Be My Escape

Chapter Seven

Back in California, Billy and Eddie were happily driving around, seeing the sights, Billy pointing out different stops and telling him the memories he has associated with them.

"Oh! I have to show you this spot. You'll love it," Billy said, turning into the parking lot and cutting the engine. "I used to go here all the time. They helped me figure out I was gay." He got out of the car, Eddie following.

The building they walked up to was a gay bar, with dark grey bricks and a red door. The neon sign above told its name, Cherry's, in red letters and a cherry symbol, of course. They walked inside, hand in hand, and it was beautiful. Tables, a bar, and the centerpiece: a stage, with a mini catwalk.

Billy grinned as he stepped inside, looking around. "This place didn't change much since I've last been here."

"It's cute as hell, sweetheart," Eddie replied, admiring the neon signs and red decor.

"Well, aren't you both tall glasses of handsome!" A tall, sharp dressed woman approached the men, smiling. "How can I help you two?" She had black rimmed glasses and soft pink lipstick.

Billy smiled warmly at the woman. "My boyfriend is new to the area, ma'am. I lived a few towns over for years but I moved back with him. I remember coming here all the time and having a great time, so I figured I'd show him this bar."

"Oh, honey! I'm so glad to see you again! And you brought such a handsome little thing, too," the woman exclaimed, giving Eddie a wink as she complimented him, "My name is Cherry. I'm the owner of this building. Come over to the bar, I'll have the bartender make you boys something." She didn't wait for an answer, ushering the two men to join her at the little bar that lined one of the walls. "How long have you been living here, sweetie?" She asked Eddie.

"Well, just today. We're not even living anywhere yet," Eddie replied, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, "We just knew we wanted to live in California and Billy here suggested this area."

Cherry looked at the boys in disbelief. "You don't even have a place to stay? Do you have jobs yet?" She didn't know why, but she took a liking to these boys. She wanted to help them out.

"No, ma'am," Billy replied, shaking his head, "We were going to look for jobs today and stay at a motel until we find something cheap."

"Well...." Cherry started, smirking, "Do you know what is up above the bar? An apartment. I own this building and I've been looking to lease it for quite some time now. It'll be cheaper because on Fridays, we have drag night. All the girls do a performance on the stage, so it gets a little loud, but it's clean and there's no bugs. There's even a bedframe and some appliances."

Eddie looked over at Billy, squeezing his hand, as if to prove to himself that he's not dreaming. "Ma'am, that sounds like an incredibly generous offer, but we don't have much money yet. I have a bit saved up, but it's not much."

"Well, I am also looking for bartenders, and waiters," Cherry offered. She looked over at Billy. "If you keep your shirt unbuttoned like that, you'll get loads of tips." She then looked at Eddie, smiling. "And the customers will go wild over you, with those big brown eyes and those lips. You boys will get a regular salary each week, plus tips, and just give me the rent on the first of the month. That's if you want to work here. If not, just the apartment, I'll even be kind and tell you to give me what you have and you can pay the rest next month."

Billy grinned, looking over at Eddie. "That sounds really good, princess. What do you say? I can be a bartender. And I'm sure the apartment is great."

Eddie liked the offer, a lot. He wasn't sure why the woman was being so generous to them, but he wasn't going to question the kindness of a stranger. "That sounds wonderful, ma'am. My one question is, I play guitar. I promise, I'm not loud or anything, but I won't do it in the apartment if it will be a problem."