Sitting in the taxi she was finally able to take a moment and breath. The flight  to Indianapolis was turbulent and loud, definitely not worth the two hundred fifty she paid for it. The train would have taken longer and she was excited to finally pick up the Dusenberg from August. He had built this one at her request. She needed a good handling fast car and August and his brother built racing motors, one of the great builders of their time. So maybe it was worth the two hundred fifty for the flight after all she conceded to herself.

The taxi smelt of old feet and stale cigars, the driver was no less offensive.He came to screeching halt in front  of a rather plain rectangular building. The lawns were a vivid green and perfectly cut , flower beds  with colorful flowers lined the concrete walk to the entry. She handed him five crumpled ones grabbed her suitcase and promptly got out of the taxi. Smoothing out the wrinkles in her  black form fitting dress,she grabbed the suitcase and strode purposefully towards the entry.

***

"August its beautiful, the burgundy  goes well with that tan rag top and tan interior." Brigid was running her hand along curvaceous fender as she praised his work. August stood there his hands clasped in front of him all formal like,as he tried to hide the pride that flashed across his face. "Did you get the engine I wanted ?" She asked like a kid in a candy shop as  she opened it up to look." He walked over to her left side and inspected the engine with her as he spoke." Yes, the 320 hp,eight cylinder engine with a centrifugal super charger." He stated with  matter of fact tone. She continued to walk around the car passing the soft tapering tail she stopped at the trunk. Opening it up as she asked." Did make my special touches for me? " Yes, Brigid ,  we took out non essentials to make you more room and if you pull on that hook it will slide open." He was right behind pointing at the hook , but she had already pulled it revealing the false bottom as it slid to the right. It will hold at least one hundred mason jars securely, she thought to herself.

She turned to squarely face August extending her hand to close the deal. " How much was it August?" She asked knowing it was going to be steeper with her alterations.  He brushed his hand through his hair nervously." It's 35,000 Brigid , sorry.." She waved a dismissive hand at him. "No need August I figured as much." she slid her hand into her coat pocket and pulled out  a fat envelope. She shoved into his hand as she clasped his simultaneously within hers shaking it at the same time. " Good doing business with you Augie." she smiled warmly at her  friend. "Our pleasure as it has always been Brigid."

***

Brigid had been driving for several days she was tired of travel ,longing to be home. On familiar streets, with her new car for her bootlegging, which was more of a lucrative hobby of hers than anything else. Finally she was back in Detroit. She continued down familiar roads till she was in Black Rock. She inhaled a deep breath of home. She waited at four way stop tapping her long nails on the steering wheel. She shifted into gear and pulled continued on,glad to be back in familiar territory. She pulled into the drive and parked the car, the hum of the motor announcing her arrival. She got out placing the key in her coat pocket and entered the Black Rock HQ.

You are havoing a hard time getting a response on anything you say.  May your soul RIP and return with more common sense.

Keats was leaning against the doorway that led into the Black Rock base of operations. He seemed a bit worn down- less carefree than he'd been previously, but he still smiled as he noticed Brigid get out of the burgundy car. The echoes of the engine were still reverberating in his ears. As Brigid's footfalls approached, Keats raised his chin approvingly toward the car.

"New wheels, eh Brigid?"

She noticed a bedraggled Keats leaning by the entry . She smiled in greeting  and acknowledgment of his unspoken approval ." Yes, She is a beauty ,plus a little room for storage. " She stated a bit more proudly than she intended.

Keats grins, making a gesture of drinking from a flask.

Storing some of the same stuff you shared with me previously?

With a well practiced move she materialized the flask she carried in her garter belt, she handed it to Keats.

The smile on her face widened," Yes it is actually, my newest batch .  Plenty where that came from. As a matter of fact that is the reason for the new car. " She waved a nonchalant hand towards the Dusenberg."You gotta do everything you can to stay ahead of them coppers"She paused briefly her mind  wandering back to the conversation they last had on the bridge. "You feeling better over that kill?"

Keats smirks, accepting a swig and handing it back. 

"I wasn't asking, actually, but there's no way I'll turn it down."

Leaning back, Keats takes a deep breath.

"Better is a relative term, so I'd have to say yes. I still don't feel good about it, and I doubt I ever will- but I guess this is just the way things are now. I've got to make my peace with it, or I suspect it'll tear me apart."

Brigid takes the flask back, she takes a swig .

Then with the same fluid movement  she replaces the flask to its customary resting place.

"Everything is relative these days. They say time heals all wounds." Her pupils narrowed making the pale  color of them more vivid." But it is really self acceptance."

I say jump and it happens without say jump. Damn I am good!