Caleb was in a deep slumber when he was awoken by nails digging into his skin, a sensation he was all too familiar with, but was unpleasantly surprised to wake up to pounding at the front door and Lola shouting at him. He groaned as he struggled to become lucid and walked to the door, unlocking the deadbolt with the key from his pocket. Happy awaited him on the other side.

“What the hell took you so long?” Happy asked frantically, making his way past Caleb into the apartment.

“Sleeping,” he mumbled as he rubbed his eyes. “What’s going on?” 

“Little T didn’t listen, man. He said someone called him and asked him for blow in the Nine’s territory. I told him not to do it, but I guess he did. We haven’t been able to find him.” Happy rubbed his temples with frustration. “He’s only seventeen.”

Caleb sighed as he rested his hands on the island in the kitchen, leaned over, and squeezed his eyes shut to think. “The Nine’s probably have him. You think it was a set up?” 

Happy shrugged. “No one calls us for anything from that side of town. It might be.” 

“Shit,” Caleb whispered. “Okay. Look, I need you to stay here with Lola. I gotta handle this.” 
 
“I don’t wanna babysit man! I wanna go get T with you,” he pleaded.

“You and TJ are the only ones who know about her, and TJ’s setting up shit at his house for Jimmy’s reception. You’re the only one who can stay here.” 

“Fine,” he grunted. 

Caleb quickly walked to the guest room that Lola was occupying. “Sorry,” he apologized as he walked through to the closet and pulled down a wooden box with a silver latch that held a pistol. He tucked it in the back of his jeans and turned to the girl laying down. “I’ll be back. Happy’s staying here.” He hastily exited the room and closed the door behind him before approaching Happy.

“Don’t fucking touch her, okay?” Caleb demanded with a stern look.

Happy raised his hands. “I won’t, man.” 

“Thanks, Hap,” Caleb nodded as he handed the key for the deadbolt that locked the door from the inside. “Keep that safe and lock the door. Don’t let her out.” 

And with that, Caleb slipped out of the front door and down to the truck to find T, unsure of what was waiting for him.

Happy plopped down on the couch and sighed, deciding to flip through the channels to occupy his mind, along with lighting a cigarette. He wasn't satisfied with being a babysitter, but for Little T, he'd have to suffice.