Read Online Tough Luck by Jason Starr - Free Book Online

“Actually, I just came by to see how you were doing.”
    “You did?” Mickey said.
    “Yeah,” the girl said. “I felt bad for leaving yesterday, but someone was waiting in the car for me and I didn’t want to buy anything from your boss. So how’s your finger?”
    “It’s fine, see?” Mickey said, holding up his bandaged hand.
    “Well, I’m glad.”
    “Don’t you want something?” Mickey asked. “The fluke and flounder are fresh today. Also the kingfish is really nice.”
    “No, I’m sorry. Maybe some other time. Anyway, I’m glad you’re feeling better. See you around.”
    “Bye,” Mickey said.
    Mickey watched the girl leave the store. Charlie returned from the back and said, “Where’d she go?”
    “She left,” Mickey said.
    “You get the digits?” Charlie asked.
    “Nah,” Mickey said.
    “What you talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” Charlie said. “Can’t you tell that girl was in heat?”
    “It’s not like that,” Mickey said. “She just came here to see how I was feeling.”
    Charlie stared at Mickey, his hands crossed in front of his chest.
    Mickey stood there for several seconds longer, then he went around the fish stands and dashed out the door. He looked both ways, up and down Flatbush Avenue, but he didn’t see the girl anywhere. He was about to go back into the fish store when he spotted her coming out of the video store across the street. Mickey darted into traffic, not seeing the station wagon speeding right toward him. The driver of the station wagon slammed on the brakes, and the car screeched to a stop, inches in front of Mickey.
    “Fuckin’ moron!” the driver shouted, leaning out of the window.
    Continuing across the street, Mickey didn’t see a motorcycle coming from the other direction. The motorcycle sped past Mickey, barely missing him. Mickey waited in traffic for two more cars to pass, then he sprinted toward the sidewalk where the girl was staring at him, with her mouth partway open.
    “Are you all right?” she asked.
    “Yeah,” Mickey said, catching his breath. “I’m fine.”
    “You almost got killed.”
    “I know, I’m sorry. I just saw you and I was afraid you’d get into a car or something and drive away.”
    Mickey stared at the girl. He noticed she was wearing the same great perfume she had worn yesterday.
    “Do you want to go to dinner or a movie sometime?” Mickey asked. “If you don’t want to that’s okay too. I mean I—”
    “I’d love to,” the girl said.
    “You would?” Mickey said. “I mean that’s great. So do you have a phone?”
    “Do I have a phone? ”
    “I mean phone number.”
    “Do you have a piece of paper?”
    “No, but if you tell me I’ll remember it.”
    The girl told Mickey her phone number then said, “But how will I know it’s you when you call?”
    “Sorry, I’m Mickey.”
    The girl sang, “Oh Mickey, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind, hey Mickey.”
    Mickey smiled then said, “Who do I ask for when I call?”
    “Rhonda.”
    “Rhonda,” he said. “Great.”
    They both laughed nervously. Mickey noticed the way Rhonda’s teeth weren’t perfect—the two front ones stuck out a little too far and overlapped slightly—but it was still the best-looking smile he’d ever seen.
    Mickey realized he was staring at her again and said, “So I’ll definitely call you soon.”
    “Okay,” Rhonda said. “Bye.”
    Mickey watched Rhonda walk away, liking how her thighs rubbed together in her tight jeans. When she reached the end of the block, she looked back at Mickey and smiled, then she turned the corner and was gone.
    When Mickey returned to the fish store, his face glowing, Charlie said, “See? Now ain’t you glad I came in to work today?”
    ON SUNDAY, MICKEY’S day off, he woke up around ten and cooked bacon and eggs, leaving some extra in the pan for his father, who was still sleeping. After breakfast, Mickey watched some of Davey and Goliath, then he flipped through old Sports