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“You’re a stupid bitch. You know that?”
“Sir! Yes, sir!” Brenda says and salutes, knocking her head back a little.
I spin the cylinder, put the gun an inch from my head, and pull the trigger.
Click.
I put the gun in between her eyes which open wide. I guess I shouldn't consider how wide open they are now as another heroine-induced exaggeration. I pull the trigger again.
Click.
“Oh shit! That was such a fucking rush!” Brenda slurs out. I lock the revolver back in the hidden space in the drawer.
“Go sleep on the bench, Brenda,” I tell her.
“Sir, yes, sir! This smack is the best shit ever, by the way, Blondie, sir.”
9
MARIKA
“I knew I’d find you here.”
I nearly jump out of my shoes when I hear Uncle Suki’s voice from behind me. Or I would have if I were wearing shoes. Thinking of shoes, I’m sitting on the floor of my closet, lost in the task of going through all of mine, separating which ones I like enough to take with me and which aren’t worth the trouble. I lean back far enough to poke my head out of my open closet door and look right to see my uncle standing in the doorway.
“How’d you know?” I ask him as if it would have been difficult to figure out.
“Because it’s your bedroom,” he says in a condescending tone. I roll my eyes, and he chuckles back at me.
“You know what I mean. There’s no way you don’t know by now. In fact, I’m surprised you weren’t here last night to join in on the little guilt trip Dad and Honey took me on,” I lament as I stand and turn to face my uncle.
“Ok, you got me. Well, I just figured you’d want to come back to get the rest of your stuff as soon as possible. And Iknewyou’d try to do it when your dad and Honey aren’t here,” he knows me too damn well. “And go easy on your dad, alright? You know he’s just looking out for you.”
“Yeah, I know,” I say, looking guiltily down at my feet. “Where were you last night, anyway? I could have used your help to calm Dad down.”
“I had some business at a club downtown, checking out a client I just signed this morning. Believe me, I would rather have been here. Those dingy, little dive bars that try to pass themselves off as nightclubs depress the hell out of me.”
“New client, huh? Is she any good?”
“Nah, she’s terrible. Didn’t your dad tell you? We’re only taking on terrible clients now.”
“You’re hilarious. But I’m assuming you didn’t rush back here after signing your new client just to help me move the rest of my stuff to my new place. What’s up?” My uncle’s face grows serious.
“Marika, exactly how much of that contract had you read before signing it?” I always know he means business when he calls meMarikainstead ofMari. I can’t tell him the truth, that I was so nervous at the time I can hardly remember what my contract even said. The parts I bothered trying to decipher, anyway. And I didn’t even have a chance to pack a proper overnight bag last night, let alone review my copy of the contract. My face grows hot.
“I don’t know. Like… a pretty good amount,” I say sheepishly.
“And exactly how much is ‘a pretty good amount’?”
“Enough to know what I’m doing, alright?” I say, looking him in the eye.
“Are you sure about that, Mari? What are the stipulations if you don’t fulfill your end?” he asks me.
“Sonomi says I don’t need to worry about that. She says with my talent I’ll be able to fulfill my end with no problem.” My uncle eyes me carefully for a moment.
“Well, I want you to know that I was able to get my hands on a copy, and I gave one to your dad too.
“What?! Why?” I begin to protest, but Uncle Suki raises his hand, signaling me to stop.
