Michelle came into O’Keefe’s and offered a wan smile at Paulie. “Hey, Paulie,” she said.
Paulie was busy serving, and waved to her. Michelle was the lunch waitress for today, and would be on until two-thirty, when she had to leave and get her daughter from school. The hours were perfect for her, 11:30 to 2:30. Of course, Jerry said that she should work more hours, but, then Jerry was too stuck on World of Warcraft, drinking, and basically sitting on his ass all day. At least she made the effort.
She went downstairs to her locker to put on her uniform. Knight was down there, coming up with a huge bottle of red wine. “Hey, Michelle—“ he stopped short and stared at her.
She looked away.
He put the bottle down and took her head by the chin, tilting it.
“Who gave you tha’ shiner?”
How did he know? She’d covered it up with enough makeup that she couldn’t see it. How could he see it? She pulled her head away. She saw in his eyes that he was angry, and he demanded an answer.
She had told two other waitresses, Marissa and Tina, who had not told a soul, bless them. She had not told a man. She told Jerry, but…refer to previous thought about him.
“Y’r boyfriend?”
“No,” she said immediately. “No, he wouldn’t do that.”
“Who?”
She couldn’t look at Knight’s eyes, full of fire. “My father,” she said quietly.
She saw him stiffen, his hands turn into fists. She started stammering, “I know he means well, because sometimes I don’t listen and do what he says—“
“Nobody,” Knight almost growled, “has th’ right to hit you t’ get attention.”
“He said he was sorry. It’s for my own –“
“Don’t,” he snarled. “Don’t even say that! Was he drunk?”
She nodded.
“Still no goddamn excuse.”
She put a hand on his arm. His muscles were tense, tight cords, and she could feel them through the skin. My God, she thought, he’s so strong. “I’ll be all right.”
“Y’ don’ wan’ me t’ scare th’ shit outta him? Stop ‘im from drinkin’?”
“Knight,” and she didn’t let go of his arm. Her thumb pressed in between the muscles, and still he did not relax. He was so tight, his skin so hot, the muscles so defined – ”Knight, I’ve got it.”
He bent and picked up the wine jug. “You need me, you jus’ holler.” She watched him go upstairs and she thought for a moment that she did need him, but not for what he wanted to do.