the dunes, hoping Ike was right. Not just about the guns, but about everything else, too.