I knew she was not married he referred to her as Ms. and not Mrs. I would talk to her about Albert. I escorted the ladies back in the car, they were much the worse for wear. Drunk and unruly. Nancy seemed pleased to watch them carry on as we headed back. It was such a distraction I closed the privacy window. Nancy glared at me as it started up. I dropped each woman off at their house or apartment. I dropped Nancy off at her apartment. She left the car without a word. She seemed upset with me now. When I got home the house was quiet. Sophia was already in bed.
It rained all day Wednesday. That night I was called to drive again. I changed and was waiting at the car when Nancy showed up. I opened the door and offered her my hand to help her in. She took it seemingly over her attitude from the previous night. As I drove her to the house she watched me in the mirror the whole way. Both windows were down she had a clear view. Helping her out she asked me to come in. She led me to the den.
“Jay. I want to offer you a new position.” Nancy started. So Jay it was. “I would like you to be my driver for the foreseeable future. Would you like that?”
All things considered it was a better gig I thought. No more arrogant movie stars, no more stupid rich athletes, and no more drunk broke gamblers. The best of all no more sleazy predators like the “Silk Sultan”. I know kind of stupid but when you are rich and you have connections you can call yourself anything you want. He always wore silk, always. Late forties I”d guess, dark hair, short beard.
Like to prey on exotic dancers. Groups of them five or six at a time. Since we could not card them the liquor was locked up. But he always had some sort of drugs on him, ecstasy or whatever. Doled it out freely. Then would take them home and fuck their brains out. Even got a bit rough a few times. Rumor has it his brother is in a biker club. Provides him protection if he steps over that line a bit too hard.
Randy told me once that Butch had a word with him about his activities in the limo. He cleaned his act up there so we kept him as a client. He pays great but is still my least favorite customer. I would be happy not to drive him ever again.
“I can still go to work and school during the day?”
“With a few exceptions. You will know in advance.” She explained.
“Weekends?” I asked.
“Occasionally. Usually drop me off Friday night. Take me home Sunday night.”
“Any other conditions?” I asked.
“Just your loyalty and of course your discretion.” Nancy explained as she came closer. Her eyes locked on mine. I was getting a weird vibe.
“I can live with that. Oh and Albert can call me **?” I added. She seemed amused at my attempt to be demanding.
“He can call you Jay. I find ** childish.” She countered.
“Agreed.” I held out my hand. Nancy seemed taken back by my gesture. Slowly she shook my hand. Hers was warm and firm.
I will be back in an hour so make yourself comfortable.
I did not see Albert that night. She came back as promised. I took her home and after parking the car headed home myself.
As soon as I walked in the door I knew there was a problem. Sophia was in the kitchen crying. Odell was nowhere to be seen.
“What”s wrong?” I asked her. Her eyes were blood shot.
“He is,… is drinking again!” She stammered pointing at the living room. I walked in as he staggered from the bedroom.
“I said go get me more booze whore!” Odell yelled as he held some money in his hand. He stopped abruptly when he saw me.
“If you want more booze go get it yourself!” I said forcefully to him. “But if you do, expect to go to jail as I will call the cops on you!”
“Get the fuck out of my way punk!” Odell yelled. He was pissed now. “You”re going to move, or else!”
“Or else what?” I blocked his way to the kitchen. “You going to cut her again?”
He sobered up quickly with that. He stopped in his tracks and looked at me like he was going to throw a punch.
“You don”t want to do that!” I warned him. “Take a minute and think about what you want to do. Maybe you have had enough to drink for tonight.”
“Get the fuck out of my house!” He yelled backing up.
“NO!” Sophia yelled. She moved behind me.
“Shut the fuck up bitch!” He yelled over my shoulder.
“This is as much of my house as yours!” I reminded him. “I pay rent here. Without it you would not be living here.”
“Fuck you!” He was frothing at the mouth.
“Sophia get your stuff you are sleeping in my room!” I turned to address her.
“The fuck she is!” Odell took a step forward.
“Sophia go now! Odell. She will be alone. I will sleep on the futon in my den.” With much hesitation Sophia slipped from behind me and went to her room. I saw her pass the opening in the hall heading to my room. Odell was physically drained.
“Go sleep it off.” I turned from Odell and headed to my den. He fumbled his way to his room and slammed the door making his anger known again.
I checked on Sophia before making my way to the den. In her quiet way she did not say a word, and struggled to look me in the eye. She had opened the futon into a bed and made it with clean sheets and a blanket.
I had put her in the middle and knew it. Tomorrow I would need to see what I could do to get her out of that position. I had just closed my eyes and started to drift off when I felt a presence in the room. Thinking it was Odell I bolted up ready to defend myself. It was Sophia.
“It”s ok he is passed out now. He will not be up until I wake him.” Sophia whispered in the dark. I could see her silhouette from the small amount of light coming in the window. She stood there not moving.
“Are you ok?” I asked not sure what she wanted.
“He never wakes up… but if he does…” She was scared to death I could feel it.
“Here. Join me. It”s not very comfortable but there is plenty of room.” I guided her between me and the wall.
“Are you sure **?” She asked.
“Positive. He won”t dare go after you if he has to go through me.” Then for some reason something Dr. Nelson said popped into my mind. “Sophia I would like you to call me Jay.”
I had never had an intimate thought about my aunt until the minute she lay beside me. Sophia leaned over and kissed my cheek.
“Thank you Jay.” Sophia turned so her back was to me.
I positioned myself behind her. Sophia curled up inside my body. She smelled and felt wonderful. I wondered how my uncle could treat such a special person this way.
Thursday morning she tried to get out of bed without waking me. I looked up at her as she hovered over me. Her face just inches from mine.
“Sorry! I didn”t mean to wake you!” She looked embarrassed.
“Well I am not. I should be so lucky to have someone so beautiful spend the night with me!” I teased. If she was white she would have been red. Instead her face just got a shade darker. My hands moved to her waist keeping her from leaving just yet.
“Jay! How can you say that?” She scolded. “Besides your girlfriend is very beautiful.”
“I say it because it is true!” I said truthfully. She still hovered over me. I raised my left hand and gently pushed her hair from the right side of her face. I lifted up and kissed her scar one more time. “You are the most beautiful person I know.”
Sophia shocked by my kiss and bold talk jumped free and headed for the door. She stopped at the door and looking back she looked me in the eye to see if I was serious. I could see tears starting to roll over her cheeks.
“You know I would never tease you about that?” I said unwavering. “Everything else, but never about that.” I smiled lightening the mood.
“Thank you Jay.” Sophia wiped her cheek. “I better get him up for work.”
“Sophia! Don”t get him up. Get dressed yourself, if he wakes up fine, but don”t wake him up!” She started to protest but thought better of it.
“Yes sir.” She went to her room and left the door open so I could see if he woke up. Moments later she came down the hall with all her stuff and went into the bathroom I used. Half hour later she emerged ready for work. She started to gather her toiletries up to take them back.
“Leave them. There is enough room for both of our stuff.” I thought she smiled as she set it all down but her hair was blocking her lips.