Mr. Tan

Chapter 13: Never Look Back

 It was now mid April and I was currently on maternity leave from Earl's Place, which I wasn't so crazy about but he promised to keep paying me cause he knew I needed the money. He said he would come by and drop off the cash himself every Friday after he closes. He said he couldn't risk me slipping on a wet floor, or falling over or secondhand smoking from patrons. He said after I had the baby, he'd be glad to let me get back to working. Things went from bad to terrible at home, my folks now had the audacity to throw house parties every Friday or Saturday. That meant me staying in my room all night, away from their wild guest. Loud music blasted from our house, people snorted coke in the living room and rolled and smoked blunts in the dining room, poker and dice games, people hooking up and fucking in various rooms of the house, women in tight clothes dancing and smoking cigarettes, folks getting drunk and sometimes fights broke out. I felt sorry for our neighbors, the Harvey's, an elderly couple who lived next door that raised their two elementary school aged grandchildren. Why they or anyone else in our neighborhood didn't call the police, I'll never know. Tonight was a Saturday night and I decided to barricade myself in my room with my colored TV that mamma bought for me off the streets. I liked the fact that it had a built in VCR, that way I could watch VHS tapes I bought for cheep. I was watching a movie while nursing a jug of water, when a man barged into my room. He was light skinned with a shaggy looking beard and wild looking curly hair, he was obviously drunk. He had on a red sweatsuit and expensive looking sneakers and he wreaked of marijuana. I looked up startled when he entered.

 "HEY, WHAT THE  FUCK, GET  OUT!", I yelled.

The music was up so loud, I doubt anyone could hear me. He held up his hands in defeat as he crept closer to me.

 "Hey, hey, pretty lady", he crooned. Don't worry, I'll be gentle.

I reached over my bed and grabbed the 2X4 I found in the alley one day while taking out trash. Ever since mamma and Clyde started letting druggies, drunks and plain weirdos stay here, I figured out that I need to protect myself somehow. I wasn't going to let on to this strange man in my room that I was scared.

 "Get the fuck outta my room or I'll bust your face in!", trying to sound as intimidating as I can.

The man's demeanor changed.

 "Hold up now, you don't wanna do that!", he snapped. See, I already paid for you! You gonna give me what I came in here for!

My eyes grew big at his reply. He already paid for me, what the fuck did that mean?! I quickly swung the rough 2X4, ignoring the splinters in my hand. The thick plank of wood hit him dead in his shoulder. He grunted and grabbed his shoulder in response and gave me a crazy look.