The grass was patchy, but where it could be noted, it was knee high. Bottles littered the walkway. The back window was cracked and covered in plastic. The bottom step shifted beneath my foot and I almost ate the top one before I recovered my balance.
“What the hell?” I scoffed, grabbing the rail.
I wasn’t eager to repeat the experience, so I tentatively gave half of my weight to the second step as I tried again.
I knocked like I was there to serve a search warrant, hoping it would knock the fire out of them a little.
The yelling and fighting inside instantly stopped.
Hushed voices sounded from the other side of the door. When it cracked, I was met timid gaze of the short-statured sister.
Joplin?
Was that what Anthony had said her name was?
I couldn’t remember.
“You need something, mister?” she asked, cutting her gaze toward the bulk of the door.
I knew someone was there, listening on the other side, but I couldn’t see them.
“Hey. I’m Oak, from next door.” I hitched my thumb.
A slew of curses quietly erupted on the other side of the door, causing Joplin to peek that way again, before heavy steps thudded over the floorboards of the cheap trailer. I held out my hand and patiently waited. Joplin stared at it oddly as I bobbed it in the air, insisting on a shake. She hesitantly stuck her hand out, and I pressed the scrap of paper against her palm. “I came to borrow a cup of sugar. Nice to meet you.”
The door ripped open, wafting the stench of alcohol and sweat out toward me before I could even get a look at the stringy-haired bastard that knocked her aside and stepped out onto the porch.
“Get the hell out of here. You ain’t getting nothing.”
I stared at him, unmoved by his loud, shrill voice or his aggressive pointing.
“Have a good night, sir.” I nodded, keeping my gaze locked on him until I fully turned.
I had to close my eyes and really focus not to laugh when he hissed at the girl, “That was a cop. Did you see the way he stared at me!”
“What did they say?” Anthony met me in the middle of the street.
“They told me to fuck off.” I laughed, only to grab him when he started for the trailer, “I’m kidding, I’m– I gave the sister your number. She’s gonna pass it along. Relax. Go home.”
He stared at the trailer, like he wasn’t sure whether or not to believe me.
“Anthony,” I whispered, just as the curtains shifted and Joplin peeked out.
She cautiously raised her hand and wiggled her fingers, before darting behind them again.
“What did I tell you,” I reassured him, even if I had no such reason to be so confident. I wasn’t trying to see anyone in trouble tonight. “Come on. Get some rest. Get showered, you never know what tomorrow brings, right? She could call tonight, and look at you…”
He looked down at himself and slowly nodded, “You’re right.”
Chapter Thirty-One
It’s Time
Crystal
I silently made my way from the dressing room to the stage. The DJ was a fast talker, giving the room an auction feel as his voice bled into music and I strutted out to the pole. The tippers’ circle was full around the edge of the stage.
I ignored them for a few moments, but once I fixed my gaze on the man seated at the end, my nightly ritual began. I couldn’t stop inspecting faces. I don’t even know what I’d do if I looked up and Anthony was sitting there. It would probably ruin my whole damn act.
