Mr. Tan

Chapter 9: A Losing Battle

I went home that evening feeling so relieved that it worked out, even though I had to do a bit of crying and telling about my situation. I could finally go home and tell my mamma the good news about me finding work. As soon as I got home, I recognized Clyde's pick up in the driveway. "Shit, he's home" I thought to myself. I didn't see my mamma's car anywhere in sight. I opened the front door and found Clyde sitting in the front room and watching TV in his light blue boxer shorts and plain white t-shirt. He had his black sock covered feet propped up on the coffee table. He had a lit cigarette in his mouth and a beer can on an end table that's seen better days.

"Where the hell have you been?", he asked as he looked up and saw me coming in the front door. It's almost 5:00, damn near dark!

"Out", was all I said with an irritated tone in my voice.

"Out where?", he asked.

"Gettin' a job", I replied as I rolled my eyes.

When he heard my reply, he broke into hysterical laughter.

"Who the hell was crazy enough to hire your lazy ass", he laughed.

"Why do you care?", I snapped.

"Hey watch your tone, girl", he warned. Who hired you?

"Where's my mamma?", I asked.

"Answer my fucking question first", he said.

"Earl", I said.

"Earl who, who the fuck is Earl?", he asked.

"He owns the juke joint on the corner of Cherry Blossom and Beverly", I said rolling my eyes.

He gave me a fierce look.

"Man, that fucking crooked ass slant-eyed chink that owns that raggedy ass club?", he asked. He charges way too much for them greasy ass plates of food and watered down drinks, and he fucking hired you of all people?!

He started laughing again as he exhaled a thick plume of cigarette smoke.

"He must've been really desperate to hire you", he laughed. Man, that mothafucka got some of the ugliest chicks working there, too, that's why I stopped goin' there. Yo ass will fit right on it.