Who was I to argue? I agreed to Russell's terms. When June arrived I handed Russell an envelope, he handed me back thirty dollars. I knew better than to listen to Steve Lucas. The future mortician/con artist advised. "He's blind, he won't know how much you give him. Short him thirty."
"You're an asshole." We were in Steve's room spying on his sisters. They were working on their early season tans.
"Last time I looked greenbacks aren't printed in Braille. Look." he nudged my arm. "Look at Marcy, she's going to do it; there she goes, there she goes, there they are," he cried. In the yard below, Marcy bared her tits to the wind. "Ain't she bustluscious? I mean she's gotta have the best rack you've ever seen."
"She's you're sister."
"She's not you're sister," he quipped.
"You need help," I said while focusing on the best rack ever.
After meeting with Russell I felt better than a private audience with Marcy. My worries were over!
The next morning Jenny Wade waited for me at the corner of Bainbridge and Cemetery Streets. "You've got the money?"
"At least say Good Morning."
Jenny held out her palm.
"We were supposed to meet in front of the Junior High."
"And let you slip through my fingers." She paused - then added. "Slime ball."
"Why so bitter? It's a beautiful morning."
"Cut the shit. Where's my money? Do you have it or not?" Jenny hissed.
"What do you think?"
"You better have it asshole, or this will be your sorriest day. You'll wish you stayed in California."
"You think?" I stared her down.
She stared up at me, trying to snarl. I walked past her towards the High School.
"Yo asshole! If you know what's good for you, you'd stop!" I stopped. My back facing her. "Listen Douche Bag. For you sake, I hope you have the money, especially since that big goon friend of yours isn't around to protect your ass anymore."
"What are you going to do?"
Jenny shoved me. I stumbled but kept my balance. I reached inside my jacket for the envelope. Jenny watched too many mob flicks, when she saw me reach inside my pocket she stepped back.
"Here's your Goddamn money." I held the envelope in front of me. As she reached for it, I lifted it out of reach. By now, a crowd formed.