April Loves Black Coffee: First Impressions by T.B. Solangel Read Free Book Online Page B

darkness.
    I let go of Brown Eyes’ hand and slump back against the side of the building with him. A million thoughts run through my mind. I can call the police to help, but they will probably cite Brown Eyes for violating public intoxication laws. He could end up in even more trouble than if he sleeps off the alcohol somewhere else. I can’t bring him back inside The Trax nor rent out a room in a motel for him. I don’t have that kind of money to spare.
    He’s a gangster. Joolie’s voice reverberates in my mind as I think about the police again. Look at the necklace he has on his neck. It’s a diamond-encrusted Cross. He’s a Crist member. Son’s voice raids my mind next. He’s a gangster . . . they rob, cheat, steal, and kill.
    Without thinking, I turn to Brown Eyes and look down at his shirt. The diamond necklace is between the right flap of his white collar and his black blazer. Even under the poor night lighting, it is still clear that the diamonds are comprised of carats beyond my mathematical concepts. There is no mistaking the sign of the Cross. A chill wracks my body. Gangsters. What do I know about gangsters?
    “Hold on a second.” An idea strikes my mind. I reach inside my tote bag for my cell phone.
    On the home screen of my cell phone, I have missed two calls from my stepmother and a text message from Lina. Usually after work at The Trax, I check in with my mother and Lina to let them know I am off work.
    I will text them back later. I exit the message screen and press down on the camera function until it turns on. Then, I angle the camera away from Brown Eyes’ face and press for the picture. The flash lights up and in less than a second, it is all done. He is committed to memory with the aid of a device.
    Brown Eyes doesn’t even move an inch.
    “Come on.” I reach for his left arm to wrap around my neck.
    “Suni?” Brown Eyes opens his eyes half-heartedly. He repeats the endearing name again.
    “Suni.” I nod my head. “We’re going to go find Suni for you.”
    It is bad to lie and make promises to a drunken person, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to get Brown Eyes up. Slowly and carefully, I help him balance on my side. Brown Eyes must be extremely motivated to find this Suni of his because he musters up some gross motor control to walk. But Brown Eyes remains a challenge to hold up. Because he is taller than me, Brown Eyes’ chin continues to collide with my head. Ow. Ouch. Ow. I wince with every step we take.
    Brown Eyes and I begin our walk down the street. The bright lights of the city fade into the background. Looming dark buildings, combine d with ribbons and streaks of color, follow us all the way out to the main street. There is still a decent amount of traffic on the road. Cars hum and zoom by at a steady speed. The last bus has left for the night. My only resort now is a taxi.
    When I see a taxi crawling up the street, I use one of Brown Eyes’ arms to flag it down. It is clear to see the taxi driver hesitating behind his car’s windshield. Evidently, business must be slow for him because he pulls over.
    “Is he drunk?” The taxi driver is an old man in his early sixties. The lines on his face crease together when he asks the question. He rolls his windows down halfway, weary of our company.
    “A little bit.” I put on my best smile. “But he’s fine. He’s just sleepy. He won’t throw up in your car.”
    “I hope not,” the taxi driver states shortly. He glances at Brown Eyes and then back at me again. “Get in.”
    “Thank you,” I breathe. If he didn’t let us in, I don’t know what I would do.
    I make my way around the left side of the taxi swiftly. With Brown Eyes still leaning on me, I move him around and place him inside the taxi first. Immediately, he slumps over in the seat. I have to go around the other side to get into the car.
    “Where are you two headed?” From his tone of voice, the taxi driver is making clear judgments.
    “East Point