In April, I finally got around to remembering that Bolo hadn’t called me back to Panama in November, as he had promised. I knew very well why the deadline had passed without my noticing- Bolo had stuck me with the kids, but I wondered what reason Bolo had for going back on his word.
But none of that really mattered. I’d enjoyed the space Bolo had given me, regardless of his motives. And now, for the first time, I was going to call a summit meeting on my home turf. Rafael Montilla, Téofilo Henriques and myself- Hopeton Silva, coming together on Nostrand Avenue, to discuss the future of Panamanian Star and the role of its heir apparent.
Bolo was surprised when I invited him to sit down with me in Crown Heights, and I knew he had absolutely no interest in visiting New York.
“Why don’t you come spend a long weekend here, with us?” he asked. “Carolina and Isabela have been asking after you.”
“No,” I replied, calmly. “It’s best you come out here to me. I want you to see, first-hand, all I’ve done with PanStar recently. And I need to speak with you and Téo together.”
“Is everything alright with Mundo?” Bolo asked. “I was wondering why I hadn’t heard from you in months.”
“Mundo is Mundo,” I replied. “And the money’s still coming your way, so you know that I’m alive and still working for you. If you were really worried, I’m sure you would have picked up the phone to check up on me.”
Bolo didn’t respond.
“I’m sending you a plane ticket for next Saturday,” I told him. “I’ll book you a room at The Plaza and send a car for you on Sunday at one p.m. And don’t worry, I’ll have you back in Panama within three days.”
Bolo hung up on me. But I knew he’d show up as requested.
I dialed Téo’s home number and got him on the second ring.
“I need you to meet me and Bolo at PanStar next Sunday at one thirty,” I told him.
“Bolo? PanStar?” Téo asked, thoroughly confused.
“Yes, Bolo’s coming in the New York next week and I need to talk to the two of you, together.”
Téo knew better than to ask me what would be on the agenda. He just promised he’d see me then and said good-bye.
