Chapter 5
'The Aftershock'
"Okay well, I'll call ya tomorrow. I gotta git ready fer work." Lebonnie said as she hung up the phone with Helen.
She changed into her black tank top that had, 'After Shock' written across it in bold red letters. She pulled on her cut-off jeans and the black spiked heels she was required to wear. She put on some dark eye makeup and deep red lipstick and her hair hung in long, curly strands down her back.
'This is gittin' really old.' She thought. She did this from eight to midnight, Monday through Thursday.
She turned off the bathroom light and walked to the living room. "Dixie, time to go." She said grabbing her purse off the couch. Dixie was no longer upset with her Mother about the Barbie doll she couldn't buy at Wal-mart earlier that day.
"Okay. Can I take Pookie?" Dixie asked holding her stuffed Unicorn.
"Sure honey. Grab yer sweater."
Lebonnie brought Dixie to work with her almost every night since she turned three. Even though the 'Aftershock Bar' was certainly not the best place for a little girl, there was no other alternative. Some of the other waitress' brought their kids when they had to as well. The children hung out in the back with the Boss' wife 'Faye.'
The 'Aftershock' was the most loudest, most rowdy bar in town. It was jam-packed even on weekdays. Lebonnie began working there when she was only eighteen.
"Yer late." Herman Shaw, the boss said as Lebonnie walked in the backdoor.
"Sorry." She said. Dixie walked in behind her muttering to her Pookie.
"I told you to be on time! Do you want yer check this weekend?"
"Yes sir." She replied.
"Then git yer tardy ass out there and make me some Goddamn money!" Herman hollered as he turned on his heel and walked back out to the bar.
Lebonnie rolled her eyes and picked Dixie up. 'Asshole. How can Faye stand him?'
A young waitress came through the door carrying a handful of empty beer bottles. "Hey Bunny! We got quite the crowd tonight. Hell I thought it was a Saturday from the number of 'em."
"Hey Chelsea." Lebonnie replied. "Why so many?"
"Boss says they all came in from the Basin Rodeo today."
"Oh yeah. That was today. I think my little sister rode in that."Lebonnie said as she fastened her nametag on her tank top.
"How is Jorjanna? I haven't seen her in such a long time!" Chelsea asked grabbing some fresh beer bottles from the freezer.
"Dunno. I feel sorta bad fer not stoppin' by to see her or Hunter but haven't had time."
Dixie tapped her Mothers arm impatiently. "What?"
"Can I go find Miss. Faye?"
"Yeah honey." She said taking her hand. "I'll be out in a second Chelsea."
"What'll it be?" Lebonnie asked a group of drunken cowboys sitting at a round table.
The toothless one spoke first. "Jack Daniels o'course! Whole 'round of 'em!"
"All right. Comin' right up." Lebonnie said in a bored voice. As she turned to walk off, he slapped her in the butt...hard.
This was a nightly occurrence. She learned to ignore it. But if Chase saw that toothless, sweaty, drunken cowboy slap her in the behind, he would have knocked him out cold. Chase didn't like Lebonnie working at the 'Aftershock.' She use to work weekends until some man forced her into the restroom and ripped her clothes off. Luckily enough his buddy followed him in there and pulled him off her before anything happened. After that, Chase banned her from working on Fridays and Saturdays.
"Four Jacks!" Lebonnie hollered as she proceeded to the next table.
"How 'bout it?" She asked.
"Couple o' beers do us just fine pretty lady."
"No problem. Three beers!"
Lebonnie pulled into her driveway about twelve-thirty. Boss made her stay longer since she showed up two minutes late.
She opened the door carrying Dixie who was fast asleep over her shoulder. Chase was asleep on the couch.
She shut the door quietly and carried Dixie to her room. Faye already changed Dixie into her flannel pajamas and combed her hair out. Faye loved watching the waitress' kids. Her only son was drafted into the army a few years back so she felt a little lonely.
Lebonnie layed her down and turned off the light. She kicked off her heels and sleepily changed into her own pajamas. Then she grabbed two beers and cuddled up next to Chase. He woke up and sighed.
"Why are you still up baby?" She asked.
"I was waitin' on you." He said accepting the beer and putting his sun-tanned arm around her.
"Sorry I was cranky today."
"It's all right. How was work?"
"Spectacular." She replied sarcastically.
He grinned and kissed her head.
"How'd yer job go?" She asked taking a sip of her Budweiser.
"Just like any other day."
She closed her eyes and layed her head on his chest. Her name was tattooed on his right arm, which was holding her close to him. He told her about his plans for his truck, work, and a new trailer. She smiled and kissed his cheek. 'I wonder if my buddies at work have husbands like mine they can come home and cuddle up to?' She thought. But she knew most of them were on their own. Barely making it. Times like these made her realize how good she really had it.
