Page 39 of Baratta's Darkness

“Awe, Party pooper.” she fake pouts. “But seriously, maybe someone should check out your head.”

“Everything else has healed up; I just can’t seem to shake this headache. I’ve had worse; I promise I’ll be fine.”

“Maybe you need something stronger than over the counter crap?” She thinks for a minute then throws open her closet door and goes digging through boxes.

“Fi what are you doing?”

“Last year I sprained my ankle, the Doc gave me some prescription strength stuff. I think I still have it in here. I hate taking pills. Eureka!”

She hands me the bottle to read while she gets me a glass of water. It’s a low dose pain killer I’ve taken before. I know it won’t do much but if it takes the edge off the headache and lets me sleep, it’s worth it.

I’m very close to sleep when I feel Fi’s lips on my forehead. “Sleep well.”

Fiona

It doesn’t feel right, leaving Baratta like this. I’m more concerned about his headache than I let on. I have to keep reminding myself, I’m only going to be downstairs.

The shop has been open for about an hour when a customer comes in with a yappy little Chihuahua. The yapping wouldn’t bother me but the little fucker keeps jumping up on the client while I’m trying to work!

“Lily! Arin!” I call out for whichever one isn’t busy at the moment.

It’s Lily that answers me first. Tossing her my keys, I ask her to go get Bleu’s crate from my apartment. “Be very quiet, please. Bar is sleeping.”

“You can’t put my little Mousie in a crate!” The customer acts like I’m threatening to choke her dog, which I might just do next.

“Either the little fucker goes in a crate or you leave here with one-third of a tattoo. AND you will pay full price for it. You’re lucky I have a dog crate or you would be outta here right now.” She gives in and Mouse is put in the crate.

I’m finished with her and waiting on my next client to arrive, when I realize Lily never gave me back my keys.

“Hey Lily” her head pops up from where she is doing some touch ups.

“Where’d you put my keys?”

“I left them on the counter; you were busy with that little bitch. I don’t mean the dog either.”

“Remind me to put her in the black book. I refuse to do any more work for her.”

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