It was well past ten in the morning when Tommy finally awoke. He blinked a couple times to clear away the drowsiness, and then blinked a few more to make sure that the whole previous day and night hadn't been some kind of crazy dream.
But it hadn't...and when he rolled over Arlene was still there...she was awake and beside him in all of her amazing beauty. "Hi...," he smiled, leaning on his elbow to gaze at her. The room was lit up brightly by the morning sun and it shone off her porcelain skin in a way he'd never seen before with a woman. He was still grasping onto the idea of what had just happened.
The sex had been great, really nice...Arlene was amazingly good in bed...not that he really cared that much about those kinds of things. But, more than that...he just couldn't believe he'd met somebody like her...she seemed perfect in every way.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek sweetly. "Wow...did all of that happen?" He laughed good naturedly.
Beatrix joined in with a slightly girlish giggle. "Yeah, I think it did," she replied in an equally awe-effected tone of voice. She was up five minutes before Tommy and in those five minutes she was able to completely switch. She had her little cry and moment of self pity, and now she could focus on the more important things. Like the fact she was lying next to a handsome and nice young man.
She rolled onto her side to face him with a smile on her face and blue eyes beaming through that groggy exterior. "How are you feeling?" She asked casually, hands shifting to fold under her cheek.
Tommy beamed back, bright eyes ablaze with life and newfound affection for the woman next to him. "I feel great...really great," he replied in a completely genuine and almost naïve tone of voice, "That was...so nice..." He shifted one of his muscular arms to better support himself, but continued to gaze at her with awe. "You're so beautiful Arlene..." he whispered, "...so amazing...I know I haven't known you that long...but...I feel like I have." He leaned forward, kissing her sweetly but passionately. After a moment, he pulled away, a little reluctantly.
He obviously was still was a little dazed about this whole thing. It wasn't so much that they had slept together after having known each other only a few hours...it was just who she was as a person that really blew him away. Tommy was the kind of guy who was usually a friend with a girl for quite awhile before they dated...and in most of those cases, they never even dated. He was just friends with the girl. Again, that 'too much of a nice guy' thing had been his biggest shortcoming in dating.
But, there was none of that with Arlene. The fact that he was such a nice guy seemed to be a major turn on for her. And sure, they weren't exactly...dating...at least they hadn't made it official yet, but he had a feeling they would. He had been worried for a little bit there that Arlene was just looking to get laid, and then that would be it. But that concern had quickly been dispelled.
Tommy smiled again, his nose touching hers cutely.
Beatrix smiled from ear to ear and affectionately poked her nose back against his. She had never received an 'Eskimo' kiss, as it was a very non-Beatrix type thing to do but, hell; now that she had it was oddly cute and enduring. "The feelings mutual," she commented in regards to knowing one another for longer than they had. She shifted her position to gain further comfort. She felt content enough, and that feeling was leading into a state of tranquility.
"My apartment has hardly enough food to feed a mouse…So," her lips pursed. "I can't offer to make you breakfast." Not that she was a good cook to begin with, but anyone could put toast in the toaster and whip up some eggs….unfortunately she didn't have those cooking items. The next idea came to mind. "If I can manage to force myself out of bed would you like to go out for breakfast?" A brow raised a fraction in characteristic question.
Tommy glanced at the small digital clock on the rather empty nightstand behind Arlene's shoulder, "That sounds great...," he thought for a moment, "...how about we pick up something to go. I usually like to have the store open by 11. We could take it there and eat there...I do it all the time." He smiled, as he had a tendency to do very often, "...I know this great breakfast place...it's not far from the store. They have the best omelets in El Paso." He sat up, "Wait...you don't have a job or anything yet? I'm not keeping you away from doing something?" He inquired, obviously concerned about this.
Beatrix laughed lightly and she shook her pretty blonde head that was matted from sleeping. "No, you aren't keeping me from anything," she assured after the laughter died down. "I'm unemployed." That said, a spark of remorse went off in those bright blue eyes, but it would be hard to catch as she turned to gather up her clothes from the floor. The spark died out and she peered over her shoulder to Tommy with a thin smile. "And that leaves me with nothing but time to spend eating breakfast on the go with you."
She slipped out of bed, clothes in hand, and went to the dresser to exchange her dirty attire for something suitable for the day.
Elle was angry.
She was angry for a number of reasons, and one of them was certainly not the likely fact that Beatrix Kiddo was dead. Elle was ecstatic about that. But, her anger was overriding that happiness for the moment. She was angry that Bill had turned into such a goddamn pussy over a bitch like Beatrix. She was angry that there wasn't much anybody could do...Bill was a stubborn jack ass and he was going to make a complete wreck of himself no matter what any of them said or did. She was angry at the now dead Beatrix for causing this to happen to Bill, because Elle did care for him...quite a bit. But most of all...Elle was angry because she was painfully aware that if she were the one who had ended up dead and not Beatrix, Bill would never have reacted like he was now; he would probably hardly have noticed with that blonde bitch fucking him. Yes, Elle was upset because she would never have received this sort of reaction from Bill...in other words; she knew that Bill had loved Beatrix the way that Elle had always wanted him to love her.
So...as it turns out, like Bill, despite being a cold hearted killer, Elle was all too human as well.
Elle was now sitting on the back patio, a burning cigarette propped between two of her bony fingers. Budd was there, shithead. He was standing behind her smoking as well. Bill was sitting a few chairs away...smoking as well, although he was not smoking a cigarette. He seemed to be favoring this one patio chair the last few days, as told by the rumpled Mexican woven blanket he'd draped over it, the littered rolling papers, a few empty drinking glasses, his propped open forgotten cell phone, and Elle had to admit, one wicked looking wooden dragon pipe, At the moment, he had his laptop cradled into his lap, pecking slowly at the keys, the other clutching his joint lovingly. He looked highly irritated…...on top of looking like complete and utter shit that is.
"I hate this fucking computer," he growled.
Elle pursed her red lips, "Bill...why don't you ditch the joint...it's only making you more irritable..." She was trying to help.
"No," he replied stubbornly, taking one long drag while looking directly at her, as if to rub it in.
Elle scowled, slumping back into her chair. She glanced at Budd, who exchanged a look with her. Normally Elle didn't like exchanging looks with Budd, but right now was an exception.
She turned back to the disheveled man…..she'd thought she'd known as Bill, "Just skip the laptop thing and fill us in on the assignment." He had called both of them over here for a reason, and she didn't like sitting here watching him destroy himself all that much.
Bill's brow was furrowed into a permanent V, "I want to call up this particular spreadsheet…...that would really help with the assignment…...but…...I can't get this goddamn piece of shit to do what the fuck I want it to do…...keeps giving me this damn error...," he trailed off grumbling to himself.
Elle nearly rolled her eye, "Forget it Bill...we don't need it...let's just move onto the paperwork and s-.."
"You fucking need it!" Bill snarled viciously, brutally cutting her off, his scratchy voice rising to a dangerous level, "Now shut your fucking big mouth Elle and let me figure this out! If you don't, I will shut it for you!"
Elle stared at him, "Jesus Christ..." she mumbled under her breath, sinking back into her chair. She crossed her arms. Fuck him...she wasn't going to say another word.
Budd never felt bad for Elle, but at this moment he felt a tinge of sympathy for anyone that came within a five mile radius of Bill. Not only was it unsettling but it was goddamn depressing to see Bill in such a state of self demise. None of the DiVA's could do a damn thing to make it better or talk some sense into Bill. If they even attempted a word of condolence there was a likely good chance they'd loose a body part, or at least be verbally abused.
Budd took a long drag on his cigarette and exhaled a puff before stubbing it out in the nearby ashtray. His somewhat glazed over brown eyes wandered back over to Bill. He puckered up his lips debating whether to speak or not. Bill was still fiddling with that goddamn laptop and by his disgruntled noises he wasn't having any more success than five minutes ago.
The waiting finally became too much and Budd exclaimed, "Fucking shit! I'm not standing here all day waitin' for that piece of shit to function. Either you tell us the assignment without that spread…whatever the fuck it is…or we're," a motion to the tall willowy blonde in front of him. ". . . walking." Of course by 'walking' Budd meant they were leaving the premises and most likely would come back at a later time.
"Like fucking hell you're walking," Bill growled, still glaring death at the laptop.
Elle glanced at Budd a little nervously, her eye twitching from one brother to the other. Of course, she knew Budd had meant walking in that very temporary sense, but she was more than a little paranoid of Bill at the moment...which...seemed to be general feeling amongst everybody. After just being brutally shut down, she wasn't about to say anything either way.
After a moment longer, Bill finally snatched up the laptop and slammed it shut with just a little too much force. "Fine, fuck it...," he dropped it roughly onto the small table next to his chair. He stood up, a little slowly, tossed aside his joint, and trudged into the house. "Let me find the goddamn paperwork."
Elle stared agape at him as he trudged inside. Bill, never...ever...lost track of his paperwork, nor did he come unprepared to talk about an assignment. She looked at Budd, "This is so fucking stupid," she hissed quietly so Bill couldn't hear her, "...Budd, do something for Christ's sake!"
Budd threw his hands up. "Goddamnit, don't you think I have!" His voice was hushed but Bill was far enough inside the house he most likely couldn't hear them anyways; not that he'd even care to listen. Budd was just as or even more concerned by his brother's lack of paperwork. As Elle said someone had to do something. Budd hated to be the one….so he roughly said, turning on the one-eyed-Viking-bitch, "You're talking to him with me." With this he grabbed her hand and more or less dragged her inside. Usually Budd never behaved like this with Elle, but they had mutual feelings on the subject, so this time they'd make an exception.
Bill was in the living room area shuffling through stacks of paper on one of the oak desks. It looked as though a hurricane had blown through. Budd narrowed his eyes and he licked his lips nervously. "Bill…listen…you can't go on like this…if you really looked at yourself you'd be disgusted. We all are….and hell…I think Bea would be pretty pissed off if she knew you were actin' like this too…" Budd certainly was no religious man but he kept to his fundamentals, and even a moron had his moments of being practical. He nudged Elle with his shoulder for back up. He sure as all hell wasn't going down alone.
Elle was still recovering from Budd suddenly, and very uncharacteristically, grabbing her and dragging her to face the Devil Incarnate. She felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, being dragged down that path to face the Wizard...no...wait that was the Cowardly Lion being dragged…..well...whatever, that's how she fucking felt. Bill was highly unpredictable right now, and...as much as she did care about him, she really didn't want to be near him at all at the moment.
She shot Budd a glare, but knowing that he was right, she turned back to Bill, pursing her lips in hesitation, "Budd's right...," she had to choose her words, very...very carefully,"...Bea wouldn't have wanted this. I don't think she liked you all that much when you were fucked up...so...do it for her." Elle didn't give a shit about Bea, but obviously Bill did, so maybe that was the best angle since nothing else seemed to be working. "And your being a serious asshole Bill," she added after a moment, forgetting about that choosing your words wisely thing.
Bill had watched both of them with a frigid, edgy and all out gloomy glare. He'd stopped shuffling through the mess of paperwork, freezing at their words. His fingers curled around the edge of the desk he was leaning on, knuckles white, "News flash..." he hissed, "Bea's dead...so it doesn't mean a motherfucking thing how I treat myself now does it?" He straightened up, a flash of that haughty self assured bastard showing in him as he took a few threatening steps towards them, "I really wish all of you would shut the fuck up and do your goddamn jobs...which," he grew a little too close for Elle's comfort, and she took a reflexive step backwards, "...doesn't include giving a damn about my state of being."
Elle glared at him. That was such a ridiculous statement. Why was Bea the only one who deserved such a dramatic devotion from Bill? What about the rest of them? What about her? "Fuck you Bill," she spat, before she really had time to think about it.
"Oh?" Bill turned on her, head tilted to the side in a sarcastic and threatening gesture. He stared her down for a few long seconds with a completely wasted and irate look. He then leaned into her face, "Get out Elle...get the fuck away from me."
Elle's eye narrowed as she took a step away from him, her mouth turned into an angry line of disgust. "Gladly..." she managed after a moment. With a glance at Budd, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the house.
Bill glared needles into her back as she left. His glazed over look shifted to his brother, "You're welcome to follow her out."
Budd shifted uneasily, but he made no motion to follow Elle. His hands slipped to his pockets and he pursed his lips. "Ya know Bill…I'm not an honorable or deep kinda guy but I know a thing or two 'bout giving a damn. And I give a damn about you whether ya want me too are not because…shit…we got the same whore for a mother," he let out a chuckle that died as quick as it came. "You gotta come to terms Bill. Bea's dead and that's all there is too it. Now you can continue to be a horses' ass about it, or you can pick yourself up and get on with life. She's not coming back. Hell, like they say on all those fucked up television shows; think about all those happy times you had together and move on." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and took a reflexive step back. "I'm gonna head out…and when ya feel like being the Bill we all hate and love, call me." The cowboy did a quick turn and headed for the door. Bill could stop him if he wanted to, but Budd was pretty much set on getting out of there before he could.
Bill watched his brother turn and leave, there was a quick flash of respect in his eyes that unfortunately Budd never saw. Budd was right and Bill knew it. Yes, and he knew that Budd did give a damn about him...and, deep down, Bill did give a damn about Budd. Just like Budd had said, they'd both had the same whore for a mother. And while they had never actually grown up together, they had spent much of their adult years together. They were far from alike, but they'd developed a sort of report that suited them very well. Budd possessed some qualities that Bill was completely devoid of...and visa versa.
Thus, as Budd sauntered down the hallway towards the front door, Bill called after him, "Budd..." But when his brother turned to look at him, Bill just waved a callus dismissive hand; changing his mind on whatever he was going to say and sending his younger brother on the way.
Alone, once again...by his own doings, Bill stood in the living room for awhile. He gazed blankly at he piles of paperwork without much devotion or thought. After a few minutes, he slowly meandered down the hallway to his bedroom. Budd's words...'You gotta come to terms Bill. Bea's dead and that's all there is too it,' ringing in his head. But, that was just it...he couldn't come to terms... Budd's other wise words, 'think about all a those happy times you had together and move on,' were forgotten...for the moment.
He stood at the foot of his bed for who knows how long; weed did that to you. He might have only been there for a minute or thirty...but...it didn't really matter. His hand was clutched at his chest, where it had been aching for days. If only it was a heart attack, but no…..he wasn't going to be that lucky. Hadn't Beatrix promised him she'd be there at the end? So, that didn't matter either...because she wasn't going to be there if he croaked tomorrow or twenty years from now.
He missed Beatrix more than he could even have imagined possible. If he were a woman, or a man of perhaps a frailer disposition, he probably would have broken down right then and there. But he wasn't and he didn't...that just wasn't who he was.
Feeling completely wasted, sick, old, empty, lonely, and devastated, he crawled across the top of his covers and collapsed. Even Bill couldn't hold back his own body's state of weariness for that long. And as much as he didn't want to sleep, and most likely dream...he wanted to escape reality even more.
Tommy sat with Arlene at the glass counter in his store, crate boxes serving as their chairs. He'd managed to open up just about at 11. Of course, nobody had come on in yet, which made him wish he'd not opened and taken a longer breakfast with Arlene. But, either way, he got to spend time with her and they were happily eating their omelets out of to go boxes. Tommy was obviously enjoying his omelet and he was pretty sure Arlene was as well. They chatted casually as they ate and Tommy put on some music.
"I have a few friends coming by the store today," he paused, plastic fork in hand, "I think you'll really like them...they are all really nice people. And, seeing as your new to town, it might be nice to get to know some folks." For some reason Tommy was taking it upon himself to acquaint Arlene with her new surroundings...well not….'some reason', the reason was he really, really liked her.
Beatrix swallowed the portion of food in her mouth. She had ordered a Western style omelet which consisted of peppers, onions, cheese, and salsa. This may not have been the smartest choice for a woman who was prone to fits of morning sickness, but hell she was hungry. Not to mention earlier the other day she stopped by the local Quick-E-Mart to skim through a "Motherhood" magazine. She recalled it mentioning during the first trimester getting bizarre food cravings. The Western Omelet wasn't bizarre but it was out of her normal food habits.
"Oh, that sounds great," she said with an added smile of warmth. Beatrix was known for being a loner, in a sense of the word, so now that she was opening herself up to meeting new people she was ecstatic. The whole experience continued to perplex her mind. She picked up the plastic fork and began to cut off another section of her half devoured omelet. "You are quite popular around here..." This noted on light terms. She envied that in Tommy; knowing how many good, close, and trusting friends that he had. "Or at least very friendly."
Tommy beamed, chuckling a little, "What can I say?" He shrugged, somewhat humbly, "People like me...and I like people. I've always been that way I guess," he drawled, taking the last bite of his omelet, "El Paso's great for meeting people, and having lived here for awhile, I've met some great people...as well as people I've met from other places." He fixed Arlene with a happy look, "I guess...I think it's a waste not to have as many friends as possible. We're all going though this life together, might as well make the best of it together." Tommy had his little philosophical moments now and then. He shrugged, "That's how I see it."
Tommy was just an all around pleasant guy, and while he was humble about it; people did indeed really like him.
After a few moments of finishing up Tommy cleared away their take out boxes. A few customers had come in and he helped them out. In-between helping people and doing random tasks around the store, he chatted with Arlene and before he knew it, he'd started showing her how to check in new products and categorize things. He wasn't consciously trying to put her to work, but she seemed like she wanted something to do while he wasn't able to hang out with her; and she took to the work very well.
Bea found that she enjoyed Tommy's philosophical moments. She had risked her life everyday, so the idea of sharing her life with anyone was a stupid ideal. She was a loner and by being a loner she didn't have friends. She didn't share her life with anyone. Well, she did with Bill, but that held too much weight.
But now living in El Paso she was free to gain those friends that she had brushed aside. The idea of having a friend that wouldn't stab her in the back or secretly loath her was exhilarating. Tommy was showing her the normal that she longed for.
Beatrix took to running the store as if she was born to do it. Which was a comforting feeling, since deep down she knew what she was 'really' born to do. She was enthusiastically humming along to a song on the over head stereo while stacking albums onto various shelves. Tommy was towards the front ringing up a middle aged man who bought an on sale selection of Beatles albums. That was when the front door chimed. As the tall blonde peered up from her in-depth assignment she noticed two women walk in. The woman who stepped in first looked around Beatrix's age. She was a normal type of pretty with straight auburn hair and lighter brown highlights that went down past her shoulders. It looked as though she spent a good two hours getting it that straight, she had a lean slender build, and dull gray eyes. She wore a pair of Tommy Hilfinger jeans, a baby-tee that was white with dark blue lettering reading; "Fight or Bust", and a pair of Puma sneakers.
"Tommy!" She called in a jubilant and almost peppy teenage leveled voice. "There you are! Erica and I were calling you last night to tell you about that special on VH1 but you didn't pick up," she seemed jokingly annoyed by this. "We thought you left the phone off the hook again."
Tommy looked up from the counter, where he'd been locking up the back panel, and smiled broadly at the two women who'd just walked in. "Janeen! Glad you guys came by." He addressed the woman who'd just spoke. He laughed at her comment, "Hah...no...I was just out...went out after work to that band block party thing." He wanted to say more, but...it wouldn't be proper.
"Hey Erica," he smiled at the other woman. He came around the corner and gave both of them friendly hugs.
"Hey Tommy," Erica smiled back. She was a pretty girl, slightly chubby, but with a very friendly pleasant face, brown hair and brown eyes...roughly about the same age as Beatrix. She was dressed in a pair of worn jeans, sandals, a Southwest looking print top cut in a cute fashion, and a necklace of small turquoise stones. Her brown hair was up in a French braid style.
It was obvious by Tommy's demeanor towards the two young women that they were good friends...but nothing more. Seeing as so many people seemed to like Tommy, it didn't come as too much of a surprise.
"Sooooo," Erica grinned, "Introduce us to your new help..." she gave Tommy a sly little look that friends shared oh no effectively. Neither of the women had missed the beautiful blonde working diligently behind the counter.
Smiling, Tommy led them over to Arlene. "Arlene...these are two of my friends I was telling you about, Janeen and Erica," he pivoted, gesturing to the tall blonde, "Janeen, Erica...this is Arlene. She's new to El Paso."
Erica smiled in a very friendly manner, white teeth showing, "Nice to meet you Arlene," she shook the blonde's hand. "Any friend of Tommy's is a friend of ours."
Beatrix had on a wide and not entirely fake smile as she shook both women's hands. They both held a very welcoming and warm presence that Beatrix soaked up. She had stopped her work behind the counter, although she reluctantly wanted to go back to it. In some manners of the word she could be a workaholic. "It's a pleasure to meet both of you," she replied.
Janeen was standing close to Tommy and nudged him playfully with her shoulder. "Honestly Tommy, where do you find them? Look at her; she's an adorable little angel."
The tall blonde 'angel's smile only brightened and she tilted her chin up in an almost regal stature. She could play the angel very well but she made one hell of a devil.
Erica laughed, "Yeah, seriously Tommy...she's adorable." She laughed again, giving Arlene's forearm a friendly pat, "Sorry Arlene...hah...we'll stop talking about you like you're not here," she joked. Erica seemed like a joking kind of gal.
She furrowed her brow at Tommy, "God Tommy...what's with putting the poor girl to work."
Tommy shrugged, giving Arlene a very warm look, "Hey, she wanted to...and I have to admit I need the help around here."
Of course, both Erica and Janeen were curious about the tall blonde. Tommy hadn't had a girlfriend for a few months...his last one had been a real bitch. And they had both been trying to set him up with various women lately. He was such a nice guy, it was a pity he didn't have a girl. So at the sight of Arlene, they were quite happy. She seemed just his type.
"Well Arlene," Erica turned to the tall blonde, "Whenever Tommy releases you from slave labor here...you're going to have to come out with us. Tommy likes to think he knows El Paso, but," she leaned in with a smile, playing it up, "...we know it a hell of a lot better."
Beatrix laughed but it was an uneasy laugh, though she covered it up enough with her wide smile that no one noticed. She was only uneasy in the whole situation because it was new and needless to say she was on the cautious side. She wanted to open up and become friends with the two women but she couldn't help recall all of her past friendships; if one could even call them that. But, thus the benefits of having been a trained killer she was able to switch off most of her 'paranoid' side and adapt.
"That'd be so great," Janeen piped in. "We can show you all of the local shopping centers and the best bars."
"Oh, I don't drink," Beatrix commented lightly. She used to drink but now with the baby she was staying away.
Janeen waved a dismissive hand and laughed. "Hell, we don't drink much either. We go there to check out all of the hotties." She grinned from ear to ear in that dopey but cute girlish fashion. "But," she gave the tall blonde a skeptical look. "Looks like you already got yourself a hottie." She motioned in Tommy's direction. "He's a good guy. He can be a little dense but we still love 'em."
Beatrix's blue eyes half lidded darted to Tommy, giving off that hidden dose of affection. She tilted her chin to her chest and shifted her position to lean closer to the counter. "Yeah, he's a…real…good guy."
Erica smiled, her brown eyes twinkling. Her and Janeen had suspected that the moment they came into the store, but...by Tommy and Arlene's reactions it was pretty damn obvious.
So...that's what Tommy had been doing last night. Erica hid a sly little grin. Maybe if she got to know Arlene better, she'd get the dirt on the whole thing from her. Erica had been friends with Tommy for quite a few years. When she first met him, she had to admit she had something of a crush on him, but...after a few months she realized he just wasn't really her type. He was a great friend, and she only wanted to see him end up with the right girl. She wasn't going to jump to any conclusions yet, but Arlene seemed like the best Tommy had met so far.
"Yeah," Erica laughed, "Tommy's something of the big dumb teddy bear type.."
"Hey!" Tommy interjected, only pretending to look mad. He didn't do mad all that well.
"Just joking..." Erica covered up, with a little wink to Janeen and Arlene.
"But yeah...you've gotta come hang out with us. Lotsa guys to scope out, you can just look...leave the touching to Janeen and I."
This brought around a little round of laughter from the women. Tommy, standing in the midst of this, looked a little overwhelmed. But, he still seemed amused and wrapped an arm affectionately around Arlene's shoulders.
Beatrix leaned into him. This was all too good an indicator that Tommy was feeling comfortable with her and she in turn with him.
"Aw, isn't that cute, Erica," Janeen cooed in a mockingly envious tone. Janeen had met Tommy through Erica, as she and Erica had been friends since preschool. She never had a thing for Tommy but treated him more as the big brother she never had. They were tight and she was more of the over protective type, in that friendly manner. She would be the first to always nit-pick Tommy's girl friends. "So, Arlene, where are you from?"
The tall blonde peered up, keeping a casual demeanor. "Originally Australia but I lived in Mexico for ten years."
"Australia? That's so cool! Were there kangaroos?"
Beatrix laughed well naturedly. "You could spot one or two on the outskirts if you were lucky."
"That's so cool." Janeen turned to Tommy and stuck out her lower glossy pink painted lip. "Come on Tommy, let her off the wagon. Joleen's back and we're meeting her for lunch in an hour and Arlene can come with us. We promise not to bring her back too jaded."
"Yeah, seriously Tommy...," Erica spoke up, "...she sounds far more interesting than you, and I know Joleen would love to meet her."
Tommy laughed, arm still around Arlene's shoulders, "Ok….ok...," he turned to look down at Arlene with a warm smile, "...don't let these girls corrupt you too much."
Erica rolled her eyes, "Oh please...we're as innocent as they come."
"Hah," Tommy replied, "Somehow I doubt that." But, he let go of Arlene, giving her hand a little squeeze as he did so, "Alright...well you ladies have a good time...think of my poor self here...working..." He put on a pouty face.
"Right..." Erica scoffed, knowing full well Tommy enjoyed his job more than anybody she knew. "Come on Arlene, quick...before he changes his mind." She laughed, giving Tommy a little shove, as her and Janeen whisked Arlene out of the record store and onto the sunny sidewalk.