Lips, Slips, and Tips

Bruises, Burns, and Cuts

Q and Sal spun down their poles and waved at the hundreds of horny men and women before them. Hoots and hollers filled the air around them as they quickly headed backstage. Sal pressed his back against the door and let out a long sigh. He pointed towards a bag on one of the dressing chairs and slid down the door.

"Can you pass me a cig please?"

"Only if I can have one." Q sounded exhausted. "I'm losing my grip."

"Yeah, go nuts."

Reaching into Sal's bag, Q grabbed two cigarettes and a lighter. He sat down next to Sal, placed their stress relievers in their mouths, and lit them both. Q took a deep inhale and blew a thick, grey smoke out of his nostrils. Sal watched in amusement as the nicotine infused air swirled around. It slowly spread apart and fused with the rest of the atmosphere.

"God I needed this," Q muttered. "Work is such a pain."

Sal nodded in agreement and took a long drag of his cigarette. His mind went numb as he took hit after hit. A loud buzzer could suddenly be heard, signaling that the day had ended. Letting out a soft sigh, Q buried his face in his hands. Sal wrapped his arm around his stressed out friend and pulled him closer.

"It's okay," he assured. "Work's over now. We can rest."

"Yeah, I guess. Can I tell you something?"

"What's up?"

Q let out a sigh and took another drag of his cigarette. He started explaining how recently he'd been abused by their boss; sexually, verbally, emotionally, and physically. He explained the torture he was put through, the torment, the night terrors. Q groaned and slammed his head against the door.

"I...I didn't know how to tell you." Q wiped the tears from his eyes and looked up. "I was so scared he'd hurt me again."

Sal winced and stared off into the distance. He could feel anger growing in the pit of his stomach before he exploded. Sal started going off on the unfair treatment Q was receiving, screaming until his face was beet red. He screamed and ranted until there was nothing left to say. A thick silence filled the small dressing room. Sal panted heavily, inhaled about half of his cigarette, and blew out a long stream of smoke.

Q glanced down at the burning cancer stick in his hands and pressed it against his neck. He didn't cry out scream out, that's why Sal took a while to notice. Sal slapped the cigarette out of his friend's hand and crushed it. He lightly traced his finger over Q's burn mark and noticed others.

"What happened?"

"Larry." That's all Q said. His voice was small and full of pain.

Larry was their boss. He was nothing but a coke snorting jerk. He hated Q, and Q hated him. But that's what was off. Larry loved Sal to death. It was only Q he despised so much. Nobody understood how he could hate one "twin" but love the other. Nobody also understood why he called Q and Sal twins. They weren't related. They looked different. They acted different. But nobody said anything. Their name was catchy, so it stuck.

Q pressed his cheek against Sal's shoulder and shut his eyes. Sal smiled and put his cigarette out. He didn't feel like smoking near Q while he slept. Yawning softly, Sal allowed his eyelids to flutter shut.
____________________________________Before you guys say anything about me starting another book, I can do whatever I want until I die/lose this account.