Closer

Untitled Part 4

When he called her that night from a payphone, he wasn't sure what to expect, but he certainly didn't expect to be sitting in a bar waiting for her, of all people.

"Hey sexy." He heard her husky voice from behind him and spun around to face her.

"Hey. You look...Beautiful." He managed over the music.

"You always were sweet."

"Mm. Don't go around tellin' people that. They'll get the wrong idea." He smirked as he took a sip of his beer.

She smiled sweetly at him, not saying anything for a moment. "I really would never have recognized you, you know that?"

"Yeah, I look a little different."

"A lot different. What do you weigh now, hon?"

"I dunno. Try not to look too much. Numbers aren't something that helps keep my meals down."

"Baby boy, you've gotta know you're beautiful."

Otis shrugged. "I feel better, that's what I know."

"That's great, lovebug."

Otis rolled his eyes. Good old Dahlia, always with the pet names.

"I bet you could get any pussy in here." She challenged.

"You'd think that, but as soon as I turn and look at them and they realize I'm a freak they don't want any part of it."

"Sweetheart, you are not a freak. You're albino. You know better."

He shrugged again. "What about you, huh? Why aren't you tryin'?"

"Because the only one I've ever wanted is sitting right in front of me."

"Listen, you don't have to try that hard if you want to fuck me. I'm more than willing."

"I know. But it's true. There's not a day that's gone by that I haven't thought of you."

"I uh..." He cleared his throat. "I could say the same."

"Otis...Can I touch you?"

"Hm? Yeah, go ahead. You don't have to ask."

"I know you...still flinch..."

"Yeah, but not with you. I know to trust you."

She started to gently caress his back, stroking through his hair a few times. "It's so soft..."

"That's a good way to put me to sleep." He signaled the bar tender for another round.

"If I have it my way, you won't sleep tonight."

He bit his lip. "Damn."

"Otis, why did we ever break up...?"

"Break up?" He raised an eyebrow. "I LEFT. I ran away from..."

She smiled. "I was kidding..." Her eyes softened for a moment. "Otis...?"

"Hm?"

"Will...after...Will you just...hold me?"

Smirking, he replied. "I thought you didn't want me to sleep?"

"Well..."

"I'll stay." He conceded. "I'll stay with you. For tonight."

"Yeah? What about your family?"

"I wander a lot. They don't worry too much."

"That's good. Do you still..."