𝑾𝑰𝑪𝑲𝑬𝑫 𝓖𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

THE AFTER PARTY.

Sept 24. Sunday 7pm.

The club was still open, but not for services. Only the DJ, bar section, and bottle girls were working. I came in to see Lai'Yomae, I felt kinda bad about just leaving with no explanation, but I don't know her like that. I'm not ready to just dump all my burdens onto her, the fucking government is already on my ass.

She and I were chilling in a section passing a blunt, everything was on me. I didn't realize Krystal was here, but she sure snuck up on me. "Anybody care to join?" she leaned over the couch like she was already coked up herself. I ran out just yesterday, so I cared.

"No. we are fine, thanks," Lai said with a quick smile before she went back to sipping from her glass. The way her full lips wrap around the rim, she catches me gazing at 'em, but I don't bother to look away. I enjoy the view.

"Suit yourself." Krystal left in the other direction tossing me back into reality.

We talked up a storm about Old Montreal on Rue-st paul. She was very secretive about herself, but asked me so many questions. I felt like I was being interrogated. Only thing I could find was the fact that she wasn't even from here. She was 19 and from Haiti. That's those bitches that do voodoo, watch out A. I could hear Toni saying it now.

"She's only nineteen. We've got bigger problems." That same raspy voice reminded me of those numbers. Could they be talking about her? I mean anybody could be nineteen, but most are average. Lai'Yomae seemed pretty fuckin' smart if you asked me.

Some guy pulled her away. I've never seen him before I assumed it could possibly be her nigga, but It looked more creepy than it did loving. He gazed at her body so hungirly. He looked way too old to be looking at a 19yro like that. That's the shit I say about Lisa and her boyfriend. As he walked off with her somewhere I decided to follow Krystal to the bathroom. Afterall, I was desperate. The liquor has been doing the only thing keeping my withdrawal symptoms to a minimum.

The door closed right behind her, I prayed no other girls were in there at the time. I pushed the door open and made myself known, "It's Abel."

"Heyyy," her words strung out.

"Hey, still got that fix?"

"Course I do." She grinned. Toni's words about emotional damage played out in my head. I saw the attachment in her eyes as she cut lines on the counter. She looked up at me for reassurance.

"Ladies first." I tried to smile, but it just came across as me moving my face oddly. I became so queasy at the marks peaking through the caked-on make-up she used on her neck as she held her hair back.

"Your turn."

I did a couple lines holding everything before I could change my mind and nope out of there. I left and went to find Lai back in the section alone, I hope I wasn't too long. She didn't look agitated, rather content. I slid into the seat next to her and her smokey eyes quickly found mine. "Good to see your back."

"Yeah sorry 'bout that." I choked out trying hard as hell to resist the urge to throw up in my own mouth. "You tryna get outta here?" I ask. She looked around like she had to make sure no one was around then she answered me with a nod.

We dipped out and drove to a nearby restaurant. We were seated and buried our faces into the menus. Tucked off near the back in a small booth I occasionally glanced out the windows to see cars flickering by. I leaned my head against the cold glass after deciding what I wanted. "What are you getting?" I look up from all the possible food choices.

"I'll have the same thing you're having." Her chocolate complexion was glowing in the warmly dim lights. She belonged in a museum, I damn near forgot to reply. "For drinks, how about we try the Chevel Blanc 1947?" her voice guided me back into the moment.

"Sounds like a plan."

After our food was plated we began to make conversation again. "I forgot to ask, but I'm sure you're aware of the news. Don't you know Evelyn?"

I almost regurgitated everything that just went down. "I do." She tried to continue on about everything, but I didn't want to talk about any of that.

"How about your music? Did a girl actually kill herself because she fell in love with you?" She chuckled. I knew she meant it in a harmless manner, but if she knew what really happened she'd be disgusted with me.

"Nah." I try to laugh it off. Eventually there was a scratch at the surface after she got a little wine in her system. I still wonder why she's so... unavailable. Afterwards she insisted I drop her off at her aunts instead of the club, so I did.

I parked my car at the curb side and got out to open her door. It was pitch black by this time, so I walked her up to the front door. "You're sweet." Her hand cupped my chin while her thumb caressed my cheek. My skin was buzzing with the touch of hers. A smile almost broke out across my face until my head started talking. Now every what if, but if, flooded my head and I was no longer where my feet were.

She dug her keys from her purse and waved one last final goodbye. I went straight home to Lisa and Henny on the couch watching Mass Makk. That used to be my favorite show as a little boy, but my mom and dad didn't want me watching it. "Hey Abel." She shot up, rushing over to smother me in a hug. "Where have you been?" She could've dislocated my neck the way she tossed my head around examining me.

"I'm fine." I move her hands away. "I was at the club and took that girl from there out to eat. Now I'm back for the night. I enjoyed myself."

"That's good. Not to ruin your night, but Jane and Toni are engaged now." She looked to the side as if she was disappointed herself.

"That girl ain't no good for him." I shook my head. "Henny's real quiet, is he good?"

"Yeah he's sleeping." I nod my head slowly trying to take in everything. I dug my hands into my jacket pockets and my hand brushed across the paper with the numbers. Shit I need to find out what that means.