“What’re you doin’ with a Smithie’s girl?” she asked, hand on hip, hip jutting out and attitude hitting the room like a body blow.
“Daisy, honey, this is business,” the man behind the desk said.
“With a Smithie’s girl? In the middle of the night? I don’t think so.” Her voice rose on the last two words.
“It’s not what you think,” the man said.
“Anything I think it better not be, Marcus, darlin’.” Louie, Vince and I were watching this discussion, our heads swinging back and forth between the participants.
Marcus looked at us and then said, “Get out.” I started to fol ow Louie and Vince but Marcus said, “Jet, you stay.”
I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad that I was left with Marcus and Daisy who were in the throes of a domestic situation. Though, I didn’t expect any time I spent with Vince would be a good time.
Daisy moved aside just enough to let them pass and then she closed the door and walked into the room.
Her eyes trained on me. “Jet, is it?”
I nodded, scared to death of her even though she had to be three inches shorter than me even wearing high heels.
She looked at Marcus. “What’s this about?” Marcus leaned back in his chair. “Her father owes me fifteen large. Poker.”
Some of the tension eased out of Daisy and she glanced at me again.
“You close with your Daddy, Sugar?” she asked.
As it seemed some of the attitude had seeped out of the room, I dug deep and found my voice. “He left us when I was fourteen but he comes back every once in awhile.
Some people wouldn’t cal that close but… he’s my Dad.” Daisy nodded as if she understood perfectly.
She turned back to Marcus. “Tel me again why Jet’s here?”
“Her Dad’s a hard man to find.”
The attitude came back.
“You see what she’s wearin’?” Daisy asked.
Marcus sighed, “I see it.”
“No one f**ks with a Smithie’s girl. Not even you.
Comprende?” Then she turned to me, “I worked at Smithie’s. I danced a pole. Marcus met me there so it’s kinda our special place. How is Smithie? I haven’t been back in ages.”
Her tone had gone from seriously pissed off to sweet girl-talk in a flash.
I tried to keep up.
“I drive him kind of nuts,” I told her, taking advantage of what I hoped would be a turn of luck for me.
She laughed, it sounded like pretty, tinkling bel s.
“Everyone drives Smithie nuts,” she replied, her voice nostalgic.
“He says I’m a pain in his ass,” I carried on.
“I used to be a pain in his ass, then I married Marcus.
Now, as you can see, I’m a pain in his ass.” She smiled at me, huge and dazzling, her teeth were so white, they could light up the dark.