Jack and I were both lying in his bed the next morning, staring at the ceiling. "Hey Jack?" I asked.
Jack rolled over. "Yeah?" he replied.
"Why the hell does this keep happening to us?" I asked back.
"I think we both really need to get laid," said Jack. "By people other than ourselves." I laughed. "Maybe so," I said. I sat up in the bed and looked at the sunlight shining in through the window from outside. It was nice and quiet out and it was peaceful inside. "I just think this shouldn't be a habit."
"Nah," said Jack. "Hit it and quit it." I shot him a rude look but he smirked back; I couldn't be disappointed at that look. "But something tells me it keeps happening because of Audrey."
"Eh, don't really care much," I said. Just then, the phone by the bed rang. It was on Jack's side, so he picked it up.
"Hello?" Jack answered. "Oh! Oh Mr. Laurence…sir…yeah, yeah, she's right here. Oh, she's fine, she just woke up. Because she just walked in! Wow Mr. Laurence, you know me better than that! Yeah…yeah, I guess you're right…but still! Okay…yeah, she can talk. I'll give her the phone." A still stunned-looking Jack handed me the phone. Of course it was Paul; I just wondered what he had to say to me.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Rowena!" said Paul, sounding cheerful, thankfully. "How are you kid, everything okay?"
"Uh…yeah, yeah, everything's fine," I said. "How're things with Audrey?"
"She hasn't come out of her room yet," said Paul. "To be honest I think she's a little hurt, but she needed the tough love. You are coming back once you girls make up, right?"
"Of course I am," I said. "I just thought some space would benefit all of us."
"You're right," said Paul. "So we're still on to play on Saturday?"
"Yeah, we are," I said. "Everything's gonna be normal, don't worry about it."
"I hope so," said Paul. "I just wanted to check in on you Rowena; I saw your note and tried to get something out of Audrey, but she really wouldn't tell me anything. I tracked Daniel down and he told me everything, and I got very worried about you. I'm glad everything's okay."
"Thanks Paul," I said. "I'll see you later then?"
"Any time you want kid," said Paul. "Just…be careful with Jack. He's an odd guy."
I laughed. "I'll be careful," I said.
"Okay Rowena," said Paul. "I have to go now—we miss you around here."
"I miss you guys too," I said. "But I'll be back soon, I promise."
"All right," said Paul. "Goodbye Rowena, see you soon."
"Bye Paul," I said. Paul hung up the phone, and I handed it back over to Jack so he could put it back on the receiver. "He was just wondering what was going on," I said to him.
"Didn't he see the note you left him?" asked Jack.
"Yeah, he did, but he just wanted to talk to me," I said.
"Okay then," said Jack. "So…what do you wanna do today?"
"I haven't really thought about it," I said. "Anything you like doing around here?" "I mean…" started Jack. "I really don't do much…well, there's always that café again, if you're interested. We can grad breakfast if you want."
"Yeah, why not, let's go," I said. Jack and I showered (separately; I made it so—no more sex!) and dressed before we left. After we were all ready, the two of us headed down the old, rickety staircase again and walked down to the café that Jack and I had gone to the other day. It would be nice to finally have a day of peace and quiet the whole day through. But it just seemed so impossible…there was something in the air.
We got to the café and took our seats. "Here we go," said Jack. "Cozy?"
I laughed, trying to shake my bad feeling. "Yeah, it's nice," I said.
"What can I get you kids?" asked the middle-aged waitress who approached out table.
"I'll just have a coffee," I said. The waitress turned to Jack.
"Same here, coffee," said Jack.
"Cream or sugar?" asked the waitress, scribbling on her pad.
"I'll have both," I said.
"And you sir?" asked the waitress. She seemed to be chewing on a wad of gum, but when I looked out of curiosity, I couldn't see anything. I was desperate for a distraction from my negativity.
"Nah, I'll take it black," said Jack.
"I'll be right with you two," drawled the waitress, walking off.
"Rowena, are you okay?" asked Jack. "You seem a little tense. Was it Paul?"
"No, I'm fine," I said. "It's just…I dunno, I just feel weird. Must be everything that's going on."
"Okay," said Jack, shrugging. "You can tell me if something's bugging you though."
"I will if I need to," I said. Of course, it wasn't long after I said that when my worst fears were realized.
"Well, if it isn't Rowena!" came an exclamation from across the room. I painstakingly looked up to see none other than Henry strutting over to the table Jack and I were sitting at. "What are you doing here honey?"
"Trying to get a coffee," I said through gritted teeth. Why did he have to come before the coffee?
"Man that sounds good sugar," said Henry, sitting down uncomfortably close beside me. "I think I'll get one myself; care if I join you?"
"Well, you just did, so…why the hell not?" I said, really holding my temper back.
"Okay then!" said Henry brightly. He turned to look at Jack. "So, who are you? Are you Rowena's boyfriend?"
"N—no sir," said Jack, looking like he was thinking about doing damage to Henry.
"Ah, I see," said Henry. "Best to keep our little starlet single and available anyway!" Jack growled little, but I shot him a look. The waitress came back with Jack's and my coffee, and Henry pounced her before she could even so much as set the mugs down. "Well hey there sweetie!" he said.
"Oh boy, a charmer," drawled the waitress. "What can I get you?"
"I'll have a nice hot cup of coffee as well," said Henry, inching a little closer.
"Cream or sugar?" asked the waitress.
"Just cream," said Henry. "I'll find we have enough sugar over here already." He leered at me. Jack made a move to come over to him, but I kicked him under the table. He sat back down with his arms crossed and look of suppressed pain on his face.
"Be right with you sir," said the waitress. As she walked away, she muttered, "Damn customers always hitting on me…" Oh boy woman, little did you know.
"So Rowena, what are you doing out on this fine morning?" asked Henry.
"Just hanging out with a friend," I said after a much-needed sip of coffee.
"Oh, wait, I know you!" said Henry brightly, pointing at Jack. "You're Danny's friend, aren't you?"
"Yeah…sure, a friend," a less-than-happy Jack grunted.
"Oh, I see," said Henry. "Now son, I never saw it in Danny before, but if you're two grown men who want to be involved in a more-than-friendly way, I guess that's—"
"No," said Jack through gritted teeth. "Not. Like. That."
"Ah…" said Henry. "Right, sorry about that son. So Rowena, how's that coffee?"
"Good," I said.
"Paul told me about your little tiff with his daughter," said Henry again. "What a shame…you two were cute together." Jack banged his fist on the table. "Something the matter son?" Henry asked.
"He's fine," I said. "Jack, you shouldn't have gotten your coffee black."
"I think I'm fine Rowena," said Jack.
"Whatever you say," I said.
"So Rowena, I can't wait to see you perform again on Saturday," said Henry. "This week has been way too long!"
"Yeah, tell me about it," I said. "And yeah…yeah, it'll be nice to perform."
"And I'm sure your boyfriend will be there?" asked Henry.
"I'm not her boyfriend," said Jack.
"Oh, right, we did discuss that, didn't we?" said Henry. The waitress came back with Henry's coffee and walked away before Henry could say anything more. He took a sip and nodded. "Now that's some good coffee," he said.
"Is Daniel down at the bar?" I asked.
"Well duh, who would be if I'm not?" Henry asked, laughing. "Come on Rowena, just cause you're pretty doesn't mean you're dumb!" He patted my knee and I tried to scoot away, but I was already up against the wall.
"Rowena, lemme give you some cash so you can go up and pay, I want to get some fresh air," said Jack, holding out a few bucks still looking like he'd go up and pop Henry one any second. I wasn't sure if leaving him alone with Henry was the best thing in the world, but it was better than me being alone with him so I took the cash and headed to the front counter.
"Who in the hell is that creepy old guy over there?" asked the waitress as I handed her the money. "I think he was hitting on me."
"He's your worst nightmare," I said. I didn't even bother telling her that it was me he was hitting on; it didn't seem to matter here. "Sorry you had to deal with him, I didn't know he was gonna be here."
"Not a problem," said the waitress. "It seems like you have to deal with him more."
"Yeah, tell me about it," I said. I dug in my pocket and pulled out a couple of singles. "Here, for your troubles."
"Thanks," said the waitress. "I'd hurry up and get back to the table if I were you; your friend looks about ready to beat the creep up."
"Shit," I hissed and turned around. Sure enough, Jack was on the edge of his seat while Henry was sitting, talking about something. "Yeah, thanks ma'am." I rushed right over to the table and put a hand on Jack's shoulder. He jumped, and then looked up at me.
"Ready to go Jack?" I asked.
"Yeah, let's get outta here," said Jack. "Don't wait up Henry."
"It was nice seeing you kids," said Henry, seemingly oblivious to Jack's anger. "Oh, and Rowena? Don't you be drinking too much coffee now; it'll ruin your figure."
"Thank you Henry, I'll be sure to remember that," I said, shoving Jack out of his seat and out the door before he could clobber Henry. "Jack and I have to be going now, we have things to do."
"I'm sure you do sugar," said Henry. "Have a nice day now, can't wait to see you perform on Saturday!"
"Right," I said, ushering a flaming mad Jack out the door, or at least trying to. "See you!" Jack and I were finally outside, away from Henry. "I'm surprised he didn't follow us outside," I said as Jack and I walked down the road.
"He's lucky he didn't," said Jack. "And he's also lucky you kept me away from him too, I would have beat him limb from limb."
"Jack, I thank you for your loyalty, but you need to keep your temper around him," I said. "He's a little scary when he's angry."
"Has he been angry around you?" asked Jack, cutting in front of me and bracing his hands on my shoulders. He looked truly concerned.
"Yeah, I sang something he didn't want me to sing," I said. "But don't worry, it was only one time and it wasn't for very long…just words. I just want to make sure he doesn't lose it at you; he may let loose a little more."
"I wouldn't feel any shame," said Jack, walking beside me again. "What a sleaze…and he and Daniel are related?"
"Yeah," I said. I stopped and smiled. "But I thought you didn't like Daniel?"
"I—I don't," said Jack. "But…they're different. Daniel's just an ass, but Henry's a sleaze. I can't see Daniel being that creepy to anyone, least of all you."
"You're right," I said. "Man, I hope he doesn't follow us to that café again…"
"Me either," said Jack. "Come on Rowena, let's bop around town a bit, I need to blow off some steam."
"Come on grumpy, let's walk," I said. Jack rolled his eyes and walked with me. I could tell he still was a little on the pissed-off side, but it was okay. He'd calm down soon enough.
Daniel's P.O.V.
I was scrubbing the bar down when Henry walked into the place in a bit of a huff. Oh boy, I thought. What the hell could this be? "Hey there Henry, something wrong?" I asked, tossing the rag back into the bucket of water.
"I'll tell you what kid, that Rowena chick," said Henry. "Is a living, breathing, pain in the ass."
"Oh?" I said. "Do tell." What could she have possibly done now?
"Well, it's not that it's her exactly," said Henry, sitting at the bar. "Its her stupid new friend she's hanging around."
"Ah, Jack?" I asked. I could only imagine how Jack would react if Henry was being fresh to Rowena around him. "Well, what about him?"
"Being a prick, I dunno," sneered Henry. "And what have you been doing all this time Danny, huh? Lazing around?"
"Uh…no sir," I said, frowning. "I've been working." Seriously, what was this dude's problem? I always found it hard to believe we were related to each other.
"Well, good," said Henry. "You're a good kid, Danny."
"I'd like to think so, sir," I said, serving Henry up a mug of beer. The only thing that could possibly shut him up.
"Sure can't wait for Saturday though," said Henry, sipping the beer. "I'll tell ya kid, that Rowena…wow! What a fox!"
"Hey man, don't talk about her like that!" I snapped. Henry's burning look at me shut me up, but I stared him down all the same. I wasn't gonna just sit quietly while Henry was being a sleaze.
"Daniel, listen to me, and listen to me good," said Henry, an inch assay from my face. "This is something your dear father never taught you before he died—women are nothing. Rowena doesn't deserve my or anyone's respect; all she does is sing a pretty little tune, shake her ass, and I get money out of it. She's a chick, and that's all she will ever be. If you get your hands on a chick, do her good for a couple nights, and then scram outta there. And, whatever you do, do not give her a minute for her to think you like, or dare I say, respect her. Got me?"
"Henry, you're a nut," I said. "Hey man, take over, I gotta do something." I threw him the towel I was cleaning the bar with and walked out into the dining room.
"Where you going kid?" asked Henry.
"None of your business Henry," I said. I was pretty angry that my own uncle would have the nerve to say that crap to me, but what could I do…it was Henry. I knew I needed to find Rowena and convince her to get out of doing her gigs at the bar though. I knew that since Henry had her there, she had an unofficial contract with that dirty old joint, and as long as she was here, she would not be able to go anywhere else to sing. She was Henry's girl, whether she was ready to admit it or not. I figured if no one else was gonna knock some sense into her, why not me? I walked out of the bar, leaving Henry looking slightly pissed off holding the rag I had thrown at him. As I stepped outside, I took in the fresh air and trucked on. First order of business—find Rowena.