Page 71 of Some Nights

“Oh, shit.” I can’t even imagine how that went. Janet’s been by work a couple of times. She’s not the kind of woman that would take that without blowing up sky high. “Did she beat the hell out of that girl?”

Juan grunts. “I kind of wish she had. She didn’t look mad or make a stink. She introduced herself to the girl and wished us a happy life. She told me it was good she found out then and could stop wasting her time with me. Then she walked to the restaurant counter, ordered herself a salad, and waved to me on her way out.”

“That’s fucking cold.”

The smile is instant. “Yeah, that’s how I knew I loved her. She’s evil as fuck. I groveled for three months before she picked up a call from me again.”

“And now you’re happily married.”

“It took us a while to get there. Everything ain’t perfect. Some days I know she wants to take a chair to my head and I want to choke the shit out of her. But we know better. As mouthy as she is and as quick as my temper gets, we love each other. I can live without her evil ass but why would I want to? There ain’t shit out there worth a clump of her hair. My eye may wander but it never strays anymore.”

“I know how that goes.”

“Shit ain’t going to be perfect, man. You can’t worry about what others think. If her sister is offering her help, take it. You’re not a mooch, and you work hard as shit. Real women appreciate a man that hustles. The only person you have to prove yourself to, already likes you. With all due respect, fuck what her mom thinks.”

He’s right. Except, Saona probably hates me for putting her through all this shit. But if she hated me, Sierra would know. She wouldn’t offer to help me if she didn’t think I have a chance.

I want to ask Saona for another chance, but I need to have something else going on. I want to show her that I’m not just a guy planning to struggle his whole life. That I want to own something. I need to prove to her, even if she hasn’t asked, that my ambition matches hers.

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