Read Online Outcast by Lewis Ericson - Free Book Online Page B

you?”
    â€œHow old do I have to be to apply for the job?”
    â€œWhat job?”
    â€œAs your man.”
    She laughed. His flirtation was corny and appealing at the same time, and it didn’t take long before she discovered that he was a more-than-satisfying lover; but sex wasn’t love.
    In time, her heart and her desire began to overrule her logic. How many times had she swallowed her dignity and looked past his indiscretions? How much more was she willing to take?

6
    Tirrell sat staring at the application as if it were the SATs. His answers could mean the difference between getting a job and remaining unemployed.
    â€œHave you ever been convicted of a felony?”
    No.
    â€œHave you ever served in the military?”
    He leaned back in the chair and tapped the pen on the table in front of him and contemplated how to answer. He decided to leave it blank.
    Though he was a bit distant, Marquis did get him in to see his father, who promptly grilled him about everything from an oil change and engine block to rebuilding a transmission. After the interview, Tirrell reluctantly opened up to Mr. Crawl about what happened with the Army. The man was unpredictably supportive.
    â€œI know how these things can happen,” he said. “You don’t have to worry, I won’t say anything to your grandmother or Anne. As long as you do good work and keep yourself in check we can work it out. Can you start Wednesday morning?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œAll right then.” Mr. Crawl stood up and shook Tirrell’s hand. “We open at seven. Don’t be late.”
    â€œThank you, Mr. Crawl. I’ll be here. I swear I won’t let you down.”
    After the interview, Tirrell found Marquis elbow deep inside the bowels of a Chevy Impala.
    â€œSo, how did it go?”
    â€œI got the job.”
    â€œThat’s what’s up, T.”
    â€œYeah, your pops was real cool about the Army thing. Thanks for puttin’ the word in, man.”
    â€œIt’s all good.”
    â€œYou, uh, you wanna go grab some lunch? Wherever you want to go—on me?”
    â€œShoot,” Marquis responded with a smile. “Free food. Hell yeah! Just give me a minute to clean up.”
    It wasn’t an outrageous gesture, but if a seven dollar buffet was the olive branch it took to get him back on track with his best friend, Tirrell would have gladly bought Marquis’s lunch for the next month. He could only hope, as he rode the train to see Tasha, making up with her would be as easy.
    Tirrell glared stared through the window of the Head-2Toe salon. Each of the seven stations was brightly lit, stocked with all the products, towels, and curlers the operators worked with. Mirrors and posters displaying the latest in hairstyles and hair care were showcased on the walls. He spotted Tasha in the back finishing a client’s hair. There were a few other people inside. At least if she made a scene there wouldn’t be too many witnesses.
    Darnell, who also worked there as a stylist, announced Tirrell’s entrance.
    â€œWell, look who’s here. Magnum, P.I., everybody.” He applauded.
    â€œJealous, Darnell?”
    â€œYou wish.”
    Tirrell grabbed his crotch. “You wouldn’t know what to do with all this.”
    â€œTry me.”
    â€œI’ll pass.”
    Tasha looked up and returned to her client. Tirrell made his way to the back of the shop.
    â€œBaby, can I talk to you for a minute?”
    She ignored him.
    â€œPlease?”
    â€œI don’t wanna talk to you right now, Tirrell. I’m workin’.”
    â€œCan you take a break or somethin’?”
    â€œGo away, Tirrell.” Tasha offered a mirror to the woman in her chair. The woman admired Tasha’s work as Tirrell stood by impatiently.
    â€œGirl, I love it. You know you can do some hair,” the woman said enthusiastically.
    Tasha removed the nylon cape from around her