Page 14 of Paco
“Can I have some more hot water?” Misty asked.
Holly rolled her eyes. “Aren’t you the big spender? I can’t have you taking up space drinking hot water.”
“Just bring me the water. I fuckin’ paid for it.” Holly glared at her, then marched away. “She’s such a fuckin’ bitch.”
Shirley chuckled. “She thinks she’s better than us because she doesn’t get paid to fuck. Actually, she’s pretty stupid. She’s been giving it out for free to all the long-haul drivers for the past three years, and she’s still stuck in this shithole.”
“She doesn’t seem to have a problem with you. I hate the bitch.”
“Look at me, sweetie. Would you be jealous of me? She hates you because you’re pretty and clean. I can tell you don’t use. And the way that biker stood up for you made her madder than hell. She wanted to fuck him so bad.” Shirley laughed.
“How’d you know about Paco?”
“She told me and anyone who would listen. She couldn’t believe that he picked you over her. I just wished I was here to see it.”
“He was just helping me out. Nothing happened. I was so sick that night, I just fell asleep, and he was a real gentleman.”
“That’s a first. I used to party hard with bikers when I was younger. I worked in some of their strip clubs, and ‘gentlemen’ isn’t a word I’d use in describing them. But they sure know how to party and give a gal a good time. I had some great times when I was younger.”
Holly put the BLT in front of Shirley. “Can I get you anything else?”
The woman glanced at Misty. “You want something to eat?”
Holly scowled.
A low growl rumbled from Misty’s stomach, and she squirmed in her seat trying to quiet it. “I’m good.”
Shirley shook her head. “No you ain’t. Do you like BLTs?”
With eyes cast downward, Misty nodded. Holly huffed out an exaggerated breath and stomped away.
“Thanks,” Misty said softly. “I’ll pay you back.”
“I know you will. No rush. Where you from?”
She raised her eyes and met Shirley’s pale blue ones. “Why?”
The woman took a big bite of her sandwich and chewed for a few seconds. “I was just wondering. I’m from Arizona, but I’ve been traveling all around the country. I’ve been here for about three years. It’s the longest I’ve ever stayed in one place in a real long time.” She popped a potato chip in her mouth and crunched down on it.
“We do a lot of traveling too. Especially in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It’s not so humid here, so I like that.”
Holly slammed the plate down in front of Misty and stalked away.
“So you’re not gonna tell me where you come from. Are you sure you’re here ’cause you wanna be?” Shirley looked at her pointedly.
“Yeah.” She bit into the BLT. “This is really good. I can’t remember the last time I had a BLT.” In a couple of minutes, she’d finished her sandwich and chips. “I guess I was hungry.” She laughed dryly.
“You gotta eat.”
“Thanks, Shirley.” Misty glanced at the flashing screen on her phone.
Bobby:Y the fuck r u in the diner?
“Those bitches,” she muttered under her breath.
Misty:Just stopped in 4 hot tea. Still sick. Leaving now.
Bobby:U better bring home 500 bucks or I’ll be pissed.
