Sympathy for the Devil

part five

The sun was setting when Bill finally woke up, sleeping off the night before. He turned over and saw Star awake taking her rollers out. Chain of Fools by Aretha Franklin was playing loudly on the radio and she was charismatically lip-syncing along in the mirror in front of her. He watched her hips sway in the pink dress as she quickly lit a cigarette before taking the last roller out of her hair. She went back to lip-syncing Aretha's break down in the song, dramatically putting her cigarette back in her mouth. It sat burning between her lips while she doused her bleached curls with an aerosol hairspray can.

"You're gonna start a fire like that," Bill said groggily, a hint of a smile in his voice.

Star jumped, "Oh god," she gasped, clutching her chest. "You saw me?" Bill replied with a nod. "That's embarrassing..."

"Did you take a nap?" He sat up.

"Yeah, but I had to fix my hair, it was too flat. You know you mumble a lot in your sleep? I never noticed but I'm a real heavy sleeper so," she shrugged.

"Just mumble? No words?" He sat up.

"None, that I made out. Anyway, are we going to work today? It's gonna get dark real soon," she pointed at the window.

"Nah, we should take a break. Last night was, a lot. And we've been hustling hard for a full week now. We went on strong enough, can't push it."

"Alright boss. So, drinks then?"

"And food, I feel fuckin' empty," he groaned as he stretched.

"The stuff will do it, to ya."
...

After eating, Bill found a little bar further away from anywhere they have been. At least together, he was close to his apartment, actually. After last night, he just wanted a little familiarity before going back at it again. They walked in, passing the quarter pool tables and taking a seat at the bar together. Star held her hand out for her money. Bill was holding on to it for safekeeping at her request. This was her get outta dodge money, she didn't want to risk spending it on stupid stuff. Bill gave her a ten dollar note and she began to happily wave the bartender over. She was happy, that for once, she could do something nice for someone who was just as nice to her.

"Two of whatever you got on draft and two shot's of Jack Daniels, please." She slid the ten to the bald bartender.

"Jack Daniels?" He raised his brows at her.

"I can afford it," she chuckled. They tapped shot glasses and just before she shot it back, Bill stopped her.

"Like this," he tapped her glass again, "And then tap the bottom to the table," she followed his actions, "And drink." They tilted their heads back together.

"Didn't know that was a thing?" Star said wincing at the bitter drink. "Me and Benny would just drink out the bottle."

"Benny, uh, that was your guy?"

"Yeah," she took a sip from her beer. "And, I know you're gonna ask why he's locked up. It was an illegal firearm charge. If you're takin' care of someone that does what I do, you gotta pack heat. You know, like yesterday. It comes handy."

Bill nodded. "I actually wasn't going to ask why he's in jail, though. I was going to ask if he's the one that got you to do what you do."

"Oh, kinda, yeah. I was trying to do it on my own first and he saw me one day. Told me I was doin' it all wrong and showed me the turf I work at today. He took care of me real good, that guy."

"Did he have other girls? Like that Randi guy, he had almost ten."

"No, at least I don't think so? I was his only one. We both hustled and did what we had to, to get by. I miss him from time to time," she sighed wistfully. "I wrote him but I don't think he ever got it? Or maybe it got lost in the post, not sure..." she paused, glancing away in thought. "Wait, now that you mention it, there was another girl, but she didn't do what I did? She would just come by a lot, to talk to him... oh shit." She said as Benny's unfaithfulness dawned on her. "Well, fuck me then. Never mind, I don't miss him." She took a gulp of her beer.