She Talks To Angels

“I don’t understand it! No girl walks away from me.”

“Smart ones do,” Dunn mumbled. Novak made a face and looked at Bam, pleading.

“You have to help me do something.”

“Like what? ‘I know my friend is a stoned fucker who’ll probably give you STD’s and make you regret the day you ever saw him, but why don’t you give him a try anyway?’ I’m just not going to put someone through that, Nudie.”

“Please Bam?” his voice was soft, had lost its usual joking quality. Bam’s eyes widened.

“You really think you like her?”

“I know I do!”

“Fine,”

**

“Oh, you’re back again. Mocha?” she was behind the counter, but today the shop seemed much less busy. Open on the counter was a thick textbook, and a notebook with a pencil.

“Mmhmm,” Bam nodded. He watched her movie, tucking her hair behind her ears, paying never mind to anything that was going on around her.
“So you’ll notice I didn’t bring my friend with me this time.”

“And I can’t thank you enough for that.” She rolled her eyes. Bam chuckled.

“Are you a druggie?” he asked bluntly. Her eyes went wide and she blinked a few times.

“That’s a pretty personal question, don’t you think?” she delivered his drink. Today she wore a shirt sleeved shirt, and you could see the remnants of her burn from yesterday.

As he took the Styrofoam cup, he reached out and snatched one of her wrists. The girl cried out indignantly as he examined the inside of her elbows.

“Track free,” he released her.

“Pull another stunt like that and I’ll get my manager.” She growled, holding her arm close against her chest.

“So you’re not interested in a date with my druggie friend, are you?”

“Not particularly, no.”

“Listen, he’s really screwed up, and he thinks that he’s in love with you. He’s a stupid prick, but I really think you should go out with him.”

“Well have that charming advertisement, how could I ever say no?”

“Just one date, please Miss uh---,”

“Mercy. My name is Mercy.”

“Mercy then. One date?” he saw her sigh and roll her eyes. His own mother had done this enough for him to know when he’d won.
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t puke on you or something.”

“Ew, gross. Is that really a problem?”

“Yeah, it is.” He confessed. “But look, if you do this, I’ll make sure he never ever bothers you again. The rest of your life can be spent peacefully.”

“I don’t believe you’ve got that sort of power over him. I don’t believe you can really keep him from doing anything.”

She was smarter than he figured. Bam looked at her for a few seconds. She sighed and tapped her fingers on the counter.

“One date. I’ll go on one date with him. That’s it.”

“Okay,” he smiled and pulled a napkin and a pencil out from behind the counter, ready to take her information.