the dusty wall.
“No, I don’t like cigarettes. They’re disgusting. But it makes sense you like them.” She almost laughed, but managed to stop herself. She turned to me and said, “You know, who are you anyway? Why the hell are you in Monroe?”
“Vacation,” I lied. “Here to see what a small town might offer me.”
“Bullshit.” She pointed at me and smiled wide. “You’re up to something. I just can’t put my finger on it.”
She was right. I was up to something. But if she knew that, she would have to become very good friends with my 9mm. And I didn’t like hurting ladies.
“You keep dreaming. This ain’t a movie. No, little lady. I’m just a guy from Detroit, looking for a real kind of life. I’m thinking Monroe might be a good place for a second start. you know?”
“Little Lady?” She yelled. “You kidding me?”
“You’re little and you’re definitely a lady, right?” I laughed, staring straight ahead at the mechanic’s place. Some of the guys were messing under the hood of my car. A few other guys sat by the fence across the street. They were staring my way, so I stared back at them.
“You know you’re an asshole, right?” She replied. “Anyway, I’ll let it go since you obviously lack the social skills of a real adult. So you’re looking for a second start, huh? Sure came to the right place. Not much to do, though,” she sighed.
“Sounds about right.” I took another deep drag and held out the cigarette in front of me. I turned and looked at her. She interested me. When the average age in town was 66, a broad in her 20’s waiting on tables made me think something might be a little weird.
“So tell me, why does a guy like you need a second start? You in the mafia or something?” She laughed awkwardly to herself. I didn’t laugh back.
The mafia. Did she really just call it that? She obviously had good intentions. She didn’t know where I came from. But if she kept making stupid suggestions like that, she may find herself buried under the Detroit International bridge.
“If I was, I’d have to kill you.” I said, eyeing her menacingly. She looked fucking petrified, so I broke the silence and burst out laughing. “No, I’m not in the fucking mafia. Do I look like Don Corleone or something?”
“Well,” she reasoned, “you look Italian.”
“That’s because I am Italian. One hundred percent, full blood Italian. You know what that means, don’t you?” A sly smile fell onto my face.
“No. Do I really want to know?” She asked with a disgusted look on her face.
“It means I’ve got a huge—”
“I knew you’d be gross. I get it, you have a big Italian sausage.” She shook her head and checked her watch. Ten minutes had passed now.
“I wasn’t going to say that, but if you really think so, that’s mighty nice of you. I was going to say it meant I have a big family. You should see our dinners back in Detroit.” I kissed my fingers like a chef who just made his masterpiece.
“I’m sure,” she muttered sarcastically. I loved these young women. They really carried that attitude on their sleeve. She was a judgmental broad, and I wouldn’t want to come across her when she got any older, but damn she was hot. I couldn’t stop thinking about that ass and what it would feel like to slide my tongue between those cheeks. I had been out here for a while. A man like me tends to get hungry after a few days.
Across the street, some hungry men were also getting riled up. Only they were doing it in an unpleasant way. The kind of way I didn’t like. You didn’t get women by calling out to them on the street. That was just rude.
“Baby!” One of them yelled. “Why don’t you mess with a real man! Get that fine ass over here and I’ll show you how it’s done!”
“Ugh. Ignore them,” she said, looking embarrassed. “They always do this to me.”
“Aw, come on, sweetheart. You’re so beautiful. You deserve better. Why don’t I take you out tonight? I promise I’ll go gentle on you.” Another called out. They all laughed and cackled, bragging to themselves. They couldn’t land a woman if they tried all their lives. As much as I could be an asshole, I never stooped to that kind of low. Women deserved a little more respect than that.
“They always do this to