No More Than Ten Words.

‘Fuck!’, I threw my cards down on the table.
‘No bottle, that’s you, Sol.’
I looked at the Kid. Tonight he was wearing black. Nothing new there. I thought of a riposte but left it. Whiskey fed my anger. Kid’s big grin drowned it.
‘Double or quits?’
‘Piss off.’
‘Poor loser, Sol.’
My fingers were in my pocket. Loose change jangled. I thought I had enough for a bottle.
‘Kirsty, another one, quick.’
‘Manners, Sol,’ she was smiling though.
I should have walked but her eyes glittered. She put the whiskey on the table. One slim thigh brushed against mine. The heat burned through my trousers.
‘Sit with me.’ It was a command, not a request.
Kid’s eyebrows rose though he said nothing.
Amber liquid sparkled in the glass. She poured another for herself.
‘Kid?’ she asked.
‘Not my poison.’
I wondered what was. All night he’d been sipping water. Maybe that was his secret.
More heat flared up as Kirsty straddled my lap. I slipped my hand inside her blouse. She brushed it off without complaining. I thought of later, it could wait.
Another hostess wandered over. Kirsty winked as the girl approached the Kid.
‘Wanna bet on it?’ she whispered.
‘Nah, too cool by half.’
He looked cool, damn him.

Dark curls framed an oval face. Her figure was good, too good for him.
He grinned again, that maddening smile. Like the Cheshire cat, I thought.
I tried to remember her name. Something fancy, like Lucy. Maybe Laurel. I wasn’t very good at remembering names. Kirsty wriggled on my lap. My patience took a nosedive – I ignored her.
‘I’m going to the little girl’s room.’
‘Go for me while you’re there,’ I laughed.
‘Come on Sol, another game.’ Kid flicked the cards.
My thoughts were black. I hated him right then. He was just too good for words.
‘Okay then, but you have a man’s drink first.’
I could see him squirming. He had no room left for tricks now.
‘Get you one?’ the girl asked.
‘Okay, make it gin,’ his face was a picture.
‘What’s going on? Kirsty was back and looking lively.
The Kid picked up his glass taking a long swallow. For a moment I thought he’d puke. Then that inane grin spread across his face.
The girls giggled. Both filled their glasses. Then we got down to some serious business.
The Kid shuffled. I thought of the time then dismissed it.
We were both sweating when I cracked.
‘You’re cheating.’ I hit him with my fist.
He went back over the chair with a thump. Then all hell broke loose. The girls started in, pulling hair, rolling around.
Glasses spilled their contents. Snacks went under the table. The cards scattered everywhere.

The room quaked as the owner came in.
She looked everywhere. Took in the weeping girls and Kid.
The grin was gone. Instead he sported a blackened eye.
The swipe took me by surprise. I could feel my bottom lip quivering.
‘That’s it, Solemn. I’m fed up of your misbehaviour. Go to your room at once.’
‘But Ma…’
‘No excuses from you. Look what you’ve done to your little brother.’ Then she caught sight of the girls.
‘What do I tell their mothers?’ She looked angry. ‘No more birthday parties for you.’
‘But Ma..’ I started to whine.
I wanted to tell her about the drinking. The cheating and my new pants wet.
Then I looked at Kirsty and shut up.
Accidents happen with wine gums and water.
Mr Bun the Baker looked up at me.
The Kid started to cry again.
I reckon it was worth it, all things considered.

*