Wed night, May 15 (cont.)-

There was a pub down the street from Candy's apartment building that would cash work checks for a small fee. This is the place where Henry had found himself after he left Sandy and Deacon at Sunoco.

He was angry at himself for the way he behaved. At that moment, he wanted to think of anything other than the hurt he saw cross Sandy's face at the words he said. Guilt and jealousy were powerful emotions, emotions he wasn't used to experiencing. But damn it if that girl didn't bring out the worst in him.

The dingy, smoke filled hole in the wall was usually vacant that time of night. For some reason, this wasn't the case. The joint was packed practically shoulder to shoulder. Jazz hits from eras past floated through the old jukebox as patrons laughed and swayed to the music.

Henry signaled for a beer, placing his check on the counter. The bar keep placed his usual bottle in front of him. Henry tipped the glass back, his eyes finding a group of beautiful, brown women as they danced together on the sticky dance floor. These were the kind of women he should be thinking of- Natural, alluring African American Queens. Beautiful, powerful, resilient females with skin kissed by the sun.

But wasn't Sandy beautiful? Powerful? Resilient?

As soon as the thought crept its way into his mind, Henry chased it away with a shot of whiskey. When the Shirelle's 'He's so fine' came through the speaker, the girls around him began to sing along. The memory of her voice humming along beside him buzzed in his ears, making him damn near insane. So, he ordered another.

Every time something reminded Henry of the girl he wanted to forget, he indulged in another drink. Then, after a very active hour, the stool beside him was filled with a young woman who turned his way and met his eyes.

"You ain't moved from this spot," she said. "Either your ass is glued to the seat or you're having a rough night and tryin' to drown it all out with cheap booze."

"This booze is not cheap," he smiled, holding up his glass. "You looked like you were havin' fun out there. I saw you dancin'."

"You was watchin' me?" she smiled. "I didn't know I had an audience."

Henry laughed and signaled the bartender over. He ordered a round for himself and his new companion.

"Like hell you didn't. An' you liked it."

The girl took the drink from the bartender and smiled.

"Maybe I did."

"Why don't you go ahead and finish up that drink. Then, I'll buy you another and I can watch some more."

---

The sun would be up soon. Sandy walked sluggishly toward the apartment building. She was tired, mentally and physically, and looking forward to crawling in bed and forgetting the night ever happened.

After Henry left, Sandy choked back the bitterness and turned to Deacon with a shrug and a smile. He didn't mention the heated encounter between Sandy and Henry. For that, she was grateful. Instead, he purchased his items, flirted lightly and told Sandy to have a good night.

Just as she neared the door to the apartment, she saw Henry's wobbling form turn down the street. She stopped, waiting for him against her better judgement. Then, she saw him reach back- And a woman took his hand to join him.

Sandy ground her fists to her sides, biting the inside of her cheek as she watched them sloppily walk closer to her.

"Henry, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Sandy questioned as she crossed her arms over her chest. "This woman can not come upstairs."

"You don't make all the rules, Sandy," Henry slurred as he continued to lead the girl toward the front door.

"Henry? Who's your little friend?" the girl questioned as she looked back at Sandy.

"It doesn't matter who I am," Sandy declared as she ran around them and blocked the door. "You need to go."

The girl swayed, her words slurred and messy. "I was invited, sweetie." She turned herself into Henry's side, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Maybe you should be the one to go."

Henry looked down at his impromptu date and smiled. The girl reached up, grabbed Henry's face in her hands and kissed him, tongue and all.

Sandy reached out and grabbed the girls arm, pulling her out of Henry's grasp. Sandy hadn't tugged her hard, but the girl was drunk and dramatically fell onto the ground. In the process, she spilled the contents of her oversized purse on the concrete. Henry barely spared the girl a glance. His eyes were too busy watching Sandy's every move.

Sandy reached out and pushed against Henry's chest- tears welling up in her eyes. Henry stumbled back but contained his composure, not sure what (if anything) he was supposed to say.

"Were you trying to hurt me Henry? Is this what you wanted?"

"Yes," Henry mumbled, surprising even himself with his admission of guilt.

"Ain't you gonna help me up?" the girl mumbled from the ground.

"Consider it a job well done," Sandy nodded, ignoring the girl, as did Henry. "I'm hurt. And I'm done tryin' with you."

The guilt wound its way through Henry as he watched her wipe at her tears. He reached out for her, his movements heavy and his face relaying his regret.

"Sandy, wait..." he tried, but she pulled away from him.

"You win, Henry. You've successfully pushed me away. And all I wanted to do was love you," she admitted, the tears streaming silently down her face. "Tell you what?" she sniffled. "You two have a good night. I'll go."

"Hell no," Henry argued, reaching out to stop her. "You don't go anywhere. It's late. I'll go."

Sandy pulled her arm back sharply, pointing a finger in his face. Her sadness becoming replaced by something so much more fierce- Anger.

"Don't touch me," she yelled at him, throwing her hands up in the air.

Sandy turned around and stalked away.

Henry let her go.

---

The streets were deserted. Sandy had no idea where she was heading. She just knew she couldn't go back to Candys. At least, not for the night.

She debated going over to the park to watch the sunrise. Maybe afterward, she could grab herself some breakfast and a nap at the activist center. But her eyes were burning, tired from crying and a night at work. She needed rest, and she needed it soon.

Thirty minutes after she walked away from Henry, she found herself beside a pay phone. She reached in her pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. An unfamiliar number was scrawled across the torn page. She deposited a nickel into the machine and dialed.

Deacon answered her call on the fourth ring.

---

After Sandy disappeared around the corner, Henry helped the other woman to her feet and walked her back to the pub where he'd found her- And where he left his car.

While he probably shouldn't have gotten behind the wheel, Henry couldn't stand the idea of Sandy walking around alone so late at night. So, he set off to find her- To make sure she was safe.

He parked far enough in the distance to watch her without being seen. She made a phone call and then sat on the curb. Twenty minutes passed before a car pulled up beside her. Sandy stood to her feet and climbed in the passenger side of the vehicle.

As the car headed his way, Henry hunkered down in the seat as to not be seen. But he could see them.

Deacon at the wheel. Sandy nestled beside him.

And Sandy had been right. That shit hurt.

---