Page 9 of Sugar and Skulls

Pretending to work on my drawing I watch him take off his shirt out the corner of my eye. I slide off the stool and grab a chair so I can get a closer look at Dan’s work. Really. I’m focused on the tattooing and not on the man. Honest.

“So, what’s new in the world of the Rebel Skulls?” Big Dan asks Raffe.

“Bill got paroled, should be out in a couple weeks.”

“Cool, cool, bet my cousin is happy.”

“Yeah, we all are. Dirk’s been busting his ass keeping everything together for the last fourteen years. We’re having a big bash. You should come.”

“Shoot me the date and time and I’ll be there.” Big Dan snaps his gloves on and gets to work. I watch as he glides over Raffe’s back leaving a trail of ink as he goes. It’s fascinating to watch.

“Only took me fucking two female board members and one dude to get it done.”

Big Dan looks up at me, meeting my eyes. “Mouth, Raffe.”

“Oh, shit yeah. I forgot the kid was here. Sorry.” He turns and flashes me a brilliant smile.

“I know what fucking is. I’m not a flower. I won’t wilt at the sound of a few curse words, Dan.” I tell him, scowling. He tips his head back and laughs.

He goes back to work and Raffe continues running his mouth. “Hey, Dirk asked me to see if you’ve heard anything about Jimmy shacking up here in Trap. Guess he’s selling some bad shit. We can’t have that.”

My ears prick up. Jimmy? Like Renee’s Jimmy? Asshole Jimmy who thinks he’s my new daddy and tells me when to go to bed Jimmy? I want to ask, but I keep my mouth shut. I’ve learned to be a listener, an observer.

“Haven’t heard,” Big Dan says as he pauses to wipe the excess ink off Raffe’s back.

“Keep your ears open, yeah?”

“Sure thing, man.”

I sit chewing on my nail as I ponder over what Raffe said about Jimmy selling shit. What kind of shit is he selling? When he moved in all he had was his clothes, a guitar, and a box of who knows what.

When Dan is finished with Raffe I tell Dan I’ll see him the next day and follow Raffe outside. He throws his leg over his bike and then notices I’m hovering nearby. “What’s up kid?”

“I know a Jimmy. Maybe it’s the same one you were talking to Big Dan about,” I tell him shyly.

“You do? Does he wear a Desert Devils jacket?” he asks.

I shake my head yes. He narrows his eyes at me as he lights up a cigarette.

“Well, Jess, my advice is to stay away from him. Okay?” He blows smoke out of his mouth and points a finger at me.

“Um, he lives with me so yeah, that will be hard to do.”

His eyebrows shoot up and I see a look of concern flash over his face. “Really?” He tilts his head and studies me a little closer.

“Yeah, my aunt fucks him,” I say, trying to sound as bad ass as he looks sitting on his bike.

He laughs and all his dazzling teeth sparkle white in the bright desert sun.

“Is there something you want to know about him? I mean I could maybe find out what you’re wanting to know.”

“Naw, honey. You just try to stay clear of him. He’s a bad dude.” He starts his bike, the rumble waking up every happy cell in my body.

I watch as he heads down the road then I turn and slowly walk towards William’s house. I know Jimmy is a bad dude. I’ve known he was a bad egg since seeing him on Renee’s porch a few weeks ago. When I get to William’s he is in the garage tinkering with Sylvia.

He looks up and smiles at me. “She’s going to be ready for the first day of school,” he says, tapping a wrench on his chin, leaving a streak of grease behind. I laugh and walk over, running my thumb over his chin to wipe it away. He stares down at me.

“Good, I can’t wait to get back to school.”

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