Nomad's Baby

You Know My Name

There was a tiny mirror on the sunglasses' carousel.

Sera quietly stared at her reflection, eyeing the red streak that stuck out against her newly flat ironed hair.

The sunglasses she was trying on were yellow with palm trees flanking each lens. She would have bought them if she had money.

Real money.

It was funny how she barely registered the officer giving her a hundred dollars when she was getting released. All she kept doing was signing what they told her to sign between looking at the door.

But she kept it. Outside that hard pack of gum it was all she had to her name.

And it was safely tucked away in her bra. And was only allowed to be used for emergencies.

"You're going to buy?" A woman's voice cut over her thoughts.

It appeared to be the shop owner or his wife.

She was in Tijuana now and didn't speak an ounce of Spanish. But she didn't need it in this instance. "I'm still looking."

"You've been standing there a long time."

"You've been watching?"

"Yes. People come and get what they want and go. You want to think, its plenty of space outside."

Still wearing the glasses Sera walked over to the counter. The woman seemed to brace herself.

"Didn't know there was a fucking time limit to shop."

"Buy the glasses or go."

Sera didn't remove the glasses, but tilted her head. "What if I don't buy them? What if I just walk out with them on?"

The woman reached a thick hand across the counter to take the glasses. Sera jerked back. Instinct rushed her into defense mode and she shoved at the woman's hand.

A ding sounded.

"Sera! Sera!"

An arm wrapped around her stomach pulling her back.

"Puta!"

Sera fought against the hold but flicked off the glasses, throwing them at the shouting owner. They hit the counter hard before clattering against the ground. A lens popped out.

"So glad to see you making friends with the locals." Vicky pulled her to the car. "Come on before she comes out here with a shotgun."

"What the hell was that all about?" Vicky asked as they pulled away from the curb.

The streets were full of tourists, Sera narrowed her eyes. "She was acting like a bitch for no reason. So I decided to give her a reason."

"Baby listen. I get it. But we are in Tijuana now. You don't know who these folks know down here."

"Cartels and shit," Jonas added.

"I was minding my own business." Sera took a deep breath staring out the window. "I didn't mean to fuck up your trip - sorry."

"Oh shit," Jonas started. "I need to talk to this guy. Let me pull over right quick."

"Which guy?"

Jonas shot his girlfriend a look. "One of 'em. I want to get some supplies for the club. I'll be right back."

He parked behind a red minivan before hopping out. Tossing his hands up for someone standing in a rounded doorway.

"Momma talk to me. You're doing ok?"

It had been a week since they'd come. A week of sunlight and fresh air and good ass food. All she wanted to do was immerse herself in it all. Yet it was still hard to shake the nagging feeling that she would wake up to those gray walls again.

"Yeah," Sera answered quietly.

Vicky turned to poke her head between the seats. "I want you to feel good again. Not for me, for you. That's why I pushed for you to come with us. I didn't want you to get out and have to be alone."

"I appreciate it." Sera rested her hands in her lap. "You're pretty much the only real person I got." Then she shut her eyes. "I don't want to keep being a third wheel to you guys. If you want to go out on your own I can find my own way around."

Vicky stared at her.

"Without violence," Sera added.

**

"Why are you always bringing your man in here, Vicky?"

Jonas glanced around the dressing room before covering his eyes. "I didn't pay for the titties, sorry."

Taking his hand Vicky led him into a short hallway. Music vibrated the floorboards. She had about thirty minutes before she was set to perform. Her friend, despite being invited, opted to stay at the hotel.

"I'm worried about Sera."

"She'll be alright. Vic, you don't know what it's like in the pen. I do. It takes some time to get normal again. She's been through a lot of shit in there I'm sure."

"And she won't talk about it."

"Might be a good thing."

"Not bottling it up."

"You can't lord over how folks deal with their issues. She'll come around."

Vicky frowned, glancing away briefly. "She's so sad though, baby. She hasn't smiled or laughed once since we've been out here. Not like she used to."

Jonas smoothed her shoulder.

"Ow!"

It wasn't from pain but a catcall, some guy down the hall caught Vicky's attire.

Jonas glanced back. "Fuckin' beat it."

The guy, not expecting Jonas' expression seemed spooked and quickly disappeared. Day of the Dead makeup wasn't in season but he couldn't resist.

"I think we need to switch things up a little bit." Vicky started.

She touched her man's shoulders, knowing he might be a little surprised. "Ask Whisper to take her out."

Jonas' muscles stiffened. "What?"

"I heard he was in town," she explained.

"What?"

"We could double date, so she'd feel safe."

Jonas tossed his head back. "You've gotta be kidding me."

"Why are you acting like this is some huge issue? Sera's gorgeous, he'd like her."

"You think because Skorpio got married that they're all like that? So you wanna play matchmaker?" Jonas pointedly looked down at her. "I watched that guy in my club, just walk up to chicks, take their hand - and leave."

"Two at a time?"

"No. But I'm sure that's probably happened too."

Vicky cut off her groan. "Listen, I'm not trying to find her soulmate. I just want her to have a good time."

Jonas frowned and eyed her for what seemed like forever.

"Even if I did it. Which I'm not. He'd say no.That guy don't date, because the fucker doesn't need to."

Vicky didn't respond, only looking sideways, evading his eye contact before folding her arms and heading back into her dressing room.

**