Kiss of Noir Read Free Page B

house.
    “All right, what’s your problem with me, sister?”
    Sayan rolled her eyes. “I have six sisters and ain’t a one of them you. My problem with you is you’re a nasty freak, for one.”
    “Hold on!”  I said.
    Sayan’s eyes flashed red. “I know you do not want to interrupt me, do you ?”
    I shook my head, glancing wistfully at my broken gin bottle. “No, ma’am.”
    “Humph,” Sayan replied, slightly mollified. “Number two, I don’t know what kind of influence you’ll be around here and I need to protect my family.”
    “Protect!” I choked. “I am family!”
    Sayan’s head swayed like a cobra. “Now, what did I tell you about that?”
    I dropped my eyes. “Yes, ma’am.”
    “You come down here with your sorry drunk ass, tearing up my house, looking for a handout and you’re a grown woman! You too old to be acting a fool! You’re gonna be somebody’s auntie, you know that?”
    “Ellis gonna be a daddy?” I whooped, darting a gaze cautiously at Sayan’s middle, hoping not to be slapped for it.
    “Yes, he sure is,” Sayan answered, grinning and stroking her abdomen. “I’m only a month along, but he or she is in there.”
    “Oh, my, oh, my…Ellis, Ellis, Ellis. Old Hambone a father.” I smiled.
    “Yes, at last. We’re settled and the time is right. We’re finally making our family and I don’t need your raggedy ole self messing things up and bringing trash into my house.”
    “But I won’t—”
    Sayan grabbed my jaw and shook it. “You and me need to get some things straight right here and now before you set one dirty foot in that door.”
    I pried Sayan’s hand off and waited.
    “First, you gonna work and you gonna work all day, every day. You’re gonna keep yourself clean, and by clean, I mean you shower, use deodorant, brush your teeth, and gargle every day. And you wear clean clothes. I ain’t gonna have no funk making me sick. You’re gonna wash your own clothes. You can go to a Laundromat or do them here, but if you do them here, you follow my rules and you stay out of my way. I don’t want you tearing up my new Neptune or leaving your ratty clothes to mold in there. You keep your room and your bathroom clean. I am damn sure not picking up after you or scrubbing your toilet and I expect it to stay clean. I am not your mama. She don’t live here and I pray she raised you right. I will check it every week. All clear so far?” Sayan crossed her arms and threw one hip sideways.
    I was too stunned to be offended and too dependent on Ellis right now to object, so I nodded meekly.
    “Next, you will quit all this drinking if I have to lock you up or drive you to AA myself. And you know how mad I’d be if I had to do that. So you take yourself in hand. Use your time here to get yourself together, and that means no drinking.”
    “Ever?”
    “Never. Not one drop. If you’re still here when the baby comes, you can have carbonated grape juice to celebrate with us.”
    I threw up my hands.
    “Then you better get back in that truck and keep on going,” Sayan stated.
    I looked at my wrecked car, still kissing the stone wall. I had nowhere to go. My shoulders drooped. I looked at Sayan and nodded.
    “And you will help me around the house. I was not put on this earth to clean after any laid-up lowlife. You will help just like Ellis helps: washing dishes, vacuuming, and taking out the trash.” Sayan held up her hand to forestall all arguments. “I have maid service but that don’t excuse nothing. This is not a vacation and you should be responsible for yourself and your messes.”
    Miserable and full of regret, I gazed at the back door where I saw Ellis grinning at me. I smothered a matching smile and focused on Sayan.
    “Furthermore, you will not smoke in my house. Never. And I have a nose like a hound. And if I even suspect you got reefer up in here, I will put you out. I am not playing. So if you have to smoke cigarettes, you do it outside and you’ll pick up