Mr. Tan

Chapter 35: Hard Times Are Around The Corner

It was the day before Thanksgiving and Earl was released from prison. Rhett was kind enough to take me with him to the jail downtown where Earl was being held. Rhett picked me up Thursday afternoon in his tow truck where he had Earl's El Camino. Earl was being released on bail, it took Rhett and I awhile to come up with $800.00 bail money but by God we did it. However, he had a court date coming up. We drove to the Bolivar County Jailhouse and I followed Rhett into the office where the bail money was to be paid. Within a few minutes Earl was led into the hallway by two guards. He was in the same plain black sweatshirt and dark grey jeans that he wore to work days ago. He gave Rhett a fist bump and when I saw him, I ran into his arms and gave him a tight hug. He laid a soft kiss on my forehead. 

"Damn baby, I miss you", he said.

"I miss you, too but you only been in here for four days", I replied, not letting him go.

"Dem the longest four days of my life", he said, kissing me again.

Once outside, Rhett waved us goodbye as he released Earl's car. His son Miles was now playing football and he didn't want to be late to his football game. Earl and I drove home. He placed his hand on my leg while in the car and judging  by the look in his eyes, he couldn't wait to get me home. It wasn't much else to do while Earl was gone for four days. I managed to do the grocery shopping and keep the place clean and do laundry. After Earl took a long and much needed shower, I made him a big sandwich for a late lunch on french bread. I put pastrami, roast beef, turkey, sliced tomatoes, romaine lettuce, bread and butter pickles, and Earl's favorite; pepper jack cheese and deli mustard. While he sat on the couch in a pair of basket ball shorts and a clean gray t-shirt channel surfing, I presented him with the sandwich and an ice cold beer. 

"Aw, thank you baby", he said smiling and giving me a kiss. 

"So, how did jail treat you?", I asked sitting down next to him with a hot chocolate with large marsh mellows.

"Not too bad, I suppose", he replied. I was in a holdin' cell fo' four days. Slept on a bench,  pissed and shit in front of two other folks, ate nasty ass bacon and eggs in the mornin', and ate bologna and cheese fo' lunch and dinner. I know one thang, it feels good to be home. 

"I'm glad you're back, too", I said giving him a smile. What happened to the two guys you beat the crap out of?

He shrugged.

"Who da fuck knows till I go to court next month", he replied. In da mean time.

Earl put his sandwich and beer down on the coffee table and pulled me close. He kissed me tenderly and full of passion while his hand caressed my neck with one hand, while his other hand roamed up my side and found it's way to my breast, caressing it tenderly. My body still trembled at the touch of his hand.