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“Take a seat,” he invited.
I immediately did as I was told and sat in one of the chairs facing the desk. Louie and Vince stood behind me. The man sat across from me.
“You Jet McAlister?” he asked.
I nodded.
“Ray’s daughter?” he went on.
I nodded again. Even though I knew this had to be about Dad, I still felt my heart die a little bit knowing he was the cause of yet another disaster for me.
“I’m looking for Ray,” he told me.
I nodded, not sure what to say and too scared to speak anyway.
“You seen him?” he queried.
I shook my head.
His eyes moved from me to Louie and Vince then back to me.
“It’s important I find him. Do you know where he’d be?” he asked.
“I…” There was a frog in my throat so I cleared it and said, “I’m looking for him too. He’s not real good at sticking around when things get…difficult.”
His face tightened at that and the scary part of his eyes escalated to such a point where I was pretty certain I was going to pee my pants.
I’d never met anyone like him before. His menace vibrated off him like a physical touch.
I wanted to run, but I felt rooted to the spot. I had the feeling that this man was going to hurt me, or he was going to let Vince hurt me, and I didn’t want either of those things to happen.
“Honey Bunch? What’re you doin’ up so…oh my, we have company.”
I turned at this new voice, a female voice with a deep country twang. My mouth dropped open at what I saw.
Dolly Parton, or a fair impersonation of her, was standing in the doorway. Big blonde hair, tiny body, enormous knockers, wearing a pink negligee set, complete with marabou feathers, even on the high-heeled slippers she wore. I realized she wasn’t Dolly because she had to be my age, or maybe a year or two older.
I didn’t know what propelled me out of the chair but I stood and turned toward her.
She peeked around Louie and her blue eyes got huge. Then she looked at the man behind the desk and they narrowed.
“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’tthinkso.” Her voice rose on the last two words.
“It’s not what you think,” the man replied.
“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 ordered, “Get out.” I started to follow 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.
