The Dark Tower

The Now Chapter 1

“Ashley can you tell me why you haven’t decided on what apartment to get?” Said Tony.

“Well maybe because you keep distracting me!” I said as I shot Tony a kiss from across the kitchen.

“Babe, we have to decide something, this old apartment is not going to work for us.” He said

“Oh but why not honey?!” I say sarcastically, “isn’t this everything you ever hoped for?! The peeling wallpaper! The smell of cigarettes and old people! The sink that always drips no matter what you do! What is not to love?!” I shoot a quick smile with my theatrics, “and don’t forget that picture frame we can’t get off the wall and had been here since the Big Bang! We can’t leave Gordy behind!” I say gently caressing the picture frame. Gordy was the name I gave the man in the painting. Not sure how long he had been there, but when I moved in 6 years ago I tried for so long to get it off the wall without even a budge.

“Seriously I love you, but I can’t keep worrying about Gordy creeping in my dreams at night anymore. Plus I make enough now we can move downtown, I know you like the outskirts of this city, but I miss being where the life is.”

“This is my down town. You know I grew up in a small town of maybe 300 people. This outskirts, as you call it, has 300 just in this building.” I did miss home, I could actually see the stars in my backyard.

“Okay well I’ve sent you a link to a couple I like, I have to go to work.” Tony gave me a quick kiss on my cheek as he threw his duffel over his shoulder and headed out.

Oh Tony. What a surprise he was. I was visiting a bar with my friends and he walked in, my friends drooled at the sight of him. 6 feet tall, brown hair that curled just a bit, light brown eyes, masculine cheeks and jaw, big lips. The man was walking s*x as far as my friends were concerned.

“I’m going to get some shots for the table quick I’ll be back!” I said as I walk towards the bar

“What can I get you babe?” Said the bartender she was a beautiful blonde, definitely in her late 40s but didn’t look it at all, “can I get some pickle shots please.” I said, she nodded and proceeded to get everything rounded up to make them. I watched until I felt someone poke my shoulder.

“Pickle shots?! Are you guys 5?” It was the walking s*x guy.

“Actually we all just turned 6, calling us 5 is an insult. I color in the lines now!” I said jokingly looking into his eyes for a quick second sharing a smile then watching the bartender again.

“My names Tony, you are?”

“I’m Ashley.”

“Well Ashley, do you happen to be single? I’d like to take you on a date.” I looked back up at him, he was rubbing the back of his head. God he was cute, should I just say no and walk away or should I entertain this for a while, I thought to myself.

“Only if you tell me how old you are.” I said giggling raising an eyebrow

“I turned 7 this last October.” He joked, he could match my humor this was a breath of fresh air.

“Oh and do you color in the lines?”

“No I still have trouble. Thankfully I potential have someone to teach me how standing right in front of me.”

“Well Tony I’d love to. How about we meet at Sunny’s on the corner of 5th and Waken next Saturday. Does 7 sound good to you?” He looked amazed at me for being so blunt and telling him where to meet. In all honesty Sunny’s was a safe place, I could tell them I needed an angel shot and they’d find me a way out of there away from him, if things went wrong.

“Yes,” he stuttered, “see you next Saturday at 7.”

I walked the pickle shots back to the table. All my friends teased me by making moaning sounds and oohs.

“So did he sound as sexy as he looked?”

“You didn’t bring him back for us?”

“Did you see how he got fidgety talking to you?”

I look at all of them, Ember was the closest thing to a best friend I could have. She was a short haired blonde with big bright blue eyes, light pink lips, and always wore the latest fashions. Aniqa was always honest and most the time brutal. She had tight thick curls that framed her face, brown eyes, and perfectly Carmel skin. The last one I had just met when I moved here. Her name was Donna, she was the wild one, digging into drama and knew the latest tea. She had black hair, strong brown eyes that begged for attention, and pale skin.

“Well we are going to Sunny’s next Saturday night if y’all must know!” I said spreading the shots on the table in front of all them “Cheers to us huh?”