And again...
Kira was shocked when Marissa told her she would be staying at the house. “So, you’ve got the room next to the bathroom menace huh? Be sure to lock the door from now on.” Marissa playfully hit her with a dish towel. “Youan me are gonna have some bab time soon. I want the whole thing. I’ve heard many stories from me nanna ‘bout dem.”
“Your ‘Norlins stock comes out when you start talking about home.”
“No worse than you when you get mad. That day when Tammy closed up and didn’t do any of the cleaning, I swear on the cross I could only make out every fourth word.”
“You were just as mad,” Marissa laughed. “I got a lesson on Creol cuss words that day.”
“Wow, this place is way better than the dive that was here last time!” Marissa looked up at hearing the singsong voice of Francine.
Franny moved with her dancer’s grace up to the counter. Every male in the room looked up. I was easy to see why, with her porcelin skin, dark hair and bright blue eyes, she was a grown up version of Snow White. Only difference was, adult men didn’t watch the Disney princess the way they watched this real life beauty.
“Rissa!”
“Franny, what brings you here?” Marissa was genuinely pleased to see her. So far Franny had the ability to make anything interesting, even the slow shift at work.
“Coffee of course. I got board and made Jason bring me down.” Marissa looked past her and for the first time saw what every other woman in the shop was already looking at.
Jason stood leaning against the wall, looking as if he had stepped out of a GQ magazine. His long hair slicked back, showing off his practically inhuman perfect features.
“If that’s Jason, forget about locking the door, I’d put out a welcome sign.” Kira whistled under her breath. All Marissa could do was glare at her friend and boss.
“If coffee’s what you want, you’ve come to the best place to get it. What can I make for you?”
“How about a tall cinnamon late with soy milk, served over ice and not blended, and forget the whipped cream.”
“Coming right up.” Marissa got to work on Francine’s drink.
“I’m Kira, I own the place.” Kira reached out her hand over the counter.
Franny took it with a smile, “Francine Havenward, but most people call me Franny.”
“So, Franny, is that yummy specimen over there spoken for?”
Franny blinked, confused, “Pardon?”
“Your brother, has he got a girl?” Kira clarified.
Franny looked over her shoulder where her brother had taken a seat in an over sized black arm chare. “Oh! No, not right now, but I think you’re a little late.” She gave Kira a wink and glanced over at Marissa, arching a delicate eyebrow.
A rubber stress ball come flying from behind the espresso machine and hit Kira square in the back of the head. “Good thing those don’t hurt,” she called to Marissa.
“Everything else within reach as breakable. “I don’t trust the two of you whispering together, leave Francine alone and get back to work.”
“Hey, I’m the boss here, that’s my line.”
Two hours later Marissa hung up her apron and slipped out the back door. Typically in nice weather like this she liked to take her lunch break at tone of the outside tables, but Franny and Jason were still inside.
She felt like she was being watched even thought Francine hadn’t looked at her since the string of men started coming over to talk to her. She always would talk to them, but Marissa would have bet a month’s salary that everyone of them walked away feeling good but without a date.
Jason on the other hand kept staring at her, every time she looked up he would be watching her. Jason on the other hand kept staring at her, every time she would look up she would me watching. That in its self did not bother her, but it was the way he watched her, as if he was expecting something and not getting it. The longer he watched the more hostile he would seem.
Like his sister, he attracted attention from the opposite sex. Unlike his sister, his admirers did not leave with a smile.
Marissa took a deep breath once the door was closed, she went down an ally to avoid the front of the shop where she would easily be seen. Mardi Gras was over a month away but she could pick out the preparations. The usual tacky decorations were making their way out of storage, and new tourist junk was being put into stock. She wound her way through the maze of boxes and crates that lined the ally, just a few more yards and she would be out of the claustrophobic walkway. Just as she was nearing the welcome daylight someone stepped into the ally. Who ever it was, was big, big enough that his body blocked much of the light coming from the street.
“Ooo, looks like I’ve found me a little mouse. Wha’ch ya doin playing back here girlie? Looking for a little action?”
Great, Marissa thought to herself, just a little after noon and she already had to deal with a drunk. Definite sign that Mardi Gras was on its way.
“Not the kind you’ve got in mind. Excuse me please.” Marissa took the chance that he might be drunk enough to be unsteady on his feet and gave a little nudge trying to get past him. Me smelling sickingly of stale beer, and old sweat, this guy hadn’t just gotten drunk, he was still drunk from last night.
“Woah little mousey. Where’s the rush? I just wanna talk. Don’ cha wanna talk?” No matter how drunk he might be, this guy was as solid as a rock, there was no way Marissa could push past him.
“Let me past please.”
“Aww, and why would I wanna do that, we’re just gettin ta know one ‘nother.” He smiled and leaned down into her face as he spoke, his breath was worse than his body oder.
“If you don’t, I’ll scream and you’ll end up with a drunk and disorderly. The cops around here don’t mind the drunk part, but when you start messing with the locals, they don’t take it so kindly.” Marissa had to work hard to keep the tremor out of her voice, she’d heard from co-workers about how some of the drunks could get, but this was her first time dealing with it first hand.
“I’ze like a little screamin now and then.” The man loomed over Marissa, causing her to back up half a step. When she did, she could feel the solid brick wall press against her back, she was trapped.
“Leave her alone,” came a low growl from her left. Marissa did not dare take her eyes off the man looming over her to look at the new comer.
“This ain’t none of yer bis-u-nes buddy, scram.”
“I said leave her alone.” Each word was emphasized in such a way to indicate there would be no scraming. Marissa dared a glance at the person who seemed to be planning on going head to head with this guy, she sure hoped he was just as big, or this might be over before it even got started, then where would she be?
If she hadn’t already been completely still, she would have frozen in place by the site of Jason standing in the ally. He was half the size of this guy, but there was something about him that seemed almost ferrel.
The drunk man laughed and pushed Marissa to the side and onto the ground with a careless gesture. “We’ll continue our talk after I get rid of this pest.” He cracked his knuckles the way prize fighters always did in the movies. “Come on ya little pip-squeak. Time to teach you some manners.” He took a swing at where Jason had been, but he was no longer there and ended up hitting the wall instead. He man howled in pain, and took another swing at where Jason was standing now. Again he missed, again there was a howl of pain as his fist connected with brick. The man went to take a third swing and would have connected with Jason’s jaw, but Jason caught the man’s fist in his hand and stopped it.
Marissa could not believe her eyes, Jason was easily half this man’s size, yet he didn’t seam affected in the slightest by catching his fist. Before she knew what was happening Jason pushed back and the large drunk man went flying into the opposite wall. His head made a sickening crack as it connected with the brick. For a moment Marissa feared he was dead, but her fears were relieved when he gave a muffled groan.
Jason was kneeling next to her the following moment, a look of concern on his model like features. “Are you okay?”
“Um, yeah, I think I am,” Marissa said weakly, still dazed.
“Can you stand?” Jason extended his hand to her.
Marissa allowed herself to be pulled to her feet, marveling again at how strong Jason was. “Thanks,” was all she could manage.
Once he was sure the danger was passed, all sign of friendliness vanished from Jason’s face. “Next time, try not getting yourself cornered in an ally.” With that he was gone, not even a backward glance to make sure she really was alright.
***** Next part HERE*****