Love will drive people to do silly things. Crazy, hilarious, stupid, borderline psychotic things. The reason I say this is simply because I've done ridiculous things for what I thought was "love". But nothing, nothing could be more evidence of this fact than waking up to Billy's smoky apartment.

It's been a few weeks since that night that I told him I loved him. And since then if I haven't been at his place I'm at work. He won't let me leave. Whenever I decide I should to go home he goads me into staying. It doesn't take much more than a subtle suggestion on his part that he wants me to stay. But even a subtle suggestion that he wants me to stay is adorable enough to make me do it. And so I don't go anywhere. During the days I do normal stuff, go to work, pick up Jase, and babysit him until my mother gets home. But by the evening when Billy is finished working for the day I always get that call or text that I should stay the night. At first I feared, still, that it was sex related. And while we do have a very healthy sex life more than half the time we don't even have sex. So you could imagine my surprise after waking up after a night of not having sex and bingeing on junk food in his bed and watching stupid actions movies to a smoky house with the horrid smell of something gone wrong in the kitchen. I sprint from the bedroom to the kitchen, coughing from the smoke.

When I reached the living room I could hear Billy cursing from the kitchen where the smoke came from.

"What happened?!" I exclaim fanning my hand in front of my face.

He dumps a frying pan with a big black lump of something in it, in the sink. He fans in front of his face and curses again loudly.

"Fuckin' piece a'shit!"

I turn off the burner on the stove which he had all the way up, blazing.

The moment I realized what was happening I covered my mouth, smiling beneath my hand.

"What did you do?" I ask. He walks around me to open the small window in the kitchen and the smoke starts to dissipate.

"I was…tryin' t'make ya fuckin' breakfast, burnt my fuckin' elbow…" he mumbles putting his hands on his waist, refusing to look me in the eyes as he explained himself. Biting my lip hard I whimper from the base of my throat. He glances at me to see the big smile on my face.

"Don't fuckin' look at me like that."

"I-I'm sorry, I don't know what to say."

"Don't say a word, go get dressed I'm takin' ya t'breakfast."

Smiling widely I walk closer to him and put my hands on his neck, leveraging his head closer to plant a kiss on his cheek. When I start to walk away he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me back, planting a firm kiss on my lips then nodding out of the kitchen. The moment I step out the kitchen and into the living room the front door is thrown open. I gasp and freeze where I'm standing in Billy's shirt and a pair of my underwear.

Standing there with a grim expression is a man I've never seen but heard of. It only took me a second to realize it was Billy's "boss". He, Joe and the rest of the guys rarely refer to Bones by his name, calling him names like fat fuck or fat ass. And the sloppy bulbous man before me, eyeing me like meat is the only person I could think of that would have the balls to bust in Billy's apartment like that and not be beaten to a bloody pulp on sight.

That however didn't stop Billy from sprinting from the kitchen and tossing me behind him the moment this all happened. I stand there in shock.

"Mmh I guess they weren't lyin' about ya pretty brown piece'a ass, nice tits," Bones says trying to get a look at me around Billy.

I grimace and open my mouth to ask who the fuck he thought he was talking to. Knowing what was to come, Billy reaches behind and pats my thigh firmly, telling me to keep my mouth shut at once.

"What'cha doin' here Bones?" Billy grouses stepping further away from me. I follow behind him, staying close to his back. Something told me that if Billy's being cautious around this man then there's no doubt about me doing the same.

"Ya wouldn't believe how quick shit travels in this town, Nazi."

I glare over Billy's shoulder at him.

Billy doesn't say anything, his entire body is tense and through said body language I'm not sure what the hell he's prepared to do.

"Ya got news?" Billy asks crossing his arms over his chest.

Bones walks in and all the way, throwing the door closed behind him with an over exerted show of force. As if he owned the place he struts across the room, kicking aside the small coffee table in front of the couch to make room for his large ass. He plops down on the couch and the moment he gets comfortable his eyes are on me. I look away, clutching Billy's shirt.

"She's fuckin' gorgeous boy, gotta let me get a taste…c'mere honey," he pats the spot right beside him on the couch with a creepy perverted smile on his face.

"Ignore'em," Billy grouses.

"I'll fuckin' shoot ya and ya bitch kid, don't get cute," Bones snaps suddenly, his face becoming hard and familiarly hard at that. I try to conjure up where I've seen that face mixed with pure annoyance and a quiet rage.

"Listen Reese, I need ya t'go in the bedroom I need t'talk to the Nazi." he asks although I know it's not a question.
I stare at him in silence not hiding my disgust, he kisses at me and I cringe a little, "Just call me papi one time." He nods with a stupid smile on his face.

Rolling my eyes I tug Billy's shirt.
"Ga'head." He says over his shoulder, his voice it tight with annoyance.

I walk around him and shuffle quickly to the hallway, ignoring Bone's comment about my ass. The moment I'm out of his gaze I feel better, I don't want to throw up and wrap myself in mounds of fabric.

I close the door for them to hear and quietly open it to hear what they're saying.
"A spic boy?" I hear Bones ask Billy.

I clench my fist and bite my lip hard. Billy doesn't say anything, and I know for a fact had this man been anyone else they'd be in severe pain right about now.

"What ya want Bones?" Billy asks.

"Ya know what I want, if I don't have my fuckin' money by the end of the-"

"I got another week-"

"Just a friendly reminder Nazi. I'm the only reason you an' ya half-wit fuckin' friends aint up in Walpole right now."

"This aint news t'me Bones, I'll have ya fuckin' money."

Bones chuckles, "I aint gonna lie, I heard about ya girlfriend in there…prancin' around ya apa'tment every fuckin' night."

"And?" Billy retorts.

"Welp, ya know it's polite to share, son."

Son?!

I gasp, covering my mouth immediately as the word marinated. That's his fucking father?!

"I aint never been polite, I'll send Andrea over to'ya t'night."

Bones chuckles darkly, "Is this love, Nazi?"

I hear the couch whine under his weight, assuming he's rolling from his seat. I hear Billy sniff as he does when he's severely annoyed. A few steps sound and Bones says.

"Get rid of'a."

Billy doesn't reply and I pray he isn't nodding so I can't know the answer. After another beat the heavy footsteps move in the opposite direction. The front door opens and slams shut again.

I move from the door and sit on the bed. The moment Billy gets back here he knows I've been listening. I'm nibbling on my nails watching him carefully. When our eyes meet he clenches his jaw and inhales deeply before exhaling harshly.

"Billy. Bones is your father?"

He huffs and trudges to his dresser, yanking out clothes from each drawer roughly. He gives a stiff nod, confirming what I was sure of. It explains why that look of his was so damn familiar. And I thought my father was fucked up.

"You…he sleeps with your girlfriends?"

Billy throws on jeans and retorts, not looking at me, "I don't got girlfriends."

"You know what I meant." I say fidgeting my hands in my lap.

He glances at me and sniffs, "Get dressed."

Breakfast didn't seem all that appealing to me anymore.

"I'm not hungry, talk to me."

"Yea a'right. He gets whoever the fuck he wants, now get dressed."

I furrow my brow at him and stare in utter shock.
"Does he now? So when do I get a turn."

His blazing eyes fix on me after he's thrown on a black t-shirt.

"Don't say that shit again, you heard me tell him no," He snaps.

"You're right, but…Billy are you a fucking pimp do you-"

"I already told ya not t'ask me about work. Now get dressed."

"Why so you can dump me at the diner?" I snort.

He looks at me and looks absolutely aggravated, not entirely with me but with everything this morning. First his burnt breakfast, then his twisted father hitting on me and now accusations.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that."

He nods and grabs his shoes. I stand up and get dressed as quickly as possible. As we walk out his room I remember what that disgusting man said to me. I grasp Billy's hand to get his attention as he walks ahead of me.

"Don't ask me to call you papi again," I say when he turns to face me.

His brows go up and he stares at me in silence for a long time. He then nods and clears his throat, "Yea, ok."
Tilting my chin up, he presses a few kisses to my lips. With his forehead against mine he says.

"I'm sorry," I don't need an explanation for the apology, it's for his father.

"It's not your fault." I reply petting his hollow cheek, I kiss him again and smile, trying to brighten his mood. Walking ahead of him I keep holding his hand, asking with a more cheerful disposition.

"You gon'a let me drive your car?"

He snorts, "In ya fuckin' dreams kid."

After we eat he takes me home. I ask if he wants me to come back tonight, he tells me no. He has shit to do.
And so after a quick kiss I get out of the car and go inside. Even after an easy breakfast his mood is tarnished. I made him smile and laugh a few times but it isn't enough, his father really did a number.

So I don't push.

No one is home when I get there. I'm surprised up until I realize it's 1:15 in the afternoon on a Tuesday. After sitting there all lonely and bored for a few minutes I dial Tia's number. I'm hoping she isn't with Joe, despite the fact that I'm just as greedy about my time with Billy. She answers after about the 3rd ring.

"Are ya home?" She asks.

"Yea, I was going to tell you to come over."

"Good, I'm on my way anyway, I just got off work and my feet are dying and I have to pee."

"Okay, I'll leave the door open for you."

She gets there not so much later. Once she pees, kicks off her shoes and gets some food in her we lay around the living room watching TV.

"How's work?" I ask.

"Fine, I'm so close to quitting though. Joe keeps telling me he'll take care of me."

"Don't do that, that's stupid Tia."

"Doesn't Billy say the same thing to you?" she asks.

"Yea, but I told him I'm not fucking nuts and to stop asking."

She laughs, "Oh you have balls woman, but it's so cute. Billy thinks he's all tough, but that's just until you come around."

I smile and shake my head, "Yea…but it's for a good reason…I suppose." The moment the statement is out my mouth I realize how ridiculous it was to even say. For good reason? My boyfriend who's a prominent drug dealer and possible pimp only shows a certain brand of affection toward me because he can't look too weak. Why? Because in a town like this weakness means death.

"You ever think of leaving?" I ask seriously.

Tia inhales deeply, "I used to…no way I could leave now I guess."

"Why?" I ask.

"Joe…I know how dumb it sounds, but I love him."

And a few months ago I would not be able to empathize with that. Right now I can.

"Well, don't you think he should leave to?" I ask, "I mean Billy too. What's keeping them here? We could all just leave, find like a town house far away from Boston and…" God what the fuck am I even suggesting?

"Do you hear yourself?" She asks with a laugh, "You're asking if Billy Darley would leave this place? Leave and do what exactly? There aren't many jobs on the market for someone with his set of skills.

"I know…but Tia, if we really cared for them…wouldn't we want the best? I know I do. If he stays here things only wind up two ways. For Joe too."

"I know that Reese, but this is who they are. People like them don't leave and get a happy ending. The sooner you accept that the better off you'll be."

And she's right. God dammit, she's right. I want to give them the benefit of doubt. But no matter how many times I tell him I love him, or how many times he nods back, I don't see him giving up this life for me.

"How will I be better off? I…" The realization hits me, "I'll be like my mother."

"There's only one way that won't happen and I think you know how that plays out."

The answer is grim all on its own. All I want to do it cry. Literally cry because the answer is simple. It should end.

We sit there solemnly, Tia thinking over the same thing I am. After a while she says, "Yea, this is why I stay away from deep thinking."

I wanted to be mad at Tia for saying those things. I wanted to kick her out in all seriousness just to be alone with my thoughts. But she was absolutely right.

"Only thing we can do is be smart and know when it's time to break out."

"This is so fucked," I laugh shaking my head harshly before putting my palms over my eyes.

Tia chuckles a little and shakes her head as well.

"And it's all your fault, like always," I laugh harder.

"Oh fuck off!" She laughs whacking my chest with the back of her hand.

I gasp in pain, a soreness I hadn't felt before irritating them, "Ow, fuckin' hurt." I moan, still grinning as I massage my breast.

"Serves ya right, I never forced you to poke that bouncy house that time. You did it all by yourself."

I laugh harder when I remember us at this little girl's birthday when we were like 8. Tia was convinced that I was too chicken to do it, and so I did. When the house sunk to the ground and all the kids inside screamed and cried to get out we'd never laughed so hard. Only when we got found out I got my ass kicked well for it and stopped talking to Tia for 2 hours at school following week.

Funny how some things never really change.

As far as parallels go, I've already popped the house, we're just waiting for it to sink to the ground now.