It was after one-fifteen when Bill and Marie left the kitchen to go downstairs to change. The first thing Bill did was go into the meat room for a drink of bourbon. Marie, her kitchen dress unbuttoned, followed him. She took a long drink for herself and Bill could see she was on the way to being drunk. This was not a good thing. The last time she’d gotten drunk and he’d driven her home, she’d come in the next day wearing dark sunglasses courtesy of Mr. Marie.
There was a phone in the meat room and so after they’d had a good drink, Bill phoned home. While he was on the phone, Marie, teasing, reached up and unhooked her bra so she stood there in her open kitchen dress and panties with her tiny, almost non-existent breasts out there for Bill to see. She walked toward Bill and stopped right before him so that as the phone was ringing on the other end he could reach down and kiss one of those little things.
“No answer?” Marie asked.
“Nope. Either she’s asleep, in the shower or not home.”
“Well, let’s go into the party room. But let’s smoke a joint first.”
While they were in the deep freeze, Marie bundled really tightly in the arctic parka, Bill explained that if his fiancé wasn’t home she was sleeping at one of her friends’ houses, probably Tim, the one who was really gay and really depressed.
“And you don’t mind?”
“Makes it better for me. Look at what I’m doing.”
“Yeah, well let’s get to what you’re doing.”
They were both messed up. Marie was pretty gone, so much so that she did not even cover herself as they went from the meat room into the party room. Bill was just plain tired but that did not stop him from wanting to get some. He locked the door they came in from and went immediately to the front door to lock it. By the time he returned to Marie, she’d taken off her panties. She tossed them to him playfully.
“See. I was sweating. I’m surprised they didn’t turn to ice in the deep freeze.”
“Me too. Then I’d have to defrost you.”
“You sure Tommy won’t come down?”
“Nope. But it’s a good bet he’s plenty busy upstairs.
“You going home tonight?”
“Right after I drop you off.”
“Oh no. You can follow me to make sure I get there. But I ain’t getting hit again.”
“He still gonna be up?”
“You kidding? With me this late? But it’s not cause he cares. It’s cause he’s checking up on me.”
“I feel for you.”
“Do you?”
“Course I do.”
“Good. Now feel on me too.”
“How you want it?” Bill asked.
“Surprise me, white boy,” said Marie.
Tommy looked at them a little suspiciously when they came upstairs and went out into the dining room to say good night and head out the front door. Four tables were still occupied and Bebe had customers at the bar.
“You okay?” Bill asked Tommy.
“Yeah. We’re gonna be here awhile, but we’re okay. You better get some sleep. Tomorrow’s gonna be even busier and I’ll bet Saturday is a record, other than Mother’s days.”
“I need another raise,” Bill said.
“You just got one.”
“So? Me and Jimmy are busting our butts and you’re being cheap on the labor.”
Tommy smiled at Bill but didn’t say anything. Then, seeing Marie wobble, he asked Bill if she was okay to drive home.
“I’m gonna follow her and make sure she gets there,” said Bill.
“Then straight home for you?”
“Straight home,” said Bill.
