by Raven Crow
I felt arms on my chest pulling me backward. Muffled voices invaded my ears and I turned to see Sax standing there.
“Come on Gio he’s had enough don’t you think? Besides you have somewhere that you need to be.” Sax shouted in my face which somehow calmed me down. I nodded. “Let me deal with these guys another way. You go on your father is going to kill you for being late.”
“Damn it, you’re right I had better go. You’ll deal with this shit?” I asked and Sax nodded. “Ok good. I will talk to you later.”
I didn’t even look down at Dave’s face or I would be tempted to start working him over again. This motherfu— nope I’m not going to think about this shit anymore.
I jetted off towards the back of the house hoping to play it off like I was in the kitchen begging for food before dinner so that my dad didn’t know that I wasn’t there on time.
Once inside I washed off at the sink. No one was in the kitchen which meant that they were already serving dinner that meant that I wasn’t going to be able to pull off my lie.
I walked out into the main dining room and was shocked to see strangers there with my family waiting there for me. I wanted to so badly to turn around and run out the back door but my father had already spotted me. With nowhere to hide I made my way through the two twelve foot archways leading me into the formal dining room.
“Oh good Gio is here finally so we can start eating. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to join us son.” Father said before he chuckled.
All the good China was placed on the table signaling my dad was trying to make a good impression.
“Oh I will wait for my daughter to join us. She should be in any moment now.” The stranger said to my father.
“Oh yes that’s right we will all wait for Josephine to join us. I can’t believe that she’s twenty already. I can’t believe it has been almost twenty years since I saw you two, Roger.” Father said to his friend giving the stranger a name.
In walked a drop-dead beauty and I just about died. I didn’t know what was prettier; the way her long, raven colored hair seemed to shine like the black marbled floor in our foyer, or the fact that she had what seemed like a million freckles covering her face. She wore all black which seemed to say that she didn’t give a shit and I liked that.
“It is nice to meet you sir and miss.” I smiled while greeting my father’s guests.
She sat in the chair next to mine and I smiled at her but she didn’t respond.
“Wow Roger, would you look at these two it’s like they don’t even recognize one another.” Father said to his friend. “Gio, this is Roger Butler and his daughter and my goddaughter.”
“What are you talking about, father I don’t know these two people. I haven’t ever met them before now, not that I remember anyway.” I said.
The girl looked over at me for the first time and I froze up. I wanted to say something to her but my mind went blank.
“I told you already father that I don’t remember being here before today. I must have been a baby or something.” She snapped like she’d been bugged about this all day.
“Father you just said that it’s been twenty years since you saw her last clearly she was a baby back then how could she remember meeting anyone at that age?” I said. I wanted to keep talking if it would hold her attention but again I froze.
“Yes that’s right Josephine you were only one almost two I believe.” Roger said to his daughter giving her a name.
Josephine…her name is Josephine. Stop staring at her. I can’t help myself. Her hair was so long that it landed on her hip bone just above her butt. She even smelled good.
“We aren’t going to be staying here, are we?” Josephine asked while she looked around the dining room before she stopped at me. “Dad, don’t call me Josephine you know I hate that, call me Jo please.” She demanded before she looked away from me.
“Alright, Jo I keep forgetting that you hate your name now. No we are not staying here.” Roger answered her.
“Jo, I have arranged for a house to be made up for you and your father. I will have my son Gio take you two over after dinner so that you can get settled in. My beautiful wife Camilla made sure that the house is ready for the two of you. She had hoped to be here to meet you two but she’s out of town on business and she couldn’t get away.” Dad assured her.
“Wait, what Ger you are too generous I can’t accept. We will just find a motel in town.” Roger scoffed before he shook his head.
“Nonsense it is already done, I won’t take no for an answer.” Dad demanded.
“Dad please I’m tired and I really wanted to get settled in soon if we go to a motel it will be nasty and I won’t get any sleep.” Jo begged.
**
Father and Roger talked about things I didn’t care to listen to for like an hour and in that whole time I never made an effort to speak to her. She even glanced over at me a few times during dinner but I just kept to myself.
I took as long as possible clearing up the table just to delay Jo from leaving even know I had been too big of a pussy to even talk to her.
“Gio, are you going to show the Butler’s to their house or not?” Dad shouted from somewhere by the foyer. “What is taking you so long in there?”
I hurried out into the foyer before he could embarrass me further.
“Stop yelling I’m right here.” I said while I shook my head.
Roger stood in the doorway waiting for me so I grabbed my coat by the door before I headed out. Dad just nodded to me before he closed the door behind us.
I noticed that Jo had already gotten into the car and was waiting for us. I was happy that she had not been there when I dad was yelling at me. When I got into the car I noticed that Jo’s face was all bunched up like she was upset.
“So…where to young man?” Roger asked from the front seat of the car after he started the car up.
“Your house is five houses up on the right hand side just after you go through the gate.” I answered him and he followed my instructions. “See it is the big stone house with all the yard lights on coming up here on your right.” I instructed him and he drove into the driveway before he parked the car.
“Wow, this house is huge this is way too much room for just the two of us.” Roger said before he exited the car.
“I hope you like the house, Jo it is the biggest and nicest one besides ours on this street.” I said to her. She remained facing forward.
“I’m super tired. I should get inside and get settled. Thank you.” She said before she bolted out of the car.
I jumped out behind her just before she turned back to face me suddenly.
“It was nice to meet you, Gio and yes I do like the house.” Jo blurted out to me and I found that I almost couldn’t speak for what felt like a full minute.
“Nice—nice to meet you too, Jo. Have a good night.” I coughed out finally to which she smiled before she joined her father in the house.
Chapter 3
Penelope ‘Pen’
I entered the back of the house and I was immediately hit with a smell unlike anything that I had encountered before.
There were mountains of dishes piled on the countertops. Both sinks were filled with dishes and the kitchen table had piles of dishes and boxes on it. Underneath the table was a liter box which was surrounded by piles of cat shit.
“Well, I guess I found part of what is causing that smell.” I said aloud before I plugged my nose.
I felt overwhelmed by the task at hand but I had to help my grandmother she had no one else. I don’t know how she had let things get this bad. Why didn’t she tell me that she needed my help?
As I walked through the house to my grandmother’s bedroom it had become apparent to me that my grandmother was no longer able to take care of herself.
“Hello grandma, are you back here?” I announced myself before I entered her room.
I came spank dap into an even worse smell then the mess in the kitchen. I
couldn’t even see the floor there were so many clothes covering it. Her bedding was soaked with piss and shit. She looked like she had been lying like that for a while.
“Well don’t just stand there stupid girl get me something to eat I’m starved. And find my remote, would you I lost it somewhere on the bed here.” My grandma shouted in a harsh tone.
She was in one of her moods and I knew better then to argue with her. I walked over to the bed before I started to look for the remote.
“Why didn’t you call me earlier I would have come over to help you, grandma?” I asked as I spotted the remote under a coloring book and I quickly handed it to her.
She snapped the remote from me and started clicking through channels.
“I shouldn’t have to call you girl; you should have come on over here on your own. Why do I need to ask for help when it is so obvious that I need it? Man, you really are a stupid girl, just like your mama. She was stupid too that’s why she ran off with that sharp dressed guy and got herself killed.” She snapped with her loose, nasty, cruel lips and I lost it.
“Just stop it…don’t talk about her like that. She didn’t ask to be killed. What he did to her was wrong. He was a murder and he should be in jail. How can you be so cold she was your daughter?” I let out all my feelings without thinking.
Her winked old face seemed to stretch out while she scrambled over my words. I had not meant to be so rude to her. I knew that she wasn’t always like this. She used to be a sweet, kind and patience woman but the dementia took that all away.
“Oh my, what did I say? I didn’t mean it. I am so sorry!” She sighed just before she burst into tears. “I hate myself! I hate my life! I want to just die, Penelope! I just want to die already.” She cried out through tears.
“I know that you didn’t mean what you said to me. I know how much you loved my mom. I know that you don’t think that I’m stupid. And I know that this is all just an ugly side effect of this dumb disease, grandma. Don’t cry everything is going to be ok.” I pled with her but I didn’t think anything was ever going to be ok for us.
I couldn’t really blame her for hating her life. I fucking hated my life too, that’s was all I thought as I hugged my grandma.
**
I hated leaving my grandma in such a condition but I had to make a living so I could pay all her medical bills.
I yanked up my booty shorts up my hips before I buttoned them. I was late again and Billy was going to kill me. I raced around the dressing room while the other girls laughed carelessly about stupid shit as usual.
“Billy’s looking for you, Pen.” I heard Blair’s voice from behind me. “He knows you’re late again so don’t try and lie about it.” She snapped.
I turned and held back my urge to slap her in her stupid face. Blair was just an ass-kissing slut that wanted nothing more than to get rid of me so I wasn’t going to make it easy on her by fighting her.
No fighting in the club; that’s rule number one. No sleeping with the customers is rule number two. And no pocketing your tips without letting the house count it first; is the final rule, which meant they would take sixty or more percent off the top. I hated this job!
“I got it, Blair. I’ll head to Billy’s office when I’m dressed.” I said. Blair stepped into my face and I was certain that she was going to swing on me but she didn’t.
“Ok than.” She looked me up and down. “Nice shorts, Pen. They make your butt really pop.” She said before she smacked my ass.
I turned to her while she walked passed me chuckling and I wanted to smack her.
“Thanks, Blair.” I replied letting go my urge to knock her out.
I needed this stupid job that’s what I would tell myself all night to get through it. I jetted out the dressing room heading over to Billy’s office to see why I had been summoned.
Billy came out of his office right as I got to the door with scowl on his face.
“You are going on tonight, Brenda called in and I need another girl on the main stage tonight.” Billy announced as he walked passed and I followed behind him.
“What, are you seriously Billy? I wait tables, Billy I don’t strip.” I corrected him. He continued over to the bar leaving me on the other side.
“Look I need you where I need you and that’s that. So you’re on the stage tonight, got it?” He demanded and I nodded once being too damn afraid that I’d lose the job if I didn’t agree. “Good, that’s a girl! Hey, Pen you will make a boat load of cash tonight, its Friday night girl. All the college frat guys will be in.” He said as he came out from behind the bar, then he smacked my ass. I grinned through the pain. “Go get dress, Pen now it is time to make some real money.” He walked away.
I stood there as my belly started to turn. I felt sick to my stomach. I didn’t want to do this. And I certainly didn’t want to have to dance in front of those frat boys from the college they all knew me already from high school. This was going to be the worst night ever.
Once in the back dressing room again I grabbed a bottle of Jack out of my locker for a little boozed form of liquid courage. I opened the bottle and I took a drink. My whole body shook before getting warm inside.
Chapter 4
Saxon ‘Sax’
I loved when I had to go to the club to collect the cash. That way I would get a chance to look at the hot girls on the stage.
The place was a dive. The old ass seventies style decor was ugly but it made me feel at home somehow. It was dark, only the stages were lit up plus a strip of light behind the bar.
“Hey Pen, is it?” I asked the gorgeous blond that walked passed me as I entered Billy’s Club. She nodded her head. “I thought that was your name. Didn’t we go to high school together?” She nodded her head again. “Yeah, I thought so. Do you remember me, Saxon Danes; they called me Sax, for short back then and now, actually?” I said.
She stood there forever silently looking at me. She had on these cute little cut-off shorts that let her firm, plump, butt hang out. Her eyes were huge and brown. And she had the cutest pouty lips that I wouldn’t mind kissing.
“I think that we had math together junior year.” Pen finally spoke.
I remembered that we had math together. How the shit could I forget the boner causing moments I had because of her.
“Yeah, I think I remember that. So what are you doing here? I don’t think that I have ever seen you around here before.” I asked. I would have remembered if she had been here before.
Her eyes darted around the room like she had heard her name being called.
“Hmm, I work here. I’m a server.” Her sweet voice lowered like she was ashamed.
“Shit, don’t be embarrassed to have a job gorgeous. There’s nothing wrong with working for a living.” I grinned at her hoping to get a smile in return which I did.
Honestly I couldn’t believe that this girl was giving me the time of day right then. Pen Smith was always wrapped up in a relationship with Sergio Car, this piece of shit bartender that was five years older than her. But he drove a motorcycle and every girl wanted this guy for some damn reason. But right there and then I didn’t see that punk anywhere around.
“I’m not embarrassed it’s just that I have to dance tonight. I am not really ready nor do I ever think that I will be ready to do that.” She sighed and I felt sick for the things I thought about wanting to watch the girls dance earlier.
“Well, if you don’t want to dance then you shouldn’t dance then, Pen. It’s your body don’t let no man tell you what to do with it.” I advised her and her eyes sprung wide open like she’d never heard those words before then.
“All I have ever wanted is to dance but not like this. I don’t want to take my clothes off. You know what I mean?” She added while she started to head towards the door like she was leaving.
I needed to take care of the business that Gio sent me to handle but if this girl leaves I’m afraid that I won’t be able to stop myself from following her.
“
Where are you going, Pen? Are you going to leave?” I yelled out.
She turned while she opened the door.
“I’m going to my car. I have a costume in there that might make this easier for me.” She shouted out to me as she disappeared out the door.
I moved to follow her but I was stopped by a firm hand on my left shoulder.
“Hey Sax, where are you going I thought you were picking up the cash?” A stern voice said from behind me.
I turned to see Billy standing there with a brown, leather bag in his hand.
“Is that the money?” I asked and he nodded before he handed me the bag.
“Is it all there?” I asked just before I unzipped the bag and I looked.
“Yes all seven-five grand is in there why don’t you trust me? Billy Thorne, has never been a thieve.” Billy stammered.
I was only screwing with him. I kind of liked to watch him squirm though.
“Ok, I believe you. I will see you next month, Billy.” I shouted before I started to leave and he stopped me again.
“What you aren’t going to stay and watch the girls dance? Where are you going in such a hurry?” He joked. I shook my head.
“Next time, Billy I have other stops I need to make.” I chuckled and his grip loosened while I walked away and out the door.
“Next time then you will stay and the drinks will be on the house for you too, my friend. See you next time, Sax.”
Once I reached the parking lot I spotted Pen by what I assumed was her car. She appeared to be crying. I needed to make two more stops but I couldn’t resist going over to Pen anyways.
“Hey there, why are you crying?” I asked.
I leaned over her car’s driver’s side where she was sitting with the door open and her legs hanging out.