Soul Serenade

2

"Mandy" Tucker knocked on the bathroom door

"What" She called to him

"Don't what me" He walked into the bathroom.

"I'm not your damn child. I'm a grown woman. I will what who I please so what do you want"

"I have something to tell you"

"Can't take a bath in peace" She slurred

"You're drunk" He looked at her

"You cops"

"Hey come on Jewel stop snapping on me" He picked up the bottle and put it to his lips. He leaned against the wall and looked at her

"Why are you staring at me"

"You're pretty"

"You're drunk"

"Hey, I've been thinking baby. Maybe we should take this relationship to the next level. Get married and have a kid"

"Are you kidding" She laughed "You threaten people with guns and you want to bring a kid in here"

"Yeah you're right" He nodded "What was I thinking" he drank some more.

"Why did you come in here? I hope it wasn't for that stupid idea"

"My ideas aren't stupid either"

"They aren't too smart"

"I miss when you were a quiet bitch" He mumbled

"You upset Tucker? Did I upset you? Remind you of how inferior you feel"

"Alright. You're going to lose liquor privileges"

"You can't marry me. You sleep with other women" She laughed leaning against the side of the tub "I'm not dumb. You're my manager. You're an average manager and I could do better but you're a shark so I'll give you that"

"You just keep talking don't you" He sighed

"How's the face Tucker" She mocked him. She slapped him in the parking lot of the club. The band of her ring left a mark on his face. Despite the outward appearance of success and adoration, Mandy's relationship with Tucker took a darker turn behind closed doors. He often would push her against doors or walls with his hand on her throat. But she would fight back and then things would turn sexual especially if both of them were drinking.

"You think I care about you putting your hands on me" He chuckled "You're sexy when you're angry"

"Oh please" She flagged him off "You ever going to get to why you came in here"

"I'm the man" He smiled "You will have a chance to perform at another club in addition to the gigs we have planned"

"Boy you really are an idiot" She shook her head

"What makes me an idiot" He asked

"I'm sick of the clubs Tucker. I want real gigs. I want better opportunities"

"You know you're talented but ungrateful" He took a swish from the bottle

"And I'm not some old-fashioned singer performing at juke joints and speakeasies. This is the modern world, Tucker. Get me something modern to sing at or I'm leaving"

"You're leaving" He laughed "I like to see that. Remember church mouse. I own you. I found you and I brought you to the light. You leave me you'll be nothing but a drunk who can sing. But you'll be singing on the streets. Trust the process, Jewel"

"Trust the process" She looked at him

"Tucker got us" He handed her back the bottle

"One real gig Tucker" She took the bottle to head "Then I'll trust the process. And quit calling me church mouse. I thought that nickname died when Jewel came around"