Chapter 56
Dinner went smoothly. No one fought or argued or became snippy, which is quite a feat for a table full of gangsters. They had had plenty of drinks so they were either soon to be at each others throats, or so boozed they wouldn't remember their own names. Billie wasn't exactly sure what the men were talking about but they were extra chatty. On her side of things, she and Jane had a steady and easy conversation about trivial things- the weather had been great; they were glad John had gotten over his cold; the restaurant was wonderful; and wasn't she so thrilled about the kitten?
Jane, too, had taken a liking to the cat. Mairy thought the whole thing was barbaric and only a matter of time before the animal was back out on the street. Mairy did not voice these opinions aloud, and for what reason she wasn't sure. Billie had many distractions that night, not once thinking about the robbery that would take place while she were tending to her new pet. John made sure they had a full course meal, wanting Billie to taste the dessert even if she couldn't stomach the whole thing. When they all were finished and the bill was paid Billie was satisfied with everything, but there was one more thing in store.
"Still wanna go dancing?" John asked her with a smirk. He was becoming more affectionate as the night wore on, Billie wondering if it were due to the drinks or the fact that each minute they were closer to getting home and being alone together.
Soon the gang split up into cars heading toward their next destination. Had they been in Chicago the gang could have visited any number of clubs, but in Iowa the choices were slim. They drove a significant distance and neared something that looked more like a honky-tonk than a nightclub. It wasn't one of the better establishments any of them had gone to, and John promised to one day take Billie somewhere better. Now, the dance hall was all the town had to offer.
The boisterous sounds of music and a rowdy crowd were audible even as they left the car. The men stumbled in, Billie seeing how they could easily camouflage themselves in such a place. They all practically split up upon entering, John keeping a firm arm around Billie's waist. The problem with crummy joints was the people; here, any one them were more likely to get into a fist fight or have their women wind up missing. When Billie looked around for familiar faces she saw the men, but there was no sign of the women. Perhaps Jane and Mairy had become lost in the crowd. John urged her forward, securing a rather small table for the gang to gather.
Billie's eyes curiously peeled the crowd. There were more men than women, and the men she saw looked even more roughed up than the gang. The women weren't any better. At least, John and his friends were easily the best dressed persons in the place. John was hovering near her shoulder, saying into her ear that he would go and get drinks.
"Don't wander off."
She turned to face him fully, giving a small smile. "I'm a big girl."
He returned the look and slipped into the crowd a moment later, his hand touching her elbow until it no longer reached. John didn't want to appear as though he were controlling, but he was over-protective. It was almost an obsession, but how could he be otherwise when he was considered the most wanted man in the country? Billie was in his life now; she was all he had. If something happened to her... He couldn't help but do all he could, even to the point of encouraging her awareness in harmless situations. Billie understood this but didn't want John to go overboard. The two were very close and didn't like to stray from one another, but John couldn't be with her every second. However, he had yet to follow her into a restroom so things couldn't be all that bad.
As she waited Billie became interested in the music. There was a band which looked more like a random selection of instruments, and anyone in the crowd was welcome to pick up a piece and play. The sounds emitting through the room were recognizable, but barely; they were rough takes on popular music, more inclined to bluesy jazz. She tried to catch the song they played currently when Pete appeared, grinning.
"How about a dance with the birthday girl?"
He was already approaching, reaching for her arm. Billie only blushed and allowed him to lead her to the floor, just a little suspicious. She could smell the alcohol on his breath and a light scent of cologne. The man was extra charismatic and cheeky when drunk. Billie saw no harm in dancing, thinking Pete would only tease her if she denied him, and why should she? John wouldn't care. Or so she thought. Mairy must have surely been absent for the woman would have never stood for seeing the two of them dancing together.
Pete wasn't particularly gentle or out to seduce her. He twirled her a little too fast and hastily flowed through his moves. In fact Billie spent more time laughing at his antics than being in a formal dancing position. Pete was good-looking but compared to John, Billie saw no real competition at all. Plus, she knew how Pete treated Mairy, and that could make anyone less attractive. His cologne smelt too strong and his hands felt strange against her skin. In getting wisps of another person Billie longed to be near John again. In fact, she had thought she'd gone as far as projecting his image, his voice and his own smell, when they surrounded her suddenly. John had appeared from thin air, she and Pete almost running into him.
"I'm gone for one minute and this is what I come back to?" He was smirking, his eyes glittery, and that alone told Billie he wasn't at all bothered by the dance. However, she did fall out of stance with Pete, stepping closer toward John.
"It's 'er birthday!" Pete said over the music, gesturing to her. "She can dance with whoever she wants!"
Though this was true Billie was leaning toward John, she and Pete's dance having ceased. She parted from him kindly, Pete gallivanting off, still energetic toward whatever else could occupy him. She and John headed back toward the table but before they were even halfway there was another interruption. A young man around Billie's age approached, looking at her anxiously.
"Excuse me, miss, would you care to dance with me?"
Billie glanced to John, overwhelmed. She wasn't at all used to such attention; never had she been placed in such a situation with John present. It was new. Would he mind? Would he be jealous? His eyes hardened as they observed the boy, but he wasn't looking as threatening as she knew he could. They were all waiting on the others to make the first move. Billie wondered if she needed John's permission to do such a thing. She hadn't asked for it with Pete, but that was different. This boy was a stranger. She shouldn't need it; she wanted to think John trusted her enough to have a dance with someone and it mean nothing.
"Well, answer him, doll," John spoke. His voice was casual, she wondering for a moment if he were only pretending. Billie continued to look between the two men, thinking fast.
"Oh, um, well... I suppose one dance wouldn't hurt?"
After glancing at him one more time Billie stepped away from John, being led back to the middle of the floor by the young man. Before they got too far John lightly touched the boys arm, meeting his gaze. "I'm gonna be right over there. Watching."
Billie gave John a smirk while the boy turned a little flushed. They met hands, Billie already feeling awkward. This boy was one of her peers- someone she could relate with much easier than John; however, that was the opposite of her feelings. His hands were jittery and fumbled, she remaining calm mostly for his sake. They exchanged names. His was Glenn. He was rather lanky with dark hair, Billie watching his pale eyes. Had he recognized John? Did he have any inkling he had been speaking to the John Dillinger? She felt a bit of vain pride to know this secret and for Glenn to remain unaware. It had her smirking steadily.
Much of John and Billie's relationship was being investigated this night. John could tell that Billie was unfamiliar with this kind of attention. She was pleased and surprised by every bit of courtesy she received. He wasn't too jealous of her dancing with Pete, it was rather typical, but he hoped the man wouldn't make a habit of it. This other guy, well, he allowed it because he wasn't intimidated by a young kid. It might have been a risk because he was Billie's age, and she could see some kind of comfort in being near someone with whom she could relate. However, John's fears were immediately released when he saw the guy step on Billie's foot.
He was indeed watching, having turned a chair in the direction of the dance floor and poised himself seriously. To see his girl in the arms of another man (boy) gave him a funny sensation, and it wasn't jealousy. He knew that Billie didn't prefer that guy, that she had likely only accepted out of politeness. John also knew that when given the chance he could do any number of pleasing things with Billie in his arms that that kid couldn't. It had barely been minutes but it had been too long. He didn't want to watch anymore, and he didn't want Billie to put up with any more crushed toes.
Billie was reaching down to fix her shoe when the pace of the room changed. A new song was being played, slower, and a woman sang. She leaned back up and asked Glenn if he wished to continue.
"I dunno," he answered. "Your father looks awful upset. He's coming over here."
Billie frowned, looking up in time to see John making his way through the couples. She almost cringed. Never did she want 'John' and 'father' to be used in that way ever again. Before she could say anything else John put a hand on the boys shoulder.
"Time's up, pal."
