Streetlife

16 - Money

FRANK JR

"Frankie boy! Long time, no see." Warbucks says puffing his cigar as I walk into the Palace Motel looking as frantic as ever. I was pretty toasted and in need of a hit badly especially since I had not had one since my sister arrived two days ago. I didn't know how much longer I was going to last considering she was growing more bored by the minute, and I was growing more anxious. Our fights weren't helping either, and this was not how I had pictured it going...not at all. Plus I had to beg Julius to take her photos, literally beg, and he finally agreed.

I hand Warbucks his money like I did the last few days, and he had made no mention of my sister and his party. But I knew it was coming soon. I knew it was as it was now Wednesday, and my nerves were literally shot from the thought and how fast the days were flying by.

"Did pretty well there, Franky."

"Thanks. I took care of your shoes and jackets and ties as well. Had all of them starched. Oh, and your shoes are shined, not starched." I step from foot to foot as I wait to be dismissed, praying in my head that he gives me some smack.

"Good. See, that's why I let you handle it. Because you get it done. Here's a little extra." He says handing me a small bag of cocaine as I stare hard at it my hand becoming frozen. "What? You quit? I mean you and I both know you can't say no, Frank. So don't pretend you can."

I grab it as Warbucks smirks at me, and I place it in the pockets of my little shorts.

"Tomorrow, I'm putting you in the parlors with Julius. It's the one across the street. I have a few friends going in there tomorrow. They have well, a few fetishes if you get my drift." He laughs softly as I shove my hands in my pockets.

"I do."

"Good, so tell me, how's the week going with that baby sister of yours? She keeping you busy? She seems like a handful." He says grinning as I want to punch his lights out for even mentioning her. "I take it she doesn't know what you do, huh? I mean, I can see it written all over your body language, Franky. Don't tell me you're gonna quit on me now." He pries as I shake my head.

"No, she um, she doesn't know, and no, I won't quit. I really won't. You can count on me, Warbucks." My voice grows stronger as I become more and more annoyed. I need a hit and bad and this conversation was making me feel even worse by the second.

"Hey, your secret is safe with me. Wouldn't wanna scare her off now before I get a chance to know her. You are bringing her, right? On Sunday?" He keeps digging as I nod profusely.

"Of course. Yes. Yes, I am!"

"Good. Was thinking I may show her around after that. Take her around the city and everything. Since I know you will be busy working on the few extra things I need done. Can't have her getting bored. That won't be a problem right, Frank? You know how I like to show pretty women a good time. I promise to play nice." He grins and I hate him. I really hate him even more than I did before because I could just imagine what his definition of playing nice was with my baby sister and I just wanna push him off the chair.

"No, course not. I think....I think she's um meeting some friends though." I boldly lie as he smiles at me again, his eyes becoming darker, and I know that I may have crossed the line.

"Man, Frank, this is why you're a fagot. Oh no wait, a tranny or whatever the fuck you call yourself. You can't lie for shit. You got a problem with me taking that sexy ass sister of yours out? Don't trust me? Gonna try and stop me? Cuz that'll be the fucking last thing you do! And you of all people should know that."

"No, I mean I do trust you! I don't have a problem with it. She's just um, she's um, a little shy and not used to the city." I lie knowing it, and I know I'm in risk of being knocked the fuck out, but at this point I didn't care. I didn't want to feel this way anymore. The stress of it all was too fucking much and I really wanted to just run off.