by C. Penticoff
"That fucking bitch better have her back first thing in the morning in one piece." I was pacing back and forth in my room.
"Calm down, Izzy." Bailey opened up my window.
"No, Bai. Fuck that. I could be in college. I could be studying all week and getting shit faced drunk and fucking my study buddy on the weekends. But no! I'm raising my siblings. My mom thinks she can just waltz on in here and take her without my consent?" I flicked the ash off my cigarette out the window but the cherry fell off too. "Fuck." I huffed as I grabbed the candle and re-lit my cigarette.
"Pass me one." Bailey held out her hand.
I tossed her pack back to her. "How disrespectful to treat the person who is actually raising your kids."
"You're right. I just want you to calm down so you don't spiral yourself into having a bad night."
After I finished my cigarette, I flicked it out the window and headed back out into the living room where my mom was holding a sleepy Coyote in one arm and her diaper bag on the other.
"Oh, let me get her shoes." When she set the diaper bag down I immediately swept it up to make sure she had everything for her.
"She doesn't need this many pull-ups." I pulled all the diapers out except one and continued shuffling through it.
"How do you figure that?"
"Your daughter has been potty trained for a year. She only wears them at night so she only needs one." I held back the urge to say and you'd know that if you were ever around.
"Give me two just in case."
"Just in case what? She wakes up with a dry diaper almost every day."
"Just in case she needs it. Don't worry, Iz. I'll have her back in the morning."
"Don't you think you should pack snacks for her? Toys? All you have are diapers and clothes."
"Well, I suppose."
"I'll grab it."
I put her favorite toy, some snacks, and her new tablet in her diaper bag. Yes, she had a tablet. My mom got pregnant by some dude with a rich family. They hardly were in her life, but they made sure she was taken care of. I've even called them for money for food before and they gave me some without any issue. Anyway, they bought her a tablet a few months back for Christmas and it was her favorite thing, of course. She called her tablet her toy movie because the only thing she did with it was watch videos of kids playing with toys.
I realized taking the tablet with her was probably not the best idea because I might not ever see it again. Instead, I took it out and replaced it with an old phone of mine that hardly worked, but well enough for her to watch videos.
"There." I dropped the bag on the ground.
"Thanks. We're gonna have lots of fun, Coyote." Coyote was finally starting to wake up.
"Bye, baby." I grabbed her hand and kissed it. "You're gonna go have some fun with Mom. You'll be back tomorrow."
"Bye, sissy," she said in her cute lisp while she yawned. She was so laid back, thank God.
"There's a phone and charger in her bag. When she asks you for her toy movie it means she wants to watch videos on YouTube."
"Okay," my mom said.
"If you have any money, she could use some sandals, size 7."
"Okay. We'll see you guys tomorrow around dinner time."
The door shut behind her.
She better have her back tomorrow.
Chapter Two
Bailey was driving, which was great because I just needed to get the hell out of my house and get wasted without having to worry about driving. We had a rule. Whoever was driving could have two drinks, but couldn't drink two hours before leaving.
Bailey pulled onto I-5 South, so we had about an hour drive ahead of us. "Hey, you never told me about your interview."
"Oh, God. The interview started bad from the beginning. The guy was some hoity toity middle aged man with a stick up his ass. To make a long story short, I started my period...while wearing white pants."
Bailey gasped. "Tell me you weren't in the middle of the interview when you realized that."
"Sure was." I cringed looking back on it. "It was bad. I had to casually wipe the blood off his chair with my Gucci purse."
"Oh my God, Iz. Is that why you don't have it with you right now?"
"Yes." I showed her a fake pouty face.
She threw her head back and laughed. "What a horrible fucking day you've had! You really need a drink."
"Or twelve."
Bailey turned the music up when our favorite song came on the radio. Pretending we were some tacky nineties girl band, we took turns singing lines, belting the lyrics at the top of our lungs like we always did.
Bailey cranked the volume down quickly. "Oh, shit." The blue and red flashing lights in the rearview mirror was the first thing that caught my attention: then the sirens.
"Do you have insurance?" I asked while Bailey pulled her car over.
"Nope. I stopped paying that shit two years ago."
"Don't worry. Cowlitz County police are usually cool. I'm sure we'll be fine."
The cop lights flickered and bounced off the mirror while we waited for the officer to approach us.
"License and registration, please."
The first thought that hit my head was, Hello, beautiful.
I was used to seeing chubby middle aged men in uniform, but this officer was an actual snack. His dark, shaggy curls that draped his olive skin told me he must've been Latino. Wherever he was from...he was gorgeous.
Bailey pulled out the requested documents and handed it to the officer.
I didn't realize I was staring hardcore at the sexy cop until he glanced up at me and smiled with half his face with the look. You know that look a man gives you when he knows you want him? Yeah, that look.
"I'll be right back," he announced.
"I sure hope so." I muttered when he walked away.
"He is pretty hot, isn't he?" Bailey smirked at me.
"I think I've been a bad girl and need to be arrested."
We both burst out into laughter.
The officer came back after a few minutes and looked concerned. "Ma'am, I need you to step out of the vehicle."
"Why?" Bailey turned her head to me with wide, puppy dog eyes.
"Go," I whispered.
She climbed out of the car and the officer said, "Face your vehicle, please."
I knew at this point what was happening.
"You're under arrest for failure to appear to court."
"The hell?" Bailey gawked. She looked genuinely confused, and for good reason. If she would've been aware of a court date to go to, I would've known about it.
"Izzy, please take my car to your house. I'll call you as soon as I can."
"Of course."
The officer placed Bailey in the backseat and took off, and I climbed over to the driver's seat, dumbfounded.
"What the fuck just happened?" I said out loud.
I had a minute of shock and confusion before I put the car in drive. But before I merged back onto the highway, I caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror and noticed how bangable I was looking that night.
"What should I do? Bailey, why’d you have to go and get arrested?” I blew a strand of my hair out of my face as I sighed.
I pictured walking back into my room, looking like I have somewhere to go, but scrolling through social media all night before passing out early. I can't stay home tonight. I texted a few friends, but either they didn't respond, or they were busy. I looked at myself in the mirror one more time.
"Fuck it. I'm going by myself. Bailey wouldn’t want me to stay home."
Hopefully Bailey doesn't mind me using her car.
When I pulled up to Blue Jays Bar and Grill, I had second thoughts about going in there alone. Who the hell has dinner by themselves?
"Me. That's who,” I told my reflection in the rearview mirror.
The roaring sound of laughter and happy conversation slapped me in the face when I walked inside, reminding me I was alone. I checked the bar to see if there was r
oom, but it turns out it was completely packed, which meant I'd have to sit at a table.
"How many?" The hostess asked me.
This was embarrassing. "One."
"Just one?" She looked surprised.
"That's what I said." I admit I was kind of bitchy, but it was my knee-jerk reaction to feeling embarrassed.
When she walked me to my seat, I felt like the eyes of a thousand judges piercing me--as if everyone was staring at me and wondering why I was such a loser for coming to a restaurant alone. Loosen up, Iz. I told myself as she got me seated.
"Can I get you started with a drink?"
"Uh--yeah, can you get me a screwdriver?" I pulled out my fake I.D. before she could even ask for it, since I knew it was coming.
"Thanks," she said as she quickly glanced at the I.D. and walked toward the kitchen.
I wasn't sure why I was feeling so insecure. Nothing like coming to a restaurant alone to make you feel like a loner.
Just have a few drinks here and head to Alabamas afterwards.
"One screwdriver." The waiter placed my drink in front of me.
"Thanks."
"Are you waiting for anyone?"
He just has to ask. "Nope, it's just me."
"What's a pretty girl like you doing here alone?"
I perked up a little. He wasn't exactly my type--a bit too dumb surfer dude looking with his messy blonde ponytail and his stoner looking smile --but I was too sexually deprived to be picky.
"I was supposed to be here with my friend but…" I hesitated.
"But what?"
"Well, she got arrested on the way here."
"Shit." He gritted his teeth. "Oops. Sorry for the language."
"Oh, please. I don't give a damn." I winked.
He laughed and sighed in relief.
"I'm off in a few minutes. Want some company so you don't look like a loner?" He winked back.
"Jeez, thanks. How kind of you," I joked back.
"Only here to help. So, is that a yes?"
"Sure. Why not?"
"Okay. Just let me give the men's bathroom a once-over and I'll be back."
"Sounds exhilarating. Do I still get a waiter?"
"Of course. I was just bringing your drink for you while your actual waiter gets back from their break. Be right back."
Fifteen minutes had passed and I was already waiting for my third drink to arrive. I wondered if the guy was still coming. The guy. I realized I didn't even know his name.
"Here's your drink, ma'am," the waitress said. "Are you waiting for anyone?"
I really wish people would stop asking me that. "Nope, it's just me." Well, I guess I was waiting for someone now, but who knew if he was still coming?
"Okay. Are you ready to order?"
I wondered if I should still wait for him to be here before I got some food. "Yeah, I think so. I'll take the Jay Jay Jumbo Burger." My stomach growled.
"Fries or baked potato on the side?"
"Fries, for sure."
"Any dipping sauce?"
"Sure, I'll take some ranch and barbeque sauce, please."
"Anything else?"
I wondered if I should order something for him, just to be nice. I don't even know what he likes. "Maybe an extra order of fries on the side."
"Got it." The waitress scribbled on her pad, took the menus, and left.
Another twenty minutes had passed, so it had been well over a half hour. I was four drinks in, feeling real tipsy, and had already eaten. I was getting ready to declare my night a total failure. Clearly, I wasn't getting my fun night out with a friend, nor was I getting lucky with Mister nameless waiter, so it was time to walk over to Alabamas in hopes of redemption.
I just needed to wait for the server to get back so I could ask for my bill. Just as I was thinking that, the nameless waiter dude came from the kitchen and sat right down. He combed his hair out of his face with his hand. "Sorry about the wait." He sighed. "Of course the manager had a million things for me to do once my shift was supposed to be over. I should've known that was going to happen."
"It's no problem. Those fries are for you if you're hungry."
"Really? You're the best. I'm starving." He dipped a handful of fries in the ranch and stuffed his face. I watched him repeat this until the fries were gone and wondered how men could get away with looking cute while shoving their face full of food, but if I were to do it, I'd look like a pig.
He looked over his shoulder. "Hey, Ronnie, can you grab me a couple whiskey and cokes?"
"Sure, man," the waiter shouted back.
"What's your name, by the way?" I asked him.
"Benny. And you?"
"Isabelle, but my friends call me Izzy."
"Nice to formally meet you, Isabelle."
I noticed a man staring at me from across the restaurant. He wore expensive-looking blue khakis and a sweater that looked just as spendy. His briefcase told me he must've been there for business. I realized I needed to look back at Benny. "So how long have you been working here?"
"Mm," he paused while he visibly did the math with his fingers. "Three years now. Started out as kitchen staff, then realized that waiting tables was where the money was at. Decided to do that instead and I'm glad I did."
"You make good money?"
"Are you kidding? I make minimum wage, but I always leave here with at least forty bucks in tips, but usually more than a hundred."
"Wow!" I said that real loud. I tended to get loud when I was buzzin'. "That's great. That's what I should do."
"Hell, yeah. I work Fridays and Saturdays for like five hours each night, so I work around ten hours per week, but I leave with eighty to two hundred dollars per week at least, on top of my regular wage. Often more."
"Do you go to school?"
"Yep."
I noticed the man in the expensive khakis was still staring at me. "So, it gives you time for that," I refocused.
"All week I get to focus on school. But most importantly, I get off work early enough to party on the weekends. Or hang out with hot girls like you." He winked and laughed with a deep, stupid laugh like a stoner character you'd see in a movie. "I'm kidding...school is more important than partying."
Yeah right.
He was definitely bullshitting me. I could tell by looking at him that he was the kid whose life was centered around where the next party was. His college schedule probably looked something like English 101, pottery, and theater, or whatever class required the least amount of effort from him.
We spent the next ten minutes talking about random stuff. Mostly surface level, but he was easy to talk to.
Suddenly, the man in the blue khakis was walking from his spot and judging by the way he was staring, it seemed like he was coming to our table.
He was now only inches away from us. He's coming to talk to me. Except he didn't. Instead, he said something to Benny. "What are you gonna' do with the fifty bucks?"
Benny took a few seconds to respond. "W-what are you talking about?"
"The fifty bucks your friends are offering. What do you plan to do with it?" Benny suddenly looked like he'd been caught red handed. Blue khakis guy turned to me. "This guy has a bet going with his friends. If he fucks you by three a.m., he gets fifty bucks."
I rolled my eyes at him. You've got to be fucking kidding me.
Chapter Three
I didn't know if I wanted to hide under a rock or slap the dickhead right across his face.
Or slap the dickhead across the face with said rock.
All in one day I bled my way through failing an interview, watched my best friend get arrested for some court thing, and now was the slut subject of a fuck-bet. I'd say this day totally fucking sucked.
Benny wore the awkwardness of the situation all over his body, from his curled lips to his hunched back.
"Are you fucking serious?" I glared at him. I'm pretty sure if looks could kill, this dude's head would be on a silver platter with a fork stabbed into it and my name e
ngraved on it.
He didn't even respond. He simply grabbed his wallet off the table and bailed out.
I sat shaking my head, completely shocked.
"Sorry, ma'am." I was finally able to notice his deep brown eyes and the perfect, dark hair that surrounded them.
"Thank you...so much. What a douchebag," was all I could say.
"Douchebag is too nice a term. I really don't like to butt in to other people's business, but I just couldn't let that shit happen."
"I appreciate it so much."
"Well, I hope your night gets better." He was about to walk away, but I couldn't let him. I had to talk to him more.
"Um, wait," I said. He turned around and waited for me to say….something.
Say something, Izzy.
The alcohol was getting to my head. "Wanna have a drink? I've got a gift card with all this money on it, and I need to spend it, so I mean, I'd love to spend it ... with you."
Oh my God, why do I sound so stupid? If he decided to stay, I was going to need to stop drinking.
His expression was blank. I had no clue what he would say. I waited in anticipation. This was my chance to redeem this dreadfully fucked up day. It could be the first non-shitty thing to happen if this sexy ass man would just say yes.
"I'd love to." He smiled and his perfectly white teeth practically sparkled.
"Cool. The waiter should be by any time now."
This man is so fuckable. I shook a little to snap out of it. Stop it, Izzy. Calm your vag.
Just then the waiter came by and gave the blue khakis guy a sideways look.
"Weren't you just over there?" the waiter asked.
"We've joined forces," blue khakis guy answered.
"Cool. One less table for me," the waiter joked and we gave her a courtesy laugh. "Can I get you anything to drink?"
"I'll take a whiskey and Coke." Blue khakis looked at me. "What about you?"
"Oh," I hesitated. I really wanted another drink because it helped me loosen up, especially after that shitty day, but I was already acting a little idiotic. What if he thinks I can't hold my liquor though? "I'll take a Budweiser." There we go. I'll slowly sip a beer. More like I would slowly choke down a beer. I hated the bitter taste of beer, but I needed something that wouldn't make my head spin.