Page 77 of Throne of Sin

“Dante, come in. I’ll show you a few new tricks Scotia has learned while we wait.”

Demi

“Guess what?” I squeal to Oakleigh as I run out to the front yard with the phone still in my hand. “I’m starting to work with a midwife!” I finally found someone who will take me on as I did classes to get my accreditation. The pay is almost nonexistent, leaving me worse off financially than before, but like clockwork, money appears in an envelope, just like Tex said it would.

Oakleigh places the hose down where she’s standing and comes to give me a great big hug. “I knew you would do it!”

“Thank you, honey.” I pick up the hose she was using to water the half-dead flowers. “Why don’t you go play with Scotia and I’ll finish up here.”

I don’t need to say anything more and she’s running inside. I have to admit, Scotia is a great dog and I would miss not having her around now that she’s been here for a week. Each day, Dante comes and visits with Oakleigh and we’re able to talk a little bit more. Once a week, Oakleigh gets to sleep over at his house, which allows me to take any night shifts when the time comes. Until then, I’m hoping to get a job that will help pay the bills.

A door slamming has me looking behind and I see Dante’s mom coming out in her nightgown even though it’s the afternoon. I’ve seen her a few times, and each time she’s in that mumu.

“Looks like the little whore had to come back home. You’re as bad as he is!” she screams at me as she crosses the street. Her feet march onto my front yard as she storms toward me. “You poisoned his brain and made him run away from his mama, and now he’s worse than his father. Not even God himself will save my boys and you’re to blame.” She spits at my feet. I’m too shocked to say anything or move. “The best thing Dante did was leave your sorry ass behind...”

Her tirade continues as I break down on the inside. All I’ve ever wanted was to be kind and show my love. My thumb moves over the water to increase the pressure and I hold the green hose up to her, spraying her.

“Looks like you need help cooling down.”

Mrs. Mancini screams and curses at me before she runs back to her side of the street.

“Come back to bother me again and I’ll get my gun and pop your ass.”

She makes a cross symbol over her chest and I continue with my watering, even though my hands are shaking uncontrollably. She really is a mean old lady.

“Demi, I can’t take Oakleigh tonight,” Dante informs me over the phone. We already have our shoes on and are about to wait outside for his car. Oakleigh is nearing the end of her fifteen-minute goodbye skit she does every time we leave Scotia.

I step out and close the door behind me. “No. If we’re going to do this, you have to be all in. You can’t just decide minutes before that it no longer works with your schedule.”

He groans into the phone. “It’s not like that. I have business to attend to tonight. It’s important.”

“No, your daughter is important. I’ll take my car and drop her off for you.”

“I know she’s important, I never said she wasn’t!”

“You just did by choosing business over her.” I’m vibrating in place. This is unfair to Oakleigh and I was hoping to make some money tonight.

“Fuck,” he hisses between what sounds like clenched teeth. “Never mind, tonight is perfect.”

It doesn’t sound perfect and I waffle on if I should make her go, but I don’t want him to be the type of dad that’s halfway in. “Good. See you soon.”

“I’ll have my car come,” he argues.

“Too late. We’re already in the car and driving.” I hang up and get Oakleigh before Dante sends someone.

After dropping Oakleigh off with Dante, I head into Throne of Sin. “Demi!” Robin greets me immediately. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard you guys are short staffed and need some help.” By the looks of it, it’s true. I was hoping they could use help.

“Dante will have my head if you help.”

“He’s not here, is he? I’ll just work for tips and no one has to know. I can already tell you guys are slammed and can’t keep up.” On cue, some guy hollers at Robin about needing a drink.

“Fine, but I know nothing about this. I’m innocent.” Her hands come up, looking uncertain if she’s making the right call.

I give her a hug and quickly go out back to change. There’s a new bartender behind the counter that’s half the speed of Sienna and I wonder why Sienna’s not here as I grab a tray and the bartender tells me the table number for the drinks.

“Here are your drinks gentlemen,” I greet a table of men I’ve never seen around. They all have matching vests. Must be a motorcycle group passing by. I give each man a shot glass of clear liquid and a lime.

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