Nomad's Baby

Bad Reputation 2

Chucky's.

They made it.

A few cars were parked out front. A low muffled rumble of music playing filled the air.

The place looked just as shitty as she remembered.

After Whisper shut off his bike near the side of the building, Sera took off her helmet.

"I just kind of want to be discreet. Grab a drink at the bar."

"Discreet. I can do that."

When he spoke, the deepness of his voice replaced the bike's vibration against her skin.

Venom didn't offer much space. She'd likely smell like him whenever they parted ways after this.

Bad thing?

Of course.

Nothing a shower wouldn't cure.

Chucky's after 8.

This goddamn place.

Depression and dead dreams smacked her chest like a mule kick opening the door.

If there was a bouncer he wasn't checking for shit.

Everyone in there looked like they should've been thrown out.

An empty stripper pole in front of a main stage flanked by silver tassels stuck out most besides the bar.

A few looks came her way when she made her way to a seat near the stage.

"Well well." A fluttery female voice hit the air. "Not a lot of ladies come in here."

A woman rounded the table.

Sera couldn't tell if she was a waitress or a stripper.

Why would this place have a waitress?

A couple of blinks later and shock twisted her face "Shit! Sera?"

When she said her name, it clicked.

Monica.

High School Monica.

Harvard bound Monica.

This was one hell of a detour.

"Monica Berman."

They used to call her Blowman. Assumptions were made but guys were assholes back then.

"It is me. Fucking shit, it's been like ten years." .

"Yeah." She tried to muster up a smile.

"What are you up to these days?"

Sera knew the girl likely knew what she'd been up to.

"I'm just passing through, but I thought I'd catch up with anybody I spotted. Have you seen Joel?"

A light almost sweet tone hid feelings that dug her thumb into her palm under the table.

The door opened and Sera assumed without looking it was Whisper.

And she definitely knew it by the way Monica looked beyond her.

To her credit she refocused fast. "Joel? Didn't you and him used to go out?"

"Eh - you know. High school shit."

"Right."

Sera licked a dry mouth, hearing Whisper order a drink. "Is he still around?"

"Around?" She laughed. "Man that dude's all over the place. Now you see him, now you don't you know?" She chuckled again.