As she finished wiping down the kitchen, a familiar knock on the door broke her concentration. Unbolting the locks, she knew the knock belonged to Ma’Linn. As she opened the door, her friend posed, holding a plate of fresh beignets and a steaming pot of chicory.
“Pale?”
Baby Jade smiled. “Yes, ma’am. It’s the perfect time for a talk.” She stepped back and opened the door allowing room for Ma’Linn to enter. As she passed, she raised her eyebrows at Baby. The woman was worse than the FBI.
The two women sat at the tiny Goodwill table that Baby used as a dinette. She picked up one of the warm, sweet treats and took a huge bite.
Ma’Linn peered at her with prying eyes. “Mmhmm. Dat’s what I t’ought.”
“What?” She giggled, pretending to be clueless at what Ma’Linn was insinuating.
“Ya know what, girl. Look atchya, practic’lly glowin’!”
Baby took another bite. “Ma’Linn, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Manti!” She narrowed her eyes.
“I’m not lying.” Baby laughed at her smirk. “Ok, fine. What do you want to know?”
“Everyt’ing!” she said, settling up to the table like a schoolgirl waiting to hear the latest gossip.
She sipped the hot coffee from the chipped mug. “Well, work was a disaster last night.” Baby filled her in on the details about Slade and his pissing contest with Lucky. She told her about his territorial antics, and how he was trying to get her to start using again.
“I’ll snap his balls right off ’n feed ’em to him with cho sòs!” Ma’Linn flared her nostrils, cracking her knuckles. She despised Slade. Baby was sure she’d spent a good bit of time hexing him and sticking pins into an oversized doll with a blond ponytail.
“It’s ok. I’m fine. I didn’t take anything and I’m still clean.” Baby smiled at the dramatic way Ma’Linn grasped her chest, throwing her hand in the air chanting something about thanks. “Besides, I had some company to help get my mind off of it.”
“Oh, goody-goody.” Ma’Linn rubbed her hands together bouncing around in her chair.
“Yes, as you already know, I wasn’t alone last night.”
“It was dat yummy piece a man hunk dat was here fixin’ ya door, uh?”
“Yes and his name is Lucky. I can’t explain it, Ma’Linn. He’s amazing. He’s sexy, but not in that over the top kind of way. He’s smart. Hell, he’s been to college. He comes from a rich family, the Gauthiers.” Baby shifted in her seat. Sipping from the mug, she savored the bitter taste of the chicory. She had been drinking the New Orleans favorite since she was a kid.
Ma’Linn arched her eyebrows. “Girl, dat don’t be soundin’ like somet’ing you wanna be getting’ mixed up in.”
“I know. He doesn’t sound like someone I’d be interested in, but he’s different. He doesn’t seem anything like the snooty Gauthiers I’ve had run-ins with in the past. I can tell there’s some bad blood between him and his parents. I told him things about myself. Things that only you know. Things about Momma, Slade, stuff I’ve done in past. Actually, almost all of the things I try to hide.”
Ma’Linn’s hung on every word. This was new territory for both of them. “Child! Swear, never t’ought I’d see da day you let dat wall be chipped ’way at!”
“I know! I’m surprised too. And he told me things. He’s been through a world of hurt, and I don’t think he’s anywhere close to being over it. There’s something else there, I don’t know what it is yet.”
“Girl, I’d run if I’s you.” Ma’Linn chomped down on a sugary doughnut. “Unless der’s something good ’nough worth stayin’ for,” she said through a mouthful.
Baby Jade’s cheeks turned a fresh shade of pink. Her heart pounded thinking about the throbbing between her legs, left over from the shower.
“Oh, I see. Der is somet’ing def’nitely worth hangin’ ’round fo’. You already know dat, don’t ya?”
Smiling, Baby nodded. “I plan on doing it again to make sure!”
“I know dats right!” The two laughed until they were practically out of breath. Ma’Linn topped off her coffee cup with hot chicory. She smoothed the crumpled up napkin from her hand until it was wrinkle free.
Baby thought she was stalling. “What’s up, Ma’Linn?”
Still running her hands over the smooth napkin. “It’s ya momma.”
Baby Jade’s back snapped upright. “Is she ok?”
“Yeah, she good. I saw her da ot’er day. She had anot’er episode. She got to be on dat new pill to help keep her calm.”
“Did she say anything about me? Does she want to see me?”
“Naw, baby girl. Not’ing new der, but I keep on givin’ her dat root beer you send.” Ma’Linn reached across the table and patted Baby’s hand. “Sorry, sweetie.”
Baby’s head lowered. She tried to hide her disappointment. After all these years, she should be immune to it by now, but the rejection never got any easier. She shook her head. “No big deal. How’s Phillipe?” she asked, hoping to change the subject.
Ma’Linn gave an aggravated sigh. “Not heard from dat boy in weeks. Tryin’ not to be worried.”
Now it was Baby’s turn to comfort her friend. She got up and hugged Ma’Linn’s plump shoulders. “He’ll show up. He always does.”
“Hmpf! He don’t never disappear for dis long.”
“I know, but I’m sure it’ll all be ok.” Baby didn’t want to let her friend know what she was thinking. Phillipe ran in the same circle as Slade, and right now Slade was on the defense. These two things together spelled nothing but trouble.
Baby and Ma’Linn finished their breakfast and said their good-byes. The rest of the day was a blur as she busied herself, counting down the hours until she saw Lucky again. Simply thinking about him made her wet.
***
Baby Jade had an extra bounce in her step while walking to work. She was excited to get through the night and spend as much time as possible with Lucky. Seeing his bike parked on the curb gave her butterflies. Knowing he was that close made her heart thud louder. After the night they had spent together, and things they had shared, Baby had no idea what to expect. Would he treat her differently in front of people? Would he be embarrassed or ashamed? Did he regret it? Intimacy scared the hell out of her.
Baby chickened out and decided to use the back entrance of the club. She wasn’t ready to face the inevitable bullshit.
She heard the chatter as she opened the door.
“Well, surprised to see you came back.” Jewella sat at Baby’s dressing table.
“Get the hell out of my chair.” Baby Jade hissed as she stalked over to the table and dropped her bag, with one hand on her hip.
“Damn, no need to be such a bitch.” Her bony fingers flicked the long ash from her cigarette right into one of Baby’s trinket boxes. Jewella was trying to get her to lose her temper, and it was working.
She knocked Jewella’s stick legs off her table and rolled the chair away. Tossing her bag in the bottom drawer, Baby went about her business, refusing to give the skank the time of day.
Jewella scoffed. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Too scared to back that shit up. What’d I tell ya, girls? Baby’s losing her touch.”
Baby looked around the room. Barbie sat on the dressing table next to Jewella, cackling every time her mentor opened her mouth. She was dressed in a cheap teddy that looked like it could use a good washing. She was smearing on another thick layer of slut-red lipstick.
Lolli smirked from her own table. She was a beautiful girl, but something had changed. Her eyes glazed over and the plastic smile never moved. Looking closely, Baby saw the blemishes starting to form and her teeth were a new shade of yellow. Whatever Slade had her on, it was a heavy dose.
“I couldn’t care less what any of you think. I’m here to do my fucking job.” Baby applied some fresh makeup and flipped her head over to give her hair a shake, giving it extra volume. She stripped away her st
reet clothes until she was wearing nothing but a burgundy thong. She pulled a matching corset out of the middle drawer and slipped it on. The silky fabric molded to her body like a glove. The deep color set off her dark skin. The black lace trimming enhanced all her curves. She slid her feet into a pair of black peep-toe stilettos, making her about five feet ten.
“You’re such a snooty bitch,” Barbie snapped.
“You don’t want to go there with me. The best thing you can do is keep your head down and your nose stuck right up Jewella’s ass.” Baby Jade stepped closer, towering over both women. They pretended to be tough, but Baby saw the way the younger girl clutched the table, her white knuckles leading to her long, pointy fingernails.
Baby brushed past Lolli. She couldn’t bear to look at her in the face. She was too far-gone. The poor girl beamed at Slade as if he was her only saving grace.
She headed upstairs. Music filled the packed room. She made out the top of Coral’s red hair peeping from one of the private sections giving a lap dance. Lolli came up the stairwell from behind, shoving Baby in the shoulder.
“Hey, I don’t know what kinda shit you’re trying to pull, but you need to keep your grimy paws off Slade. He’s mine.” Lolli cocked one hip to the side and wagged her finger in Baby’s face.
Baby’s lips pressed together as she leveled her stare. “You’re out of your fucking mind. I don’t want anything to do with that asshole. He’s all yours.” She was getting sick of the drama, and the last thing she needed was to get mixed up in more of Slade’s bullshit.
“You’re not fooling anybody. I see the way you try to play all innocent. It’s not gonna work. You need to find some other dick to ride because that one is taken,” the young girl sneered.
Baby snatched Lolli by the throat, slamming her into the wall. She squeezed tight enough to see the girls glazed over eyes widen. “You are such a fucking little twat. You want to sell yourself for a piece of shit crack rock, that’s your fucking business. But you lay one more fucking hand on me and I’m gonna splatter your ass across the fucking floor. No one would ever want to touch you again, including Slade. You understand what I’m saying?”
Lolli’s heartbeat thumped against Baby’s hand. She felt the girl’s neck move as she swallowed before attempting to nod.
“Good.” Baby let go of Lolli’s throat and brushed off her hands before she turned and sashayed away, silently daring the girl, or anyone else to say one more snide comment. Her adrenaline was pumping and she was ready to kick some ass.
Some other cock to ride? Who the hell talks like that? Lolli had seriously transformed into Slade’s newest plaything. It wasn’t that long ago when she was a scared little newbie. Now she was taking the bull by the horns. Of course, Baby was ready to knock those horns in the dirt. It is going to be a sad day when Slade decides to take her down a notch or two.
Mickey did a quick introduction for Barbie, who came out from behind the drapes looking flustered, before he met Baby Jade in the middle of the room. “What was that all about?” He threw a thumb toward Lolli.
“It was nothing. That girl has some loose wires.”
“Whatever, but there better not be any shit started tonight.” Mickey’s face was hard and his eyes were serious. Baby knew he was trying to refrain from blowing up about the night before.
“It won’t be coming from me. I’m not usually the one to start crap around here anyway. Look, I know I shouldn’t have run out last night. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t dance with Slade showing his ass like that.”
“I get it, but you also know you don’t want me picking sides when it comes to you and Slade. You will lose.” Mickey’s tense forehead softened. “You owe me hours from last night. Now go ahead and get to work. Don’t forget to babysit the stud over there. Keep Jewella out of arms reach.”
“Are you serious?”
Mickey’s silence was the only answer she needed.
She placed her hands on both hips and tilted her head to the side. “Fine. I guess I’m in no position to argue.”
Mickey’s eyebrows shot up and he rubbed his hands together. “Oh, we can work on finding that position.”
“No thanks.” Baby walked away, her stomach rolling from his ogling stare. She searched the room for Lucky. He was at a table a few feet from the entrance. A group of men still wearing construction uniforms surrounded the table and one of the gophers was helping clean up shards of glass from the floor. From Lucky’s hand gestures, she could make out that he was trying to diffuse a situation. One of the men stumbled backward, sending a beer bottle crashing to the floor.
Lucky clenched his fists, opening and closing them every few seconds. He took one step forward and stood with his legs planted like a predator ready to pounce. Baby made her way to his side as he released the breath of air he had been holding. His nostrils flared and she could see the toll the restraint was taking on his pride.
“Hey, fellas. What’s the trouble?” Baby flashed her flirty smile and tossed her hair to one side. The group of men stopped bickering and stared at her.
“Hey, sugar,” one man slurred.
“Come sit that fine ass over here,” another mumbled.
Lucky’s jaw tensed and he closed in on the men. This was going to end badly if he lost his temper.
Baby batted her eyelashes at the group. “Why don’t you fine gentleman have a round on me. Let me go take care of that and I’ll handle this big brute.” She patted Lucky in the center of his chest. He glared at the men as Baby drug him away by the arm.
“You’re not seriously going to give those jackasses more alcohol are you?”
“No, of course not. It’s something I like to do to calm the situation. The bartender knows to give them shots of water with a little lime juice. I tell them it’s a tequila shot.”
“Is that legal?” Lucky asked.
“Sure, they’re not paying for anything.” Baby leaned across the bar and told the weekend bartender to serve a round of douchebags to the rambunctious table across the room.
Jimmy replied with a wink. They had been serving the appropriately named drinks for years.
“I have a set, and then I’m on stud duty. That ok with you?” Baby’s lips twisted into a knowing smile.
“It’s better than ok.” Lucky’s deep voice dripped of carnal innuendo. His hand brushed hers as she sauntered away.
The remainder of the night was smooth. Mickey went about his business. Baby Jade finished up all six performances without a problem, and enjoyed the back and forth banter with Lucky in between sets. Although, he wasn’t too happy when she had to perform a few lap dances. Most of the customers were on their best behavior. Baby wished she could say the same for the girls.
Jewella and Barbie drank the night away, and by the way they were both twitching all night, they had done their fair share of dope too. She suspected that Jewella was smoking crack when she couldn’t get the good stuff. Dumb bitch. If she wanted to waste away to a crackhead, that was her business.
Baby sat on the stool next to the entrance waiting for Lucky’s shift to end. He had gravitated between her legs, and they were sharing an intimate moment, reminiscing about the night before when Jewella crashed the party.
“Well, aren’t you two chummy. You two hooking up?” Jewella leaned against Lucky. His face warped into repulsion and he threw his hands in the air, not wanting to touch her. The slut-red negligee she wore appeared to be three sizes too big, hanging off her bony frame. She had lost at least twenty pounds over the last year.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Baby asked. It made her stomach lurch, leaving her wanting to hurl watching Jewella slither on Lucky’s hip.
“Oh, honey. I wouldn’t wanna be anywhere else.” Jewella ran her hand over Lucky’s chest, making Baby’s skin crawl.
“Yeah, well. I can’t keep an eye on the club when I’m distracted. I’m gonna get back to work.” Lucky pushed her hand away.
“You don’t find Baby as a distraction?”
“Mickey assigned her to the door for a reason.” He took a step backward trying to put some distance between them.
“Jewella, go take it up with your man if you have a problem. Remember him, your man? Mickey?” Baby added sarcastically.
“Don’t be such a smart-ass, Baby. You need to know your place around here.” Jewella stumbled and kicked off her heels.
“What the hell’s going on here?” Mickey’s voice boomed from halfway across the room. Baby spotted him stalking in their direction, already brooding.
Lucky threw up his hands in protest. “Hey man. Nothing’s going on. Seriously.”
“Dammit, Baby! Can’t you get one damn thing right?” Mickey yelled in her direction, making Jewella bubble with laughter.
“What the hell are you talking about? No one can contain that hot mess. You need to keep her on a leash,” Baby shot back.
“This is bullshit. I gave you one job to do. She’s not a fucking infant. She’s a grown ass woman. How hard does it have to be to do your fucking job?” Mickey fumed, glaring down into Baby’s face. Lucky had inched his way closer, ready to strike if needed.
Now it was Baby’s turn to chuckle. “If she’s that easy to keep in line, what the hell do you need me for?”
Jewella grabbed a hold of Mickey’s arm, unable to hold herself up. “An infant?” she said through a giggle. “No, no. Baby doesn’t have an infant. Remember, Mick? She got rid of it.” She gave a half hiccup/burp and rubbed the back of her hand across her face, smearing what was left of her robin’s egg blue eye shadow.
Her face went pale. Baby looked at Lucky, who was using both hands to rub the sides of his beard, his hands shaking. Baby wasn’t certain but thought she saw tears pool in the corners of his dark eyes. Quickly blinking them back, Lucky turned his back to her, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Everybody get back to work.” Mickey ended the conversation and snatched Jewella by the elbow, dragging her away. Baby couldn’t make out what he was saying, but he was in her ear until they were both out of sight.
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