Officer: Mr. Quincy, we have been searching on high alert for several months now…I'm not saying we're giving up…but we're dropping a few units, just so we can look after other citizens as well. I know this is hard for you Mr. Quincy, but eventually, we will have to give her up for dead.
Tommy: Dead my ass. She's alive. I'll find her.
He threw the half full whiskey bottle into the sink, ignoring the shattering glass he grabbed his jacket and stumbled out of the apartment. His car was dead. He began to walk briskly down the sidewalk. The night was clear. It was a full moon. Stars were showering over the sky, covering the world in a lit up blanket. He passed G Major…it had shut down last week. He stopped by a bakery and picked up a bagel. He continued to walk, eventually he ended up by an old alley way. He walked inside. It was dangerous in here, but some homeless men always kept him company those nights he ran out of Vodka, those nights he was missing Jude. He tossed a quarter to a guitar player and continued to walk along. He stopped by a man sitting by a cardboard box.
Tommy: Hey is Chad still around?
Homeless Man: Overdose last week.
He kept his eyes on his knitting. In, out, weave, in out weave, in out tie, in out weave.
Tommy: And Michael?
Homeless Man: Cops took him to the loony bin.
He finally looked up at Tommy.
Homeless Man: Got a light?
Tommy dropped a match and a cigarette into the homeless man's lap and lit one for himself. A girl about his height stopped by the homeless man's box. She wore a denim mini skirt and a midriff red tube top. Her black hair held up in chopsticks. Her eyes glazed over, a hint of blue showing through the heavy amounts of mascara and eyeliner dabbed onto her eyes.
Girl: Hey Manny…do you have the dough?
She exchanged glances with Tommy, but quickly looked back to Manny.
Manny: No but I'll pay you tomorrow.
The girl stroked Manny's hair and tsk tsked.
Girl: Sorry Manny, but you know he won't let me give you a free ride.
Manny stood up and cupped the girl's face in his hand. He grabbed her butt.
Manny: I bet he can make an exception.
The girl slapped him away.
Girl: Get away from me perv!
But Manny came back for more. Tommy was getting uncomfortable. Manny grabbed the small of the girl's back and pulled her closer, he tried to kiss her neck, but the girl pushed him off.
Tommy: Hey! Maybe you should leave her alone!
The girl looked over at Tommy. Their eyes connected and Tommy felt guilt from out of nowhere in the pit of his stomach. Manny came up to Tommy and pushed his chest a little, backing him off.
Manny: What are you going to do if I don't?
Tommy's jaw clenched. He punched his jaw hard. Manny fell to the floor, the cigarette flying from his hand. Tommy grabbed the girl's hand and pulled her away from the alley. They stopped under a lamppost, and the girl's face came into full view.
Tommy: Jude!
Tears had already begun to stream down her face. She finally realized that she had found Tommy and let out a startled cry.
Jude: Tommy!
She cupped his face in her hands, like she couldn't believe he was really there. Tommy touched her hands and smiled. He laughed a little and hugged her. Jude sobbed into his neck.
Tommy: Oh Jude…I thought I had lost you!
Jude began to sob harder. Tommy eventually picked her up and carried her back to his apartment. He laid her down on the couch and kissed her cheek. She fell asleep, she looked so beautiful. He gently removed the black wig to unveil her golden locks. He had her back, his Jude was back.
