It was about ten minutes to three when Demi arrived.
As usual, she’d sent a text saying that she was pulling in, and I’d gone down the stairs to the back entrance to let her in.
As soon as I opened the door, Demi started. “I’m about to lose it on these bitches, Andre. They’re adding to the gray hairs I already have creeping out of my damn head.
“I’m sorry for being so late, but…that last girl, I’m going to strangle her. She got into this big argument with her customer over little to nothing, then he got mad, and no one got tipped. You believe it?
“All that for nothing. I’m trying to teach them. When I was dancing, we had respect for the customers. That’s your money. That’s how you get paid. You don’t fuck that up.”
We entered my floor. “A heads up. I have company.”
Demi paused. “It’s not anyone from the club, is it?”
“No, it’s a friend of mine. She’s staying for a few days.”
Sway stole her eyes away from the TV as we entered. I introduced. “This is Sway. Sway, this is Demi.”
“Aw, she’s beautiful. Much prettier than Holly or that Jeanice.”
Sway looked to me. Demi continued. “It’s nothing, just some of the girls at the club asking me about Andre.” Demi turned to me. “I know, I talk too much.” She grabbed the forty sack from the kitchenette table, replacing it with two crisp twenties.
I relaxed next to Sway as Demi removed a cut straw from her bra. She dipped into the baggie, drawing a pinch for each nostril. “Whoo shit! Is this new?”
“It’s the same. I’m getting low, though. I have to score soon.”
Demi looked to Sway. “So where do you dance, pudding? I can’t place you. Have we met?”
“I’ve never danced before.”
“Oh, darling, I’m sorry. When you’ve been in the business as long as I have, you think every pretty face you see is dancing.
“If you ever want to, come work with us at Big John’s. I’ll teach you everything. I’m old and retired now, I’m just a waitress, but I still know the game.” Demi smiled. “Easiest money in the world for a pretty girl like you. I can set you up with my best clients. No dick sucking or fucking. I only work with gentlemen.”
I cut in. “Yeah, we’re going to get settled for now. She has some things she wants to work out.”
“Okay, let me know, or just send her over to me. I’ll get her on, day one. We’re in Fort Worth, so she won’t have to worry about all that Bio-Verify bullshit like Dallas.”
Demi stood. “Well, I’m on my way. Gotta go let the dogs out and then I’m going to take me a long hot bath.”
She looked to Sway. “It was a pleasure to meet you, pudding.” I stood in the doorway as she walked away. She turned and whispered. “I like this one. She’s fucking gorgeous.”
“I know.”
I closed and locked the door. “So, who’s Holly and Jeanice?”
“They work at the club with Demi.” I returned to my place next to her.
“That much I know. But who are they?”
“Nothing for you to worry about.”
“You’re sure?”
“Sure, I’m sure. I met Holly through Demi… It was business, and she then… It seemed like she flirted… Jeanice talked about going out to the movies, but nothing happened.”
“Why not?”
“Well, I sent them both a text. Holly replied with only a hello. I sent her another one the next day, and she didn’t text me back. Jeanice never replied at all. So, that was that.”
“Good for you.” She took my hand. “You don’t need to be chasing bitches.”
“You’re okay?”
“Yeah.” She looked to my head. “You got curly, wavy hair, but you’re black.”
“My mother was mixed.”
She ran her fingertips through it. “Why don’t you let it grow out? Like, let it come down.”
“Like Priest?”
“That would be so fucking hot. I’d fuck you every day.”
“You could do that now.”
“That sounds good.”
“You’re smelling all pretty. I’m going to go and take a shower.”
“You need any help in there?”
“I got this… I can take it from here.”
“Ha, ha, you’re so clever.”
When I came out, Sway was under the covers and sound asleep. I brushed my teeth and put the cash and coke away for the night.
I turned off the lights, got into bed, and placed the remote on the dresser after flipping off the TV.
I settled into my pillows, relaxing. I looked over to Sway. Her back was towards me. The light pouring from outside created a halo over her. She was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen, and here she was, right next to me.
I knew to make it work, I’d have to play it just right. Be me, and hopefully we’d be able to accept each other for who we are.
Maybe we could be great together.
As I drifted, I imagined Sway and I covered with diamonds, riding in a brand new Mercedes or maybe a bright red Bentley Coupe.
We’d have all new clothes and the best meals prepared for us by the best chefs. We’d live in the most expensive apartment in Dallas. Maybe a penthouse.
I was suddenly shaken from my thoughts. “No, fuck no.” I looked to Sway. She was talking in her sleep. “I said fuck no! And fuck you!”
She began throwing her arms and kicking her legs. I sat up, looking over to her. I could see her eyes moving from side to side under her lids.
A primal scream emitted from her lungs, echoing off the walls. “I’m not doing it anymore! I don’t care what you do to me!”
I shook her shoulders. “Sway. Wake up, baby. You’re having a bad dream.”
She opened her eyes. “Rosebud!” She jumped from the bed, taking defense with her back to the wall.
“No, baby, it’s me. It’s Andre.” I leapt to the floor.
“Stay away from me, Rosebud. I left you, and I’m never coming back to work for you again. Where’s Mandy? I know she’s somewhere hiding.”
“Sway… Baby, you’re dreaming.”
“Get her out here, too. She needs to hear this so she can know. No fucking more. I mean that fucking shit.
“I’m in love now… Something real. You wouldn’t understand this…”
I stepped to her, wrapping her tightly into my arms. “Sway, it’s Andre, baby. You’re just having a bad dream, that’s all.”
“Andre…?”
Creole Gaudet
Copyright ©2020 by Creole Gaudet. All rights reserved.
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